ESCANABA—In celebration of their 50 years of serving Upper Peninsula trappers, members of the U.P. Trappers Association are doing everything possible to make this their best convention ever and are also striving to make it interesting for trappers and non-trappers alike.

During the Total Woman in the Outdoors program on June 26, instructors assisted in the Kayaking 101 and boat safety. The session was one of 10 offered throughout the day at Bewabic State Park. The event was sponsored by NorthStar Health System to promote healthy and fun outdoor activities for women.

The Wittkopf family of Eagle River, Wis., traveled to the Porter Scholl Market Place in Alpha to learn fly-tying from Alpha resident Paul Kaylor on June 16. The Father’s Day weekend demonstration allowed Tucker and Grace Wittkopf and other fly fishing enthusiasts to try their hand at crafting a trout fly. Maddie Scarlassara, 12, demonstrated how to tie flies at the Porter School Market Place. At an earlier date, she had learned from Paul Kaylor the craft of fly-tying, and she was hooked.

CASPIAN—The Lee LeBlanc Chapter of the Audubon Society will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, July 9, at the Iron County Museum here.
 David Franzen of Phelps, Wis., will be the guest speaker.

CRYSTAL FALLS—There will be a regular meeting of the Chicaugon Lake Association on Monday, July 9, at 6 p.m. at the George Young Recreation Complex.
  The association encourages everyone to attend as there will be an update on the milfoil treatment and also information on purchasing boat permits.

Haily Aschinger and Kaylin Chitko of Laona, Wis., hold their small sunfish. Haily won fourth place in the 12 to 17 age group for the smallest fish. Fishing families gathered at Runkle Lake in Crystal Falls for the first Wildlife Unlimited of Iron County Family Fishing Day on Saturday, June 23. Youngsters cast their lines from boats on the lake, from the shoreline and off the fishing pier.

Nick Grabowski of Crystal Falls is all set in his well-equipped fishing kayak. He took  second place in the 12 - 17 year old group with a largemouth bass at the Family Fishing Day sponsored by Wildlife Unlimited of Iron County. (Bill Ziegler photo)

ESCANABA—On July 13-14,, the Butler Building at the U.P. State Fairgrounds here will be filled to capacity with trappers, predator callers, other outdoorsmen, trapping supply dealers, lure and bait makers, fur auction representatives, gun dealers, ORV dealers, taxidermists, crafters, quilters and more, when the U.P. Trappers Association hosts its 50th anniversary convention.

WATERSMEET.—The ISCCW (Invasive Species Control Coalition of Watersmeet), also known as Lakeguards, was established in September 2007.
 Its mission is to assure that waterways and lands in Watersmeet Township, state of Michigan, are environmentally sound, free of invasive species and suitable for a variety of recreational uses for the benefit of residents of the community at large.

Dan and Sue Passamani had a new visitor to their yard this year – a young beaver checking out the neighborhood. More Outdoor Observations in this week's Reporter.