OBTU Chapter Meeting March 19, 2025

Topic:

Aaron Snell and Ron Barch will “tag team” to discuss Michigan’s Coldwater River watershed conservation activities and fishing opportunities. They will be appearing in-person at Central Park West (our normal stomping grounds).

Michigan’s Coldwater River Conservation & Fishing:
Aaron will take the lead on describing the Coldwater River watershed stream improvement work that has progressed over the last several years along with an exciting opportunity for possible restoration of lower Tyler Creek. Ron will contribute to the conservation discussions and also enlighten us on the fly fishing opportunity.

The Coldwater River—Close to OBTU’s Heart:
OBTU has a 20 year history of collaboration with the Coldwater River Watershed Council, the Schrems chapter of southwest Michigan, and our distinguished speakers. Most OBTU members will be familiar with our chapter’s semi-annual macro-invertebrate surveys that have tracked the presence of “indicator” species for many years providing data to analyze trends in stream health. OBTU has also been actively involved in stream monitoring, tree planting and other work days, as well as providing funding over the years. As you might expect, our work days have frequently been combined with chapter fishing outings and social gatherings in the area.

Speakers:

Mr. Aaron Snell, M.S.:

Aaron Snell has over 23 years of experience in watershed management, river protection and improvement, and lake and stream assessment. Aaron has spent considerable time on Michigan’s waters working on various restoration projects, habitat improvements, dam removals and long-term monitoring. He was one of the first people in Michigan to have completed Dr. Dave Rosgen’s four-part training series on stream assessment and restoration.
Aaron grew up near the Coldwater River and has spent much of his professional life working in the watershed. He will describe the work that has been completed over the last several years, along with an exciting opportunity for possible restoration of lower Tyler Creek.
Link to Aaron’s Ecological Consulting: https://www.streamsideeco.com/

Mr. Ron Barch:

Ron Barch is a longtime friend of Oak Brook Trout Unlimited. He first introduced us to the Coldwater River in the Spring of 2005. This has led to a 20 year partnership between OBTU, Schrems West Michigan TU and the
Coldwater River Watershed Council to protect the Coldwater River near Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Originally from the Detroit area, Ron moved to west central Michigan to pursue fly fishing, hunting, and bamboo rod making. Ron is a well-respected rod-maker having designed and crafted split bamboo fly rods for Americans, Canadians, Europeans, as well as groups such as Trout Unlimited. Ron is equally well known as the founder and publisher of “The Planing Form” – the newsletter for those who make and appreciate the split bamboo fly rod. The Planing Form was in publication for twenty-five years from 1990 to 2014.
Link to Ron’s Rod Building Site: https://aldercreekangling.com/

Ron Barch Crafting Split Bamboo

This is a hybrid meeting: Aaron and Ron plan to speak in person at Central Park West. For those who plan to attend remotely, Zoom details are provided below.

Link to Zoom meeting:  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88363122640?pwd=rg8AHAzRZtfJr6Cb9wSr2iBbuVZSab.1

Meeting ID: 883 6312 2640   Passcode: 943075

OR Connect by Phone:

Phone #:   (312) 626-6799     Meeting ID: 883 6312 2640   Passcode:  943075