At Michigan Trout Unlimited, we take great pride in recognizing and celebrating the outstanding contributions of individuals who have made significant strides in the realm of coldwater conservation. This page serves as a tribute to the past award recipients who have demonstrated exemplary dedication and leadership within and beyond our organization.
Join us in honoring these individuals who have played a pivotal role in advancing our mission. Their passion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the conservation cause serve as an inspiration to all who share our love for Michigan’s pristine waters.
| Year | Caddis | Hexagenia | Grayling | Chapter | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Dave Smethurst | ||||
| 1983 | Bob Andrus | ||||
| 1985 | Dick Buss Jerry Bartnick | Gaylord Alexander | George Disborough | Kalamazoo Valley | |
| 1987 | Gary Marek | Ron Dunlap | Lansing | ||
| 1988 | Tom Brookover | Gordon Guyer | Charles Evendon | Kalamazoo Valley | Nathan Diggs |
| 1989 | Tom Baird | Don Reynolds | Jim Hanley | Mershon | MFFC, Frank Dutton |
| Year | Caddis | Hexagenia | Grayling | Chapter | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Dave Cozad | Jan Fenske Steve Sendex | James Whitney Hall | Paul H. Young | |
| 1991 | Bill Walker | Jim Haveman | Pine River | ||
| 1992 | Richard Chamberlin | Gary Whalen | T.W. “Rip” Miller Van Winkle | Kalamazoo Valley | |
| 1993 | Tom Rozich | Don Reynolds | Challenge | ||
| 1994 | Mike Brock | Dan Sikarskie | John Foley | Mason | Gaylord Alexander |
| 1995 | George & Peri Griffith | Jim Truchan | Fred Waara | West Michigan | |
| 1996 | Harold Kleinert | John H. Schafer | Rober Foster Philip | Mershon | Paul Merrill |
| 1997 | Ellen Beyerlein | Leo Mrozinski | Warrenn Shapton Merle “Simmy” Nolph | Mershon | Paul Merrill |
| 1998 | Joe Swantek | Perry Smeltzer | Bill Halliday George Griffith | Paul H. Young | |
| 1999 | John Sabina | Dan Crockett | Vanguard | Will & Sally Avril Thomas “Toby” Darden |
| Year | Caddis | Hexagenia | Grayling | Chapter | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Belinda Burkett | Kelley Smith | Marion Wright | Copper Country | Julio Mazolli |
| 2001 | Ray Weglarz | Steve Sendek | Phil Deopke | Mason-Griffith | Art Nuemann |
| 2002 | Mike Slater | Brian Benjamin | Fred Waara | ||
| 2003 | Pat Kochanny | Tom Ball | Pine River | ||
| 2004 | Bill Deephouse | Mark Tonello | Ellen “Sis” Schrems Frank “Bob” Perrin | Vanguard | |
| 2005 | Patty Birkholtz | Headwaters | |||
| 2006 | Chris Radke | Billy Letinen | Schrems West Michigan | ||
| 2007 | Bob Jackson Carl Richards | Schrems West Michigan | |||
| 2008 | Robb Smith | Rebecca Warren Tim Cwalinski | George Featherstone Larry McEvers | Fred Waara | |
| 2009 | David Smith | Peter Gustafson | Mike Caparon Joe Kutkuhn Rusty Gates Robert Reid | Headwaters |
| Year | Caddis | Hexagenia | Grayling | Chapter | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Kimberly Wetton | Patrick Ertel | Dr. Willard Wolfe Glen Sheppard | Mason-Griffith | |
| 2011 | Ron Peckens | Anne Vaara | Mason-Griffith | ||
| 2012 | Neal Godby | Ellen Beyerlein | Fred Waara | ||
| 2013 | Dan Keifer | Clinton Valley | David Smith | ||
| 2014 | Mike Lagowski | Nik Banda | Carlos Fetterolf | Mason-Griffith | |
| 2015 | Bryan Burroughs | Lou Burhart Marshall Champion | Mason-Griffith | Robb Smith | |
| 2016 | John Walters | Carol Moncrieff Rose | Daniel R. Zywocki | Vanguard | Christine Smith |
| 2017 | Tom Quail | James Cliff | Patrick Hughes | Clinton Valley | Dave Smethhurst |
| 2018 | Tom Mundt | Norm Fred | Ed Hoover | Schrems-West Michigan | |
| 2019 | Chris Adams | Ed Sutton | Vanguard Chapter |
| Year | Caddis | Hexagenia | Grayling | Chapter | Art Neumann |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Greg Walz | Mason-Griffith Founders | Eli Stanesa Michigan TU Fly Fishing School Staff | ||
| 2021 | Joe Barker | Steve Sendek | Dave Smethhurst Jerry Lake | Fred Warra | Michigan Youth Conservation & Trout Camp |
| 2022 | Mason-Griffith Founders | Ron Peckens | |||
| 2023 | Scott Hummon | Kristy Humphrey | John Frey | Vanguard Chapter | Laurie Siebert |
Annual awards are typically presented in the fall of the year following the award period (e.g., the 2023 Chapter of the Year award is presented in the fall of 2024).