www.mybaycity.com April 15, 2003
Sports Article 185

Annual Trout Unlimited Banquet Kicks Off Spring Fishing Season

Arnold J. Copeland Chapter holds fund-raiser banquet at Hereford and Hops

April 15, 2003
By: O. J. Cunningham


Ed Nemanic (left) and Art Neumann at the 2003 Arnold J. Copeland TU Banquet
 
Dan Schmidt (right) and his lovely wife Linda - Winners of the Pontoon Boat Raffle

The money's not counted and the bills are yet to be paid. But according to local TU Chapter President, Mark DeSanto, the April 11, 2003 banquet at Hereford and Hops on Bay City's west side was "a rousing success."

The Arnold J. Copeland Chapterof Trout Unlimited was founded back in the late 70s to promote the fresh water fishery in Michigan. Since that time, the Copeland Chapter has funded projects on the AuSable River, the Rifle River and has annually contributed money to fund the position ofMichigan TU Executive Director, Rich Bowman.

Banquet goers paid $35 per person for a meal of fish, beef and spare ribs and the opportunity to bid and/or buy a chance on thousands of dollars of fishing related items and equipment donated by localvendors and private businessmen.



Don Moore and Dave Osentoski of Osentoski Realty & Auctioneers kept everyone on their toes with a spirited live auction that is always the highlight of the evening. The bidding was fast and furious as Donand Dave worked the room . . . turning donated items into cash for Michigan fresh water fisheries.

Frank Janca donated a weekend stay at Three Falls Resort on the Ausable. Dick Charbonneau brought a beautiful rug as a door prize. Al Doner chipped in a pair of top-of-the-line Simms waders and Mark DeSanto offered live auction bidders a float trip on the Pere Marquette River. Other top prizes included a designer quilt donated by Jan Glaspie and a beautiful hand-fashioned end table in a fishing motif.

Dan Schmidt was one of the smiling winners when his winning ticket was drawn for the Columbian Trout Unlimited "Special Edition" single man pontoon boat -- over a $700 retail value

Art Neumann, a founder of Trout Unlimited, and its first Vice President and first Executive Secretary attended the banquet. Art, a member of The Anglers of the AuSable, is now retired and lives in Saginaw.

In addition, world famous Pere Marquette Guide, Ed Nemanic was also on hand. Nemanic, a former physics professor and Pere Marquette guide is now retired and living in Colorado. Nemanic was in town for the banquet and was on his way to the Pere Marquette for some spring steelhead fishing.

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