Traverse City Record-Eagle

Crawford County

July 16, 2009

Trout Unlimited hosts anniversary bash

50th anniversary in Grayling is open to public

BY MIKE DUNN

GRAYLING -- The Michigan Chapter of Trout Unlimited is planning an event Saturday in Grayling to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the organization.

The "TU Michigan Celebration" will be held at the Rayburn property on the banks of the AuSable River, two miles east of Grayling off North Down River Road, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is free and open to the public and features food, contests, raffles, various displays, games, musical entertainment, auctions, kids activities, water activities, fly-fishing and fly-tying demonstrations, and more.

"This is kind of like Woodstock on the river," said Bob Thorsen of Beverly Hills, a co-chairman of Saturday's celebration. "It's all free and we're hoping a lot of people will come out for it. There will be lots of food and fun things to do along with seminars telling about the things the organization is involved in."

On July 18, 1959, Trout Unlimited was "born" when George Griffith met with 15 like-minded sportsmen on his Barbless Hook property on the banks of the AuSable. The organization was officially incorporated on Sept. 22 of that year for the purpose of protecting coldwater fisheries across the country.

In the 50 years since, the organization has become America's largest coldwater conservation organization, boasting 140,000 members nationally and more than 7,000 in Michigan.

"What happened 50 years ago in Grayling is really significant because it's much bigger than the impact on just this individual river," Thorsen said.

The organization recognized the importance of preserving the coldwater fisheries, Thorsen noted, and began applying scientific principles to the management of habitat. This approach has benefited the wildlife that thrives in coldwater regions in addition to assuring the health of the coldwater rivers and of the fish, primarily trout, that live in the rivers.

"Before Trout Unlimited got started, the thought was if you wanted more fish to catch, then put more in river," Thorsen said. "There wasn't a recognition that it wasn't about the fish, but about protecting the habitat.

"Cold water is really the lifeblood of the entire ecosystem. It's clear and it's clean. The lack of bacteria presents a much healthier base line for the animals and plants and makes for a much more diverse population."

Trout Unlimited has taken a proactive approach to protecting the coldwater habitat, involving itself with projects that prevent soil erosion and storm drainage from seeping into rivers and assuring that water withdrawals are regulated, among other things.

For 50 years, the organization has remained true to its mission and continues to have a positive impact on the environment. On Saturday at the Rayburn property, Trout Unlimited will take time to celebrate what's been accomplished and the public is cordially invited to participate.

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