Trout Unlimited

Youth Fly Fishing Class Session #1
2026-05-02 08:30 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | 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

Trout-in-the-classroom Release Field Trips
2026-05-11 - 2026-05-15 | IL
During the week of May 11-15, OBTU plans to host a number of field trips for those schools participating in Trout-in-the-Classroom program.
Each field trip typically includes the following on-stream activities:
-Macro-Invertebrate survey of aquatic insects at the release site
-Chemical testing of water quality and measurement of water temperature
-Measurement of the estimated stream flow
-Release of trout that have been raised in the classroom into the wild
OBTU volunteers will be needed to assist in mentoring the bus loads of students. A schedule of participating schools, release locations and times will be prepared. Depending on each volunteer’s availability, volunteers will be assigned to one or more school release field trips that will take place throughout the week. If you are new to this program, experienced mentors will guide you on what to do (specialized skills are not required). Come out and join in the fun.
Marvin Strauch, OBTU Education Chair, leads this program.
Please let Marvin know if you are interested in volunteering: mjstrauchjr@gmail.com

OBTU Chapter Meeting May, 2026
2026-05-20 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: TBD
Topic: TBD
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

Coldwater River Survey & Fishing Weekend--Grand Rapids, Michigan
2026-05-30 | 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, May 30. 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.
The primary plan is to fish the Coldwater River Watershed depending on conditions with options to fish the Muskegon or Rogue River.
Motels near Grand Rapids Airport; 28th SE street exit on I-96; More details to be provided.

Youth Fly Fishing Class Session #2
2026-06-06 08:30 - 16:00 | Camp Sagawau Forest Preserve Learning Center, 12545 West 111th Street, Lemont, IL, 60439, United States

Southeast Wisconsin Work Day at Bluff Creek
2026-06-06 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: Bluff Creek, Stay tuned for work site details.
Work Plan: TBD
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:

Stream Girls Session 2026 Session #1
2026-06-27 08:00 - 17:00 | 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

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 September, 2026
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

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: TBD
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 October, 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

OBTU Chapter Meeting November, 2026
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

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.
***********************************************************************************************************************************************

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.
