MUCC AND THE METRO-WEST STEELHEADERS CLEAN UP THE MANISTEE RIVER
Last weekend, volunteers with MUCC, the Metro West Steelheaders and Steelhead Manifesto spent a day cleaning up the Manistee River. This was the second annual river cleanup hosted there at the High Bridge Boat Launch access site. Volunteers expected to remove less trash and debris from the river and its banks than last year, which filled a simple utility trailer. However, the amount was pretty close to last year. After 4 hours of covering 10 miles of river via boat and some crews covering bank sections on foot, volunteers gathered 13 large bags of trash including many plastic bottles, wrappers, alumni cans, fishing line, rope, tackle, poles, waders, foam, a toilet seat, discarded signs and cement blocks.
Just one year ago the same amount of trash and debris was removed from this 10-mile section of the Manistee River. This just goes to show that these volunteers are making a much-needed positive impact on the river habitat and its surrounding environment by removing this pollution. Other groups of anglers and families that came to visit the area for the day noticed the volunteers making a direct conservation effort and were happy to lend a helping hand by picking up any trash they found as well. Many of the volunteers that took the time to help out were avid anglers that utilize the area, local charter captains, local outfitters, and their families and supporters.
The Manistee River is one of the finest steelhead, salmon, and trout rivers in Michigan and the Great Lakes area and is one of the most diverse fisheries in the country. So thank you to Roger Hinchcliff of Steelhead Manifesto and the Metro West Steelheaders for helping to organize this event to take care of this remarkable hotspot! Also, if you missed out this time, there were some awesome prizes given away to every volunteer from Raven Tackle, Great Lakes Steelhead Company, Dr. Juice, VooDoo Jigs, Another Limit Guide Service, Boca Bearings, Lickem Lures, Jays Sporting Goods, D-Loop Outfitters and Auto Value from Manistee; don’t miss out in July 2017!
Upcoming this Saturday, July 16th, volunteers will be continuing efforts to clean up the Clinton River! For the 4th annual event, volunteers will meet at Yates Park at 9 AM in Rochester Hills. In previous years, a total of 700lbs of trash and debris has been removed from this area of the Clinton River. This year, the Yates Cider Mill has made a generous donation of fresh donuts for volunteers; lunch will be provided by MUCC. See more details and RSVP here if you want to volunteer with MUCC, the Metro West Steelheaders, and the Clinton River Watershed Council this weekend!
