NOTES FROM THE (ACTING) CHAPTER PRESIDENT

I hope the holidays were good for everyone and you got lots of fly fishing equipment from Santa. The Madmen Chapter of TU has been involved with Mad River Watershed activities for over 30 years including education, clean ups, monitoring, recreational access and in-stream/riparian habitat improvements. We will continue the effort in 2009, but with several changes - -  chapter leadership and structural changes, improved local watershed protection planning activities, additional state activities and Web site improvements.

Chapter leadership and structural changes - - After more than 10 years, Mark Blauvelt will be stepping down as president. Thanks to Mark for keeping the chapter together. Not only will we be establishing a new president, but also officers, a board of directors and a more formal structure with a Code of Regulations/Bylaws. Please review the proposed list of officers, board of directors and Code of Regulations/Bylaws, HERE. The new structure should make work in the Mad River watershed more effective. Plus, it’s necessary to meet chapter guidelines established by TU National and State Council.

Improved local watershed protection planning activities - - For the past few years, there has been little local watershed protection activity but now there is an initiative to develop a new plan. The Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD’s) in Clark, Champaign and Logan Counties have formed a joint board to develop the plan. The board is developing the plan for endorsement by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA). The success of the plan and the joint board are vital to sustaining this unique coldwater resource. The Madmen Chapter supports the development of the new plan and we will continue to be involved in watershed activities. Of special interest as a trout fishery are sustaining ground water discharges for stream flow and in-stream/riparian habitat improvement with special focus on headwaters and tributaries.

Additional TU state activities - - Improving local chapters and membership rates with ongoing efforts to protect the native brook trout in northeast Ohio.

Web site improvements - - Another change for 2009 will be adding a new tab on the Web site for TU information; this will be the main method of communication. Over the next two months, there will be an expansion of information about the Mad River Watershed, and TU chapter, state council and national. As in the past, we will post upcoming activities and events on the calendar.

We thank you for your support and hope you join us for the annual organizational meeting at the Urbana Library on January 24, 2009 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. If you are not a member of TU, we hope you will join our chapter, but everyone interested in the Mad River is welcome to attend the meeting. Please RSVP to ptallen111@insight.rr.com.

I am looking forward to what 2009 will bring to the Madmen Chapter. I wish for you the most prosperous NEW YEAR with much fishing success. Please feel free to let me know.

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Some members of the Madmen Chapter of TU have been involved in conservation practices on the Mad River for over 40 years

Today, TU Madmen Chapter members and members of the Central Ohio Fly Fishers (COFF-Columbus), Miami Valley Fly Fishers (MVFF- Dayton), Buckeye United Fly Fishers(BUFF- Cincinnati) and Northern Kentucky Fly Fishers (NKFF) are involved in a variety of activities supporting watershed protection which include the following:

• in-stream/riparian habitat improvement
• adopt-a-bridge/streamwatch program
• stream monitoring
• logjam removal
• education/outreach

Check out the many projects we are involved with and get involved in protecting this unique and valuable resource; consider becoming a member of the Madmen Chapter of TU and the Mad River Watershed.