You may notice a new logo at the end of this newsletter. That is the logo for the environmental organization 1% for the Planet. SWTU was recently approved as an Environmental Partner of 1% for the Planet.
What is 1% for the Planet? It was founded in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies. The basic model of 1% for the Planet is for “Business Members” to donate 1% of gross sales to “Environmental Partners”, through a combination of monetary, in-kind, and promotional support. Individual members pledge to donate 1% of their annual salary through monetary and/or voluntary support. Currently, there are over 3,400 Business Partners. Since 2002, members have given more that $435 million to environmental non-profits. SWTU, along with TUDARE, are the only Wisconsin TU-related organizations approved as Environmental Partners. Nationwide there are several other TU Chapters and State Councils that are Environmental Partners as well.
What does being an Environmental Partner mean for SWTU? Perhaps the most significant benefit of being an Environmental Partner is that we will potentially have a greater opportunity to receive more donations for fundraisers and other projects. There is no cost for us to be an Environmental Partner. Last year we received donations to our Spring Fair fundraiser from local companies like Delta Beer Lab, Planet Bike and White Bridge Coffee, all of which are Business Members of 1% for the Planet. We hope to work with these businesses again this year, in additional to other Business Partners.
More information on 1% for the Planet can be found at https://onepercentfortheplanet.org.
Jim Slattery’s Original Stimulator
Last Updated: March 12, 2023 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
In today’s world of instant communication, each of us is but one TikTok video away from stardom. Celebrities are newly minted on TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms almost daily, but their significance fades just as fast. The quantity of online fly-tying resources can be overwhelming, but this avalanche of information is a relatively recent phenomenon. How did we learn about productive new (or old) flies during the decades and centuries before browsers, websites, and YouTube? The social medium of lasting impact back then was the printed page. Books and magazines were the currency of public influence. Fly patterns could become locally famous by word of mouth, but recognition on a national scale came from hard-copy publications. Jim Slattery’s Stimulator fly is a perfect example of ‘going viral’ the old-school way. Read More
Last Updated: March 7, 2023 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – March 2023
We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new members to our ranks! Read More
Newscasts – February 2023
Last Updated: March 8, 2023 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
Posted: February 7, 2023 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Flies and Love in the Air at SWTU Meeting on February 14!
What to do on Valentine’s Day? You and your loved one could dine out but you’ll find crowded restaurants. Here’s a better idea: eat out a day or two before or after Love Day. You’ll have a more relaxing, possibly romantic meal with better service. Then celebrate Valentine’s Day with SWTU.
Read More
Posted: February 7, 2023 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Make a difference and some new friends – step up for SWTU
By Don Golembiewski
Nominations are now being accepted for positions on the SWTU Board of Directors. Our volunteers make a huge difference for our members, our resource and our community.
We are looking for one new director (thank you, Pat Hasburgh) and a new Treasurer as Nick Jackson has (admirably) served the chapter but will roll off the board.
We’ll have elections this April. If you have questions, are interested or know of someone who is, please contact any officer or board member.
We are also recruiting three SWTU members to serve on the nominations committee. This is a great way to get involved in our chapter and the commitment ends after our annual election at the April meeting. This is short term – all gain and no pain!
SWTU Nominating Committee for 2023
A Simply Splendid Series of Spring 2023 Workdays
Posted: February 7, 2023 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Jim Hess, Conservation Chair
It may not look like it, but spring is just around the corner and I wanted to update everyone on our spring workdays. We still need to finalize some details, but the locations and dates have been determined. For now, please hold these dates open, if you can. Read More
Posted: February 7, 2023 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
SWTU Joins 1% for the Planet Network
What is 1% for the Planet? It was founded in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies. The basic model of 1% for the Planet is for “Business Members” to donate 1% of gross sales to “Environmental Partners”, through a combination of monetary, in-kind, and promotional support. Individual members pledge to donate 1% of their annual salary through monetary and/or voluntary support. Currently, there are over 3,400 Business Partners. Since 2002, members have given more that $435 million to environmental non-profits. SWTU, along with TUDARE, are the only Wisconsin TU-related organizations approved as Environmental Partners. Nationwide there are several other TU Chapters and State Councils that are Environmental Partners as well.
What does being an Environmental Partner mean for SWTU? Perhaps the most significant benefit of being an Environmental Partner is that we will potentially have a greater opportunity to receive more donations for fundraisers and other projects. There is no cost for us to be an Environmental Partner. Last year we received donations to our Spring Fair fundraiser from local companies like Delta Beer Lab, Planet Bike and White Bridge Coffee, all of which are Business Members of 1% for the Planet. We hope to work with these businesses again this year, in additional to other Business Partners.
More information on 1% for the Planet can be found at https://onepercentfortheplanet.org.
Dark Olive Nymph
Last Updated: February 7, 2023 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
The year is 1892. A young attorney casts dry flies to rising trout on the River Itchen in southern England. His creel is empty, and his spirits are low. The angler’s flies are recommended for these very waters by fly fishing’s leading experts. His presentations are good, but his flies are ignored. The angler hasn’t touched a trout all morning, yet they continue to rise. He then notices one small dark olive mayfly on the water and ties on a Dark Olive Quill dry fly. The angler makes a crucial miscalculation however. He bought the fly in haste at a store, and it is cheaply made. Instead of being tied with stiff rooster hackle, it is tied of soft hen. After a couple of casts, the fly is soaked and floats poorly. Another couple of casts, and it sinks. Whoa! Fish on! Another cast … another fish. Four brace of lusty trout follow quickly, each hooked as the soggy fly sinks below the surface. Read More
Posted: February 7, 2023 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
2023 Women’s Flyfishing Clinics – Nearly full!
Wisconsin Women’s Clinics are nearly full. Please have people register on the Waitlist if it is full. With a PHONE number. Cancellations are typically last minute and without a phone number we cannot reach waitlisters. More information is here on our Chapter website or select a registration link below.
Wisconsin Women’s Clinic – Basics June 16-18th
https://cvent.me/rK4wL0
Wisconsin Women’s ON the WATER Skills Clinic, June 14 – 16th
https://cvent.me/kAA74K
We are pleased to share this groundbreaking Women’s Leadership Institute with others around the nation! Read More
Posted: February 7, 2023 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – Feb 2023
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.)
Protecting Badger Mill Creek
At its January 31st meeting, the SWTU Board unanimously adopted a resolution requesting that the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) continue to discharge highly treated and aerated effluent to Badger Mill Creek. MMSD might stop this discharge in order to reduce its input of phosphorus to the stream. Please read the resolution below for a brief statement of SWTU’s reasons for this position. Read More
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