It’s an interesting question! We’ll see you at Schwoegler’s on Tuesday, Sept. 13
By Topf Wells
SWTU’s September meeting will provide some answers. Our speaker is Bradd Sims, of the WI DNR. Bradd has just completed his first year as the DNR’s Coordinator of Fish Management on streams and rivers, including all the trout streams. This position was formerly the Inland Trout Coordinator; the DNR has expanded it to include cool and warm water streams. Bradd will discuss how trout are faring across the state and will be happy to answer questions after his presentation.
Bradd was the fish biologist for Grant and Lafayette Counties and the Lower Wisconsin River. In addition, he was the fish biologist for or filled in as fish biologist for many other Driftless Counties including Dane, Green, Iowa, and Richland. We fish on his easements and restorations all the time including Gordon, KIttleson, Big Spring, Six Mile, the Blue, and the Big Green. He’s also responsible for the thriving brook trout of the Steiner Branch, where he hosted a great SWTU workday.
A REMINDER: The September Meeting is Tuesday, September 13, at Schwoegler’s Bowling on Grand Canyon Drive on Madison’s West Side. Dinner and drinks are available starting at 5:30, with Bradd’s presentation at 7.
We hope to see many members for this great presentation, especially new members. New members receive a warm welcome and free flies. Read More
Posted: October 5, 2022 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
“The new guy” talks trout in Central Wisconsin
Join us at Schwoegler’s on Tuesday, October 11
By Topf Wells
The new guy is Tim Parks, the new DNR Fish Biologist for Grant and Lafayette Counties and the Lower Wisconsin River. Tim just transferred from Central Wisconsin, where he was a fish biologist who managed Trout populations in Marathon and Portage Counties. One of his final projects was assessing trout populations and habitats from the Plover River Watershed, including spring ponds (a lesser known brook trout habitat). Tim will talk about the Plover River, spring ponds, anomaly brook trout populations in drainage ditches, the Central Sands Streams and High Capacity Wells, and what it is like to manage unique natural trout populations in Central Wisconsin. He will also provide some first impressions on trout populations in Grant County.
Also featuring a word from the stewards of tomorrow …
We’ll also be joined by Tristram Morris and Grayson Yates, whom SWTU sponsored at the State Council Youth Camps. These two great young anglers will provide brief reports on their camp experience. This is also a great opportunity for parents or grandparents to learn about this camp for the youngsters in your families. Read More
Killer Bug
Last Updated: October 5, 2022 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
A 21-year old Englishman is hired in 1928 to manage and improve six miles of trout water on the River Avon. The task before him is immense, for the river has suffered years of neglect. It was once a premier trout fishery, but is now choked with weeds, smothered in silt, and home to more trash fish than trout. Natural reproduction of trout is near zero, and fishing is sustained only by hatchery transplants. The young river keeper undertakes his job with determination and persistence, not realizing that the task will occupy him for 52 years. Read More
Make a Difference and Some Friends – Our Next Workday
Last Updated: November 1, 2022 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
October 8, 2022 – Smith-Conley Creek, 2800 Cty Rd H, Barneveld
If you’ve never joined one before, please know the work is easy, you can work at your own pace and there is something to do for everyone. From hauling large trees to handing around clipboards, if you have the willingness to help then we have a way for you to do so. Along the way, you’ll meet some new people and most likely note a few intriguing places to drift a fly. See you there! Read More
A Productive and Fun Workday
Posted: October 5, 2022 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Topf Wells
Jim has the new workday season off to a great start.
Eleven stalwarts arrived at the Falk Wells Wildlife Area on the Sugar River between Verona and Paoli. Attendance was down a bit – maybe the football game, a hot, muggy forecast, travel, trout season still on, first day of bow season or a combination thereof were the reasons. But Jim was well organized and had the gear we needed. Honeysuckle and buckthorn now know and fear our names. Read More
Memorial to Dan Wisniewski
Last Updated: October 5, 2022 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
When next you pass by Salmo Pond, take a moment to view the lovely memorial to Dan Wisniewski, who passed in 2020. Take a walk, listen to the creek, cast a line and appreciate a man who earned the thanks of every last lover of the outdoors.
Posted: October 5, 2022 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
SAWW Level 2 Chainsaw Safety Trainings from Dane County Parks
All sawyers at our Workdays have completed at least Level 1 Chainsaw Training. It’s a requirement for doing chainsaw work in any park and helps to ensure a vital level of expertise and safety. Those who’ve completed Level 1 training can gain new skills through the Level 2 class, which has sessions available (at the time of publication) on October 12 and 13. Learn more at this link. (Unfortunately, there are no openings in a Level 1 class this fall, but more will be held next year.) If you have questions on this, please contact Jim Hess.
Posted: October 5, 2022 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To (Oct. 2022)
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.)
Major fundraiser decision … at a recent meeting, the Board voted to once again not have our traditional Icebreaker fundraiser in January. Factoring into this is that venues have not yet recovered or reopened to events like ours. Instead, your Board did vote to hold another Spring Fair in 2023 and is in the process of assembling a committee to organize it. Please watch for more information on this in the coming months.
Last Updated: October 5, 2022 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – October 2022
We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new members to our ranks! Read More
Newscasts – September 2022
Last Updated: October 5, 2022 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
How are Wisconsin Trout Doing?
Posted: September 6, 2022 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
It’s an interesting question! We’ll see you at Schwoegler’s on Tuesday, Sept. 13
By Topf Wells
SWTU’s September meeting will provide some answers. Our speaker is Bradd Sims, of the WI DNR. Bradd has just completed his first year as the DNR’s Coordinator of Fish Management on streams and rivers, including all the trout streams. This position was formerly the Inland Trout Coordinator; the DNR has expanded it to include cool and warm water streams. Bradd will discuss how trout are faring across the state and will be happy to answer questions after his presentation.
Bradd was the fish biologist for Grant and Lafayette Counties and the Lower Wisconsin River. In addition, he was the fish biologist for or filled in as fish biologist for many other Driftless Counties including Dane, Green, Iowa, and Richland. We fish on his easements and restorations all the time including Gordon, KIttleson, Big Spring, Six Mile, the Blue, and the Big Green. He’s also responsible for the thriving brook trout of the Steiner Branch, where he hosted a great SWTU workday.
A REMINDER: The September Meeting is Tuesday, September 13, at Schwoegler’s Bowling on Grand Canyon Drive on Madison’s West Side. Dinner and drinks are available starting at 5:30, with Bradd’s presentation at 7.
We hope to see many members for this great presentation, especially new members. New members receive a warm welcome and free flies. Read More
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