Copper Country Chapter - Trout Unlimited

On Saturday May 22, 2010 The Copper Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited in conjunction with Michigan Trout Unlimited and Superior Watershed Partnership will complete a Macroinvertebrate Study on the Pilgrim River. Saturday's schedule is as follows:

9am-11am - Meet at Nara Nature Center (US 41 just north of Pilgrim River on west side of road). The indoor session will provide an overview of the study, background on Micorps protocols, sampling techniques and data sheet review. After review indoors, the group will proceed to the river (about 200 yards to the south) to observe sampling techniques and receive station assignments.

11am-12:30pm - Travel to stations and complete sampling collection. Upon completion of sampling, teams will head to Jeffers High School for sorting, counting and identification.

Noon-4pm - For folks interested in only sorting, counting and identification, report to Jeffers High School. As teams return, support in lab will allow the process to be completed in a smooth and orderly fashion.

Juice, Coffee and Danish will be provided at Nara Nature Center in the morning.

Lunch will be provided at Jeffers High School.

Folks do not need experience in identifying bugs, just a desire to learn about them and their influence on an aquatic ecosystem. For those that want to collect in the stream, hip or chest waders will be necessary. All other equipment will be provided.

As a headcount is necessary for handouts and food, please rsvp Shawn Hagan if you are interested in assisting on Saturday: shawn@forestlandgroup.com. Let him know if you want to assist in the Stream, Classroom or Both.

The May 12th Chapter meeting will feature Holly Jennings, Fisheries Biologist for the Ottawa National Forest, who will present "Stream Restoration on the Ottawa NF through the Addition of Large Wood". To accommodate our members who live in the western end of the chapter's service area, the meeting will be held at 7pm at Tulppo's Restaurant in Bruce Crossing. For those interested in touring the Watersmeet Fish Hatchery, please meet at the hatchery at 2pm Central Time (3pm Eastern).

For membership information, please contact Bill Leder at bleder@charter.net

A local fund has been established for the Pilgrim River Watershed Project to pursue permanent land and water protection, non-motorized public recreation, and perpetual stewardship. This dedicated fund will support conservation easement expenses, land acquisitions, long-term site monitoring and resource stewardship. The project will conserve over 1,300 acres of watershed encompassing more than two miles of pristine Pilgrim River and secure public access forever. Visit www.pilgrimriverwatershed.org to learn more about this project and the community organizations supporting it.

Download a donation form

For more information, please contact Bill Leder at bleder@charter.net

A recent change in ownership of a 1360 acre commercial forest property in the Pilgrim River watershed has created the opportunity for a project supporting sustainable forestry, watershed protection, public recreation and education. The property includes over 2 miles of the Pilgrim River, including a good portion of the River's headwaters. The land is currently enrolled in the Michigan Commercial Forest program and is enjoyed by the public for hunting and fishing...Read more

For more information, please contact Jeremy Shannon at jmshanno@mtu.edu

With winter upon us here in the Copper Country, work bee projects have ended for the season. The projects focused on building upon the work accomplished on the Pilgrim River in 2008.

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

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 110-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.