summer 2009 michigan trout unlimited newletter

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SUMMER 2009 • Vol. 29 • Issue 1 PUBLISHER

Dr. Bryan Burroughs

MICHIGAN TROUT MAGAZINE P.O. Box 442

Dewitt, Michigan 48820-8820 (517) 599-5238

[email protected]

TYPESET & LAYOUT Ron Peckens Fisheye Internet Solutions & Hosting LLC

60 Cloverport Ave. Rochester Hills, Michigan 48307

[email protected]

ADVERTISING Pat Hughes 85771 Tim Tam Trail

Flushing, Michigan 488433 [email protected]

MICHIGAN TROUT

UNLIMITED OFFICERS

CHAIRMAN Kimberly Wetton VICE CHAIRMAN David Smith

TREASURER Robb Smith Sr. SECRETARY Mike Lagowski

MICHIGAN TROUT is the official

publication of the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited. Copyright 2009. Issues

are mailed to all members of Trout Unlimited Chapters throughout Michigan.

Copies for free distribution are made available throughout the State at various locations. Send all editorial and advertising correspondence to the editor. Advertising rate card is available upon request. Michigan Trout and Michigan

Trout Unlimited reserves the right to accept or reject proposed

advertisements at their sole discretion. Trout Unlimited Chapter members should

send all changes of address for subscriptions to Trout Unlimited, 1500

Wilson Boulevard, Suite 310, Arlington, Virginia 22209-2404.

4 Welcome - 50th Anniversary 5 Michigan Celebration - July 18, 2009 7 Michigan Hosts TU 50th Anniversary in Traverse

City - August 17 - 23, 2009 11 Paving the Way

By Wesley Cooper

15 TU launches New Stream Explorer Membership 16 Thanks Art! 17 Our Waters have gotten a Lot Cleaner over the last 50 years By Carlos Fetterolf

FEATURES

COLUMNS 8 Shooting Lines

By David Leonard

12 Scientifically Speaking By Dr. Dan Hayes

On the Cover: George Griffith in his river boat during

the early years of Trout Unlimimited

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www.michigantu.org Celebrating 50 Years

50th AnniversaryApril 18, 1959 - April 18, 2009

Welcome! Thanks for helping us celebrate 50 years of Trout Unlimited in Michigan! This issue of MICHIGAN TROUT is devoted to the 50th anniversary of TU and the coldwater conservation ethic in Michigan. In the following pages you will find information on; the two celebrations that are planned in Michigan for this summer, some one-of-a-kind fundraisers

that we are sponsoring, reflective pieces that remind us of where we started and what we have accomplished, some wise and timeless reprints of articles

from the first two years of TROUT magazine, and more. We hope you enjoy – and we hope you attend one of the two 50th celebrations that will be held in Michigan this summer. We look forward to both celebrating our successes with you – and recommitting ourselves to all the work that is ahead of us in the next 50 years.

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The idea for Trout Unlimited was "born" on July 18, 1959 at George Griffith’s cabin on the banks of the AuSable River when Mr. Griffith assembled fifteen likeminded sportsmen to form our beloved organization. The group included Fred Bear, founder of Bear Archery; Casey E. Westell, Jr., (TU’s first president); Lon B. Adams, originator of the Adams fly pattern and Art Neumann, founding vice president and maker of Wanigas Rods - hot items among those who collect antique tackle. Convinced that Michigan's trout streams could turn out far superior fish if left to their own devices, this prestigious group of anglers sought to ensure that wild and native trout populations would be allowed to thrive, as nature intended. From the beginning, TU was guided by the principle that if “we take care of the fish, then the fishing will take care of itself.” And that principle was grounded in science. Fifty years later, TU remains dedicated to the protection of coldwater fisheries across America. America's largest coldwater conservation organization, Trout Unlimited boasts 140,000 members nationally, including almost 7,000 in Michigan alone.

On July 18, 2009, Michigan Trout Unlimited is holding a party to celebrate the first 50 years of Trout Unlimited in Michigan. The “Michigan Celebration” will be held at the DNR Rayburn property on the banks of the AuSable River, which is located about two miles east of Grayling. The event is free and open to the public. The Michigan Celebration provides an

alternative statewide celebration for those unable to attend the TU National Event in Traverse City. Trout Unlimited members will receive special recognition and other surprises. Canoeists, tubers, kayakers and other river users are also encouraged to attend as the Rayburn site is located right on the River.

The Michigan Celebration will include food, contests, raffles, displays, games, entertainment, auctions, kid’s activities; fly casting & fly tying

demonstrations and much more. There will be music, art and special presentations. Everyone is invited to come and learn about conservation efforts from numerous non-profit groups throughout the State, the Michigan DNR and other government agencies. Details are still being worked out, but we expect the event to be fun, interactive, informative and an all around special day. The Michigan Celebration website, www.celebratetu.org, will be updated on a

regular basis. Volunteers are needed to help with the planning of

the Celebration and ensure it runs smoothly. Reserve July 18th and be a part of this very special event. Michigan TU will continue to work to conserve, protect and restore Michigan’s coldwater resources. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit the Michigan Celebration website: www.celebratetu.org or call Bob Thorsen at (248) 267 3277 or Ron Peckens at (248) 721 2596.

Birthplace of Trout Unlimited Commemorative Plaque at the Barbless Hook in Grayling, Mi.

Michigan Celebrates TU’s 50th Anniversary - July 18th

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Trout Unlimited was formed 50 years ago at a meeting of concerned Michigan anglers and conservationists, at the home of George Griffith – on the Au Sable River near Grayling, MI. The idea for forming this group had actually begun years before – during many conversations about the state of coldwater fisheries (of which we know George Mason was pivotal). The idea and rationale grew, and when the time was right – it came to fruition. We also know that TU was lucky enough to have the right people, with diverse skill sets, all come together and contribute uniquely and valuably to the success of the organization during the early years. George Griffith, Corny Schrems, Casey Westell and Art Neumann, to name just a few – all played critically important roles that they were each able to uniquely contribute. These contributions include promoting the cause, increasing membership, financially underwriting the organization, providing strategy for

effective political advocacy, developing conservation priorities and taking the idea of TU from a Michigan idea – to national conservation organization. All of the early founders and members played critically important roles in getting TU capable of producing the conservation successes it served for our coldwater fisheries over the last 50 years. We hope that as you enjoy Michigan’s coldwater fisheries this season – you stop and take a moment to reflect on the contributions of past TU members that have given towards the cause – so that we might be able to enjoy the same resources today. We also hope you will reflect on how you might be able to uniquely contribute to the TU team today – so that we can

ensure that the next generation can continue to enjoy all that we hold very dear. Large or small, we each have a unique means to help ensure the conservation, protection, and restoration of Michigan’s coldwater fisheries and environs that support them.

Contributing to the TU Mission

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Trout Unlimited this original painting “Adams Fly” was created by artist Beth Ward-Donahue and donated by the Leon P. Martuch Chapter of TU. Traverse City was the birthplace of this fly. It was created by Len Halladay and named after Judge Charlie Adams who fished with this fly. We would like you to support Michigan TU by purchasing tickets for this original painting which we will be raffled off at the 50th National Convention in Traverse City August 22, 2009. Tickets are $ 10.00 each or 3 for $ 20.00. They can be purchased by contacting: Robb Smith, 2114 7th Street, Bay City, MI 48708 email – [email protected]

Tickets can also be purchased online @ www.michigantu.org.

50th ANNIVERSARY RAFFLE

Original Painting “Adams Fly” by Beth Ward-Donahue

Michigan Raffle License #R01192

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2009 Annual Meeting Agenda Monday – August 17 7:30 am – 4:30 pm *Un-hosted Fishing Day 5:00 pm Registration opens Tuesday – August 18 7:00 am Registration opens 7:30 am – 6:00 pm *Hosted Fishing Trip 8:00 am – 6:00 pm **Family Activities 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Dessert Reception/Ice cream Social 10:00 pm - MI Hospitality Suite Wednesday – August 19 7:00 am Registration opens 7:30 am – 5:30 pm *Watershed Conservation Tour 7:30 am – 5:30 pm **Family Activities (must register), other open activities 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm BBQ 7:30pm – 9:30 pm MI Council live auction & raffle 10:00 pm MI Hospitality Suite Thursday – August 20 7:00 am Registration opens 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Vendor/Partnership Day, Chapter/Council displays 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Grill Out Lunch 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Lake Michigan luau (Chasin' Steel band) 10:00 pm MI Hospitality Suite Friday – August 21 7:00 am – 8:30 am Continental Breakfast 8:30 am – 11:30 am Annual Members Meeting: State of TU 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Volunteers Awards Luncheon 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm 9-Hole Fly Casting Tourna-ment 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm Speaker Dinner 10:00 pm MI Hospitality Suite Saturday – August 22 7:30 am – 8:30 am Grassroots Breakfast 8:45 am – 9:45 am Council chairs meeting 10:00 am – 11:00 am NLC meeting 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Speaker Lunch 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm TBD 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Banquet Social (Semi-formal) 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm Gala Banquet (Semi-formal) 10:00 pm - MI Hospitality Suite Sunday – August 23 7:30 am – 12:00 pm Board of Trustees Meeting

*Event not included in general registration, in-curs additional fees. **Each participant must be registered for every family activities and all meals.

Additional Information Registration Fee ($300 Early Bird / $325 Early / $350 Regular) Early Bird ends: June 1, 2009 Early ends: July 15, 2009 Registration Closes: August 7, 2009 Includes all events Tuesday through Saturday except hosted fishing trip and conservation tour.

To celebrate 50 years of Trout Unlimited and its conservation success, TU members and guests will gather at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City August 17-23, 2009. Everyone is invited to attend this special event as we celebrate our history and work for the future. Trout Unlimited was formed in 1959 in Michigan along the banks of the Au Sable River, near Grayling, but it quickly spread across the United States and Canada and has grown to 140,000 members and over 400 chapters as conservation minded anglers adopted the mission to conserve, protect and restore our coldwater resources.

During the celebration, the Michigan Trout Unlimited is responsible for several activities including the Hosted Fishing Trips on August 18th, and the Watershed Conservation Tour on August 19th. If you are familiar with one of the rivers between Traverse City and the Pere Marquette River to the south or between Traverse City and the Au Sable River to the east and you would like to play host to some out of state guests, please contact Brian Kozminski at [email protected]. We are also hosting a couple of fundraising events during the week and if you have a unique item or service that you would like to donate, please contact Ross Rosen at [email protected]. All proceeds from the fundraisers will benefit the Michigan Council in our mission to conserve, protect and restore Michigan’s coldwater resources.

To register for this event, see a complete list of activities or to learn more about the history of TU, please visit www.tu50.org.

Michigan Hosts 50th Anniversary Celebration of Trout Unlimited

Event Registration General Registration Fee of $375 includes all standard meals and events Wednesday through Saturday night. (Early Bird Discount, registration before May 1st, for only $300. Early Discount, registration between May 1 and July 15, for only $325)

Family Registration Package of $750 will be offered this year. This includes the member, spouse and 1 to 4 children under the age of 18. Includes all standard meals and events Tuesday night through Saturday night.

Child Registration Fee of $200. For children under the age of 18 attending the annual meeting. Includes all standard meals and events Tuesday night through Saturday night.

Additional events include a hosted fishing trip ($50/each) with local members, an incredible conservation tour ($25/each) and a 9-Hole Fly Casting Tournament. Please register for these events in addition to your general registration. There will be a chance to win a fabulous door prize during the conservation tour.

Participants wishing to take advantage of the family activities and all meals need to pay full registration for family members attending. For those who wish to pay for their registration per day, please select "Daily Registration" on the registration form.

Hotel: Grand Traverse Resort & Spa Phone: 800-748-0303 / 231-938-0303 Reference: TU Annual Meeting for room block Rate: $179.00/night Deposit: One-night deposit required at reservation Cancellation: 24-hour cancellation policy


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One blustery Opening Day several years ago, I had the pleasure of casting for a group of half-frozen anglers at the Lovells Township Historical Society and Fly Fishing Museum. When a speaker was unexpectedly taken ill, I also agreed to lecture on the changes fly angling had undergone over the last 50 years — a fairly tall order for someone who has only recently ascended to “ol’ timer” status. To the delight of all I was fortunate to have a copy of John Voelker’s movie short entitled Trout Madness. The extremely entertaining fifteen-minute video follows Voelker on a day of angling as he gnaws on his Italian cigar in search of a trout or two. There was an audible gasp from the AuSable angling audience when the camera focused on a cast iron skillet with half a dozen 10-inch brookies in it. I reminded them of the Trout Unlimited recommendation to “Limit Your Kill — Don’t Kill Your Limit” that the TU founders so successfully promoted to the then limit killing angling population.

The most striking difference to everyone in the audience though was the amount of preparation that went into a day of angling in the early 50’s. Voelker’s journey around Ishpeming demonstrated how the tasks made the culmination all the

more treasured. Grab some ice, load the tackle, pack the gear for lunch, dress the line, soak the leaders, then after catching a few trout, build a fire, set up camp, pour the bourbon and relax for lunch. There was an excitement in the preparation. One anxiously anticipated the fishing all the more while getting ready.

Even I remember my mentors showing me how to stretch the memory out of my fly line and carefully dress it for the day. While I didn’t have to soak any gut leaders, I did tie my own for a lack of confidence in the knotless nylon leaders of the day. Lively discussion about the merits of various leader formulae was common too. I shudder to

think about the wader patching ritual that we followed each season.

To no one’s surprise, the process is much faster today. Waders are more reliable, lines seem to last forever and require virtually no care. Knotless leaders are reliable and stealthy. Fly rods are as fast or slow, long or short, light or heavy as one

wants or needs. So, we rush to the river, throw on our waders, put our tackle together, fish the hatch, release our trophies, hike back to the car, and head back to camp. Or so it seemed to the audience. Perhaps we simply have more time to fish with less time to prepare. But I for one miss the preparation and anticipation.

I also remember a different attitude on the river many years ago. Many late evenings we quietly and carefully waded past anglers waiting for the spinnerfall in the still night water. Only once in all those years did anyone answer “No” when asked if I could wade through. Most answered with a detailed account of their

angling successes and near misses and a sample of their favorite pattern to take with me. It’s funny how things have changed over the years. This is not to say that anglers were any less intense. No, but they were less territorial. People seem more bothered by canoes today as well. I

(Continued on page 9)

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remember rafted armadas of aluminum coming downstream all summer long in the 70’s and early 80’s. As inconvenient and even dangerous as it was, we were entertained by it most days and laughed most of it off. I also remember catching fish immediately before and after canoes as they passed. However today we have fewer canoes and far less drinking in them than we had in the 60’s and 70’s. But we demand more solitude and less intrusion today.

Maybe most of the tolerance that I enjoyed back then came from the role models and mentors I was fortunate to have as I learned the sport. Cut from the same cloth as George Griffith and Art Neumann, were Tudor ApMadoc, Milt Coulson, Reed Alexander, Don Valley, Walt Bromley, Carleton Smith, and Paul Merrill. Let’s face it, one can only hold in the highest esteem someone who shares the delight of Stilton cheese and black currant jam. These were the guys who shared stories about big fish but lit up just as brightly when an eight-inch brook trout came to their fly. These men and their peers spent countless hours and dollars to help get TU started, keep it running when it was failing, and put it to work in Michigan’s cold water for the better part of their lives. These are the leaders that found the time and bucks to anchor those logs underneath the bank along your favorite piece of water. Have you ever wondered how that fish structure or wing-dam. Chances are it’s some anonymous TU volunteer who spent his or her free time one weekend sinking cedar posts in the river so that the cold current could scour sand off of the gravel thirty years ago. Now it’s your favorite section of river.

I am reminded of the rods that were brought to the TU School each year and that I, Mike Traugott and Pat Gossman checked

Shooting Lines (Continued from page 8) out. Many were fiberglass or bamboo from the 50’s and 60’s and by today’s standards very “unforgiving”. Yet, we are always excited to cast them. Their slow, flexible action requires that we slow down our stroke and avoid abrupt actions. It’s a great reminder of the more relaxed and slower approach we had toward our fly angling back then. The “high performance” rod of the day may have been a Midge, a Perfectionist, Wonderglass, HMG, ZX, Helios… it’s all-relative. Heavy, slow, flexible action rods of the day were just as capable of throwing a line a long way to a target. But there’s nothing as forgiving as a light, fast, stiff action rod to help avoid the inadvertant tailing loop. The same principles of fly casting apply regardless of the rod design, material, or era it was produced — Move the tip in a straight path and you’ll create a tight loop. Some materials and designs are more forgiving but all are fishable in their own right. Watching John Voelker roll cast “a wee midge” to rising brook trout with a cane rod as flexible as any I have ever witnessed. What fun he was having catching brook trout at one of his secret spots.

For nearly forty of TU’s fifty years, the Michigan Council has held one of the very best fly fishing schools in the world. That’s a fact. Let’s not forget the finest fly casting demonstrations found at any school. They included Pete

Merrill, Bruce Richards, Pat Gossman, and Ray Flowers. The “Co-ordinator”Paul Merrill asked us in 1991 to write a column about fly casting to help remind our readers that the Michigan Council offers one of the finest fly fishing schools in the country. As a result, Shooting Lines was born. Nearly 75 columns later, I am writing this special one for the 50th anniversary of Trout Unlimited. It was because of my love of fly casting and the school that I have written this column. Over the last thirty-nine years we have taught nearly 3000 people to fly fish. Names like past “Co-ordinators” Pat Merrill and Ron Joyce, and instructors Tom Whitney, Pat Gossman, Mike Traugott, Tudor ApMadoc, Wayne Glessner, Tom Burke, Bill Womack, Bob Carey, Scott Smith, Bo Brines, Pat Cauley, Russ Cecil, John Coulson, Ross Rosenbrock, Jim Craig, Jim Gibbs, Dan Zywocki, Mike Slater, Dave McCullough, Dave Ward, Hugh Witham, Dave McCool, Bob Gullo, Irwin Small, Ed Kulnis, Mike Dettmer, Rich Gossman, Ed Gossman, Cathy Seros, Larry Hovland, Chuck Hawkins,


Rayburn Lodge Au Sable River - Grayling, Michigan

On the “Holy Waters”

Guided Fly Fishing trips in a traditional Au Sable riverboat on the beautiful Au Sable river.

Instruction available.

A unique, memorable setting for a fishing getaway, group outing,

meetings and conferences. Explore. Relax. Enjoy.

1491 Richardson Rd. Grayling, MI. 49738

989-348-7482

[email protected]

www.rayburnlodgebnb.com

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Mike Harvey, Bob Truman, Irwin Small, Lou Golob, John Dallas, John Johnson, George Killat, Jim Newland, Bruce Richards, Ray Flowers, Paul Merrill, Rick Saks, Geri Dillon, Sue Janawicz, Bud Richards, John Vandalen, and Bob Nelson made the school possible by volunteering for thousands of hours and worked tirelessly to make it the best school in the country. And it has been, for most of us, the most fun week of each year! These instructors have worked extremely hard for many years to become the best instructors in the country and deserve the respect of fly anglers everywhere. If you haven’t been, it’s time you attended the TU School. Even if you think you know it all, you’ll learn something, improve your skills, meet lots of great people, and have a fun weekend. (Please forgive me. I’m sure I have forgotten some of the earliest instructors who deserve a writer with a better memory. I have only instructed there for about thirty years. Most have instructed for many more than that. Incredible. What a bunch of geezers!)

Let’s remember one important similarity today while we reflect upon the past. It’s the local TU members that get the work done. Local members are the ones who get in the river improving the resource, holding banquets to raise funds for stream improvement, writing newsletters to encourage participation, and holding meetings to focus on projects and canvass members. It is incumbent upon our national board and administrators to remember who gathers the forces and accumulates the resources to accomplish what we do. Whether we bring another publication to the Michigan members or not, we must gather as chapters and share ideas, efforts and excitement to keep our cold water clean and protect our self-sustaining trout populations.

Shooting Lines (Continued from page 9) Self-sustaining trout streams are the canaries in our cold-water mines. As we all know, we can raise trout in hatcheries and stock even marginal water for a sport fishery. However, only a cold-water resource that is healthy can sustain wild trout. Our Great Lakes are dependent upon this theory. It was the issue in the late 60’s as it is today. Budgets, bureaucracies, and fees cannot compensate for volunteer effort. Indeed, it’s the local TU member that has the greatest investment in the resource and has the greatest impact upon it.

Over the many decades of producing Michigan Trout and Council newsletters, there have been many dedicated contributors. First, don’t forget those chapters that volunteered to produce a newsletter for Michigan Council when Council couldn’t afford it. There were many chapters who stepped up to carry the load of producing a newsletter. There were many designers, writers, Council members, and printers who were responsible for many great issues. Foremost among those chapters was the Challenge Chapter in Bloomfield Hills. Also, let me offer a special thanks to Bill Walker whose tireless efforts built the magazine into a working book. Don’t forget Ed Zebrowski who made the magazine a beautiful full color effort. Thanks to Ed for reminding me about my deadlines. Lastly, and most sincerely, thanks to all of you who read my column. I wrote it just for you and hope that in some way I have helped you enjoy the sport a little more.

As we approach the fiftieth anniversary celebration, please remember that it is the local chapters and their members who are Trout Unlimited. Keep active. Support your chapters through your banquets, fundraising and projects. If I can ever help any of you with your fly casting or fly angling, please don’t

hesitate to contact me at our store in Traverse City. I love to see you in the store and on the stream. I am even more excited to see you at the TU School. As many of you know I like to conclude my lectures with my favorite quotation: “My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my favorite rods to my best friends for what I told her I paid for them.”

Happy Birthday Trout Unlimited!

AU SABLE NORTH BRANCH Flies-Only Trout Fishing on the “Holy

Waters” near Lovells. Rent our cozy stone cottage with new “River Room” fully equipped for six

people. WEEKLY $600.00, or

3-DAY WEEKEND $350.00 AVAILABLE THROUGH OCTOBER

Please contact: Ralph Hommel 4610 Roanoke Ct., Midland, MI 48640

(989) 835-2988 evenings [email protected]

Dave Leonhard is a master certified casting instructor for the Federation of Fly Fishers, casting instructor for the Michigan Council TU Fly Fishing School, a life member of TU, a member of the Adams Chapter of Trout Unlimited in Traverse City, Michigan, owner of Streamside Orvis in Traverse City, Michigan, and director of instruction for the Orvis Michigan Fly Fishing School at the Homestead Resort in Glen Arbor, Michigan. Dave Leonhard Orvis Streamside Orvis Michigan Fly Fishing School 223 E. Front Street Traverse City, MI 49684 [email protected] www.streamsideorvis.com 231-933-9300 231-933-9311 fax

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The time was late spring of 1945, the European conflict had come to a victorious end and hopes for a total victory in Asia held high expectations.

For a seventeen year old boy who had just graduated from high school, had already enlisted in the navy, my thoughts were not on my favorite pastimes, fishing.

My family had not prospered well during the war and as a result, the family’s financial situation was tight. Therefore, my father’s offer for me to take his 1938 Oldsmobile on a fishing trip to the north country was a pleasant surprise! This gift was better than any material goods and I will always remember and be thankful for it.

Gas rationing was still in effect which caused me more concern than the needed finances for the northern venture. Fortunately, both of these concerns were solved and I was on my way by the middle of June. Trout fishing was not on my mind as I was a bass fisherman! My first destination was KP Lake in Crawford County where I was planning to spend a couple of days. I would be casting from shore as a row boat was not even

considered. My first night’s fishing was poor. I

arose the next morning and chatted with a young fellow who was telling me about the great trout fishing on the North Branch of the Au Sable! Being interested in a new venture, I drove to Lovells and parked at a fishing site I later learned was the “Sheep Ranch”. I parked in an open field and placed my bait bucket under the car for shade. It was a very hot afternoon and I decided to find a shady spot for the car. Yes, you guessed it. I ran over the bait and destroyed a bucket of worms! It was not long and another incident happened that changed my outlook on fishing to this very day. A DNR

fish census taker came by, saw my situation and engaged in conversation. I explained my plight to him and he immediately suggested I try Fly Fishing. I had a fly rod, reel and line with me. He so graciously gave me a leader, tied it on and gave me two flies.

Within an hour, I was “hooked” on this new found manner of exercising my arm. Yes, I caught two Brookies!

Later in life, I began to realize the kindly manner in which the census taker had befriended me and took the time to teach, help and encourage me. He set a great example for me.

A new trout season is upon us and there will be ample opportunities for us “old pros” to act in such a way as to encourage a young neophyte to enter the “Trout Fraternity”. Let us just do it.

T h e P e r r i n / L a n s i n g C h a p t e r congratulates Trout Unlimited on fifty proud years of cold water conservation work; conserving, protecting and restoring the cold water fisheries of North America. In recognition of this special occasion we are offering several one-of-a-kind and limited edition items.

T h e P e r r i n / L a n s i n g C h a p t e r commissioned the design of two lapel pins commemorating the 50th anniversary of Trout Unlimited. One, a solid gold toned version of the original Trout Unlimited pin, and the other

a contemporary styled. Pins are $5 each.

Unique commemorative fly boxes made from wood recovered from the Barbless Hook lodge, George Griffiths’ summer home and site of the original founding of Trout Unlimited, July 18, 1959. There will be only 50 of these boxes made, edition numbered. $150 each.

R. W. Summers, famed bamboo rod maker, has teamed up with noted metal engraver, David Riccardo, to produce a one-of-a-kind commissioned bamboo rod and case commemorating the 50th anniversary of Trout Unlimited. Offered as a raffle, tickets being drawn on September 5, 2009, the 50th anniversary of the first Trout Unlimited membership meeting. Tickets are $20 each.

Funds raised through the sale of these items will go to cold water conservation efforts in the State of Michigan. 10% of all net proceeds will be donated to support The Michigan Trout Unlimited.

Go to, www.lansing-tu.org or contact Jim Bedford [email protected], for greater detail, color pictures and to order. Special discounts apply to TU chapters & conservation groups for banquets and fundraising.

Paving the Way By Wesley Cooper

Wesley Cooper was on the original membership list from the articles of incorporation. He has been a member of both the Schrems and the Muskegon chapters of TU and is currently in the Muskegon White River chapter. Wes is the only winner of the two Schrems chapter awards, one the C.R. Evenson Award for "Recognition of contributions towards preserving the environment" which was awarded in 1978, and the Cornelius M. Schrems award for "Recognition of outstanding service to fellow fisherman through extraordinary contributions to the arts, skills, and lore of trout fishing." in 2009.

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With the golden anniversary of Trout Unlimited at hand, we thought that it would be interesting to take a look back to see where fisheries science has come in the past 50 years. Trying to cover all of fisheries science is of course impossible, so we will focus just on publications from the American Fisheries Society, which both Bill and I view as our primary scientific society. The American Fisheries Society is “the world's oldest and largest organization dedicated to strengthening the fisheries profession, advancing fisheries science, and conserving fisheries resources.” all goals that mesh very well with those of Trout Unlimited.

One of the most striking changes is the sheer volume of fisheries research that is published each year. In 1959, the American Fisheries Society published two major journals: the Progressive Fish Culturist and the Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. The focus of the Progressive Fish Culturist was on methods of raising fish and fish disease, but also included quite a bit of research on methods of fish capture. In 1959, this publication contained 66 papers totaling 193 pages. The Transactions of the American Fisheries Society is the “flagship” journal of the society, and in 1959 it contained 55 papers totaling 358 pages. A quick characterization of the papers published indicates that about 40 of the papers published in these journals had a focus on trout, salmon, or cold-water habitats.

Currently the American Fisheries Society publishes five journals. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society remains the “flagship”, now containing more than 160 articles (roughly 50+ of which pertain to trout) with nearly 1900 pages published

annually! In addition to Transactions, the North American Journal of Fisheries Management was added in 1981 to emphasize applied aspects of fisheries management. In 2008, this journal contained another 1900+ pages of scientific research, also with a large contingent of papers focused on cold-water resources. The Progressive Fish Culturist was renamed in 1999 as the North American Journal of Aquaculture. Although the number of papers published in 2008 (64) is similar to that in 1959, each paper is substantially longer, resulting in roughly 450 pages per volume.

Beyond the tremendous growth in the volume of material published annually, the breadth of topics covered has also expanded greatly. It is hard to characterize major trends without giving short shrift to one area or another. In the Progressive Fish Culturist, issues of fish disease, feeding, and the use of hatchery-raised fish in trout management were some of the key questions of the day. In Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, some of the major topics on trout included competition among fish for food, fish nutrition, methods for ageing trout, and impact of fish habitat on trout populations.

Examples of papers published in Transactions in 1959 include:

“Yearling liberations and change of food as effecting rainbow trout yield in Paul Lake, British Columbia”

“Effects of temperature upon the formation of vertebrae and fin rays in young chinook salmon”

“Trout and hatcheries of the future”

“Ability of some salmonids and a centrarchid to swim in water of reduced oxygen content”

“Test of 34 therapeutic agents for control of kidney disease in trout”

“Relationship of size and age to time of annulus

formation in brook trout”

“Salmon populations and bottom fauna in the Wenatchee River, Washington”

“Validity of the scale method for aging hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon”

“Infectious nature of pancreatic necropsis”

“Water Temperature reduction in shortened spring channel of Southwestern Wisconsin trout streams’

From this list, it is clear that even the much of the focus of scientific research was related to hatchery-raised fish, which is understandable given that hatcheries were often viewed as the dominant management tool available. Today, many of these issues remain as important topic areas for scientific research. Understanding and controlling fish diseases, both in hatcheries as well as in the wild, are important concerns for the well being of salmonid resources. Likewise, investigations into the diet, growth, and physiology of fish remain an important area of study. While basic studies documenting what fish eat are still valuable, much more emphasis has developed on what is called a bioenergetic approach to understanding how fishes’ dietary intake balances with the energy burned by their metabolism, thereby shaping their patterns of growth.

In 1959, few of the publications focused on fish habitat. The last paper, however, caught our eye. In this paper, the authors report how the temperature in a small tributary stream could be reduced by digging out a shorter, straighter channel through a wide open marshy area. Thus, while our reading of books and articles from that time and before clearly shows that scientists of the day understood that habitat was important for the support


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of healthy fish populations, there was relatively little research on this topic. Thanks in part to the efforts of TU, the importance of habitat conservation and restoration has shown a continuous rise in the amount of research conducted on this topic. Today this is an emphasis of many papers in journals published by the American Fisheries Society, plus has been the subject of several books and symposia.

The connection to historical research topics shows that much of what faced conservationists in the late 1950’s remains of importance and interest today. We have not, and likely will not conquer fish disease any time in the foreseeable future, for example. Similarly, habitat conservation remains as a critical need, particularly as new threats emerge. In the 1950’s the seeds of research investigating “what” fish need from habitat were planted, and continue through to today. Based on the progress in this area, we have moved to some extent to the “how” do we protect or enhance habitats to provide for the needs of trout and salmon.

In addition to the vastly increased volume of fishery research being conducted, many new areas of investigation have been added. New technologies and broader understanding of fishery systems has spawned science that was unheard of at the time Trout Unlimited was formed. One of the clearest areas of growth has been in the genetics of fish and fish populations. It is now relatively inexpensive to determine the genetic composition of a fish population, and in some cases even to track baby fish back to their parents. Our understanding of the genetics of trout and salmon have raised many challenging questions about how best to conserve these fishes. Although anglers have long recognized different strains of fish (Loch Leven brown trout for example), investigations into the genetics of fish populations has documented many sub-species and even

Scientifically Speaking (Continued from page 12)

populations which are now afforded protection under the Endangered Species Act. Although this protection has resulted in the protection of many streams, it has also raised highly contentious issues about the scale at which we manage our fishery resources.

Another area that has grown tremendously due to technology is the area of fish tracking (also known as telemetry) and fish tagging. Both of these techniques provide access to far more information that would have been imaginable in the 1950s. Coded wire tags, for example, provide fishery managers with the ability to uniquely mark many thousands of individual fish with a tiny piece of wire that can be inserted into fish as small as 1 inch in length! Radio tags in fish likewise give us unique insights into the behavior of fish. A great example locally are the studies conducted by Dave Clapp, John Hudson, Gary Regal, and Michele DePhilip on the movement and habitat use of trout in the Au Sable River. Today, automatic receiving stations provide the capacity to get information on a nearly continuous basis. Similarly, temperature monitors available for around $100 provide scientists and TU members with the capacity to record stream temperatures automatically every few minutes for time periods of a year or more!

Perhaps the biggest change in trout-related fisheries science is in the broadening of our view of what fisheries science is all about. Previously, much of the focus was on the fish itself - often in artificial systems such as hatcheries. Today, we use terms like “ecosystem management” to describe the scope of activities we strive for in natural resource management. Although it has long been realized that fish populations respond on their habitat, food, and predators, our ability to represent these complex interactions and manipulate ecosystems has accumulated over time. Moreover, we are now using terms like “ecosystem services” to represent the idea that fish and angling opportunities are just one

“product” that healthy streams provide, and that a more complete accounting of the values of streams and the benefits they provide to humans is important in protecting these valuable resources.

Included in the broadening scope of fisheries management is a greatly increased emphasis and understanding of how people play into the entire system that we call a “fishery”. One of the catch phrases in today’s journals is “Coupled Human and Natural Systems”, which was coined to capture the idea that people depend and use natural systems, like trout streams, but we also have an impact on those streams that can be detrimental to our own uses. The term “human dimensions” of fisheries and wildlife is also often used as a catchall for the type of research that explores the social, economic, legal, and policy-related components of fisheries management. Early fishery managers, and even many fishery biologists today, have not come to grips with the fact that it is not sufficient to be an expert about just the fish. Actual fishery management more often involves swaying the actions of people; a process that requires skill in politics and persuasion as much as scientific expertise. If you don’t believe this, just attend a Natural Resources Commission meeting!

Finally, I think that work in the human dimensions area has in some way provided more insight into the “Why” we manage trout. Why is it that the founders and current members of Trout Unlimited are so passionate about our quarry, when others may view them as “just another fish.” Although not a scientific publication, I think the answer is expressed most simply and elegantly in the quote from Robert Traver, published in 1960, just after the founding of TU:

“I fish because I love to; because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful ...”

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A Righteous Mission Trout Unlimited’s mission is to

conserve, protect and restore coldwater fisheries and their watershed’s.

Implicit in this mission is the assumption of “use” of the fish. Fisheries are by definition, the fish, their habitats, and the people that use the fish. If our mission were perhaps “the preservation of coldwater fishes” than we might be more involved with purchasing large blocks of property and closing them to angling. This isn’t the case – and it shows that our mission implicitly includes recognition of angling use of the coldwater fisheries. Explicitly excluded from our organization’s guiding mission is mention of “angling methods” or “harvest practices”. This means that we are not a fly-fishing or bait-fishing only organization, and we do not universally promote catch and release. Our organization instead, focuses on ensuring that there is plentiful and healthy fisheries for everyone to enjoy – “take care of the fish and the fishing

will take care of itself”. Also explicitly absent from the

mission is mention of particular species of coldwater fish, or mention of priority given to any particular species over others. Implicit in the words of our mission – is that again – we will focus on creating the healthiest coldwater habitats so that all types of coldwater fisheries can flourish.

What point is being made here? Its that the mission of Trout Unlimited was crafted carefully and with great wisdom. It gives us focus on the large issues of coldwater fisheries health, and helps us avoid arguments amongst groups of coldwater conservationists (fly fishing versus bait fishing, salmon versus stream trout) which would only serve to weaken our community through “divide and conquer”. In the next 50 years of coldwater fisheries conservation – the threats we face are severe and abundant – and will require all of us to meet the challenge. Whether you fish with bait, tackle or flies, whether you release

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Trout Unlimited this original painting “Fifty Years” was created by artist David Ruimveld and donated by the Kalamazoo Valley Chapter of TU. This original painting depicts the birthplace of TU at the Barbless Hook, other relics from the past and fly fishing being passed on to the next generation. We would like you to support Michigan TU by purchasing tickets for this original painting which we will be raffled off at the 50th National Convention in Traverse City August 22, 2009. Tickets are $ 10.00 each or 3 for $ 20.00. They can be purchased by contacting: Robb Smith, 2114 7th Street, Bay City, MI 48708 email – [email protected]

Tickets can also be purchased online @ www.michigantu.org.

50th ANNIVERSARY RAFFLE

Original Painting “Fifty Years” by David Ruimveld

Michigan Raffle License #R01192

every fish you catch or keep every fish you catch, whether you fish for brook trout, brown trout, steelhead, salmon or don’t fish at all – TU is your outlet to help conserve coldwater fisheries so that everyone can continue to enjoy these resources however they desire, far into the future. That’s a beautiful and righteous mission statement that our founders made – thanks!

For wholesale opportunities fly shops please call (231) 468– 8531

Streamers Custom Flies Paul S. Derby - Owner

(231) 468-8531 Specializing in custom hand tied fly patterns

www.streamersflies.com

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This year, as we look back at TU’s great success over the past 50 years, we are also hard at work ensuring that the next 50 are just as successful. A key to

TU’s future conservation work will be recruiting the

next generation of coldwater stewards. With each passing year, kids have less free time, spend more time inside in front of screens and are more disconnected from the habitats that sustain trout. To address this problem and to pass on our passion for coldwater resources, TU chapters and councils have been teaching kids about trout, conservation and fishing through local programs since TU’s inception. Now, for the first time, TU has introduced a membership with youth-specific benefits called Stream Explorers.

The new Stream Explorer membership is for kids 18 years and below and costs $12 per year. For kids younger than 14, TU has a new quarterly magazine called Stream Explorers (kids 14-18 will receive Trout magazine). Each issue is filled with information about trout and their habitat, TU’s conservation work and activities and projects that encourage kids to get outside. In addition, TU has launched a new website (www.streamexplorers.org) which engages kids on the same topics. This new

TU Launches New Stream Explorer Membership for Youth

Stream Explorers membership, which also includes a sticker and the TU calendar, complements the great youth education programs that chapters and councils deliver across the country. Now at the end of a youth conservation camp or a chapter-run fly-tying class, a kid can receive a Stream Explorer membership to maintain an on-going connection to trout, coldwater conservation and TU. To give a Stream Explorer membership visit www.tu.org/gift or call 1-800-834-2419.


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Speaking for TROUT, Unlimited at the September meeting of the Michigan Conservation Commission Vice President Arthur C. Neumann said:

Trout Unlimited owes many thanks for the dedication, wisdom and leadership of many of its early founders and members. Among them, is Art Neumann. Art was a founder of TU, an early officer of the organization, and was the Executive Director during the period when TU blossomed from a “Michigan Idea” to a national leader in aquatic conservation. Few people have given as much to TU’s success as Art, and he continues to contribute to this day. Art - Michigan Trout Unlimited sincerely thanks you for all that you have done to ensure the health and perseverance of the coldwater fisheries that we all hold so dear. Thank You.

Thanks Art

Before I get into each specifically, I’d like to provide a little background for why these regulations and proposals were suggested. To begin with, this is not an effort to dictate or demand but rather a request to suggest and assist.

These recommendations are the convictions of sincere and dedicated fishermen who are not concerned with themselves personally or with fishermen generally but with the welfare of the trout. They are based on the proposition that what is good for trout is good for trout fishermen – that, if we take care of the trout, the trout will take care of the trout fishermen – that as long as you have trout you will have trout fishermen.

By the same token, none of the regulations recommended are designed to discriminate against one group while favoring another but again only to favor trout. Some of the regulations will serve more than one purpose. In some cases they will educate, in other cases they will educate and regulate and in still other cases they will educate, regulate and eliminate. But in no case will they eliminate any true sportsman or true fisherman.

Any suggested regulation that might interfere with some fisherman’s normal fishing practice is not directed at him personally but is suggested only because that practice is deemed detrimental to the welfare of the sport. The simple truth of the matter is, over the years we have indulged in many practices which have not been beneficial to trout fishing and it’s high time we identified them as luxuries we no longer can afford and still have trout. We must also acknowledge trout fishing as sport fishing rather than food fishing.

In the complicated way of life we live today it becomes more and more important that we have relaxation and recreation away from the pressures of everyday life and trout fishing provides the perfect opportunity so to do. We must also bear in mind that trout are a natural resource and we should never deplete them to the extent that they must be replaced by a manufactured resource. I think we should use them and maybe re-use them but never to the extent that we abuse them. I think that any regulation that is beneficial to trout should be encouraged and that anything that is detrimental to trout should be discouraged.

I think that this necessitates leadership and it is in this capacity that you gentlemen can serve your greatest good – by leading the public rather than having the public lead the commission.

Now I’d like to comment briefly on the things that Casey mentioned. First – fishing for fun. This is not new. As a matter of fact, it has been tried in several places across the country and has met with tremendous success and universal acceptance and support. It is indicative of the national trend and we in Michigan are a little behind. It not only improves the fishing and conserves the resource, it costs no money. But best of all, it educates while it regulates. The abundance of trout provides a perfect training ground

for the beginner while enriching his appreciation of the sport and preparing him psychologically for the rigid regulations of the future.

I might also mention that fishing for fun is probably one of the medicines we need today to stimulate license sales. We might profitably take a long look at the businesses who have stolen our license buyers from us and borrow the system they used to steal them. Maybe we need something new and different in fishing, something that will create new interest, new excitement and new enjoyment.

Let’s bury the outmoded practice of trying to sell a dollar’s worth of fish (which we no longer can afford to provide) for a dollar’s worth of license (which no longer cost a dollar) and replace it with a fresh, progressive program of making fishing attractive, desirable recreation thereby creating the incentive essential to license purchasing. I think that fishing for fun would be one of these incentives.

On the proposed “any – lure” regulation, I think that spinning has come in for an unfair amount of criticism principally because most people think of spinning tackle which is not the case at all. True spinning is spinning with artificial lures. Research has proven that artificial lures are no more harmful, so far as killing undersize fish is concerned, than are flies so it is reasonable to assume that an “any-lure” regulation, with proper size and creel limits, could be as beneficial to trout as are the flies only regulations. Only by the creation of such a regulation, on an experimental basis, will the true answer be known and spinning’s station in the fishing world definitely established.

Art Neumann Give Reasons For T.U. Recommendations

Arthur C. Neumann Vice President Arthur C. Neumann is a

toolmaker and in addition owns and operates the Wanigas Rod Company at Saginaw, Michigan, a small custom tackle shop where Art builds fine glass and bamboo custom rods and sells other related fishing tackle.

Art is a former director of the Caro Conservation Club and has been active for many years in conservation matters locally and throughout the state.

Neumann served two years in the Navy during World War II as a radioman aboard the USS Montpelier, a light cruiser in the 3rd, 5th and 7th fleet.

Art is an ardent trout fisherman who has written considerably about the sport. He is an amateur photographer and has made numerous appearances with his outdoor films before sportsmen and service groups. He is also a golfer but trout fishing is his first love.

COMMISSION HEARS

Art Neumann article taken from TROUT, Unlimited Quarterly dated Winter 1960

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Many Water Are Cleaner Now than 50 Years Ago By Carlos Fetterolf

Editor’s note: Mr. Fetterolf has had a long, accomplished career being highly involved in conservation in Michigan. He was fully at work during the not-so-distant decades when gross-level pollution was a primary concern for all conservationists. Carlos was asked to write an article for this issue, reflecting for our readers about where aquatic conservation has come from in 50 years time. He provides a few illustrations here from the Boardman and Au Sable Rivers – where TU ‘s 50th anniversary celebrations will take place this summer.

The Boardman River The Boardman River system above

Boardman Lake is Blue Ribbon trout water. There is more than a mile of river that holds resident trout between the Boardman Dam and the West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan. This lower river supports a strong run of steelhead in the spring and lesser runs of steelies, Chinook salmon, lake trout and browns in the fall.

Way back in 1963, a local conservationist, Dr. John Spencer, asked me to tour some of the area’s trouble spots with him. We focused on the lower Boardman and adjacent lake front. I’ll never be able to understand why the Regional Engineer of the MI Water Resources Commission, Sewage Treatment Specialists of the MI Department of Public Health, or Conservation Officers and Fishery Biologists from the MDNR hadn’t reported the sources of the gross pollution I observed. I observed storm sewers flowing like small streams across public beaches, an inadequate sewage treatment plant, a cherry processing plant discharging waste and wash water directly into the river, and growths of Sphaerotilus (commonly called sewage fungus) in the river. Why didn’t they see the rotting, sloughed fungus on city beaches and on the shoreline fronting the Holiday Inn and other facilities? Visitors observing the river from bridges in the city thought the sloughed fungus was toilet paper.

After listening to my report at its next meeting, the MI Water Resources Commission, together with other state

agencies and city officials took early action to improve the city’s sewerage system. Traverse City citizens have since developed a strong pride in their setting and a very strong environmental ethic to protect their river and their bay. I hope visitors will SEE for themselves the well cared-for river and beaches. The city’s newest sewage treatment facility, constructed in 2004, is a state of the art high tech filtration system featuring membrane bioreactor technology. No one is complaining, but there’s always concern for the bay.

Note: Officials from Traverse City and Grand Traverse County recently voted to remove three of four dams located on the mainstem of the Boardman River. This decision was a longtime coming, and a result of the hardwork from a lot of people - many TU members included. We are glad to see the Traverse Community once again showing leadership in stewardship of their natural resources.

Au Sable River In the early 1960’s Dr. Howard Tanner,

then professor at Michigan State University, and I, then Supervisor of Water Quality Appraisal for the MI Water Resources Commission, addressed an audience of elected officials and citizens from the Au Sable River Basin. The group’s major concern was the welfare of the river system. Howard, aware of the system’s problems and gradual deterioration, emphasized the future increase in “people pressure”. He stated, “two major highways have been modernized and both are pointed right at you. What can you do in preparation?”

Of course, one answer was to upgrade the municipal sewage system to reduce the input of organic matter and phosphorus supporting the unnaturally high production of aquatic plants and accompanying invertebrate fauna….fish food. My major point was that reduction in productivity translates to reducing the river’s world class trout fishery. I emphasized the delicate balance between enrichment and pollution, stressing that given the anticipated population growth – without more advanced wastewater treatment, serious water quality and fishery problems could be expected.

A rump session was held at George Griffith’s cabin, The Barbless Hook, where TU was born. My notes tell me that George, Hazen Miller (author of The Old Au Sable), Tudor Apmadoc, Chuck Kroll, Bill Carey, Howard and I discussed organizing a drive to raise $150,000 to help Grayling achieve better management of its sewage treatment system. I advised waiting to see what action the State would take now that the public was concerned of a new term “Cultural Encroachment”, something we all have experienced.

Before I left town I recalled that local folks swam in the river at a particularly attractive spot below Grayling. There was a large influx of vacationers every summer weekend. Could the sewage treatment system keep up with the increased load? I sent a biologist over to Grayling over the 4th of July. He collected water samples for bacteriological analysis downstream from the sewage treatment outfall and just above the swimmers. Wow! We had found the smoking gun needed for immediate action.

The MI Department of Public Health determined that the chlorination equipment at the wastewater treatment facility was inadequate. Immediate action was taken to replace the faulty machinery. More importantly, the incident triggered the start of studies to determine the condition of the Au Sable River system.

While our resources still face some old threats as well as a continuous on slot of new ones – we have indeed come along way over the last 50 years! Thanks to all those that helped along the way.

Carlos is a member of the Ann Arbor Area Chapter of TU; a past president of the American Fisheries Society, the North American Benthological Society and the International Association for Great Lakes Research; was MDNR’s Chief Environmental Scientist; was a Science Coordinator for the National Academy of Sciences for development of water quality criteria; was an advisor to the National Sea Grant College program; was Executive Secretary (CEO) of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission; and is a proud alumnus of Michigan State University. Carlos can be reached at 734-433-2661, or at [email protected].

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www.michigantu.org Celebrating 50 Years The more things change, the more things stay the same. During the first two years of Trout, Unlimited Quarterly, the pages were filled with discussions of new fisheries research and its implications, and discussions of current important topics. Some of the prevalent ones were; MDNR budget needs and proposed license fee increases, drops in angler recruitment and retention, and newly proposed trout fishing regulations. While some of our conservation priorities today are uniquely new (e.g., climate change and dam removal), others are longstanding -and the details today are earily similar to discussions held 50 years ago!

I’m especially interested in whether young people are learning to fish and hunt and in other ways enjoy the outdoors. I’m not saying that they shouldn’t be interested in fast motorboats, water-skiing, or swimming, -- these are perfectly legitimate uses of water but they are quite a different sort of activity from fishing. A great many people would feel that there’s a real loss if the new generation grows up without appreciation of what fishing can mean.

Let’s look at some of the things that are happening in connection with the growth of urbanized life. Kids, who would ordinarily or formerly be learning to fish or hunt, have a great many other things to do. Look at the tremendous growth in the organization of Little League Baseball and you have to guess how many kids this keeps off

the streams. It certainly has an effect. I’m sure, also, that television has an effect and I’m sure that when the kids get a little older the fact that they can buy a jalopy and make a hot rod out of it keeps a good many of them off the streams and lakes. I think that the only thing happening here that is apparent is that some of them are now aquatic hot-rods, instead of on the highways.

Another sort of development that I’m sure is impinging upon recreational activities of the type that we’ve been talking about is the post-war trend to early marriages and early family development. These people in their late teens and early twenties and late twenties just haven’t got time to go fishing.

Then look at the outward migration from the heart of the cities to the

suburbs and what this means in responsibilities to take care of yards and gardens, to cook on the terrace, and to do family entertaining. I’m sure there’s a good many fishermen that have to stay home on account of this sort of thing. I’m sure that when people first move to the city from rural locations that a good many of them take the trouble to go out and hunt and fish and leave the city for this kind of recreation. I think their sons are less apt to. I think the third generation probably doesn’t fish very much. The percentage fishing probably goes down with the length of time that people have been urbanized.

Since our population now has become predominantly urban, since industrial southeastern Michigan contains over 50% of our state population, although it produces a lot of fishermen, I don’t think it produces a proportionate amount in terms of the total population.

“The Complete Angler” Address By Dr. Stanley A. Cain at the Annual Meeting Dinner of TROUT, Unlimited

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TROUT, Unlimited Quarterly Vol 1 No. 1 Official Publication of TROUT, Unlimited, Inc. WINTER, 1959

Ye Olde Angler

by Vic Beresford

This is the first “Ye Olde Angler” column that your editor will write for TROUT, Unlimited Quarterly and it is well that at the start that you be advised that the observations and opinions viewed herein are the personal views of the editor and not necessarily that of TROUT, Unlimited as an organization.

Let’s look as these facts. This is a democracy. We elect Legislators and give them the power to set fish and game regulations, determine license fees, determine the power and authority of the Conservation Commission and Department and appropriate money to pay for fish and game management. We elect a Governor who names the members of the Conservation Commission, with the approval of the State Senate.

The Legislators and Governor hold their offices by pleasing the people, and that includes the sportsmen. It is all well and good that they should hire experts to run the government (and that includes fish and game management) to the best of their ability without hindrance from the electorate. But does it work out that way? There are mighty few Legislators who will back a fish or game administrator (who he personally knows is on the right track) against a group of vociferous constituents demanding the opposite of what the biologist administrator proposes to do. And without the backing of the Legislator that controls his destiny the biologist-administrator back is up against the wall.

What then is the answer? It is nothing more or less than

bringing about a well informed public – in our case a well informed public on fish management. In our case it means well informed sportsmen since they are the faction of the public that will in the main determine public acceptance of sound fish management. This boils down to simply to conservation education, in our case, trout conservation education.

Here then is our important task for TROUT, Unlimited. It is

our hope that we can do this, at least in part, through TROUT Unlimited Quarterly and news releases to the press pointing up the points we wish to make. I think we have made a good start. The cooperation from the press has been wonderful. How well we succeed will depend upon how much and how well trout fishermen support TROUT Unlimited. If the present officers are not doing the job they can be replaced by those who will. If they are, they can be supported. When all is said and done it is up to YOU whether we can conserve trout as the great game fish they are and preserve the ancient and honorable sport of trout angling with all its glorious tradition.

Directors Ask Trout Survey

A complete and thorough survey of all Michigan trout waters to determine their productive and retentive capacity and how it can be maintained was called for by the TROUT, Unlimited board of directors, at their October 2, 1959 board meeting in Lansing.

The directors took this action when they discovered that the Conservation Department, Fish Division lacked this basic knowledge upon which to base sound trout management.

President’s Message

Trout, as game fish, have such exceptional qualities that they have earned for themselves the unchallenged distinction of being the “ultimate” for sport fishermen.

Also, trout fishermen have such a proud heritage in the sport, such a unique comradery, and such a lusty love of the sport that it seems only natural that when the cry goes out to help trout that they should rise as a single body to protect that which is so dear.

Almost anyone who has been trout fishing during the past few years knows that not all is well with the sport and the cry is out. Help trout! Join TROUT, Unlimited!

Conceived and organized by trout fishermen TROUT, Unlimited promises to be the most powerful and effective way an individual can help trout, because the serious problems require the serious thought and the positive well organized action that can come only when a great number of interested people work together.

At this time your officers are busy with the most important work of establishing the foundations upon which will be built an organization that will function smoothly and effectively. Good progress is being made.

I have been inspired by the dedicated enthusiasm of the members and officers of TROUT, Unlimited, and I’m sure that these qualities will carry our new organization on to wonderful success.

The high ideals of the members plus the spirit and willingness to work will combine to make TROUT, Unlimited one of the most significant conservation groups and one that every ardent trout fisherman will be proud to support.

Casey E. Westell, Jr., President TROUT, Unlimited

Here’s your New Trout, Unlimited emblem

The Challenge of TROUT, Unlimited Is TROUT FOREVER

The management of any living resource has its greatest chance for meeting its expectations only when based on the most exhaustive, precise knowledge and under-standing of the ecology of the key organism. The basis for trout management is thus trout ecology – an understanding of the lifeways and requirements of trout and the rela-tionships of trout with all of their surroundings. The fact that trout management so often does not live up to its expectations must thus first be blamed on inadequacy of basic knowledge.

Next to the trout themselves, people are the biggest concern in trout management. Lay people and technical people. Administrative people and political people. Tourist people and native people. Industrial people and home people. Half-informed people and uninformed people. Articulate people and inarticulate people. Selfish people and altru-istic people. And people who produce more people and people who make people live longer and have more leisure time.

The way to the perpetuation of trout fishing in America is clearly through SCIENTIFIC management of trout, their environment, and people. Obviously, this is a big picture. Parts of it are bound to get out of proper focus. The real objective of TROUT, Unlimited must be to press for good and balanced focus – to let no facet of the search for basic facts and for communication among sportsmen, administrators, and scientists become fuzzy or dimmed through the perpetuation of half-truths or through neglect. Only in this way can TROUT, Unlimited hope to achieve what it really stands for – TROUT FOREVER.

Dr. Karl F. Lagler University of Michigan


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www.michigantu.org Celebrating 50 Years 50 years ago we were concerned with state regulations governing the withdrawal of water from our watersheds. Today, this topic remains on the top of our list of conservation priorities. While our laws have changed, the threats are still generally the same, and they require our constant involvement and attention. Below are two excerpts from the early years. One is from a keynote address given at an early annual meeting; the other is a short news clip from an experimental idea on how to augment cold waters in our marginal trout streams - this idea may be worth looking into again!

TROUT, Unlimited members Roy Osmun and G. Ralf Jennings of Midland, and the Trout, Unlimited Executive Director met with representatives of the Water Resources Commission, Conservation Department and U.S. Geological Survey recently to discuss possibilities of rehabilitating tributaries of the Tittabawassee river as trout streams by drilling artesian wells.

Osmun suggested the drilling of a test well on the west branch of the river 20 miles north-east of Gladwin in Roscommon county just below the Benmark club. He has uncovered records of an old capped well in the area that produces a remarkable cold water supply.

Consider Test Artesian Well To Rehabilitate Trout Stream

Many questions are unanswered, such as the effect of such a well or wells on the ground water levels and whether a well or wells would materially improve stream temperatures and water quality. However such information would be most valuable to everyone concerned which counts in favor of at least one test well.

The idea points attention to the fact that private individuals are tapping Michigan’s artesian water resources for their own use indiscriminately and without regard to consequences because we lack any law controlling or regulating such drilling.

Although Osmun says he has been assured by Dow Chemical Company that they would pay for drilling such a well,

neither he nor they would do so without approval by the Water Resources Commission and the Conservation Department. Such approval is now being considered.

Those attending the meeting besides TROUT, Unlimited representatives were John G. Rulison, in charge of the water resources sections of the Geological Survey Division of the Conservation Department, M.J. DeBoer, supervisor of field management for the Fish Division, Norman F. Billings, chief of the hydrology division of the Water Resources Commission, and Morris Deutsch, district geologist of the ground water division of the U.S. Geological Survey.

The second general area is this – I don’t think that the state laws are anyway near as good as they should be. I think that Michigan and any other state that TROUT, Unlimited members are interested in probably has laws that need changing relative to the aquatic resources. These laws should be searched. If you find that anything that ought to be done to the law, seek its change. I think that one of the most important responsibilities of any association of citizens and one of its rights is to lobby, to be a pressure group for what it thinks should be done by the government that represents the citizens.

Let me give you a quotation at this point which comes from Senator Kerr “State water laws generally do not adequately support state responsibilities to the conservation of fish and wildlife resources. The states have primary jurisdiction over all these resources except migratory birds.

“The Complete Angler” Address By Dr. Stanley A. Cain at the Annual Meeting Dinner of TROUT, Unlimited

These laws give a very low priority, if any to all, to the water needs of fish and wildlife installations like fish hatcheries and wildlife refuges. The laws are generally oriented toward dividing up the waters of streams and lakes among interests who can put these water suppliers to various economic uses. The primary purpose of state water laws seems to be to divide up the water of streams and lakes among this industry and that farm and the other town and there has been little recognition of the substantial needs of the public water to remain in streams and lakes and other bodies of water to support fish and wildlife and related outdoor recreational needs.”

Let me refer you to a recent action of the Wisconsin Conservation Commission which now has be to power in cases of application for diversion of water from trout streams for purposes of irrigation. The Commission policy said “the use of public

waters by fish and other wildlife must always in all cases be recognized as a public interest and a natural use equal with any domestic use.” This is a state where riparian law prevails, so I’m sure tht there’s plenty of room for a second look, and a close look at the legal situation in Michigan and other states.

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Our Deepest Appreciation … …goes to the following list of people that have donated to Michigan Trout Unlimited’s mission since January 2008

Paul Adesko Stephen & Mary Allen Daniel & Sharon Altier

Edwin Anderson James Anderson

Bruce Arndt Richard & Marilyn Augustine Charles & Carolann Ayers

James Barackman Linda Barthel Adam Bickel John Blom James Bos

Robert & Martha Boughner Gregory Bovee

Gary and Marcia Boyd Michael Brock

Michael & Robin Brooks Peter Brown

Joseph & Kathleen Bruce A & D Buchanan

William & Janice Buck Thomas Buhr

Keith Bumgarner Bryan Burroughs

Richard & Bettie Buss Michael Caparon

Richard Chamberlin Thomas & Johanna Chapel

Joseph & Jan Conners John & Pamela Davis

Louis & Dawn DeBenedet Mark Delaney

Richard & Barbara Dew MacDonald & Carolin Dick James & Carolyn Dillinger

James & Loretta Distefanis John & Tara Dolbee

Broderick & Michelle Donaldson Terry Dupuis

Justin Durrance Frank & Julie Eaman

John & Jan Eichel David W. Elliott Douglas Enslen Jefferson Eyke

Roger & Mary Fechner A. K. Felter Toni Felter

Carlos Fetterolf Jason & Renee Fettig

James Fish Richard & Erva Fitzgerald Robert & Joan Flickinger

Tim Fortier Keith & Mary Frame

John Frey Bartley & Cheryl Frueh

John Fuerstnau T. Eduardo Garcia

Jerome Gates John R. Gledhill

Edward & Linda Goodman Robert & Linda Gorashko

Ken Gottschlich Derek & Dorothy Grossman

David Guilford Darryl & Kathleen Hahn

Hugh Harness Daniel Hayes

David & Patrice Hayes Madison Hayes

Lauren Heck Donald L. Hecker Donald Henning

David Hilton Craig & Jody Hinkle

Craig Hitchcock P. T. Hoelderle

J S & M Holden Thomas Holstrom

Bonnie and Ralph Hommel Edward & Lynn Hoover

Charles & Ruth Ann Houff Carl Hubinger Arthur Hudson

Joseph L. Hudson Carl Hueter

Charles & Irene Hurbis John Hutto

Shane & Ruth Isenhoff Stewart Isley Todd Janson

Robert & Peggy Jensen Tom & Diane Jobson

Robert & Narda Johnson Donald Johnson Jr.

Akira & Taeko Kataoka Merrill & Jody Katz

Daniel & Heidi Keifer Peter King

Harold & Marilyn Kleinert Patrick and Janna Kochanny

Roger & Irene Konyndyk Derrick & Karen Kooistra

Donald Kopka Robert Kroeger

James & Barbara Kurbel Michael & Jeanette Lagowski

George Lane Wayne Larrow

Ronald & Ruth Ann Lebarre

John M. LeClaire Peter & Michelle Leiterman

Michael & Mary Beth Magnuson Bruce Maguire

Mark B. Mahacek William Main

John & Sheila Marsh Bill Martindale

Jane Martindale Cerano Mary Martindale Johnston

Fred Martindale, Jr. John Marx

Michael D. Mathieu Paul & Susan Maxbauer

David Mayotte Leonard Mazur

Jeffrey McDonald Edward C. McElligatt

Michael McGraw Edward McNiff

William & Sally McRoy Hank & Terri Milius

Joseph & Shirley Mitchell Michael & Colleen Monahan

Michael Moran Allen Murphy

Philip & Patricia Mutch Scott & Barb Myckowiak

David Neal JoAnn Neuhalfen Kristin L. Nichols

Thomas & Melinda Niemann Richard & Susan Nyce

John & Lani Ochs H. Lawrence & Anne O'Donnell

John & Patricia Ojala Leslie A. Osuch

Kenneth Pickl Ronald & Julie Porritt

Nicholas Posak Michael & Nicole Prevo

Stephen and Kimberlee Priestap Edward Proctor

Armando Quaglia Richard & Alice Rainville Marlin & Eleanor Rickey

Paul & Carol Rose Ross Rosenbrock

Henry & Carol Ross Nathaniel Rowe James Rutledge Katharine Ryan

Neil & Joan Satovsky Dennis Schrantz

Stanley & Pauline Schroeder Bernard & Phyllis Senske

Mark & Mary Shantz Darin Sharkey

Kenneth & Merry Sink R.K. Skay

Tony & Carla Skiba James & Elsa Skipper

Richard Skutt Bruce Smith

Jeffrey Smith John & Patricia Smith

Robert Smith Kathleen Sneden

Peter Stano John Stegmeier

Curtis Strickland Lawrence Swantek

Joseph Swantek Lynne & C. T. Symons

Mary & T. W. Thompson Robert and Kimberly Thorsen

Christopher & Eija Tipton Christopher Tipton

Eija Tipton Leland Todd

Janet Tull Robert Tull

Marc Twinney Dale & Monique Ulman

Gregory & Diane Umstead Samuel Van Boven

Martin & Maria Van Fossan James & Marsha Vanderveen

James & Mary Jane VanPaepeghem

Tommy & Maria Vaughan Ryan Waddington

Richard Walle Howard & Kyoko Wandel

Thomas Warren Clare & Debra Wasek John & Mary Weber

Stephen & Karen Werner John Westerheide

Randy and Kimberly Wetton John & Juliana White

Daniel & Beverly Wilcox Larry C. Willey Alfred Woody Jerry Yonker

Glen & Jane Young Ronald & Nancy Young

Stephen & Mary Zulczyk

22


The Archives of Michigan is responsible for preserving the records of Michigan's history and government. In fulfilling this primary mission, it serves as the collective memory of Michigan state and local government departments. The Archives of Michigan also accepts papers from private individuals and organizations. The number of private collections is growing.

In 2006, the State Archivist began discussing the opportunities of Michigan Trout Unlimited storing their historic records in the Archives. The final agreements are nearing completion that will place the records of MCTU, Art Nuemann and TU national in the Archives of Michigan. It only makes sense that the records of the organization that began in Michigan, stay in Michigan. Researchers, scholars, students and enthusiasts will enjoy the benefits of being able to access the TU

State of Michigan Archives to house the History of Michigan TU

Mark Harvey is the State Archivist at the Archives of Michigan and is a member of the Perrin Chapter of TU in Lansing, MI.

Fly Fishing Enthusiasts:

Would you like to stay in a nice riverfront cottage in a secluded,

wooded setting?

Quality fishing on South Branch Au Sable River near Roscommon.

Weekly/Monthly rentals

989-821-3434

Our Deepest Appreciation … …goes to the following list of organizations that have donated to

Michigan Trout Unlimited’s mission since January 2008 Our own local Chapters

Adams Chapter Ann Arbor Chapter

Arnold Copeland Chapter Challenge Chapter

Charles A. Fellows Chapter Clinton Valley Chapter

Copper Country Chapter Fred Waara Chapter

Fly Fishing School Headwaters Chapter

Kalamazoo Valley Chapter Martuch Chapter

Mason-Griffith Founders Chapter Mershon Chapter

Miller Van-Winkle Chapter Paul H. Young Chapter

Frank “Bob” Perrin - Lansing Chapter Pine River Area Trout Unlimited

Schrems West Mcihigan Chapter Vanguard Chapter

Organizations Earth Share

Elliott Donnelley Chapter of T U JustGive

Michigan Environmental Council Michigan Fly Fishing Club

Michigan River Guides Assn. Mott Foundation

Trout Unlimited National (Embrace-A-Stream Program)

W. Tom Zurschmiede Foundation United Way of Washtenaw County

Business Sponsors

A M Sales & Marketing Alder Creek Ent Inc

Bud's Cabins and Motel LLC

Creative Group Dave Moyette Builders

FBH Corporation Frank's Great Outdoors Gates AuSable Lodge

Hartman's Fly Shop Homewaters LLC

Human Relations Consultants, Inc. Lean Manufacturing Solutions, LLC

Little Forks Outfitters North Branch Outing Club, Inc.

PLR Solutions LLC Quality Bamboo Fishing Rods

Rayburn Lodge LLC Red Moose Lodge LLC

RW Summers Co. Schmidt Real Estate, Inc.

Silent Sport Lodge B and B Steelcase

records along side the records of the Department of Conservation and the Department of Natural Resources.

Staff is now working with Mr. Nuemann to write the first published history of TU based on all available original records and photographs.

The records preserved by the Archives of Michigan are one-of-a-kind and extremely important. The records receive impeccable care. They are placed in a secure, fire-resistant area and stored in shelves, drawers or filing cabinets designed for record preservation and efficient use of space.

Humidity and temperature levels are also carefully controlled to ensure longevity of the records. All of these measures are taken so the public has long term access to these important and interesting materials.

23

Baldwin, Mi.

On The Scenic Pere Marquette River

Owners: Clint & Debi Anderson

GUIDE SERVICE Salmon Steelhead

Trout

MODERN ROOMS

888-939-6667 Or 231-745-6667

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The Michigan Fly Fishing Club is an organization of fly fishers dedicated to the promotion of fly fishing, the preservation of the arts of fly tying and rod building and the protection of game fish and their

natural habitats. Please visit us at: www.mffc.org

to find out more about our Purpose, our History, our Club Organization and our Activities.

The Members of the Michigan Fly Fishing Club wish to extend a warm “Congratulations” to Trout Unlimited and the Michigan Council for their first Fifty Years of dedicated focus to “conserve, protect and restore cold water fisheries and their

habitats.” The environment, streams, watersheds, fish and all of us in the Fishing Community have

greatly benefited from the application of the Trout Unlimited Mission.

Thank You...Thank You...Thank You!!!

24

Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited MICHIGAN TROUT P.O. Box 1005 Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804-1005 TIME DATED MATERIAL

Non Profit U.S. Postage

PAID Mt. Pleasant, MI

48858

summer 2009 michigan trout unlimited newletter

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