Fountains of Youth – Classic trout flies that have withstood the test of time … flies that remain “forever young”
by Rusty Dunn
“Of all feathers required for fly dressing, the hackle is the most important and, unfortunately, the most difficult to procure.” –F.M. Halford, 1886 in Floating Flies and How to Dress Them
How times have changed. If Halford could visit a fly shop today, he would be astonished. The quality and variety of modern dry fly hackle is extraordinary. Colors that used to be as rare as the crown jewels are now as common as a knockoff Rolex. How did it happen? A handful of meticulous, observant, and persistent fly tyers raised chickens for decades, choosing and breeding at each generation only birds with the best quality of hackle. Such ‘selective breeding’ yielded today’s birds having long uniform feathers with thin flexible stems and short, stiff, glassy barbs. Read More
Posted: June 11, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
May 2024 Meeting Election Results
Our annual chapter meeting was held on May 14, 2024, with the only order business being the annual election of the SWTU Executive Board. The slate of candidates presented for this election were announced in the May 2024 chapter newsletter: Read More
Spring Fair 2024 = Food, Fun, & Fundraising
Last Updated: June 11, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Our 3rd annual Spring Fair Fundraiser held April 20, 2024, was a fantastic time. Held on the shore of Lake Monona at the East Side Club, we feasted on wonderful food catered by the very generous SWTU member Ben Lubchansky and his family from 608 Community Supported Kitchen. The improved sound system arranged by member Mark Nash ensured everyone could hear our entertaining master of ceremonies Topf Wells. The spin and fly casting competition was challenged a bit by mother nature, but Pat Hasburgh, Carol Murphy and Kayln Hoggard braved the elements and pulled it off. The event raised over $12,600 to support the chapter’s key conservation work on your local cold water resources. Read More
Posted: June 11, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – June 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.)
Posted: June 11, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
SWTU Comments on Epic Systems Construction Near the Sugar River
On May 18th SWTU submitted written comments to the DNR regarding a permit application from Epic Systems Corporation to construct a bridge across the Sugar River and the Military Ridge State Trail, adjacent to their Verona campus, which will include stream realignment/restoration and discharging fill materials in the wetlands. SWTU commented that Epic’s proposed mitigation and restoration are inadequate, that the permit has not received as full a review and the opportunity for public comment as it should have, and the project should be the subject of an Environmental Impact Statement. We also made several recommendations, including that Epic should provide a permanent easement to improve public access by anglers, birders, and hikers to this portion of the Sugar River. For more details on SWTU’s letter, please review it here (PDF).
We Used Every Tool in the Tool Box
Posted: June 11, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Topf Wells
SWTU joined the Nohr Chapter and the DNR in our continuing work to clear willows and box elder along the upper reaches on Big Spring Creek. Doing so is the first step in the restoration of oaks and grasses. Beaver activity is one of the hottest topics in stream and wetland health. Along Big Spring, the many beavers and dams are probably doing more harm than good. Eliminating willow will move the beaver along to happier feeding grounds. We’re certainly improving access to what had been a popular part of the stream. In the section we worked on last year, the naturally occurring red oakshave prospered with the removal of competing willows. Read More
It Takes Many Folks to Get to Perfect
Last Updated: June 11, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Topf Well
Many thanks to the many people who helped make the Lowery Creek work day close to perfect.
About 20 volunteers showed up to plant 65 or so oak trees on the new Cates easement on Lowery Creek. This is a healthy brook trout stream, one of the sources of DNR wild brood stock, and the trees will help maintain cold water temps. Read More
Adams Midge
Posted: June 11, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
“Of all feathers required for fly dressing, the hackle is the most important and, unfortunately, the most difficult to procure.” –F.M. Halford, 1886 in Floating Flies and How to Dress Them
How times have changed. If Halford could visit a fly shop today, he would be astonished. The quality and variety of modern dry fly hackle is extraordinary. Colors that used to be as rare as the crown jewels are now as common as a knockoff Rolex. How did it happen? A handful of meticulous, observant, and persistent fly tyers raised chickens for decades, choosing and breeding at each generation only birds with the best quality of hackle. Such ‘selective breeding’ yielded today’s birds having long uniform feathers with thin flexible stems and short, stiff, glassy barbs. Read More
Last Updated: June 11, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Quick links to cool content
Posted: June 11, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – June 2024
We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new members to our ranks! Read More
Newscasts – May 2024
Last Updated: June 11, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
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