2021 Michigan Trout Unlimited Awards

by Jim Cantrill, Michigan TU Development Committee Chair

The Michigan TU Council recognizes outstanding individuals and groups each year, epitomizing the “One TU” vision. On October 15, 2022, the following awards were presented.

The Order of the Grayling recognizes the death of a Michigan conservationist whose impact was felt at a statewide or national level. To that end, Michigan TU recognized two individuals who, for a final time, have been laid to rest beside still waters. Dave Smethurst was a tireless supporter of Michigan TU and all things conservation-related. He was one of a group who banded together to form the Headwaters Chapter and went on to serve as chairman of Michigan TU. His efforts resulted in the creation of the Natural Resources Trust Fund, which utilized oil and gas royalties to fund conservation efforts and land acquisitions and promote outdoor recreation across the state. Gerry Lake was a record keeper of hatches and fish, read papers about what was happening to the rivers, and knew what had been done, including what should be done next. For example, it is very likely that redd surveys in Michigan and across the country will always have a component derived from Gerry’s thoughtful imagination.

The Order of the Hexagenia is an honorary group. Individuals recognized are inducted as lifetime members for their positive contribution to coldwater fisheries in Michigan in a non-TU capacity. Steve Sendek is a retired fisheries biologist who shares his passion for coldwater conservation with all those he engages. His knowledge of the river is not kept to himself. For example, one of the first projects he identified was the maintenance of the MDNR structures that were placed in the mainstream of the Au Sable River in the 1980s and early 1990s. These structures were repaired in the early 2000s. Volunteers evaluated a 15mile reach of the river as Steve assisted with permits and logistics, such as landowner easements, before a work crew from Northpoint Fisheries Management, Steve’s business dedicated to helping revitalize coldwater fisheries, was contracted.

The Order of the Caddis remains a “Hall of Fame” recognizing Michigan TU’s most active, effective, and valued member, either as a board of directors member or someone who has provided exemplary service statewide. Joe Barker has been the editor of Michigan Trout since the fall of 2015 and quietly leads and produces one spectacular issue after another. Michigan Trout and Joe’s team earned the prestigious Jean Bollinger – Distinguished Service Award for Communications from Trout Unlimited National in 2017. His leadership qualities are admirable, quiet, and effective, leading from the front and never seeking the spotlight.

The Art Neumann Award is presented to any individual or group that has made an outstanding contribution to the overall mission and vision of Michigan TU. For the past 25 years, the all-volunteer staff of the Michigan Youth Conservation & Trout Camp has introduced a watershed approach to trout stream management and angling skills to our next generation of conservationists and anglers. It has been the model for other camps around the country, including the national TU Youth Summit. Trout Camp is not just a fly-fishing camp; it doesn’t just teach kids how to fish. The camp has always been about building a community of TU members, conservation professionals, and the fishing industry.

Finally, the 2021 Chapter of the Year was awarded to the Fred Waara Chapter in the Upper Peninsula for continually providing waders-in-the-water conservation programs and new outreach and communications strategies to promote TU as a regional source of knowledge and consultation on coldwater fisheries issues. The chapter realized a 632% increase in revenue and a 36% increase in volunteer hours over the previous year, all of which was funneled back into a wide range of educational (eight Salmon in the Classroom sites), resource restoration (tree planting in the Yellow Dog River Watershed), and organizational outreach efforts (new social media platforms and email services). In addition, members of the Two Hearted Chapter were absorbed by the Fred Waara Chapter, adding Chippewa, Luce, Mackinac, and Schoolcraft County watersheds, thereby increasing its geographic footprint and resulting in a current service area of 18,278 square miles. Chapter members work with several other conservation organizations on various coldwater restoration projects, including the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve and the Brook Trout Subcommittee of Partners for Watershed Restoration—a collaboration with federal, tribal, state, and local agencies—and continue to provide ongoing service to Michigan TU.

In the photo above, some of the award recipients are shown. From left to right, Laurie Seibert, Char Hammond, and Andy Pokorski accept the Art Neumann award, Brooke Smethurst, on behalf of her family, holds the Order of the Grayling, Jim Cantrill, as chapter representative, receives the Chapter of the Year plaque, and Joe Barker proudly displays the Order of the Caddis.