Fountains of Youth – Classic trout flies that have withstood the test of time … flies that remain “forever young”
by Major Oliver Leach
Editor’s Note – The Covid-19 quarantine allows Maj. Oliver Leach, Rusty Dunn’s friend and mentor, to write a long-promised column on Herbie Welch’s famous feather-wing streamer, the Black Ghost.
Most dedicated fly anglers would likely agree that the Black Ghost is one of the all-time best streamer flies. It was created by Herbert L. (Herbie) Welch, a legendary guide, artist, taxidermist, fly tier and caster from Lake Mooselookmeguntic, which is nestled in Maine’s famous Rangeley Lakes region. Mr. Welch pioneered the use of long-shanked hooks for streamer flies, because he believed they more accurately imitated long-bodied smelt baitfish. He was a neighbor of many famous fly dressers, including the renowned Carrie Stevens, who in 1924 created what is possibly the most famous feather-wing streamer of all, the Gray Ghost. Read More
Black Ghost
Last Updated: May 11, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Major Oliver Leach
Editor’s Note – The Covid-19 quarantine allows Maj. Oliver Leach, Rusty Dunn’s friend and mentor, to write a long-promised column on Herbie Welch’s famous feather-wing streamer, the Black Ghost.
Most dedicated fly anglers would likely agree that the Black Ghost is one of the all-time best streamer flies. It was created by Herbert L. (Herbie) Welch, a legendary guide, artist, taxidermist, fly tier and caster from Lake Mooselookmeguntic, which is nestled in Maine’s famous Rangeley Lakes region. Mr. Welch pioneered the use of long-shanked hooks for streamer flies, because he believed they more accurately imitated long-bodied smelt baitfish. He was a neighbor of many famous fly dressers, including the renowned Carrie Stevens, who in 1924 created what is possibly the most famous feather-wing streamer of all, the Gray Ghost. Read More
Last Updated: May 12, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
A message from our Treasurer
Please click on this link to view our Chapter’s Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2020 & 2019, the Statement of Activity for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020 and the fiscal year 2021 Operating Budget.
The Chapter had an excellent year in F/Y 2020, generating over $59,000 in revenue. This was due in large part to a successful 50th Anniversary Fundraising Appeal and some very generous donations from individuals, company partners and foundations. In addition, our annual Icebreaker raised $4,300 for the Chapter despite unfavorable weather conditions the day of the event. Expenses totaled $35,019 resulting in a net surplus of just over $24,000 for the year; a new record for the Chapter. Read More
Posted: May 11, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Place to Fish, Close to Home, and We Can Use Them
Dane County has opened a new easement on the Sugar River. SWTU helped obtain this one because the landowner attended our Verona dinner for Sugar River landowners and began negotiations with Sara Rigelman shortly thereafter.
The easement is on the Fisherdale Holstein Farm on STH 69 south of Paoli. It is the second while house and farm buildings on your right (west) as you drive south on 69). Access is on the southern property line where the landowner has removed a short section of fence allowing entry.
Enjoy! Special thanks to Sara, Dane County Executive, Dane County Board, and the Department of Land and Water Resources, the Sarbacker family (landowners) and Pat Hasburgh. Pat cooked and served the meal. His pulled pork is irresistible.
Last Updated: May 11, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Wisconsin Women’s Fly Fishing Clinics
It is with great sadness that the organizational team that presents the annual Wisconsin Women’s Fly-fishing Clinics has made the decision not to hold the Women clinics for 2020. Read More
Last Updated: May 11, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – May 2020
We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new members to our ranks! Read More
Newscasts – April 2020
Last Updated: May 12, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue has lots of great information, including:
Posted: April 2, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
The Meeting Notice That Wasn’t
Our someday soon we’ll see ya Chapter meeting
As with everything, everywhere at this time … our normal upcoming slate of meetings and events are postponed for the future. Read below for updates and information. We have a new plan for elections, cancellations of Project Green Teen and the soonest workdays, but are still hopeful the Women’s Clinics will go on as planned (with plenty of help and volunteers from the Chapter).
Keep an eye on your email and www.swtu.org for further event updates. Be well and keep a 9 wt rod length from others as you chase trout, watch eagles soar and glory in the natural world.
Last Updated: April 2, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
SWTU Board Elections Postponed
The SWTU Board Elections were planned for our April 9 chapter meeting. Since that meeting is cancelled we will be delaying the vote until May and conducting the elections online (assuming there is no in-person Chapter Meeting in May). The Nominating Committee has been hard at work putting together a great slate of candidates for the election. In early April the Committee will send an email to all members with the slate of candidates and ask for any final nominations. Here is the timeline for the elections process:
Watch your email for updates from the Nominating Committee, and please contact Mary Ann Doll if you are interested in running for a board seat: madoll@aol.com
Funding appeal a big success: Thank you!
Last Updated: April 8, 2021 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
To celebrate SWTU’s 50th anniversary and start the next 50 years with some great projects, the Board launched an end of the year appeal to all our members. Without further ado, the results:
$10,135 in member donations.
$2,348 in expenses, consisting of
$122 in credit card fees
$720 for hats
$467 for postage
$1,039 for printing
$7,787 NET INCOME! (so far …)
Pausing now for celebration and thanks. Read More
Last Updated: April 2, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
So how are the donations making a difference?
In making our funding appeal, we promised you that we would use the funds you donated to support some excellent projects. The Board took that responsibility seriously and made the following decisions at our March Board meeting.
Kittleson Valley Creek, DNR – $14,000
This project will occur upstream of Drammen Valley Road and is the second year of a five-year DNR restoration of two large, contiguous easements. The problems are very steep, highly eroding banks, sedimentation, silt, lack of in-stream cover and spawning areas, and very difficult access and fishing. Major stream re-shaping and stabilization, clearing of invasive or undesirable trees and brush, use of that material in the stream stabilization and in-stream, other in-stream devices, and planting of native vegetation will address those problems. Read More
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