For over 60 years, Jac Ford has been a familiar face and a guiding presence on the Pere Marquette River. To honor his decades of dedication and everything he has done for the waters we all love, Pere Marquette Trout Unlimited is installing a tribute bench at the M-37 access site.

PMTU worked alongside the Michigan DNR to ensure the site is fully ADA-compliant, making it easily accessible for anyone stopping by to enjoy the river.

Groundwork is underway, and once the concrete has fully cured, the final bench installation is scheduled for October 2027.

It will be a welcoming spot to pause, tie on a fly, or simply take in the view of the river Jac spent a lifetime sharing with others.