John Schweiger died on January 1; his obituary is available online with details for services on January 25.
SWTU cherishes John as a great member and leader. He and Rose, his wonderful wife, were partners in organizing SWTU’s Special Fishing Day for Disabled Children, one of our most popular and worthwhile activities for many years. They were the folks who greeted and sold or took the tickets of guests at many SWTU events, including the Icebreakers. They were key organizers of many of the Meicher Auctions. John also served as our Treasurer.
John was a huge UW men and women’s basketball fan. Before he turned 18, he volunteered for the Army and served in Vietnam. He spent most of his professional career in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
John served and improved his nation and his community in many ways. SWTU was extraordinarily blessed in being one of John’s communities and the beneficiary of his kindness and good deeds.
Pictured: John and Rose in 2018 receiving SWTU’s prestigious Pass Lake Award honoring “A legacy of service advancing the conservation of our natural resource now and for future generations.”
Newscasts – January 2025
Posted: January 6, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
Last Updated: January 6, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Remembering John Schweiger
SWTU cherishes John as a great member and leader. He and Rose, his wonderful wife, were partners in organizing SWTU’s Special Fishing Day for Disabled Children, one of our most popular and worthwhile activities for many years. They were the folks who greeted and sold or took the tickets of guests at many SWTU events, including the Icebreakers. They were key organizers of many of the Meicher Auctions. John also served as our Treasurer.
John was a huge UW men and women’s basketball fan. Before he turned 18, he volunteered for the Army and served in Vietnam. He spent most of his professional career in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
John served and improved his nation and his community in many ways. SWTU was extraordinarily blessed in being one of John’s communities and the beneficiary of his kindness and good deeds.
Pictured: John and Rose in 2018 receiving SWTU’s prestigious Pass Lake Award honoring “A legacy of service advancing the conservation of our natural resource now and for future generations.”
Last Updated: January 6, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Updates for Wisconsin’s Inland Trout Management
Our 2025 meetings start with an important and timely topic, the future of Wisconsin’s early inland trout season– that’s the one many of you will have enjoyed when we meet. The DNR is proposing to shorten the early season, allow the harvest of trout during the season, and start the regular season earlier. Click here for a summary of the proposals.
Some members have expressed concern over the proposal. Perhaps those concerns might be expressed as: The early season is working just fine. Why fix what ain’t broke?
Bradd Sims, the DNR’s Stream and River System Biologist, will discuss the DNR proposal and bring us up to date on other trout news. One of Bradd’s duties as the System Biologist is to direct the inland trout program. Read More
Posted: January 5, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Spring Fundraiser Volunteers Needed
Experienced members of the past Spring Fair committee can support this effort, but we need at least 2 or 3 key individuals to take the reins. If you are interested with helping coordinate this important SWTU fundraiser please contact John Freeborg or Steve Musser (contact info at the end of this newsletter). Thank you!
Based on new volunteers stepping up, the SWTU Board will decide at the January 25th board meeting on whether to hold the 2025 Spring Fair.
Registration Open for the 2025 Women’s Fly Fishing Clinics
Posted: January 5, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Also note an opportunity on Feb 1 at Wisconsin State Council
Please register now or share this with someone who may be interested. These fill up and we want our members to have an opportunity to take part in these groundbreaking clinics. (Check out the article in this issue and this one from October about this year’s successful clinics.)
There are two types of clinics detailed below with links and QR codes for more information. Both are set in Westby, WI (near Viroqua, in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area) and the cost is $355 until April 1, 2025, and $375 after that. Read More
A Great End to a Great Season
Posted: January 5, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Topf Wells
Jim Hess and Ted Swenson called for a big turnout of sawyers and haulers for our last ’24 work day. We needed everyone for the clumps of box elder lining Conley Lewis Creek upstream of its confluence with the Dodge Branch. Twenty one of us answered the call and we were joined by Jusitin Halgludn, DNR fish biologist, and his two techs.
We had about 8 or 10 experienced sawyers, which led to extraordinary productivity. The haulers were hauling ass to keep up. Conley Lewis now looks very different and much better. Read More
Posted: January 5, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Wisconsin Trout Unlimited 2025 Youth Fishing Camp
As noted in the latest issue of Wisconsin Trout, registration opens February 1 for the annual WI TU Youth Camp, which will be held August 14-17 this year. The purpose of the camp is to provide the student with an introductory education of as many things possible related to trout fishing, sportsmanship, and conservation issue.
Each Wisconsin Trout Unlimited chapter can sponsor one applicant to the camp. If some chapters can’t find an applicant, other chapters can sponsor a second applicant if space is available. Contact Steve Musser (contact info at the end of this newsletter) if you know of a youth between 12-16 who is interested.
Thread Midge Larva
Last Updated: January 6, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
Trout feeding on tiny insects at the surface of glassy smooth water is one of the most challenging situations you’ll ever encounter. Trout at the surface are exposed to predators, and “spooky” barely begins to describe their cautious behavior. Trout vision is acute at the surface, and every aspect of your approach and presentation is scrutinized. If anything is amiss, trout simply refuse the offering or, worse, flee to the depths below for safety. Quiet wading, long leaders, fine tippets, good presentations, and flies that match the size of naturals are important. Such conditions can bring even expert anglers to their knees, literally as part of a stealthy approach and figuratively for the ensuing frustration of being unable to raise a single trout among dozens of risers. Read More
Posted: January 5, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – January 2025
We received a nice certificate and note of appreciation from the DNR for a recent donation to provide them with some tools for stream monitoring and surveying.
Posted: January 5, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Continued Engagement on Badger Mill Creek
The SWTU Board has sent a letter to the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District regarding the likely harm that their planned changes will do to Badger Mill Creek. The letter is available here on our Google Drive. For more information, contact Topf Wells at topfwells@gmail.com.
Recent Posts
Categories