CALUMET -- After years of inquiry and negotiation, the North Woods Conservancy (NWC) was finally able to purchase, in August 2009, forty acres of big trees and a quarter mile of the Gratiot River, including the spectacular Conglomerate Falls.
Photographer Eric Munch recently captured this glimpse of the fishing hole under the snow at the bottom of Conglomerate Falls. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photo Copyright Eric Munch 2010. Reprinted with permission.)"It really is breathtaking," said NWC President John Griffith, "a fly-fishing paradise."
John Griffith said NWC is grateful to the sellers, Dr. and Mrs. Brumm, for ensuring that this property was conveyed into public access ownership rather than being split into river-front lots.
Bill Deephouse, former president of the Copper Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited (CCCTU), is excited about this fishing spot being preserved for the public.
"It's a place that I've known since the spring of 1960 when, as a freshman at Michigan Tech, I was introduced to steelhead fishing," Deephouse said. "It's great that public access to the river will be maintained in perpetuity."
The property also includes a cabin, which is destined to accommodate visitors.
The cozy cabin on the Conglomerate Falls property will be available for rent in May 2010. To cover the down payment for this land purchase, North Woods Conservancy is seeking 30 donors of $1000, each of whom will be awarded a week-long stay at the cabin. (Photo Copyright Eric Munch 2010)"The sellers have given us a year to raise the $30,000 down payment, so we’re seeking thirty $1,000 donors, each of whom will get a week-long stay at the cabin," John Griffith explained.
The names of all 30 donors will be engraved on a plaque and displayed at the cabin. To reserve your week please contact NWC at the link below.* Reservations can be made for 2010-2012 beginning May 14-21, 2010. Deer hunters take note: cabin renters have exclusive bow and crossbow hunting rights on the Conglomerate Falls property.
"You can get in here 365 days a year," said NWC Board member Jane Griffith. "In winter you have to ski or snowshoe. In the summer you can drive close to the river, but you need to climb up and down a steep bank -- or take the walking path to the river."
Another view of the Gratiot River at Conglomerate Falls -- a favorite fishing spot, not far from Ahmeek in Keweenaw County. North Woods Conservancy recently purchased 40 acres of big trees with a quarter mile of the Gratiot River, including the Falls. (Photo Copyright Eric Munch 2010) NWC would like to increase their membership from the present 250 to 2,000 in order to finance this new land acquisition and help pay for Gratiot River North, which has been added to Keweenaw County's Gratiot River Park for public access.
"We'd like all NWC members to renew at the $25 or $100 level," Jane Griffith said, "and also for each member to get at least one new member at the $25 level. Our goal is 2,000 members in the next two years!"
Eventually, membership could be used as a match for grants, once the bills are paid, Jane Griffith explained.
*Contact NWC at the address or email listed on their updated Web site.
For more information about Conglomerate Falls and North Woods Conservancy's recent work in conserving Keweenaw land for public access, see their latest newsletter.
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