Limited edition, engraved copper growlers will be available at a Trout Unlimited fundraiser at Alpha Michigan Brewing Company on Saturday.

CRYSTAL FALLS – The Fred Waara Chapter of Trout Unlimited will host a fundraiser, displays and conversation about local rivers from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Alpha Michigan Brewing Company.

The brewery is located on the circle in Alpha. Lunch, featuring roast chicken and lasagna, will be served by Logans’ Place from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. while Alpha Brewing will have a featured beer throughout the day with proceeds from that beer going to Trout Unlimited.

Conversations and displays will center around local rivers — not just fishing, but all the other benefits they provide.

Chapter members will attend to explain the local work of Trout Unlimited, which includes the ongoing installation of brush bundles on Cooks Run in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. That project, now entering its third year, builds on successful work first done by the DNR almost 20 years ago and is designed to further mitigate silt problems and improve the overall trout habitat.

The chapter also does water temperature monitoring at 12 sites on the Paint River system in cooperation with the USFS and DNR and, new this year, water temperature monitoring at 20 sites on the Iron River. The chapter also works with the Jacobetti Home for Veterans by providing outdoor activities for veterans from the home and it provides educational projects through schools.

In addition, the chapter assists Purdue University fisheries classes. A professor and students work in the Iron River area every summer. The Iron County Watershed Coalition will host a presentation by the students to the community on Thursday, May 24, at 5:30 p.m. at the West Iron Library, which will detail the Purdue work and findings.

“Local rivers are very important to local communities, as well as downstream users, for several reasons and not just because their upstream portions are trout waters,” said Trout Unlimited member Mike Golas of Iron River. “At the Trout Unlimited fundraiser chapter members will provide information and conversation to help you learn more about these interesting and multi-faceted resources.”

Fred Waara Chapter limited edition, engraved copper growlers, engraved black growlers, growler re-fill certificates and packages of outdoor activities will be available for a donation at the event.

Growlers may also be ordered by contacting a chapter board member.

For more information contact Mike Golas at 801-870-9863.