Sara Elaine Johnson of Salem, Oregon, died on February 3, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. Good friends were holding her hands on the final stretch of her life journey.
Sara was born on the South Pacific desert island of Canton, lived as a child in Kabul, Afghanistan, then moved with her family to Washington, DC. Sara worked for National Public Radio as the National Training Coordinator, then moved to Wisconsin to complete her undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. There, she worked with UW-Madison’s College of Agriculture and UW-Extension in natural resource policy and outreach.
In 1993, she co-founded and was the first executive director of the River Alliance of Wisconsin (RAW), a statewide citizen-advocacy organization for rivers. Under her leadership, RAW became nationally recognized for dam removal and river restoration. The restoration of the Baraboo River to a free-flowing state was one of Sara’s most cherished achievements. She was also instrumental in a landmark settlement with Wisconsin Electric Power affecting 11 dams on the Menominee River system in Wisconsin and Michigan. Read More
Riversmith Casting Clinic: 2024
Posted: April 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Each spring, we hold our Riversmith Fly Casting Clinic (named after Jeff Smith, who was the driving force behind it for many years). The clinic is free and available to anyone interested in learning how to cast a fly. Beginners are especially encouraged to attend. Loaner rods will be available for those who do not own their own equipment.
Saturday, May 4, from 9 to Noon at H.M. Zander Community Nature Park in Cross Plains
In conjunction with Cross Plains “Trout Days”, this FREE fly casting clinic is open to anyone ages 6 and up! Beginners are especially encouraged to attend. Equipment will be provided for those who don’t have a fly rod. Learn about equipment, how to cast a fly rod, how to read the water, what trout eat (aquatic etymology) and any other questions you might have!
Please join us and also pass the word along to anyone you know who is interested in learning about our sport. You can show up to learn or help teach or provide encouragement. It’s part of the larger “Trout Days” event so lots going on. Read More
Posted: April 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – April 2024
Minutes from SWTU Board of Director meetings can be viewed in this Google Drive. If you have questions on what you read in them, reach out to one of the Board members listed on the last page of each newsletter. (Note that you may need to click the “Last Modified” header at the top to sort the list with the latest minutes at the top.)
Posted: April 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Better Stream Banks for Us and the Streams
By Topf Wells
The SWTU Board recently donated $10,000 of the dollars we raise with your help to improve habitat and fishing.
Healthy streams need healthy stream banks. A proliferation of box elders and invasive plants like honeysuckle and buckthorn can create unstable stream banks, increase erosion and sedimentation, and choke out natives that are better for the banks and the trout living in the stream. They can also make access to and fishing the stream tortuous. Read More
Grouse Hackle
Last Updated: April 3, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
Historians trace the cultural beginnings of recreational fly fishing and the ethics of “the gentle sport” to Isaak Walton’s 1653 masterpiece The Compleat Angler. Indeed, the pleasant and convivial sport that we enjoy today descends from Walton. Early fly fishers in America adopted not only Walton’s angling spirit, but also centuries of British methods, flies, and techniques. The angling literature of Great Britain is rich and deep, but American fly fishers developed an independent identity and their own literature beginning in the late 1800s. The main architect of that break from British traditions was Thaddeus Norris. He was to American fly fishing what Thomas Jefferson was to American governance. Each authored a landmark Declaration of Independence. Norris’ book, The American Angler’s Book (1864), established uniquely American methods, flies, and fishing strategies. Read More
Posted: April 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Vets on the Fly – BBQ & Fly Fishing
By Dyan Lesnik
Vets on the Fly, in partnership with Team RWB (Red White and Blue) , Courage Foundation and the Vet Center are having a BBQ and fly fishing event at Lake Wingra (main pavilion) on Monday, May 13, 5-8 p.m. It’s free for all Vets and their family members. All equipment is provided so just show up for delicious BBQ, socializing and some great fly fishing. Learn more at their Facebook page.
Posted: April 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
A Big Trout Question on the Conservation Congress Hearing
Please use this link to learn how to participate in the 2024 Conservation Congress hearing and to review the questions up for consideration.
One question would open the harvest season for inland trout from the first Saturday in May to the first Saturday in April.
The stated reason is to increase the harvest opportunities for trout. The SWTU Board has not taken a position on this proposal. However, the recent edition of Wisconsin Trout has a thoughtful article on it. I think it’s fair to say that the article voices some skepticism about the idea. Some concerns are the lack of public discussion of this idea and of the scientific data and reasoning that supports it.
A more localized question might well earn our support. A question proposes more protection for the brook trout of 6 Mile Creek on stretches of the stream restored by the Nohr Chapter.
Last Updated: April 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – April 2024
We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new members to our ranks! Read More
Newscasts – March 2024
Last Updated: April 4, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
Posted: March 5, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Taste the Great Destinations
Serving up a mouthwatering presentation at our Tuesday, March 12 Meeting
(this is rescheduled from the January meeting canceled due to snow)
Last Updated: March 5, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Sara Johnson passes
Sara was born on the South Pacific desert island of Canton, lived as a child in Kabul, Afghanistan, then moved with her family to Washington, DC. Sara worked for National Public Radio as the National Training Coordinator, then moved to Wisconsin to complete her undergraduate and graduate education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. There, she worked with UW-Madison’s College of Agriculture and UW-Extension in natural resource policy and outreach.
In 1993, she co-founded and was the first executive director of the River Alliance of Wisconsin (RAW), a statewide citizen-advocacy organization for rivers. Under her leadership, RAW became nationally recognized for dam removal and river restoration. The restoration of the Baraboo River to a free-flowing state was one of Sara’s most cherished achievements. She was also instrumental in a landmark settlement with Wisconsin Electric Power affecting 11 dams on the Menominee River system in Wisconsin and Michigan. Read More
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