Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited Serving Michigan's Northeast Lower Michigan Lower Peninsula The name “Headwaters” is very appropriate for the area in which we serve.

The Headwaters Chapter was first founded in 1975, by three avid fly-fishermen from the Ga***rd area: Fred Snook, Dave Smethurst, and James Stock. Since those days in the 1970’s, the Headwaters Chapter has grown to encompass five Northeast Lower Michigan counties: Otsego, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena, and Montmorency. There are more than 630 miles of “Blue Ribbon” trout streams that begin in our

region. This does not include the rivers, streams, and tributaries that do not have this designation, but are still beautiful places to fish for trout.

05/30/2026
Join Trout Unlimited today at the special introductory rate of just $17.50. Help protect and restore our nation's magnif...
05/02/2026

Join Trout Unlimited today at the special introductory rate of just $17.50. Help protect and restore our nation's magnificent trout and salmon fisheries. This low rate is for new members only and $15 of your $17.50 will go to your local chapter (more if you join at a higher membership level).

PLUS for an extra ten bucks we’ll send you an item from our overstocked inventory. You’ll get a mystery gift along with the pleasure of knowing you’re doing a little more to support TU’s great work.

https://crm.tu.org/eweb/SnapFormsDonations.aspx?instance=intro&tu_source=022&marketing_source=&marketing_campaign=&chapter=022&

05/02/2026
04/08/2026

Spring is almost here, and trout season is right around the corner!

That means it’s time for one of northern Michigan’s favorite kick-off traditions.

Join us for the 48th Annual Headwaters Trout Unlimited Spring Banquet and Silent Auction on April 18, 2026 at the Knights of Columbus in Ga***rd.

This annual fundraiser brings the community together for a high-energy evening filled with bucket raffles, silent auction packages featuring premium gear and unforgettable trips, live music, and unique items and experiences that highlight the impact of the Headwaters Chapter across our region.

Every ticket supports local conservation efforts that protect cold, clean water and sustain healthy trout fisheries. The work begins here at home, and this event helps make it possible year after year.

Tickets are available .headwaterstu.org or message for more information about purchasing a physical ticket.

Mark the calendar, invite a friend, and get ready to head into trout opener season with purpose.

Applications are open for new teachers to join SIC this fall!https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/education/educators/sic/new Sa...
01/15/2026

Applications are open for new teachers to join SIC this fall!
https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/education/educators/sic/new

Salmon in the Classroom helps hundreds of third through 12th grade classrooms across the state to raise, learn from and release young Chinook salmon in approved waterways. Over 35,000 students learn to appreciate these great natural resources each year. SIC provides countless opportunities for students to connect with Michigan's natural resources. Teachers are equipped with professional development, a classroom activity guide, a program manual and video playlists to support the program in their classrooms. Classroom teachers from public, private or charter schools teaching third-12th grades are able to apply.

Applications to join the program are accepted between Jan. 1 and April 15 each year. Find out more through our new teacher materials.

🎣 New year. New skill. New fly.Join Headwaters Trout Unlimited for a relaxed "Tie One On" fly-tying night at Snowbelt Br...
01/09/2026

🎣 New year. New skill. New fly.

Join Headwaters Trout Unlimited for a relaxed "Tie One On" fly-tying night at Snowbelt Brewery in Ga***rd.
🗓 January 27th, 2026
⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Snowbelt Brewing Company

Beginners are welcome—no experience needed. We’ll walk you through tying a classic Woolly Bu**er, with free supplies provided for newbies. Have your own vise or tools? Bring them along. Good beer, good people, zero pressure.

🎯 RSVP appreciated so we can secure enough free supplies: [email protected]

Learn more about our chapter and upcoming events: www.headwaterstu.org

Free & open to the community—bring a friend and kick off the year learning something new.

11/02/2025
10/13/2025

Join us on Saturday, October 18 for our fall stream monitoring event! Become a citizen scientist and help us collect macroinvertebrate samples from our local streams. This hands-on activity helps us track valuable data about the health of our streams, plus it's a great opportunity to get out in nature and see some beautiful fall colors 🦟🐌🐛🍁🍂

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/HmxGPdwXNG9JN1Cw8

10/12/2025

November 1st Redd Survey Volunteers Needed:

November 1, 9 am – 4 pm, we will take to the river on foot and by boat to count brown trout spawning beds (redds) throughout much of the main spawning areas on the river. This is an important survey because a) it provides a rough idea on how many spawning trout we have, b) it tells us where we can put cover to protect them while they spawn, and c) in the future, in case of catastrophe, we would know what we need to protect. If you’d like to help, please email me [email protected]. This is a joint effort between Anglers of the Au Sable and the Mason Griffith Chapter of Trout Unlimited. We will be serving ribs, yes ribs, for when you are finished. This is going to be a fun event among great people…but it does require participation to work. If you have a boat, great. If you don’t, come wade. The more the merrier.

Address

Ga***rd, MI
49735

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