By Jim Hess, Conservation Chair
We’ve had a strong start to the fall and need every helping hand we can get for our 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.
October 12, 2024 – Falk Wells Sugar River Wildlife Unit
Time: 9am to 12 noon (Sawyers – must have completed a chainsaw safety course and have all safety gear – please arrive at 8:30).
Where: Falk Wells Sugar River Wildlife Area. Take Hwy 69 south out of Verona, about 2 miles south of Hwy 151. It is located just south of Sunset Rd, across the bridge and to your left. We will meet at the parking lot just south of the bridge.
Here is the Google Link to this location: https://goo.gl/maps/5UEZxQ5LrJkNBiPc9
What: We will be clearing invasive brush and box elders along the streambank. This area was cleared by a forestry mower, but the mower could not get to the brush along the streambank. Burn piles will be created, which will be burned this winter. We will also be checking for any re-sprouts from previous workdays at this site. Bring: Work gloves, sturdy shoes, eye and ear protection, and reusable water bottles that can be filled from our 5-gal water jug. Stay hydrated. Also, there may be some wet spots, bring your rubber boots if you have them.
Parking: There is plenty of parking at the parking lot on Hwy 69, a pickup will be used to access the workday, hauling equipment and some personnel. Read More
Posted: October 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Meicher Madness Auction Makes Money, Memories
Posted: October 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Workday Winners
Here are the winners of this year’s workday volunteer drawing, which was held before the Meicher Auction.
Musky Fool $50 gift card ……………………………………….. Kathleen Falk
D&S $50 gift card ………………………………………………..… Dyan Lesnik
D&S $50 Gift Card …………………………………………………. Pete Dailey
8’ 3/4wt Fiberglass Rod built by Dave Fowler ………… Dale Osthoff
Sorry if you are not one of the winners, but we are all winners by helping to keep our trout streams healthy and accessible. – Jim Hess
New and Old: A Great Combination
Posted: October 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Topf Wells
SWTU’s first workday of the fall/winter cycle was a challenge. We had to finish the last clearing and brush bundling on Hefty Creek’s Rudd easement in one day. Jim Hess had originally scheduled two but Dane County has some projects in mind for 10/12.
We did it with quite a varied cast of workers. Top of the list were Scott Harpold and Vince Schmitz, the biologists who are the heart of the DNR’s stream restoration crew in this part of the state. They worked all morning and showed us the latest brush bundling techniques. Vince shared possibly the most unique “DNR Biologist Catches a Cool Fish while on Official Business” story ever during our break. He was on site at the Big Green River after the recent flood and noticed what he thought was a fish in a puddle stranded 8 ft. above the stream. He rescued a still healthy 12 inch burbot, a great native WI fish, happy to be in the cool, clean water of the Big Green. (See what you miss at these workdays!) Read More
Join us for an Upcoming Workday
Posted: October 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Jim Hess, Conservation Chair
We’ve had a strong start to the fall and need every helping hand we can get for our 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.
October 12, 2024 – Falk Wells Sugar River Wildlife Unit
Time: 9am to 12 noon (Sawyers – must have completed a chainsaw safety course and have all safety gear – please arrive at 8:30).
Where: Falk Wells Sugar River Wildlife Area. Take Hwy 69 south out of Verona, about 2 miles south of Hwy 151. It is located just south of Sunset Rd, across the bridge and to your left. We will meet at the parking lot just south of the bridge.
Here is the Google Link to this location: https://goo.gl/maps/5UEZxQ5LrJkNBiPc9
What: We will be clearing invasive brush and box elders along the streambank. This area was cleared by a forestry mower, but the mower could not get to the brush along the streambank. Burn piles will be created, which will be burned this winter. We will also be checking for any re-sprouts from previous workdays at this site. Bring: Work gloves, sturdy shoes, eye and ear protection, and reusable water bottles that can be filled from our 5-gal water jug. Stay hydrated. Also, there may be some wet spots, bring your rubber boots if you have them.
Parking: There is plenty of parking at the parking lot on Hwy 69, a pickup will be used to access the workday, hauling equipment and some personnel. Read More
Posted: October 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
SWTU supports DNR plans for improving Trout Creek (Iowa County). Volunteers needed on October 21-24 to help relocate Brown Trout.
By Henry Nehls-Lowe
As noted on page 1, join us at the October 8th SWTU chapter meeting, when Justin Haglund, DNR Fisheries Senior Biologist, will present on a recently released trout stream survey and assessment report that includes the status and upcoming plans for Trout Creek (“Trout Management and Status Report for the Mill and Rush Creek Watersheds”).
Less than an hour from Madison, Trout Creek was once an extremely popular stream among some of SWTU’s finest and most discerning anglers. “During the 1970s and 80s, Trout Creek was a cherished fishery,” writes Steve Born. “Close to the metro area, and with wonderful hatches, it was a perfect place to sneak away for an afternoon. For many of us, it was our ‘secret’ home waters. But habitat improvements suffered shortened lives from siltation and erosion, along with beaver activity in the upper reaches of the creek – and over time the fishery deteriorated.” Read More
Posted: October 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – October 2024
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.)
Smaller Trailer and Storage Unit Mean Savings
Posted: October 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Your SWTU Board works to get the most out of every dollar. Our former trailer for hauling saws and other gear to workdays worked great but was bigger than needed … meaning the storage unit for it had to be bigger (about as costly as one can be). The Board acted to trade in the big trailer for a smaller one and move things into a smaller storage unit. The new trailer is easier to tow and the new storage unit will save money every month going forward – money that can go toward our coldwater resource.
Read More
The Original Pheasant Tail
Posted: October 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
What is your absolute favorite trout fly? The fly that catches trout for you on any stream, day after day, week after week, month after month, throughout the season? If you were mandated to carry but a single fly pattern, what would fill your fly box? Many experienced anglers, including both everyday fly fishers and distinguished experts, would opt for a Pheasant Tail Nymph. The Pheasant Tail is one of history’s greatest flies; perhaps THE greatest fly. A prominent online vendor of commercial trout flies today offers no fewer than 36 variations of the venerable Pheasant Tail. It’s for good reason; the fly is simply a trout-catching magnet. Read More
Posted: October 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Register Now for Neonics Forum: October 30, 2024
(click on the flyer for a larger PDF version)
Posted: October 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Quick links to cool content
Interesting Article on Badger Mill Creek: The Capital Times interviewed SWTU’s Topf Wells and several others for a good look at the issues surrounding Badger Mill Creek.
Do you have an eagle eye for eagles? Learn more about Bald Eagle Nest Watch and some simple, fun ways you can help these magnificent feathered friends.
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