Join us April 21 along Smith-Conley Creek  as we work to make improvements i the Phillips Easement. No prior experience needed and you may well learn about some nice stretches of water in which to drift a fly.

Where: Smith-Conley Creek, located south of Ridgeway. Take Hwy 151 to Ridgeway, then turn south on Cty Rd H and go 6 miles south to Prairie Rd. Turn right (west) on Prairie Rd. and go to the bridge (300 yards). We will be working north of the bridge on the west side of the stream. Here is a map to our location.

What: The DNR requested our help in clearing out this easement. We will primarily be cutting down and bucking up box elders. The landowner will be joining us with his skid steer to help create burn piles. There are tons of box elders and we will barely make a dent in their numbers, but it is the first step and we will come back in the fall – hopefully this will create momentum for further work on this stream.

The Nohr Chapter did extensive stream bank improvements on the south side the bridge several years ago. This area is still in great shape. But the easement going north from the bridge is in bad shape. It is hoped that this workday will be the start of further streambank improvements on this stream. The Nohr Chapter has been invited to join us.

Bring: Bring work gloves, sturdy shoes, and eye and ear protection. Also loppers and hand saws; otherwise the chapter has equipment you can use. Please bring reusable water bottles that can be re-filled from our 5-gal water jug.

Parking: Park on the north side of Prairie Road.

You are also entered into a drawing for a wonderful handcrafted “Streamkeeper” rod that is drawn at the end of the year.

Mark your calendar for this spring’s other stream workdays:

• May 12 – Fyres Feeder – Donald Park