SWTU, P.O. Box 45555, Madison, WI 53744-5555 president@swtu.org

How are Wisconsin Trout Doing?

It’s an interesting question! We’ll see you at Schwoegler’s on Tuesday, Sept. 13

By Topf Wells

SWTU’s September meeting will provide some answers. Our speaker is Bradd Sims, of the WI DNR. Bradd has just completed his first year as the DNR’s Coordinator of Fish Management on streams and rivers, including all the trout streams. This position was formerly the Inland Trout Coordinator; the DNR has expanded it to include cool and warm water streams. Bradd will discuss how trout are faring across the state and will be happy to answer questions after his presentation.

Bradd was the fish biologist for Grant and Lafayette Counties and the Lower Wisconsin River. In addition, he was the fish biologist for or filled in as fish biologist for many other Driftless Counties including Dane, Green, Iowa, and Richland. We fish on his easements and restorations all the time including Gordon, KIttleson, Big Spring, Six Mile, the Blue, and the Big Green. He’s also responsible for the thriving brook trout of the Steiner Branch, where he hosted a great SWTU workday.

A REMINDER: The September Meeting is Tuesday, September 13, at Schwoegler’s Bowling on Grand Canyon Drive on Madison’s West Side. Dinner and drinks are available starting at 5:30, with Bradd’s presentation at 7.

We hope to see many members for this great presentation, especially new members. New members receive a warm welcome and free flies.

If you or someone in your household is not feeling well, we urge you to stay home. Please also consider CDC guidelines for gatherings, including staying up to date with vaccinations. Thank you for your kind consideration. Like most venues, Schwoegler’s does not require masks but we’ll respect any member’s decision to wear one.

October’s Meeting Will Be Cool, Too: Hearing From the New Guy
The new guy is Tim Parks, the new DNR Fish Biologist for Grant and Lafayette Counties and the Lower Wisconsin River.  Tim just transferred  from Central Wisconsin, where he was a fish biologist who managed Trout populations in Marathon and Portage Counties.  One of his final projects was assessing trout populations and habitats from the Plover River Watershed, including spring ponds (a lesser known brook trout habitat).  Tim will talk about the Plover River, spring ponds, anomaly brook trout populations in drainage ditches, the Central Sands Streams and High Capacity Wells, and what it is like to manage unique natural trout populations in Central Wisconsin.  He will also provide some first impressions on trout populations in Grant County.

The October meeting will be on 10/11 at Schwoegler’s with the same starting time.

Schwoegler’s Lanes, 444 Grand Canyon Dr., Madison, WI 53719