Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited

SWMTU Board Meetings
2024-08-06 18:15 - 20:00, 2024-09-03 18:15 - 20:00, 2024-10-01 18:15 - 20:00, 2024-11-05 18:15 - 20:00, 2024-12-03 18:15 - 20:00, 2025-01-07 18:15 - 20:00, 2025-02-04 18:15 - 20:00, 2025-03-04 18:15 - 20:00 (America/Detroit) and 3 more dates | WMEAC Office, 1007 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
The SWMTU Board Meeting typically occurs on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:15 pm. Monthly board meetings are currently only open to board members and invited guests. Quarterly membership meetings will be conducted and communicated. The best way to check is to send a General Question from the Contact Us page.

Volunteers needed: White River Tree Care
2024-09-04 15:00 - 18:00 | MI
Join the Tree Army as TU cares for newly planted trees along Michigan’s White River.

Work alongside and learn from local community experts and volunteers to mulch, prune, and maintain streamside trees to make sure they remain healthy and provide cold, clean water and habitat for the White River.

No experience necessary. Planting tools and supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring gloves if you wish. The site is easily accessible and appropriate for all ages.

This event is family-friendly and all are welcome! Please reserve your free spot now.

Hosted by Trout Unlimited’s Great Lakes Program and Schrems West Michigan TU.

September Chapter Meeting
2024-09-23 18:00 - 20:30 | Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery, 452 Ada Dr SE, Ada, Michigan, 49301, United States
After a hiatus, we are restarting Chapter Meetings for our membership! We plan to host these quarterly, with our first one on the evening of Monday, September 23rd at Gravel Bottom Brewery in Ada.

Join us for updates on local projects, how to become involved, and to listen to our featured speaker, Kevin Feenstra. Beyond being an outstanding guide on the Muskegon River, Kevin is an amazingly talented photographer and author.

$20 per person includes buffet dinner

Cash bar available

Open to the general public, attendance capped at 60

Buffet service starts at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7:00 p.m.

Registration opening soon. Please plan to register online in advance and contact Nick Garlock at president@swmtu.org or 616-540-5406 for questions.

Muskegon River Spey Fest
2024-09-28 08:00 - 17:00 | Henning Park, 500 Croton Dr, Newaygo, Michigan, 49337, United States
SWMTU will be at the Muskegon River Spey Fest this year, and we hope you will be too.

It happens on Saturday, September 28 at Henning Park in Newaygo, Michigan.

There is no cost to attend the Spey Fest, but there is an entrance fee to get into Henning Park.

For more information, visit the Muskegon River Spey Fest Facebook page.

Nash Creek Restoration Work Day
2024-09-28 09:00 - 14:00 | Chris Hollis Farm, 11127 Peach Ridge Ave., 11127 Peach Ridge Ave., Sparta, Michigan, United States
⭐️ Volunteers Needed! ⭐️ We are looking for help removing debris and restoring the natural beauty of Nash Creek. Join us and partners Kent Conservation District, Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds, and Rogue River Watershed Partners on Saturday, September 28 at Hollis Farm in Sparta. We plan to work from 9 a.m. til 2 p.m. with pizza provided for lunch. Join us for an hour or the whole day!

November Chapter Meeting
2024-11-18 18:00 - 20:30 | Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery, 452 Ada Dr SE, Ada, Michigan, 49301, United States
Join us for food, a cash bar, updates on local projects, how to become involved, and a 7 p.m. talk from our featured speakers, Kristin Thomas and Dr. Jodyn Stoll from Michigan Trout Unlimited.

Topics to be covered include successful projects on the Au Sable, Pere Marquette, Manistee, and Fox Rivers, and discussion and hands-on presentation regarding invasive species such as didymo.

$20 per person includes buffet dinner

Cash bar available

Open to the general public, attendance capped at 60

Buffet service starts at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7:00 p.m.

Please contact Nick Garlock at president@swmtu.org or 616-540-5406 for questions.

Kristin Thomas, Michigan Trout Unlimited Stream Restoration Director will join us to highlight on-the-ground work Michigan Trout Unlimited has accomplished in 2024 including fish passage at the Grayling Hatchery, in-stream habitat improvement work on the Manistee, and dam removals in the Au Sable watershed.

Jordyn Stoll, Michigan Trout Unlimited Aquatic Ecologist, will share information about invasive rock snot (didymo) and how you can become involved with upcoming efforts to better understand didymo across the state, accomplishments of the Michigan TU summer staff on the PM and Au Sable rivers, and a recent dam removal on a tributary to the Fox River in the UP. Jordyn will also have didymo sample kits to distribute to those interested in helping with the crusade.

2024 SWMTU Holiday Party
2024-12-03 17:00 - 20:00 | Creston Taproom, 1504 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49505, United States
Mark your calendar for the 2024 SWMTU Holiday Party. This is a family-friendly event, so bring the kids! Santa will make an appearance for those 12 and under, so please let us know the names, gender, and ages of your children. There will also be a craft table for the kids and a raffle with fun prizes.

We will gather in the Golden Age Event Space at Saugatuck Brewing Co.’s Creston Taproom on December 3rd from 5-8 p.m.

Dinner includes a taco bar for adults and kid-friendly food for the youngsters. Soft drinks are free and there will be an open bar, which includes SBC’s Rainbow Rodeo IPA on tap. This beer is a tribute to our trout streams and outdoor heritage. Recently, SBC partnered with the Michigan DNR to support habitat restoration efforts, and while the program has concluded, Rainbow Rodeo IPA continues to honor Michigan’s anglers and their love for the water.

If you have registration questions, please reach out to Tom Mundt at tommundt@gmail.com.

Cost – be sure to get tickets for Adults and ChildrenAdults – $35 eachChildren 12 and under – FREE

Schedule5 pm – Guests Arrive, Bar Opens for Beverage Service5:45 pm – Words from the President6 pm – Dinner Service7pm – Raffle Drawing8 pm – Event Ends

MenuTaco bar for adultsChicken tenders and macaroni and cheese for childrenIncludes soft drinksAdult beverages are available for purchase

February 2025 Chapter Meeting
2025-02-17 18:00 - 20:30 | Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery, 452 Ada Dr SE, Ada, Michigan, 49301, United States
Join us for food, a cash bar, updates on local projects, how to become involved, and a talk from our featured speaker, Bill Otten from Rogue River Watershed Partners (RRWP) on Monday, February 17 starting at 6 p.m. at Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery.

Bill has been on the board of RRWP since the beginning of 2021. He has recently retired from the aviation industry as a Senior Program Manager, leading teams in the pursuit, capture, execution, and support of government and commercial contracts. His love of the outdoors has increased involvement in clean water and associated environmental issues. He has also led and participated in various faith-based and volunteer organizations, including Family Promise, Church Moderator, North Country Trail Association, and Trout Unlimited.

Details

Monday, February 17, 2025, starting at 6 p.m.

Buffet service starts at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7 p.m.

$20 per person includes buffet dinner

Cash bar available

Open to the general public, attendance capped at 60, get your tickets further down this page

Please contact Nick Garlock at president@swmtu.org or 616-540-5406 for questions.

Tie One On with TU
2025-03-20 18:00 - 21:30 | Newaygo Brewing Company, 19 State Rd., Newaygo, MI, 49337, United States
Join Schrems West Michigan TU, Orvis Grand Rapids, and the local community for a casual get-together to talk trout and coldwater conservation, learn to tie a fly (or hone your skill), and support an awesome local brewery.

All are welcome to join us for this free gathering. Please reserve your spot so we can get a head count!

Reserve Your Tickets

2025 Annual Fundraising Banquet
2025-04-22 17:00 - 22:00 | Watermark Country Club, 1600 Galbraith SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, United States
Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited is excited to announce that registration for our Annual Fundraising Banquet is open! See below for ticket options.

Please join us for an evening of celebration, fellowship, and the recognition of key individuals who have contributed to the preservation of coldwater streams. This is our biggest event of the year and our primary fundraiser which helps us pursue our mission to conserve, protect, and restore our local coldwater watersheds.

Our banquet takes place on the evening of Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Watermark Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We have an awesome lineup of prizes in our bucket raffle, silent auction, and live auction. Your ticket includes a plated dinner with chicken parmesan and salmon as entrees. Online registration will close at noon on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

We will also randomly select the winner of our Hyde Drift Boat Raffle! Tickets are available for online purchase. Open to Michigan residents only, MI Raffle License # R79799.

A huge thank you to all the people and businesses that have donated items for the auction. You can see a preview of those items here.

Can’t make it? Donate now to support coldwater conservation.

Your support makes it possible to protect the coldwater rivers of West Michigan.

Times – Tuesday, April 22, 2025

5 p.m. – Doors open, bar opens, bucket raffle, and silent auction

7 p.m. – Dinner begins, menu will include chicken parm and shrimp

8:30 p.m. – Live auction

Location

Watermark Country Club, 1600 Galbraith SE, Grand Rapids

Table Sponsorship – $1,250 (10 guest maximum)

Dinner for ten guests

10 Door Prize Tickets

$250 in Raffle Tickets per table

Pre-event promotion/advertising on Schrems TU website and Facebook page, as well as recognition in the banquet program.

To alleviate congestion at the bars, we are offering table sponsors the option to pre-order bottles of wine. You can choose from Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Individual Sponsor – $350

Dinner

One Door Prize Ticket

$150 in Raffle Tickets

Pre-event promotion/advertising on Schrems TU website and Facebook page, as well as recognition in the banquet program

Individual – $75

Dinner

One Raffle Ticket

One Door Prize Ticket

Donate to coldwater conservation

Can’t make it to the banquet? Or want to give a little more? Here are some ways you can help. Thank you!

$50 Donation

$100 Donation

$200 Donation

$500 Donation

Please reserve your spot as soon as you can as early registration helps with the planning process. We encourage everyone to register via the ticketing system on this page. You can use any valid credit card to register.

If you’d prefer to pay by check or some other method, please contact Tom Mundt at tommundt@gmail.com.

If you run into problems with the ticket system or have other questions, please contact us at banquet@swmtu.org.

Please join us for an evening of celebration, fellowship and the recognition of key individuals who have contributed to the preservation of coldwater streams.

Stream Cleanup and Insect Study on Mena Creek
2025-05-03 09:30 - 14:00 | MI
Volunteers needed! Help Trout Unlimited collect important data to monitor the health of Mena Creek, a coldwater tributary to the White River.

Volunteers will assist with the collection and identification of stream insects to better understand the quality of Mena Creek.

In addition to the stream insect study, volunteers can also assist with a trash cleanup of the stream.

No experience is needed and all ages are welcome. Dress for the weather and bring boots or waders if you have them. Lunch will be provided.

We will park and meet here: 43°37’40.2″N 85°53’59.6″W

Click through to get more details, register, and see the meeting location.

Sign Up Now

Annual Rogue River Cleanup
2025-05-10 10:00 - 13:00 | Richardson-Sowerby Park, 65 S Main St, Rockford, Michigan, 49431, United States
Join the Rogue River Watershed Partners and Schrems Trout Unlimited on Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a day of giving back to our community and watershed by preventing plastic pollution and other contaminants from entering the river.

Register Here

Meet at Richardson-Sowerby Park for the cleanup and bring your own water & work gloves. Tools, trash bags, & snacks will be provided thanks to our generous sponsors.

Prizes will be offered for the TOP 2 most unique trash items found (sponsored by Eco Equity Real Estate)!

Participants are also invited to Rockford Brewing Co. immediately following the cleanup for a social hour – $1 off beer pints for event participants only between 1-3 p.m.!

Please register here to help us plan accordingly. For questions about this event, please contact us at rrwpartners@gmail.com.

A tremendous thank you to our co-hosts and event sponsors for making this event possible: Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW), Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited, Rockford Sustainability Committee, Eco Equity Real Estate, and Rockford Brewing Co. We hope to see you there!

Chapter Meeting - May 2025
2025-05-19 18:00 - 20:30 | Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery, 452 Ada Dr SE, Ada, Michigan, 49301, United States
NOTE – As of May 12, this event is canceled due to low attendance.

Join us for food, a cash bar, updates on local projects, how to become involved, and a talk from Tracy Page on Salmon in the Classroom on Monday, May 19 starting at 6 p.m. at Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery.

Tracy PageAquatic Education CoordinatorMichigan Department of Natural Resources

Tracy Page is the statewide aquatic education coordinator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. She coordinates the Salmon in the Classroom program and aids in the filtering of fisheries biology research content to educators, students and the public. As a biologist turned educator, her dissertation is exploring the long-term impacts of participation in the Salmon in the Classroom program. As an award-winning environmental educator, Tracy is proud to help the people of Michigan understand and appreciate our complex Great Lakes’ systems.

Details

Monday, May 19, 2025, starting at 6 p.m.

Buffet service starts at 6:30 p.m., program begins at 7 p.m.

$20 per person includes buffet dinner

Cash bar available

Open to the general public, attendance capped at 60. Please reserve your seat by purchasing a ticket below.

Please contact Nick Garlock at president@swmtu.org or 616-540-5406 for questions.

Wa Wa Sum 2025 - annual membership gathering
2025-06-19 00:00 - 2025-06-23 23:59 | Wa Wa Sum lodge, Whirlpool Road, Grayling, MI, United States
We are now taking reservations for our annual membership outing at the Wa Wa Sum Lodge. The lodge is located on the banks of the Main Stream of the AuSable River’s fabled “holy waters,” five miles east of Grayling, Michigan. The historic main lodge was built in 1921/22, while other buildings on the property date as far back as 1880. The property consists of 251 acres along the AuSable River.

Arrival is anytime after noon on Thursday, June 19 with departure NO LATER than 9:00 am on Monday, June 23. The NIGHTLY RATE IS $65.00, whether your stay is one, two, three, or all four nights. Be prepared to settle up at the lodge with host Larry Risbridger either via CASH or CHECK (no debit or credit cards) before you leave. You may stay for all four nights or as few as one.

PLEASE RSVP WITH LARRY RISBRIDGER BY JUNE 16, 2025. Larry can be reached at elrisbridger@charter.net or by phone at 616.690.0692. He will need the nights you plan on staying, as well as your complete contact information: name, home address, email address & phone number.

ACCOMMODATIONSThere are seven dorm style bedrooms consisting of three to four single beds. You must bring your own bedding or sleeping bags and towels. Sleeping capacity is 28. There is a huge great room in the center of the lodge with an enormous fireplace, for gathering with friends. Overlooking the river is a large screened-in porch that runs the entire length of the lodge. There is a separate building that houses a large dining room (seating for 16) and complete kitchen facilities for preparing meals. There is also a gas grill for grilling.

MEALSAlthough there are no organized meals, we will be providing cold breakfast items, such as muffins and cereal. Coffee and juice will be available along with bottled water. Sandwich fixings, such as cold meats, cheese and condiments will be provided so that you may take a sandwich with you to fish. You are welcome to bring your own food and prepare it in the kitchen.

GENERAL INFORMATION

There are no organized events for the weekend.

People will come and go, as they may be fishing at all hours.

There are a number of restaurants close by for dining.

Meals may be prepared and eaten in the kitchen building.

There is no camping or fires allowed on the property.

Stairs leading down to a dock on the river are for guests only.

Gates Fly Shop and restaurant is located only a mile or so away.

Wa Wa Sum Lodge377 Wa Wa SumGrayling, MI 49738

QUESTIONSPlease give Larry Risbridger a call anytime at 616.690.0692 or email at elrisbridger@charter.net
