Copper Country Chapter - Trout Unlimited

With the summer project season upon us, the next Monthly Chapter Meeting will be held in September. Details on the speaker and meeting location will be announced in the near future. In the meantime, please join us on the Summer Work Bees to lend a hand in improving the habitat for brook trout on the Pilgrim River.

For information on CCCTU Work Bees, please call John Ollila at 482-5345.
For membership information, please contact Bill Leder at bleder@charter.net

With summer here (almost!) in the Copper Country, work bee projects will begin shortly. We plan to build upon the work accomplished on the Pilgrim River in the previous year and to evaluate potential projects in other watersheds, such as the Ontonagon River. Details on times and places for projects will be announced in a few days.

For information on CCCTU Work Bees, please call John Ollila at 482-5345.

The 2008 Summer Work Bees on the Pilgrim River were well attended and wildly successful, with up to 12 TU members and guests taking part in each event. In all, over 175 hours were logged in improving the habitat for the many brook trout that inhabit these waters. Examples of stream improvement include:

• Rebuilding many of the DNR rock crib structures that had been damaged in spring floods
• Rebuilding several bank erosion control structures
• Relocating many large logs that had been relocated by spring floods
• Planting cedar trees
• ...more

From the Calumet Theatre web site: "The Four Man Fishin' Tackle Choir is Michigan's premier sportsman quartet. Their brand of up north humor has allowed them to "worm" their way into audience's hearts all across Michigan and Canada, and throughout the Midwest United States. The unique sound of these "phenomenal fishermen from Michigan" has won them several awards, including the 2000 Pioneer District Championship."

For tickets, call the Calumet Theatre box office at 337-2610. The box office is open Wednesday through Friday noon to 5 pm and 2 1/2 hours before each performance. For more information, please contact Don Savera at 487-6619 or hey-dj@pasty.net

Despite the late season wintery weather, the 2009 CCCTU Conservation Banquet was a success, with attendance of about 110 members and guests. Held in the spacious and elegant Isle Royale Ballroom at Michigan Tech's Memorial Union Building, attendees dined on a delicious buffet dinner of beef au jus, herbed chicken, and all of the trimmings, followed by decadent desserts.

Keynote speakers for the evening were Kimberley Wetton, current president of MCTU, and George Madison, MDNR Supervisor of the Western Lake Superior Management Unit. Kimberley spoke of TU's 50th Anniversary celebrations, while George talked about the current fisheries conservation efforts and how TU will continue to play a vital role. After George presented CCCTU member Tom Rozich with a plaque for his 36 years of service with the MDNR, Chapter President Shawn Hagan delighted the crowd with his wit and commentary as he pulled winning tickets for the many raffle and door prizes.

Prizes ranged from fly casting to ice fishing, freshwater and saltwater fishing, fine wine, outdoor art, books, home and camp furnishings, mini-vacations, cruises, fashion sportswear and outerwear, along with $100, $250, and $500 gift certificates to several local sporting goods stores. A big THANK YOU to the many sponsors who provided items for the raffle and auction, as well as to the great folks who organized the event.

From all of the smiles and laughter in the crowd, it was evident that everyone was enjoying the evening. Hope to see you at next year's banquet!

Banquet Poster

With the recent decommissioning of the Ottawa Chapter, based in Ironwood, MI, the Copper Country Chapter extends a warm welcome to the 21 members of the former chapter who have transfered membership to CCCTU. In addition to bolstering its membership, the service area for the Copper Country Chapter has also increased in size to include the area formerly managed by the Ottawa Chapter. With CCCTU's membership now hovering around the 100-member mark, the chapter is stronger than ever.

“Conserving, Protecting and Restoring the Copper Country's Cold Water Fisheries”

VISION - CCCTU envisions coldwater sport fisheries of self-sustaining wild, native fish stocks prospering, in restored and maintained habitats within Copper Country lakes and streams.

GOALS -

• CCCTU will support scientific research of coldwater fish and their aquatic environments which focuses on the Lake Superior basin in general and Michigan 's western Upper Peninsula specifically.
• CCCTU will undertake restoration and rehabilitation projects which repair, protect, and enhance trout habitat on inland lakes and streams of watersheds located in the Copper Country.
• CCCTU will support and conduct educational and informational outreach activities for its members and the general public in the Copper Country so as to enhance their understanding and enjoyment of fishing, and the conservation of coldwater fisheries.
• CCCTU will seek out partnerships with federal, state, local and tribal agencies as well as non-governmental organizations which can assist it in carrying out its mission.