By Topf Wells

Thanks, Nate – that is, Nate Nye, WI DNR fish biologist for Columbia and Sauk Counties.

Almost 400 SWTU members and friends have watched Nate Nye’s presentation on the trout streams of the middle part of Columbia County. If you haven’t yet, check it out at https://youtu.be/NjQ4L-d9rSw. When you do, you might discover some great places to fish and you’ll also learn of some of Nate’s discoveries.  Pretty cool and heartening that Nate has found some new brook trout streams.

Nate put many hours into this presentation. He also notes that some of the trout streams need some serious help and some of the new ones need a closer look. To help with both and as an expression of thanks for his great work on this presentation and with the trout streams of Columbia and Sauk Counties, the Chapter has donated 5 new temperature loggers for Nate’s work.

He’s working to resolve some technical issues with another great presentation on the Bear Creek watershed.

Coming up!
In several weeks we hope to have Sara Rigelman and Theresa Nelson of Dane County’s Land and Water Resources Department present on this summer’s restoration of Badger Mill Creek on County property in the City of Verona. Any stream restoration is complex but this stretch of stream has been channelized and bermed: it’s wide, shallow, and surrounded by invasive vegetation and box elders; and the Ice Age Trail and a major sewer share the creek corridor. Sara and Theresa will discuss how they and their partners have dealt with these challenges to plan a productive restoration. SWTU has recognized the importance of this project with a $5,000 donation.

Again, stay tuned for the upcoming videos!