GRAYLING – The Mason-Griffith Chapter of Trout Unlimited (MGFTU) held its annual banquet at Treetops Resort in Gaylord May 14.
The highlight of the evening occurred when John Walters, Chairman of Michigan Trout Unlimited, presented the chapter with the states’ 2015 Chapter of the Year Award. In his presentation, Walters listed some of the chapter’ accomplishments that included:
Conducting in-stream restoration work on the Au Sable Mainstream above Grayling and the West Branch of Big Creek (a tributary of the Au Sable North Branch);
Continuing a vibrant youth program at the Grayling Middle School consisting of Trout in the Classroom, fly tying, and assisting with the GMS Fishing Club; as well as
A number of water quality projects, and cedar tree planting.
Mason Griffith Chapter President Karen Harrison accepted the award for the chapter. In her remarks she thanked the banquet attendees without whom, she said, the recognition couldn’t have happened. She also shared that the chapter accrued nearly 3,000 volunteer hours during the past year and received $135,000 in grant money for in-stream projects.
MGFTU was also Chapter of the Year in 2014, 2011 and 2010. Trout Unlimited. New rules only allow receiving the award for two years in a row.
The banquet raises funds for projects in the upper Au Sable and Manistee watersheds. This year, as part of the Chapter’ youth program, six middle and high school students and their parents were guests of the chapter. The young people participated in a special raffle with prizes just for them.
