R.W. Summers fly rod raffle:  best year ever!

The Grand Traverse Conservation District (GTCD) is thrilled to announce that the annual R.W. Summers Fly Rod Raffle to benefit the Boardman River had its most successful year ever! The raffle sold out all 1,000 tickets raising $10,000.  One hundred percent of the funds raised will be used to restore the Boardman River, one of the top ten trout streams in Michigan.  The GTCD’s Boardman River Project works to restore, protect, and maintain the ecological integrity of the Boardman River watershed as a blue ribbon trout stream, a rural greenbelt, and as a recreational resource.   It was with great excitement that the winner of the raffle was announced on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at the Grand Opening of the Boardman River Nature Center.  Congratulations to Ms. Diane Parsons, Ticket Number 166, who will be able to enjoy many a fly-fishing trip on the Boardman with her new fly rod.  The District thanks everyone who purchased a ticket. 

The GTCD has been very fortunate to have Bob Summers who has been handcrafting a fly rod for the raffle annually since 1996.  Bob is an avid Boardman River fisherman and enthusiast who has been building and restoring bamboo fly rods since 1956.  His home and shop are on the Boardman River where his dedication to the river and its stewardship are unparalleled.

The Grand Traverse Conservation District is very grateful to the hundreds of river enthusiasts who helped the Boardman River by purchasing raffle tickets.  It is through support such as this that the District has restored over 200 erosion sites on the river, involved hundreds of volunteers in river restoration work, and has maintained and improved trails on over 1,000 acres of land within the watershed.