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DEER LODGE- When Ted Dodge was a child, kids didn't even go in Clark Fork River.

"When I was a kid growing up in Deer Lodge this river ran orange a lot of times," he says.

Restoration projects began over 20 years ago and now Dodge leads the Watershed Restoration Coalition. The work included installing fish screens and improving diversions and reconnecting tributaries.

His group also works with other agencies like the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, and together the groups have made steady improvements in the once orange river.

It's hard for some people to ever imagine this part of the Clark Fork River could be restored, but now they're starting to see improvements.

"I've seen the river go through a lot of changes and right now it's at it's best. Well maybe not at it's best but it's very good. Especially the fishing right now."

Joe Yankoskie moved to Deer Lodge in the 1960's. He loves to fish and says lately the fishing has been plentiful on the Clark Fork, but he also says it's one of the forgotten rivers.

"They figure that it's still a polluted river, that it's not very fishable," he adds.

The Watershed Restoration Coalition will be hosting a celebration at the Old Montana State Prison on Saturday, looking to highlight the agencies and organizations that are working to restore the Clark Fork River.

The Clark Fork River Celebration runs from 9 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Click here for more information.