Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. New location: Tanners Bar & Grill, Kimberly, Wisconsin
This is a tremendous TU chapter that has often supported our chapter and its events. This looks to be an amazing day of informational sessions, lunch, gear sales, auctions and a chance to go home with a stellar bamboo rod. Learn more and plan to attend: https://foxvalleytu.org/cabin-fever-day-2025/
A terrific news release: DNR Launches Brook Trout Reserves Program to help protect Wisconsin’s native brook trout populations from changing conditions. Be sure to read this release, which notes that, “There are many ways to get involved in this program, whether you’re a landowner, angler or outdoor enthusiast.”
See something, say something: While on the stream, if you see runoff, erosion, something not quite right or have questions, thoughts, etc. you can report it simply at https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/ccis/. If one of us sees a fish kill, we should call or text to: 1-800-TIP-WDNR (1-800-847-9367). Thanks to Dan Oele for passing this along.
The popular Fly Tying Jamboree is returning for our November meeting. Whether or not you tie flies, you’ll leave with some new ideas and ways to improve your fishing. If you do tie flies, please bring your vise, light and select hooks & materials to demonstrate tying your favorite fly, and include a few stories. There will be door prizes and someone will walk away with a fly box full of flies fresh from the tiers’ vises. Last held in 2018, the Fly Tying Jamboree will be a fun, relaxed, educational and conversational evening. Monthly chapter meetings typically start at 7 pm, but for the Fly Tying Jamboree arrive anytime after 5:30 for setting up your fly tying station, ordering food, drinks and socializing. As always, the meeting will be held at Schwoegler’s Lanes, 444 Grand Canyon Dr., Madison, WI 53719 Read More
Trout In the Classroom is a program that offers students a chance raise trout in a classroom setting and then release them into a nearby stream. As we all know, trout need cold water. To get trout to thrive in a classroom requires chillers to generate the cold water that they require. Unfortunately, chillers equipped with pumps are so expensive as to be beyond the budget of most school programs.
In 2023, Southern Wisconsin Trout Unlimited helped start a Trout in the Classroom project at the Sun Prairie High Schools by donating the funds to purchase their chiller equipment. Since students are bound to learn a conservation ethic as they care for and nurture the trout, this was a project that we were delighted to support. Read More
The SWTU work day crews don’t encounter invasive buckthorn as often as honeysuckle. Lucky for us because the thorns can be painful. Careful and undaunted, we eliminated truckloads from the banks of the Sugar River during the 10/12 work day.
The mission was to clear buckthorn and its traveling companions box elder and invasive honeysuckle from a lovely stand of red oaks and open more access to the Sugar River at the Falk Wells Wildlife Area, not far from the STH 69 bridge and parking lot. The clearing improves the growth of the oaks and makes room for native shrubs like dogwood. At the second spot we cleared the river looked fishy.* Read More
About 30 of SWTU and Nohr’s finest joined Justin and Jared of the DNR to improve Big Spring’s corridor downstream of the first bridge. By removing dozens, hundreds, thousands of willows and a few box elders we were going to make access easier, remove a major attraction for beavers, and create room for oaks and a healthier mix of native vegetation.
Let’s just be crystal clear. The willows were a huge pain in the butt (my left hamstring, to be more specific). Clumps of small ones were growing in reed canary grass. One of us would lop the clump or single stem while the other treated the tiny stump (no treatment = many more willows next season). Stooping and bending were the chief exercises of this workday. Read More
We’ve had a strong start to the fall and need every helping hand we can get for our two remaining workdays. The work is straightforward and no experience is needed … you’ll be an expert in no time. It’s a great way to meet people, learn about streams and make a real difference for our coldwater resource.
November 9, 2024 – Sawmill Creek on a new fishing easement! Read More
Our good friend and SWTU Chapter member has lost his long battle with cancer.
Chuck was a contributor to many of our chapter fundraisers. He handled Icebreaker tickets, monthly meeting raffle tickets, door prizes, built beautiful log cabin bird houses for raffles and even played his guitar and sang for us on occasion.
He was an accomplished musician and was the lead singer for two different trios that played local clubs and venues. For many years he played at the Harmony Bar’s Jimmy Buffett night which was a fund raiser for the Goodman Community Center.
He was an excellent carpenter and wood worker. Besides bird houses he turned bowls. Many beautiful pieces were created in his wood shop. From Leopold benches to bookshelves to many other items. He was an artist with wood.
On a more personal note, myself and many others in our chapter enjoyed many fly fishing adventures with Chuck. From the boundary waters, to the Hudson Bay, to Alaska and Argentina. From Belize and many Western Unites States rivers we shared some great adventures. And of course, the Driftless. Yes, Chuck always brought along a guitar. I have probably heard him sing around a campfire as much as in a club. He was always willing to share his music, his art and his dry sense of humor.
He has been my friend for over 60 years. He will be missed by many.
(Pictured is Chuck holding his guitar, surrounded by friends, on one of their many adventures. A link to Chuck’s obituary.)
Posted: December 3, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Fox Valley TU Cabin Fever Days
New location: Tanners Bar & Grill, Kimberly, Wisconsin
This is a tremendous TU chapter that has often supported our chapter and its events. This looks to be an amazing day of informational sessions, lunch, gear sales, auctions and a chance to go home with a stellar bamboo rod. Learn more and plan to attend: https://foxvalleytu.org/cabin-fever-day-2025/
Posted: December 3, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Quick links to cool content – December 2024
See something, say something: While on the stream, if you see runoff, erosion, something not quite right or have questions, thoughts, etc. you can report it simply at https://apps.dnr.wi.gov/ccis/. If one of us sees a fish kill, we should call or text to: 1-800-TIP-WDNR (1-800-847-9367). Thanks to Dan Oele for passing this along.
Posted: December 3, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – December 2024
We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new member to our ranks! Read More
Newscasts – November 2024
Last Updated: December 3, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
A fun and informal chapter meeting on November 12
Posted: November 4, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Join in the Fly Tying Jamboree
A fun and informal chapter meeting on November 12
Trout In the Classroom: The Future is Bright
Last Updated: November 4, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Mark Maffitt
Trout In the Classroom is a program that offers students a chance raise trout in a classroom setting and then release them into a nearby stream. As we all know, trout need cold water. To get trout to thrive in a classroom requires chillers to generate the cold water that they require. Unfortunately, chillers equipped with pumps are so expensive as to be beyond the budget of most school programs.
In 2023, Southern Wisconsin Trout Unlimited helped start a Trout in the Classroom project at the Sun Prairie High Schools by donating the funds to purchase their chiller equipment. Since students are bound to learn a conservation ethic as they care for and nurture the trout, this was a project that we were delighted to support. Read More
Buckthorn is Well Named – October 12
Last Updated: November 4, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Topf Wells
The SWTU work day crews don’t encounter invasive buckthorn as often as honeysuckle. Lucky for us because the thorns can be painful. Careful and undaunted, we eliminated truckloads from the banks of the Sugar River during the 10/12 work day.
The mission was to clear buckthorn and its traveling companions box elder and invasive honeysuckle from a lovely stand of red oaks and open more access to the Sugar River at the Falk Wells Wildlife Area, not far from the STH 69 bridge and parking lot. The clearing improves the growth of the oaks and makes room for native shrubs like dogwood. At the second spot we cleared the river looked fishy.* Read More
Hard Work, Glorious Day – October 19
Last Updated: November 7, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Topf Wells
About 30 of SWTU and Nohr’s finest joined Justin and Jared of the DNR to improve Big Spring’s corridor downstream of the first bridge. By removing dozens, hundreds, thousands of willows and a few box elders we were going to make access easier, remove a major attraction for beavers, and create room for oaks and a healthier mix of native vegetation.
Let’s just be crystal clear. The willows were a huge pain in the butt (my left hamstring, to be more specific). Clumps of small ones were growing in reed canary grass. One of us would lop the clump or single stem while the other treated the tiny stump (no treatment = many more willows next season). Stooping and bending were the chief exercises of this workday. Read More
Posted: November 3, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Join us for an Upcoming Workday
By Jim Hess, Conservation Chair
We’ve had a strong start to the fall and need every helping hand we can get for our two remaining workdays. The work is straightforward and no experience is needed … you’ll be an expert in no time. It’s a great way to meet people, learn about streams and make a real difference for our coldwater resource.
November 9, 2024 – Sawmill Creek on a new fishing easement! Read More
Chuck Bayuk (1951-2024)
Posted: November 3, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Jim Bartelt
Our good friend and SWTU Chapter member has lost his long battle with cancer.
Chuck was a contributor to many of our chapter fundraisers. He handled Icebreaker tickets, monthly meeting raffle tickets, door prizes, built beautiful log cabin bird houses for raffles and even played his guitar and sang for us on occasion.
He was an accomplished musician and was the lead singer for two different trios that played local clubs and venues. For many years he played at the Harmony Bar’s Jimmy Buffett night which was a fund raiser for the Goodman Community Center.
He was an excellent carpenter and wood worker. Besides bird houses he turned bowls. Many beautiful pieces were created in his wood shop. From Leopold benches to bookshelves to many other items. He was an artist with wood.
On a more personal note, myself and many others in our chapter enjoyed many fly fishing adventures with Chuck. From the boundary waters, to the Hudson Bay, to Alaska and Argentina. From Belize and many Western Unites States rivers we shared some great adventures. And of course, the Driftless. Yes, Chuck always brought along a guitar. I have probably heard him sing around a campfire as much as in a club. He was always willing to share his music, his art and his dry sense of humor.
He has been my friend for over 60 years. He will be missed by many.
(Pictured is Chuck holding his guitar, surrounded by friends, on one of their many adventures. A link to Chuck’s obituary.)
Recent Posts
Categories