Volunteers help clean up Thompson River

It is an effort that goes largely unnoticed, except by those who live and play up Thompson River. For five years, Sanders County Flycasters have been taking on the trash left by visitors to the recreational river area. Flycaster Miles Sexton said the chore gets easier every year, but there is always plenty to pick up.

“I think the brunt of the trash was picked up in the first two years, because our load going out has been lighter ever since.”

Sexton reported that about 35 volunteers showed up for the effort, including a group of students from Wood Creek Academy and a fisherman from Nevada who joins the cleanup job nearly every year to give back to the river that gives him an enjoyable vacation. Following the cleanup, a barbecue was held at the 17 mile marker bridge.

“Those boys from the academy have been coming down to help out every year,” said Sexton, “they are a huge help. And, boy, they can eat! We brought plenty of food and cake in and left with no leftovers. I don’t know how they eat it all, but it is more than worth it for the help they provide.”

Sexton shared that every year there is usually an inordinate amount of a single item picked up along the ACM Road, Thompson River Road and in the river itself. The first year it was tires. An unbelievable number of tires led to a lot of fishing of the type they hadn’t planned on. “This year it was bottles and cans,” said Sexton who also reported a brake drum and a few other miscellaneous car parts.

“But for the most part, it seems once we cleaned up the bulk of the mess there was less litter from then on. It’s as if dumped trash actually attracts more trash to be dumped.”

For more information about the cleanup or about the Flycasters Club contact Sexton at (406) 531-9804.