"HB 309 was just tabled in committee! Thanks to everyone who wrote, called, drove, testified ... it was truly a team effort," the post read.

Olson said anglers from throughout Montana and beyond contacted lawmakers to voice their opposition to the bill, and packed a Senate hearing on the matter earlier this month.

The lawmakers listened, and references to the bill's large opposition were made before Tuesday's vote.

"It just proves that all the hard work pays off," Olson said. "We're just elated we were able to stop what we didn't think was a very good bill at all. Now we fish."

Steve Luebeck, also of the George Grant chapter, said the committee's decision is "about as good of a result as we could expect."

Luebeck and others were concerned that a revised version of the bill would survive committee, and that the fight would continue over stream access.

Committee members opted against advancing even a significantly revised version of the bill, however, after strong angler opposition.

"It's an outstanding day for people who like to fish Montana's rivers and streams," Luebeck said.