Clinton Valley Chapter Giving Back

by Tony Saez, Clinton Valley Chapter

As we slowly start to work ourselves back into some normalcy because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Clinton Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited (CVTU) found ways to stay focused and move forward. One such way was the 2020 Veterans Appreciation Weekend.

This event was created with the objective of selecting eight local military veterans within the boundaries of the CVTU, no matter which branch of service or period of service. The board wanted the veterans to be individuals who had little to no fly fishing experience who would like to learn, as well as have an interest in environmental conservation, as both items are a driving force for TU. The 2020 event was a tremendous success, which brought pleasure to the CVTU membership, its board, and, more importantly, the veterans themselves.

Based upon the event’s success, a motion was presented and approved to have the event for the 2021 fishing season. The process was the same as the previous year. We started by encouraging the membership to contact friends and family who were veterans or who still serve with no fly-fishing experience but who may be interested in the sport and the conservation message of TU.

The Veterans Appreciation Weekend was an all-expenses-paid event located on the Pere Marquette River, which included two days of fishing. One was a full-day guided float trip, and the second day was a wade trip with CVTU volunteers. The veterans were also provided lodging, food, fly fishing equipment, and a oneyear membership to TU.

The Clinton Valley Chapter used funds from the previous year’s holiday social to fund the event, but due to the pandemic, the 2020 event did not take place. CVTU had to find funding to have the event. This task was taken on and completed through arduous work by the chapter’s Veterans Committee with the support of our CVTU membership.

The event kicked off with arrival on Friday. As with a new event, introductions are a major part. The CVTU volunteers met the veterans, and all had great conversations. The great thing for us to see is how the veterans intermingled and talked. Veterans from the various branches started with the standard “smack talk,” which is part of the fun, but you also see the mutual respect for one another. Through the discussions, many of the veterans found out they were “in country” at the same time and fought in the same cities despite being from different branches. In the end, they all sacrificed, some more than others, to ensure that the nation was and continues to be a safe place.

Once everyone had settled in, the veterans were given a casting lesson using their new Orvis Clearwater combo fly rod. That coincided with dinner and a meeting, which consisted of a meet and greet with the veterans as well as five CVTU members, who were the weekend hosts. The social hour went well into the night with stories and laughter. Some stories were not so great or funny, but the thought of having others there who had experienced the same and others who appreciate what had been done

seemed to make it all worthwhile.

CVTU members explained how the event came about and gave a good description of what TU represents. Saturday consisted of morning breakfast, and then the Veterans met with their Baldwin Bait and Tackle guides and headed off for the day. They returned to a great meal and a campfire that brought about the ever-present fishing stories. Sunday consisted of the same great schedule. All our veterans had a great weekend and, most importantly, left knowing that they were and are appreciated by CVTU and their community for the services that they performed for our nation.

The work was not easy, and it took a great deal of coordination, but for those of us who worked on the event, it was extremely rewarding and one that needs to occur every year. The Clinton Valley Chapter will continue working on this event and is already planning the 2022 Veterans Appreciation Weekend.

Although we are not qualified to help with veterans’ physical and psychological healing, we are a group of people who care about our rivers, fly fishing, community, and, most importantly, our veterans. I encourage each chapter to develop an event that reaches out and thanks our veterans.

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Art Neumann Portrait Fundraiser

In honor of Art Neumann, Michigan Trout Unlimited icon & 1st Executive Director of Trout Unlimited, Michigan TU has commissioned a beautifully created portrait of him by local artist, Danielle V Shanks. For future work, contact Danielle at: daniellevshanks@gmail.com. This portrait is being offered in two editions: • The Limited Edition 13”x17” giclée, “100 year” archival matte paper, signed & numbered, 100 copies only, $75 donation. • The Trade Edition 10”x14” giclée, in a slightly less heavy archival matte paper, $15 donation. All donations will be used to fund the Art Neumann Memorial Fund, funding Youth Education & Diversity Initiatives, currently the Women’s Initiative. Order your edition by visiting the Michigan Trout Unlimited website @ www.michigantu.org/ artneumannportrait.