Notes-January-12-2007

Posted by Aaron Rubel on 12 January 2007 | 0 Comments

Tags: Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited, CRCCP

Dear Chapter Member,

I would like to start off by thanking Ed Roden, President Emeritus, for the contributions given to our chapter during the past two years. Prior to Ed taking on the President’s role two years ago he contributed as a member of the board as well as Webmaster. Ed encouraged the chapter a year ago to become engaged with the new direction the chapter was heading in. The goal for the chapter last year was to focus on introducing children and adults to fly fishing through education. Through that encouragement and vision the chapter realized more involvement from chapter membership and many were introduced, for the first time, to fly fishing. Ed’s hard work was also recognized at the state level of Trout Unlimited. Ed was appointed to Chairman of the Operation and Finance Committee for the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited. If you haven’t visited the MCTU website, please take some time and do so. It is a great resource to you and a valuable insight on activities at the state level. You can find the website at www.mctu.org.

We are also encouraged to have some new board members with us this year. Mark Johnston will serve on the board as Secretary as well as take over the very important roles of Newsletter Editor and Webmaster. Mark Tracey was also voted in as a board member and we welcome him as well. Be assured the chapter hasn’t dropped our attention on conservation. Ken Koster, CVTU Conservation Chairman, represents our chapter on the Clinton River Coldwater Conservation Project committee. This year, the focus of the CRCCP is on Paint Creek. There are upcoming opportunities to be a part of and we will keep you informed of these later this spring.

Last year there wasn’t enough interest in the form of purchased tickets for the annual banquet to afford the risk of holding the event. Due to the increased involvement by the membership during 2006 at various activities and volunteer events, we are optimistic for a banquet to be held on March 22nd, 2007. We really hope this transpires, as few funds were raised last year and this significantly reduces the ability for our chapter to make financial contributions back into trout habitat. See the registration form in this issue of the newsletter. Please register soon so we can assess the level of interest. Youngsters are welcome, and bring a friend too!

Additionally, it is important that we raise funds through the annual local chapter donation drive. It is especially important you send in the recommended donation if you don’t plan on coming to the banquet. We obtain the majority of the funds for supporting the objectives of the chapter through the banquet and donation drive. The chapter is financed only through the raising of funds by the membership. Please see the pertinent page in the newsletter for local dues/donation fundraising as well as the banquet registration form.

Remember to take some time for yourself this winter and study for the upcoming fishing season, tie some flies for your next fishing outing, and dream of catching a rising trout on a delicately made cast with a perfect drag free drift!

Best Regards,
Aaron Rubel – CVTU President - deaddrift@comcast.net