Stream Girls Session 2026 Session #1
2026-06-27 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Kankakee River State Park, 5314 W. Rt. 102, Bourbonnais, IL, 60914, United States
Oak Brook Trout Unlimited (OBTU) will return with the STREAM Girls program. The program is open to girls 11 to 14 years old. All equipment is provided by Oak Brook Chapter Trout Unlimited.
STREAM Girls employs STEM-education (science, technology. Engineering, math) plus recreation and arts to explore a local stream.
Every person is a citizen of her watershed, and OBTU has partnered with Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois to show what that means to us. By visiting a local stream and having the opportunity to observe it as scientists, anglers, and artists, girls will get the complete picture of what their local stream could mean to them.
Over the course of multiple sessions, OBTU volunteers will lead the Girl Scouts in observing a stream, sampling macroinvertebrates, fly tying, and fly casting. The program also gives the girls time to explore the natural area and record their thoughts and observations in their handbooks.
Program size limited to 12 Girl Scouts, SO REGISTER EARLY!!
PROGRAM SEGMENTS
Watersheds and STREAM walk
Fly Tying
Fly Casting
STREAM stations and bracelets
Go with the Flow!
Reflection throughout
Macroinvertebrate survey
Discussion throughout
Link to the event flyer for more details: 2026 Stream Girls Flyer
Click here to view a promotional video vimeo.com/296060481

Youth Fly Fishing Class Session #3
2026-07-11 08:30 - 16:00 | Camp Sagawau Forest Preserve Learning Center, 12545 West 111th Street, Lemont, IL, 60439, United States
Oak Brook Trout Unlimited is now in our 22nd year of offering introductory one-day youth fly fishing classes.
The program is open to boys and girls 11 years and older. We provide a free, easy-to-understand overview to the sport of fly fishing. All fly-fishing equipment and fly-tying materials are provided by Oak Brook Chapter Trout Unlimited.

Link to the event flyer for more details: 2026 Youth Fly Fishing Flyer

Stream Girls Session 2026 Session #2
2026-07-18 08:00 - 17:00 | Camp Dean, 46W253 Camp Dean Rd., Big Rock, IL, 60511, United States

Youth Fly Fishing Class Session #4
2026-08-08 08:30 - 16:00 | Camp Sagawau Forest Preserve Learning Center, 12545 West 111th Street, Lemont, IL, 60439, United States

Youth Fly Fishing Class Session #5
2026-09-12 08:30 - 16:00 | Camp Sagawau Forest Preserve Learning Center, 12545 West 111th Street, Lemont, IL, 60439, United States

OBTU Chapter Meeting Steve Vance, Wisconsin Multi-species fly-fishing guide to speak
2026-09-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Oak Brook Recreation Center, Central Park West Building, 1500 Forest Gate Rd, Oak Brook, IL, 60523, United States
Pre-Meeting Pizza Social Hour: The doors will open at 6:00 PM for those who would like to join us for pizza and socializing at the Oak Brook Park District, Central Park West Building. The meeting starts at 7:00 PM
Speaker: Steve Vance, 1 Guide Fly-fishing Owner and Wisconsin-licensed fishing guide
Topic: Saltwater Fly-fishing in the Yucatan, Mexico
This is planned to be a a hybrid meeting where you can attend in person or connect online via zoom:
Attend In Person Details:
Location: Oak Brook Park District, Central Park West Building, 1500 Forrest Gate Rd., Oak Brook
Link to Central Park West Building Map
Attend Remotely via Zoom Details:
We plan to start our Zoom meeting at 7:00PM. We will have a few announcements of upcoming events. The keynote speaker will follow announcements.
Link to Zoom: TBD
Meeting ID: TBD Pass code: TBD
OR
Connect by phone: +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: TBD Pass code:TBD

OBTU Wisconsin Driftless Area Fishing Outing with an Adopt-a-Road Cleanup Session.
2026-09-23 - 2026-09-27 | Oak Brook Recreation Center, Central Park West Building, 1500 Forest Gate Rd, Oak Brook, IL, 60523, United States
We will be fishing the Driftless Area Wednesday thru Sunday, or any of the days that fits your schedule.
On Saturday morning we will go to Liberty/Viroqua and do the Adopt A Highway clean up. We will meet at Liberty Bar (608) 627-9450 in Viola at County Rd S and County Road 56 at 9 am.
OBTU will provide pizza after the clean up at Liberty Bar.
I will be camping at the Esofea / Rentz Memorial Park campground.
As of now there are camp sites available, but you should book right away.
If you are not interested in camping, there are many hotels nearby in Viroqua and Westby.
Contact Ken Krueger with any questions or would like help to set up a fishing partner.
membership@obtu.org

Coldwater River Survey & Fishing Weekend--Grand Rapids, Michigan
2026-10-10 | Tyler Creek Golf Club and Campground, 13495 92nd St SE, Alto, MI, 49302, United States
Fishing Outing Combined with half day OBTU entomology survey.
Meet at the Tyler Creek Country Club 9 am in the morning on Saturday, October 10. Following coffee & donuts, the outing features a half-day work session on Saturday morning where OBTU members split into small teams to sample the macroinvertebrates at various Coldwater River locations. With samples collected, everyone meets back at the Tyler Creek Country Club to classify and record the samples. The data compiled is used over time to study trends in the diversity of macro invertebrates recorded providing an indicator of stream health. This is an enjoyable, interesting & educational activity. To the uninitiated, its a great opportunity to learn about coldwater aquatic insects and other invertebrates that contribute to the trout food chain.
After lunch (provided), form into fishing teams and deploy to various access points. Fish Saturday afternoon till dinner.
Option to fish Sunday morning until departure for home. Another option is to come up early to fish on Friday to make a long weekend.
Participants often fish the Coldwater River Watershed, the Rogue River north of Grand Rapids or the Muskegon River based in Newaygo, Michigan.
Motels near Grand Rapids Airport; 28th SE street exit on I-96.
Contact Marvin Strauch to register for the event or obtain more details: mjstrauchjr@gmail.com
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Southeast Wisconsin Work Day at Whitewater Creek, WI.
2026-10-17 09:00 - 12:00 | IL
This is your opportunity to contribute to hands on cold water stream improvement work close to home. The Southeast Wisconsin TU Chapter (SEWTU) has invited OBTU to assist with 3 workdays again this year.
Location: Whitewater Creek, Stay tuned for work site details.
Work Plan: The work session typically runs from 9:00am through noon.
RSVP is requested for food order: The traditional brat fry will follow so bring a chair for afterwards. To ensure the proper amount of food is purchased please RSVP Ken Rizzo by email at: riz2337@yahoo.com.
John Martyn, OBTU Board Director, is organizing OBTU participation. John can be reached at jakmar2@comcast.net
A past joint SEWTU & and OBTU Team Picture Below:

OBTU Chapter Meeting: Craig Amacker, Owner of Madison Fly Fishing Company and multi-species fly fishing guide to speak.ber, 2026
2026-10-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Oak Brook Recreation Center, Central Park West Building, 1500 Forest Gate Rd, Oak Brook, IL, 60523, United States
Pre-Meeting Pizza Social Hour: The doors will open at 6:00 PM for those who would like to join us for pizza and socializing at the Oak Brook Park District, Central Park West Building. The meeting starts at 7:00 PM
Speaker: Craig Amacker, Owner of the Madison Fly-fishing Company. Craig is a multi-species fly-fishing guide based in Madison, Wisconsin.
Link to Madison Flyfishing Company: https://www.madisonflyfishing.com/
This is planned to be a a hybrid meeting where you can attend in person or connect online via zoom:
Attend In Person Details:
Location: Oak Brook Park District, Central Park West Building, 1500 Forrest Gate Rd., Oak Brook
Link to Central Park West Building Map
Attend Remotely via Zoom Details:
We plan to start our Zoom meeting at 7:00PM. We will have a few announcements of upcoming events. The keynote speaker will follow announcements.
Link to Zoom: TBD
Meeting ID: TBD Pass code: TBD
OR
Connect by phone: +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: TBD Pass code:TBD

DuPage River Cleanup--Naperville, Illinois
2026-10-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Pioneer Park, 1212 S Washington Street, Naperville, Illinois, 60540
Come out for the Oak Brook TU 2025 Spring DuPage River Cleanup Day from 9 a.m. to 12 noon! (Coffee & donuts served at 8:30am) Bring your river shoes or waders and join us for a morning of removing debris and litter along the West Branch of the DuPage River from Gartner Road to 75th Street in Naperville. This event is part of the DuPage County “Adopt-A-Stream” program to help keep local water resources clean.
Volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at Pioneer Park at 1212 S. Washington Street in Naperville.
Gloves, trash pokers, garbage bags, water, and technical support will be provided.
For more information and/or to sign up please contact Dave Carlson.
dmcarlson@hotmail.com
Link to Event Flyer which is the same for the March 28 and October 24 work days:
https://obtu.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-Spring-Fall-DuPage-River-Cleanup.pdf

OBTU Chapter Meeting: Jamie Vaughn, TU Great Lakes Engagement Coordinator to speak on TU conservation activities in the Great Lakes Region
2026-11-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Oak Brook Recreation Center, Central Park West Building, 1500 Forest Gate Rd, Oak Brook, IL, 60523, United States
Pre-Meeting Pizza Social Hour: The doors will open at 6:00 PM for those who would like to join us for pizza and socializing at the Oak Brook Park District, Central Park West Building. The meeting starts at 7:00 PM
Speaker: Jamie Vaughn, TU Great Lakes Engagement Coordinator
Topic: Update of TU Conservation Activities in the Great Lakes Region
This is planned to be a a hybrid meeting where you can attend in person or connect online via zoom:
Attend In Person Details:
Location: Oak Brook Park District, Central Park West Building, 1500 Forrest Gate Rd., Oak Brook
Link to Central Park West Building Map
Attend Remotely via Zoom Details:
We plan to start our Zoom meeting at 7:00PM. We will have a few announcements of upcoming events. The keynote speaker will follow announcements.
Link to Zoom: TBD
Meeting ID: TBD Pass code: TBD
OR
Connect by phone: +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: TBD Pass code:TBD

OBTU Holiday Party
2026-12-09 18:30 - 21:30 | Venuti’s Italian Restaurant & Banquet Hall, 2251 W Lake St, Addison, IL, 60101, United States
2026 OBTU HOLIDAY PARTY
“Save the Date”. The following content is incomplete—details to be added when plans complete.
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OBTU will be hosting our annual holiday at a Venuti’s Italian Restaurant & Banquet Hall
The 2026 event will include a full buffet dinner with a cash bar.
