Fountains of Youth – Classic trout flies that have withstood the test of time … flies that remain “forever young”
by Rusty Dunn
No author has captured the artistry and allure of fishing with nymphs better than the great G.E.M. Skues:
“The indications which tell your dry-fly angler when to strike are clear and unmistakable, but those which bid a wet-fly man raise his rod point and draw in the steel are frequently so subtle, so evanescent and impalpable to the senses, that when the bending rod assures him that he has divined aright, he feels an ecstasy as though he had performed a miracle each time.” (Minor Tactics of the Chalk Stream, 1910)
Many fly fishers spend their entire angling lives presenting flies on or near the surface. Dedicated nymph anglers, however, regularly prowl the inky depths where trout spend their leisure time. If you’ve not probed the hidden recesses of your favorite streams during non-hatch periods, you’re missing out on the many miracles that Skues describes. Read More
Posted: March 9, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
DNR Stream Surveys Filled with Fish Facts
Want to fish some different streams or learn more about your favorites? Go to my favorite reading:WI DNR trout stream surveys. Some recent additions: reports on many and all of the best trout streams of the northern Driftless Area, including Vernon and Crawford Counties, watershed assessments in Dunn and Pierce Counties (lots of public fishing and wild trout in that part of the Driftless) and, in Grant County, a creel survey of the Big Green, and miles (yep, miles) of new trout water in the Platte and Little Platte watersheds. – Topf Wells
Posted: March 9, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
2025 Wild & Scenic Film Festival
March 20, 2025
We suspect that many of our members will have an interest in this slate of films … learn more and get tickets here.
Posted: March 9, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Vets on the Fly
By Dyan Lesnik
Vets on the Fly activities are free for all Vets and their family members. All equipment is provided so just show up for their events for socialization and fishing fun. Learn more at their Facebook page.
Posted: March 9, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – March 2025
We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new member to our ranks! Read More
Newscasts – February 2025
Last Updated: February 5, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
Posted: February 4, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
A Winter Remedy
Mat Wagner heads a fishy, friendly and warm chapter gathering on February 11, 2025
Mat Wagner of the Driftelss Angler will speak at our February 11 gathering. Mat led an expedition in search of South America’s legendary golden dorado just a few weeks ago and has been chasing them for almost 8 years. Think of a fish that lives in big marshes and rivers and is about as big as a chinook salmon. They are toothier and meaner than chinook with a burnished golden color. Mat will share new stories, the latest info, and photos of the fish and fun. Read More
Posted: February 4, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
A New Trout Stream in Dane County: The Yahara River!!!!????
By Topf Wells
Yes and SWTU hopes to help.
Dan Oele and Mitch Trow of the DNR surveyed the upper Yahara in and around Deforest about two years ago and found wild brown trout in enough numbers and age classes to classify this section of stream as a Class 2 trout stream. They noted that while the stream is not full of trout, it does support them in fishable numbers.
For anyone who needs some good and unexpected news about local trout streams, this is it. I ran into John Lyons the other day, DNR and UW fish researcher extraordinaire; when he surveyed that part of the Yahara in the 90s he did not find a trace of trout. He was on the river, searching for native species of small fish in the same time span as Dan, Mitch and their crew. Brown trout kept getting in the way of his search for other fish.
And the prospects for the Yahara brown trout and anglers are dramatically improving. Read More
Casual Dress
Posted: February 4, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
No author has captured the artistry and allure of fishing with nymphs better than the great G.E.M. Skues:
“The indications which tell your dry-fly angler when to strike are clear and unmistakable, but those which bid a wet-fly man raise his rod point and draw in the steel are frequently so subtle, so evanescent and impalpable to the senses, that when the bending rod assures him that he has divined aright, he feels an ecstasy as though he had performed a miracle each time.” (Minor Tactics of the Chalk Stream, 1910)
Many fly fishers spend their entire angling lives presenting flies on or near the surface. Dedicated nymph anglers, however, regularly prowl the inky depths where trout spend their leisure time. If you’ve not probed the hidden recesses of your favorite streams during non-hatch periods, you’re missing out on the many miracles that Skues describes. Read More
Posted: February 4, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – February 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.
Awards and Honors at State Council Banquet
Last Updated: February 5, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
It was another wonderful event that we’re proud to recap!
First, Steve Born was acknowledged for all his work with the Council and being the MC at the Banquet. He stepped down during Covid and didn’t get a chance to be recognized.
Andy Morton and Michael Williamson received the Reel Partner Award for their leadership and many hours of work in creating the first Wisconsin Neonicotinoid Forum. Attached are some pics, including their wives, Karon Morton and Mary Ann Doll. Read More
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