Summary of Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024

New Board Members

The chapter is pleased to welcome Blayne Smith and Paul Quinn as new board members, filling the chapter’s two vacant seats. Both these gentlemen are Life Members of Trout Unlimited.

Blayne recently served on the board for the Buckeye United Fly Fishers in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a mentor for the Grand Rapids Chapter of the Mayfly Project. He will also be assisting in June for the Reel Recovery Fly Fishing Retreat for men with cancer. Blayne lives in Ada.

Paul has fished around the world; New Zealand, Central America, Australia, Asia, Mongolia as well many of the major rivers in the Western United States. We believe his 20-year professional experience will be an asset toward our goals at Schrems. Paul lives in Saugatuck.

We also want to thank the several other people who came forward with a desire to serve.

Old Business

A proposal was presented to the board of directors to contribute to a fund to build a community pavilion at the Vida Weaver Park in Hesperia. As a gesture of goodwill for the community and its approximation to the White River, the motion was passed to contribute $1,000 to the project.

Schrems supports the Great Lakes Restoration Act of 2024, a reauthorization for another 5 years, allowing the federal government to continue to accelerate its investment to restore and protect the Great Lakes, including toxic pollution, runoff, habitat loss and invasive species.

Olives Restaurant in East Grand Rapids celebrated Earth Day by contributing a percentage of their Earth Day sales to Schrem West Michigan Trout Unlimited totaling $561.20. We thank Olives Restaurant for its generous donation.

2024 Youth Trout Camp – Schrems has approved in its budget $1,400 to sponsor and pay for worthy youths to attend the week-long trout camp in Roscommon in June.

New Business

COLDWATER RIVER

Work has recently been completed on a 600-foot stretch (total of 1,200 feet, as work was done on both sides of the stream) on Duck Creek, a tributary of the Coldwater River. Building fences and two passages for cows to move across the stream only in the two designated spots on the stream. In addition 13 trees and 100 scrubs were planted. This was a joint venture with the Coldwater River Watershed Council. The total price tag for this project was $24,500.

MUSKEGON RIVER

Board member Steve Brinks continues to work toward identifying cold water locations on the Muskegon as well as possible locations for bank stabilization.

BUCK CREEK

Board member Dave Helder, along with the Friends of Buck Creek are speaking out about possible high-impact work on Buck Creek in the area of the Grandville Cemetery.

Orvis Great Giveback Days

For the entire month of May 2024, customers of the local Grand Rapids Orvis corporate store will be given a 10% discount on an in-store purchase, upon donation of $10.00. The monies raised will to be awarded to Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited, with those funds being earmarked for project(s) on the Coldwater River.

Cast n’ Blast event

The annual fundraising event at the Kent County Conservation League, along with the Ruffed Grouse Society will be held Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Chapter Christmas Party

Is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at the Creston Brewery in Grand Rapids.