You have probably heard that we are now launching our next 25 years. It’s a huge moment for all of us. I am a guy who loves to reflect on all it has taken to reach this point, and feel the surge of pride and inspiration.

Let’s make local happen. And let’s make it happen from the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula to Luna Pier, on the Ohio Border. Does it feel a bit counterintuitive to say let’s make local happen statewide? We don’t think so.

When I was a college kid at MSU I bought my first flyrod from a guy named Rusty Gates, who owned a lodge and fly shop on the Au Sable River. He was friendly and helped me find the right rod. And I remember him getting serious when I was leaving the shop and making a point to tell me that trout streams were fragile and I needed to join the fight to protect them.