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Action Alert – Water Withdrawal Legislation!

First, the good news. As you probably know, the Michigan House and Senate each approved the Great Lakes Compact. This demonstrates that Michigan will join the ranks of the states approving the Compact as protection against water withdrawals outside of the Great Lakes basin. Unfortunately, however, negotiations ended between the House and Senate for the additional protections Trout Unlimited and other conservation organizations were seeking, and the Senate passed Senate Bill 860. This bill does the following: Sets aside up to 25% of Michigan’s waterways for future withdrawals. Rejects the Trout Unlimited proposal limiting cold water withdrawals to an amount...

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Fly Fishing Expo on May 3

This comes to us from Phil Cusey at the Great Lakes Orvis shop … On May 3rd, We are having a “Fly Fishing Expo”.  Dennis Potter will be in the shop for the day tying, Dick Pobst will be around for the day signing copies of his stream side books and giving a program at 1pm titled “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the River”, and Mr. Mike Clough from the Orvis company will be on hand giving casting demonstrations and showing off some of Orvis’s new products. 

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SWMTU Schedules Summer Conservation Events

Set aside a couple of hours on a Saturday morning and join us on one of our conservation projects scheduled this year.  You will find the time well spent as we restore one of our areas trout streams.  You will have the opportunity to perform some valuable work, meet other TU members, enjoy a friendly lunch, and maybe even find a new spot to fish in the future!  A typical project day runs from 9 AM to 2 PM, just bring your waders and a willingness to help out.  Here is our schedule: May 3rd– Join SWMTU as we team up with...

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Celebrate the Coldwater River

The following was supplied by Paul Eberhart, board member of SWMTU and the Coldwater River Watershed Council … The Coldwater River Watershed Council and water resource partners invite the public to celebrate our wonderful trout stream.  Help the volunteers who monitor its condition and delight in the plants and animals that it supports. May 3rd, 2008  9am-5pm Freeport MI Lunch will be provided for Garlic mustard, river clean-up, rain garden installation and Tyler Creek restoration volunteers at 1 pm at the Freeport Community Center. Morning events start at 9 sharp!

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SWMTU Action Alert: Water Withdrawal Legislation

Members – Contact your State leaders NOW! After months of negotiations including the participation of our MCTU Executive Director, Dr. Bryan Burroughs, the State House and Senate have been unable to reach a compromise on legislation regulating ground water withdrawals in the State of Michigan and as a result, each chamber has introduced competing bills. Unfortunately, the Senate bill (SB860) falls significantly short of protecting our coldwater resources, and should be rejected. Instead, urge your State Senators and Representatives to pass the modified House Bill (HB5065-5073) which provides greater resource protection levels. You can find a list of contact information...

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April steelhead outing

Hey all – just an update on 4/20/08. The outing this year was cancelled due to high water on the Muskegon. Not sure if it’s being rescheduled.  The annual SWMTU outing on the Muskegon River is planned for Saturday, April 12. Mark the date on your calender now and let us know at [email protected] if you want to attend.  As always, we need to match up people with boats and people who need boats. So if you have a boat and want to share the experience, it is much appreciated. We will float from Croton Dam to Thornapple landing. If...

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2008 Banquet

All members should have received their invitation in the mail. That invitation should have come with a return envelope, but I am hearing that a few members did not recieve one. If you did not receive a return envelope and are wondering where to mail your RSVP, here is the address: SWMTU, PO Box 230094, Grand Rapids, MI 49523  I look forward to seeing you all at the banquet, and i thank you in advance for your support.  JR Hartman

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Let’s talk fly-fishing …

We had a great turn-out for our January seminar. Thanks to Steve Graley and John Karkashian for packing the house! The February 7 seminar is coming up quickly and the board is scrambling to get all the pieces in places. Keeping with theme of getting new members more involved with the chapter, we’ll hold an informal “Fly Fishing Social” evening. Instead of a sit-down dinner, expect a mix & mingle evening of finger foods, drinks and good company. This event isn’t just for people new to fly-fishing. In fact, there will be much advanced knowledge to be gained at the...

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