Winning teams depend on the hard work of many players to be successful, and SWTU is no different. The Women’s Clinic events held in Avalanche this June exemplified the highest ideals of team spirit and volunteerism. These clinics draw participants from all over the country to learn fly fishing skills that will inspire a lifetime of outdoor adventure and spark an interest in cold water stewardship. Everyone who supports the event is passionate about the mission, and generously donates their time and resources towards making the Women’s Clinics an outstanding program. On behalf of SWTU membership, I would like to thank the following people and organizations for their vital contributions to the success of the 2017 Women’s Clinics:

Main organizers of all the clinics.

• Tina Murray
• Laura MacFarland
• Valarie Hein

Instructors

• Nikki Seger
• Nome Buckman
• Donna Smith
• Geri Meyer
• Marlene Houston
• Pam Pam Harner VanEram

Volunteers

• Amy Priester
• Becca Reynolds
• Jacqui Guthrie
• Gretta Wing Miller

Riverbuddies who took women out fishing Saturday night:

• Cheryl Channon
• Carmen Hardin
• Megan Hess
• Erica Hickey
• Susan Jester
• Amy Klusmeier
• Kate Lodge
• Hanna Matousek
• Jane McMahon
• Drox Rosik-Geurts
• Kristal Stokes
• Janet Veit
• Lisa Wilson

Wowsc-i clinic guides

• Scot Stewart
• PJ Smith
• Tom Thrall
• Jim Bartelt
• Tom Mulford
• Rich Mlodzik
• Rich Lahti
• Jason Freund
• Ben Lubchanski
• John Gribb
• Mike Grimes
• Jim Hill
• Nick Volk
• Bill Hayes
• Bill Heart
• John Bethke
• Mark Kowaliw
• Duke Welter
• Bob Brewer
• Jim Beecher
• Dave Fowler
• Ben Cheeseman
• Kyle Zemple
• Mark Rhinerson

It takes a village but here are our numbers.

Instruction wise we trained 58 women on fly fishing skills, conservation and how to take others out on the water.  In 5 days time.

20 women through the beginners

20 women through the on the water skills clinics.

18 women through training to take other women out on the water (riverbuddy training)

We were able to appreciate 27 of the 35 Guides and Riverbuddies who came or have come multiple years to support the clinics.

We held an appreciation lunch for 15 guides on Wednesday afternoon and a light dinner for 12 women riverbuddies on Friday evening

Add the 13 Organizers, instructors and volunteers to total 106 people participating during the clinics.

Then there are :

The many many people who tied flies for the basic women’s boxes.

Jim Bartelt made his yearly lanyard to raffle.

Dave Fowler made a custom 4wt rod to raffle.

Athena & Artemis donated a guide trip to raffle.

Many others donated fly boxes, books, fly lines etc.

John Gribb who tied fly hat pins for the women riverbuddies.

SWTU extended its support to allow for this year’s appreciation activities.

The Logan Mill Lodge donated an extended stay to our organizers due to bad weather.

Gretta Wing Miller donated her time and expertise and is working on a video about the women’s clinics.

The Westfork Sports Club donated some of their facilities for our use.

Mike Miller (DNR) Donated his time to come out and do an ento- clinic and a fish Shocking.

Camen Harden (DNR) assisted Mike Miller with fish shocking

Driftless Angler donated leaders for the basics clinics.

WI DNR provided Scott Rod Co. Fly Fishing instructional books.

… and other “behind the scenes” contributors who make the women’s clinics what has been deemed by many who attend clinics in other regions “the best women’s fly fishing clinic in the US.”

With sincere gratitude to all,

Matt Sment, SWTU President