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

Rob’s Sugar River Ramble – June 2, 2024

Your SWTU board unanimously voted to make a $2,000 contribution to this year’s Rob’s Sugar River Ramble on June 2, 2024, which makes SWTU a Platinum sponsor for this event. It looks like a ton of fun and that it will do a ton of good for one of the most important nearby coldwater streams.

This is the 10th annual Rob’s Sugar River Ramble, a hike, bike and paddle followed by a lunch, this year hosted by Seven Acre Dairy in Paoli. This event supports conservation efforts, including monitoring invasive species and habitat restoration within the watershed, as well as educational efforts, like the recently developed explorer’s backpacks to engage school children with the outdoors.

Learning and Engagement at Trout Days

By Andy Morton

Thanks so much for all of the great chapter help in making the event a big success!! We had great weather and tunout. From what I observed, all of the stations had several visitors and people were engaged in detailed conversations about the health of the watershed. Likely one of the best things about this event are the connections that were strengthened between organizations and people involved with restoration, protection, and improvement of the creek and watershed. Read More

Renegade

Renegade

Fountains of Youth – Classic trout flies that have withstood the test of time … flies that remain “forever young”

by Rusty Dunn

‘Match the hatch’ is a comforting principle to live by. See an insect; tie on a matching artificial; catch a trout. Simple and effective. Some flies, however, might cause you to question the need for imitation, because they look nothing like nat­ural insects yet are consist­ently successful. Such flies are inherently “buggy”, and examination reveals that they match nothing obvious in nature. Examples include the Royal Wulff, Zug Bug, Pass Lake Special, Prince Nymph, Bivisible, and many oth­ers. Ask ten different anglers what each imitates, and you’ll likely get ten different answers. Such pat­terns are “attractor” flies, so named because they have an un­canny ability to elicit strikes from trout. Read More

An interesting volunteer opportunity from TUDARE

TUDARE is looking to augment our hired field crew technicians with some volunteer assistance in June, July and August. I know some of you have upcoming board and chapter meetings, so if you are willing to share this info with your boards and members to help recruit volunteers, it will be greatly appreciated! Read More

Lowery Creek Stream Workday Tree Planting – Saturday, May 11

Iowa County – Northeast of Dodgeville on CTH Z

Time: 9am to 12 noon (Chapter Approved Sawyers please arrive at 8:30).

What: This is a joint workday with the Nohr Chapter. We will be assisting Justin Haglund, DNR Fish Biologist, and his crew with planting 65 trees. The holes for the trees will be pre-dug. We will also be placing matting and cages around each tree. A prescribed burn was conducted on this site this spring, so conditions should be good for accessing the site. This is a very new DNR easement and well worth checking out. Read More

New Members – May 2024

We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new members to our ranks! Read More

Newscasts – April 2024

This issue is filled with great information, including:

April 2024 Newscasts

Board Elections at the May Meeting

First and foremost, thank you to Tom Thrall, Jim Beecher, and Kevin Maes for their excellent and generous service on SWTU’s Board.

All the current officers are eligible to continue to serve and have graciously agreed to do so. Whew! and thanks. Steve Musser, Henry Nehls Lowe and Topf Wells will be on the ballot.

John Freborg is also eligible for re-election and he, too, will be on the ballot with our most sincere thanks. Ben Mechelke will run for the Board to fill one of the three open seats. (See Ben’s bio below.)

We probably will not have nominees for the two remaining seats for the April meeting. That meeting is already a full one and this month is probably our busiest with the Fundraiser and several work days.

We’ll run the elections at the May meeting with a full slate of candidates. To that end, please contact Topf Wells or Don Golembiewski if you are interested in serving on the Board.

Thanks,

Topf Wells and Don Golembiewski Read More

Whirling Disease Parasite Discovered in Wisconsin

Please, please read this DNR press release. The whirling disease parasite has been found in Langlade County. This parasite does not always cause the disease but the DNR needs us to report any trout – in this part of the state, brook trout demand our careful attention – with symptoms of the disease. We also need to be more careful than ever about cleaning and disinfecting trout fishing gear. Let’s hope the parasite in not widespread in WI but take every precaution to detect it and prevent its spread.

Get your tickets now – 3rd Annual Spring Fair Fundraiser

Spring Fair Background

Join us Saturday, April 20, 2024, for another fun-filled, social day of camaraderie. We’ll be returning to the East Side Club on the shores of Lake Monona with hopefully stunning weather this year. Tickets are limited – secure your spot today!

2024 SWTU Spring Fair Fundraiser

Buy your tickets now at this secure online site.

Offline sales coordinated by John Freeborg – contact john-tu@freeborg.com. Tickets can also be purchased at SWTU chapter meeting on 4/9 from Topf Wells at the front table – cash or check only. Students use STUDENT discount code during checkout for 50% off any admission ticket. Must present valid student ID at event for admittance. Read More