600 Trees to be Dropped into Brule River via Helicopter

From TV:6 Fox U.P.

DNR drops trees to attract trout.

By Brad Soroka Wednesday, September 02, 2009 at 3:56 p.m.

SCOTT LAKE -- The Brule River was once known as a blue ribbon trout stream. Recent logging practices along its banks, however, have taken away the trout's natural habitats.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is taking matters into its own hands by dropping entire trees into the river to attract the fish.

"The large, woody debris installations are trees, full size trees, root ball intact, flown in from an off-site area and put in the river and along its banks using a helicopter. This mimics what would happen in nature--naturally--if logging didn't reduce the number of trees along the river corridor," said Mark Mylchreest, DNR Fisheries Technician.

So with the cooperation of the Wisconsin DNR, the U.S. Forest Service and a $70,000 grant from Wisconsin Electric, the chopper was airborne, and it was time to drop some trees.

"They can lift up to 4,500 pounds, which would be an 8 to 10 inch (wide) tree with the root ball intact. They'll be placed in the river at strategic locations to narrow the river, increase the flow, the depth and provide trout habitats," Mylchreest said.

A total of 600 trees will be dropped along three miles of the river over the next three years. The DNR said they hope where there are fish habitats, there will be fish; and where there are fish, there will be fishermen.

It's always nice to see someone going (flying) the extra mile for trout.