TU National Celebration in Michigan

The 50 Year Celebration of Trout Unlimited is culminating today with the annual board meeting in Traverse City; meanwhile we've some photographic evidence of our local chapters involvement in a successful week-long gathering!

Reeling & Healing with Headwaters TU

A number of Directors and general members of the Headwaters Chapter have volunteered time and talent to aid others in need...

One of those organizations is a womens cancer recovery group known as Reeling & Healing... you can find more about them and their mission by visiting their web-site site. http://www.fishon.org/

Member Dr. Robert Slezak, together with Directors Dave Smethurst and Lance Weyeneth spent some time in waders while a couple dozen participants were introduced to the Au Sable River and the joys of fly-fishing!

Reeling & Healing holds several gatherings each summer. 15-20 cancer survivors and those currently battling the disease are able to soothe their minds and bodies together with an opportunity to meet others and share in the joy of discovery during a challenging time.

This session was held at Gates Au Sable Lodge on he fabled banks of the Au Sable's Holy waters just east of Grayling. http://www.gateslodge.com/

Thunder Bay River Clean-Up in Alpena!

A quick word regarding a fine day on Saturday in Alpena... And props to Director Nathan Skibbee for organizing a well-run event!


Nearly 25 volunteers spent the afternoon yesterday under blue bird skies on the lower portion of the Thunder Bay River in downtown Alpena. The Chapter received tremendous exposure through Nathans' efforts including front page coverage from the local paper and television station. I personally read a snippet in the Detriot Free Press and heard a twenty-second spot on Friday morning broadcast by a radio station based in Traverse City and Petoskey.

The Chapters efforts resulted in a much cleaner river from the 9th Street dam to the mouth at Lake Huron! Look for additional photos on our photo gallery on Chapters web-site at http://www.headwaterstu.org/gallery/

Headwaters Chapter 31st Anniversary Banquet

Every year the Headwaters Chapter holds its Annual Banquet on the Saturday before the Michigan trout opener, and this year was no different. On Saturday April 18 Chapter members and friends gathered to share the excitement of the coming trout season, and to support the efforts of the Chapter that help keep maintain the "blue ribbon" quality of trout fishing in northern Michigan. Over 200 folks attended the event, which was again held at the lovely Otsego Club in Gaylord, and all enjoyed a great meal, drinks, and comraderie. As this event is also a fundraiser for the Chapter there were plenty of raffles, silent auction, and live auction items. Our Chapter tries hard to attract members from all walks of life, including women, children, and non-flyfishermen and therefore we offer a wide variety of items for raffle and auction including jewelry, shotguns, wine and beer tastings, artwork, and home appliances. In short, there is something for everyone. Check out some pictures of the fun below or click on our website at http://www.headwaterstu.org/ for more information.

Introduction to Fly Fishing - 2009

Today the Headwaters Chapter sponsored its annual "Introduction to Fly Fishing Workshop" at the Johannesburg-Lewiston High School in Johannesburg, MI. As in past years the workshop ran from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and instruction was provided in the areas of casting, knot tying, fly tying, fly fishing equipment, and aquatic entymology. We had a great turnout of almost 40 men, women, and children who all seemed to be having a great time learning about the different aspects of fly fishing from some local experts, as well as enjoying a lunch of grilled brats and dogs, chips, potato salad, and pop. Any who attended are encouraged to comment on this blog to tell us what you liked and any suggestions to make the program better next year. Thanks also to the volunteers from the Chapter who helped make the workshop a great success: John Walters, Neal Godby, Eric Anderson, Dave Smethurst, Lance Weyeneth, Pete Middleton, George Mertz, Terry Warrington, Larry Hull, and everyone else who was there to lend a hand. Check out the pictures below for a look at the fun!

Sprining Forward? It's nearly upon us!

We're gathering again this evening for our fifth "Tie-One-On" of the year. Remember January, with snow, ice, cold and several more months of the same on the horizon? Well winter is firmly in the rear-view mirror as we press toward the vernal equinox. So here's the latest concerning our Chapter and the lovely environs in the Headwaters' Region...

A formal complaint has been filed by the Michigan Attorney General against Golden Lotus Incorporated, operators and owner of Song-of-the-Morning Ranch. Arguments, witnesses and a hearing are being lined up for early next month. We could be talking specific details and a court date regarding this dam in time for our final "Tie-One-On" session April 2nd.

We're excited about the "Introduction To Fly Fishing" held on Saturday, April 11th at the Johannesburg-Lewiston High School beginning at 9:00am. Families can enjoy casting lessons, insect and entomology discussions, equipment explanations and a lot of good humor.

A week later you'll be able to support us at our 31st Annual Banquet; held again at the Otsego Club in Gaylord, Michigan. The evening will start at 5:00pm and additional details can be found at our web-site: www.HeadwatersTU.org

The Board of this Chapter will soon receive passwords to our blog. We hope this will make for an interesting mix and dialog! Feel free to send your thoughts and ideas to us.

Week 4 of Tying One On...

While others are far better versed in these matters I find the world of blogging and url's still a little confusing. Actually it's all the usernames and passwords that cause my angst and general grief. Such is the case from my entry last evening during our Chapters fourth Tie-One-On this year.


headwaters bloggers
Thursday, February 19, 2009

While we're in the midst of another "Tie-One-On" there's additional news to report that greatly affects our coverage area. The Michigan Attorney General announced this week that a formal suit has been filed against the operators of the Song of the Morning Ranch on the upper Pigeon River. The full complaint will be entered the next few days and we'll provide you with updates both here and on our web-site. www.headwaterstu.org

More good news for area watersheds came within the past month through the Federal Courts concerning the Mason Tract lawsuit. You'll recall, plans to develop oil and gas beneath the South Branch of the Au Sable River under State-owned lands were proposed five years ago. The problem came when surface ownership and mineral rights were severed as the original gift of 1400 acres from George Mason was expanded to its current 5600 acres. The USFS issued leases to Savoy Energy of Traverse City, Michigan, to allow drilling within 1300 feet of the hallowed Fisherman's Chapel. Fortunately this proposed exploratory well was smack in the middle of a highly revered stretch of blue-ribbon river! www.ausableanglers.org

The necessity of a suit become evident as the prior administration out of Washington, called for expeditious exploration within the contiguous United States. Fortunately others like the Mackinaw Chapter of the Sierra Club were paying close attention! http://michigan.sierraclub.org/

Also settled within the past month is another remediation issue affecting the headwaters of the Au Sable main stream at C-38 or Mancelona Road just above Lynn Lake. A portion of the Kolke Creek creek case was heard in the Michigan Supreme Court. Understand, there are two separate actions involved in this suit. Again we would direct you to the Anglers' web-site for an accurate sequence of events that impact all our quality watersheds. www.ausableanglers.org

Another action affecting local watersheds lies on our Chapters' western edge on the upper portion of the Jordan River. The Alba Deep Well Injection Site has garnered a tremendous amount of publicity since CMS Energy's proposed remediation from concrete leachate located on the grounds of the old Penn-Dixie Cement Plant... now referred to as Bay Harbour Luxury Resort. This organization is all over it and have won in the local courts. They need and deserve our support. www.friendsofthejordan.org

Until next time...

Posted by Board Blogger at 4:12 PM 0 comments

So you see my friends... Still learning to fly without much of a parachute!