The Michigan Outdoor Writers Association (MOWA) held its 81st annual conference in Gaylord, May 15-18, at the Treetops Resort. The Gaylord area, including the Pigeon River Country, boasts diverse outdoor opportunities from fly fishing for trout or inland lake fishing for bass and walleye, to turkey hunting, elk watching, hiking, camping, morel hunting, and much more.
Using bamboo rods he restored himself, MOWA President Drew YoungeDyke takes a step back in time at a secret trout fishing spot. (Photo/Tailfeather Communications, LLC)Amanda Wais(L) and Dan Spegel (R) join Mo Stine(C) from Natureology for a day of forest bathing at the Sturgeon River Preserve.MOWA members Drew YoungeDyke, Tom Huggler, Tom Carney, and Bob Gwizdz took time out for some trout fishing courtesy of Central Lake Fly Company.The Gaylord area features several great inland lakes filled with bass, pike, walleye and more.This year’s keynote speaker was Scott Whitcomb, Director of Public Lands for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, who also has an extensive knowledge of the area from his years of experience as the past supervisor for the Pigeon River Country State Forest.Paul Beachnau of the Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau welcomes attendees to the conference.Loons joined MOWA attendees for a day of fishing in the Gaylord area.
The Gaylord area is one of the best places to spot a Kirtland’s warbler, like this one caught on camera during a birding tour.
Brittany VanderWall, Senior Forestry Manager for the American Forest Foundation, presented an overview of AFF’s Family Forest Carbon Program.Macroinvertebrate sampling on the Black River with Headwaters TU and Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
