About the Chapter

The Pat Barnes Chapter of Trout Unlimited is the Helena, Montana-area membership chapter of Trout Unlimited. Our Chapter works on projects in the Missouri, Smith, and Little Blackfoot Rivers.

Who was Pat Barnes?

Before opening his own fly shop in West Yellowstone in 1946, Pat taught school in Helena, Montana, and guided for Dan Bailey and Don Martinez during the summertime. He created fly patterns like the Sofa pillow and Jug head, and was the first western guide to use a McKenzie drift boat on Montana's rivers.

More about Pat & Sig Barnes

Meet the Board

Will Trimbath | President

Jason Orzechowski | Vice President

Kiel Midtlyng | Treasurer

Brad Hansen | Secretary

Gusty Clarke | Outreach Coordinator

Taylor Todd | Conservation Chair

Shalon Hastings | Diversity Chair

Dennis Cates

Matt Hargrave

Lee Ricks

Montana TU

Montana Trout Unlimited conserves, protects and restores Montana’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. MTU’s work includes:

Advocating for clean water, robust stream flows, healthy habitat, and naturally functioning watersheds and floodplains;
Promoting fishery management that preserves and improves populations of wild fish, with a priority on native species, such as cutthroat trout, bull trout and grayling.
Working with agencies and landowners to conduct projects across the state that restore water quality, streamflows, healthy riparian habitats and natural stream function.
Defending the rights of anglers to access Montana’s streams and rivers for fishing and other recreational purposes
Educating the public about the importance of clean water and healthy wild fisheries.

Learn more