Aquatic biologist Ann Miller will present “Understanding Hatches” at our March 11th Gathering, which she bills as, “Driftless area in Wisconsin gets buggy and insight into writing a hatch guide.”
Ann has a lifelong passion for insects, fly fishing and figuring out what trout eat. Her presentation will dive into the importance of understanding insect life cycle stages with applications to fly fishing.
Ann authored her popular book “Hatch Guide for Upper Midwest Streams” after becoming frustrated while teaching entomology in fly fishing schools with the lack of comprehensive information on Midwest insect hatches, taxonomy, behavior, and flies to match them.
Ann’s new “Pocketguide to Upper Midwest Hatches” was published in March 2023 with Stackpole Books and includes a new section on terrestrial insects. Her book will be available for purchase at the gathering for $30, cash or Venmo.
Ann is also a co-founder and current president of Flygirls of Michigan, an organization whose purpose is to help women become involved in fly fishing. She has served on the board and as an officer of the St. Joseph River Valley Fly Fishers and is on the board of Tie-a-thon, an organization that distributes donated flies to non-profit groups involved with teaching youth, cancer survivors, veterans, and more.
We gather, as always, at Schwoeglers on Grand Canyon Drive on Madison’s West Side. Dinner and drinks will be available starting at 5:30 p.m. with Ann’s presentation following some brief updates at 7.
Schwoegler’s Lanes, 444 Grand Canyon Dr., Madison, WI 53719
Hoofers Fly Tying Workshop
Posted: March 31, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
On March 18th SWTU held a fly tying workshop at UW-Madison for the Hoofers and over 20 tried their hand at it for the first time, with several making fly earrings! From those with limited experience to others curious about the craft, everyone was eager to learn and clearly expressed interest for more. At the end of the evening both students and instructors came away jazzed. A massive thank you to the seven incredible instructors for sharing their passion. Many thanks to Henry Nehls-Lowe for the organization, these words and photos. Read More
Last Updated: April 1, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Yahara Fishing Club Newsletter
The Yahara Fishing Club is one of Madison’s oldest outdoor organizations and devotes itself to all sorts of fishing. It’s also been an important voice for fish conservation for years. It offers many programs and fishing opportunities. Currently, it’s one of the leaders in the restoration of the Warner Park Lagoon and Marsh. Check out their latest newsletter and consider joining.
Last Updated: March 31, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Yahara River-Bottom Scrub-a-Dub
First annual trash pick-up on the rocks and the ON THE BOTTOM of the Yahara River. We are looking for volunteers, pickers, swimmers, wetsuits, trash bins and monetary support. View this poster for details and a signup link.
Posted: March 31, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Forum on the Health of the Black Earth Creek Watershed
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Wisconsin Heights High School
5pm: Open house | 6pm: Presentations start
Learn more at https://www.becwa.org/events. Note they ask you to please RSVP by emailing info@becwa.org by April 19 so they make sure to get enough food and beverages!
Last Updated: April 1, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Wild River Chapter Video Library
The Wild Rivers TU Chapter covers a seven-county area in northwestern Wisconsin: Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Iron, Burnett, Washburn and Sawyer Counties. Their website has great information and links to their YouTube channel, which has videos featuring a DNR fish biologist discussing one of the most important and popular trout watersheds of the Northwest, including the Namekagon, White, Brule and other South Shore streams.
Posted: March 31, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – April 2025
We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new member to our ranks! Read More
Newscasts – March 2025
Last Updated: April 1, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
Last Updated: March 9, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
SWTU March 11, 2025 Chapter Gathering: Understanding Hatches
Ann has a lifelong passion for insects, fly fishing and figuring out what trout eat. Her presentation will dive into the importance of understanding insect life cycle stages with applications to fly fishing.
Ann authored her popular book “Hatch Guide for Upper Midwest Streams” after becoming frustrated while teaching entomology in fly fishing schools with the lack of comprehensive information on Midwest insect hatches, taxonomy, behavior, and flies to match them.
Ann’s new “Pocketguide to Upper Midwest Hatches” was published in March 2023 with Stackpole Books and includes a new section on terrestrial insects. Her book will be available for purchase at the gathering for $30, cash or Venmo.
Ann is also a co-founder and current president of Flygirls of Michigan, an organization whose purpose is to help women become involved in fly fishing. She has served on the board and as an officer of the St. Joseph River Valley Fly Fishers and is on the board of Tie-a-thon, an organization that distributes donated flies to non-profit groups involved with teaching youth, cancer survivors, veterans, and more.
We gather, as always, at Schwoeglers on Grand Canyon Drive on Madison’s West Side. Dinner and drinks will be available starting at 5:30 p.m. with Ann’s presentation following some brief updates at 7.
Schwoegler’s Lanes, 444 Grand Canyon Dr., Madison, WI 53719
Posted: March 9, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Will You Step up for SWTU?
Please consider running for the SWTU Board. It’s fun (most of the time), all the Board Members and Officers are kind and dedicated to SWTU, and we discuss and decide on the full range of chapter activities. They include projects, classes, meetings, special events, finances, outreach, education and advocacy.
Okay, that sounds a bit dry and maybe not fun-filled. Perhaps these details will help. The Board recently reviewed DeForest’s comprehensive plan to improve the Upper Yahara River (Dane County’s new trout stream) with village staff and a stream ecologist. We’re contributing funds, work days and fishing clinics for kids. Board members met with all the DNR biologists and staff in this area and officers from our neighboring TU chapters. Now the DNR will prioritize brushing on Mt. Vernon Creek. We’ll support an intern on the DNR’s summer stream survey crew – the crew that discovered the trout of the Upper Yahara 2-3 years ago. We’re strengthening our ties with the UW Hoofers Fly Fishing Club, connecting with the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association to increase collaboration and coordination, and enabling two youngsters from Dane County to attend the TU Summer Fishing Camp.
These are just a few recent examples of what the Board helps SWTU accomplish. We’d really appreciate your help.
Posted: March 9, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – March 2025
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.)
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