SWTU, P.O. Box 45555, Madison, WI 53744-5555 president@swtu.org

Red Fur Ant

Fountains of Youth – Classic trout flies that have withstood the test of time … flies that remain “forever young”

by Rusty Dunn

The next time you’re near a trout stream, look closely among the ground cover and leaf litter.  You’ll be astonished by the number and variety of ants.  Ecol­ogists estimate that the biomass of ants on earth is 20% of terrestrial animals.  That’s one fifth of all land animals, measured not by number but by total weight!  Wow!  Now look in your fly boxes.  Are your ant imita­tions as prolific as the real deal?  Probably not.  Read More

Workday and Picnic recap – June 2018

workday

By Topf Wells

The shorter report: As much fun as you can have while sweating. Read More

Good news, Neperud!

By Topf Wells
SWTU was proud to receive a DNR check from our River Protection Grant for the Neperud project in the amount of $6,440.12. The Neperud project was ambitious in its size, complexity, and comprehensive nature. We worked with our partners (including amazing people with the county and DNR) to restore the stream and its surrounding lands. Read More

Have a seat while preventing the spread of invasives

The students of Project Green Teen built a bench to accompany the wader/boot cleaning station at the Westfork Sports Club. Many thanks to Tom Parker for donating the wood and lending a bit of knowledge to the build. The students were proud to make it, and we know it will serve fishers for many, many years to come.  Read More

New Members – July 2018

Welcome New Members

We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new members to our ranks! Read More

Save the Date and Nominate! 

The Nash Williams Award Banquet and awards ceremony will be Thursday, October 11, 2018, at the Lussier Family Heritage Center, Madison. Award nominations will be accepted through July 31, 2018. Read More

Newscasts – June 2018

This issue has lots of great information, including:

Honey Dun Flymph

Honey Dun Flymph

Fountains of Youth – Classic trout flies that have withstood the test of time … flies that remain “forever young”

by Rusty Dunn

Some things turn out better when done in pairs.  Lewis & Clark, Lennon & McCartney, Romeo & Juliet, Fred & Ginger, Batman & Robin, etc.  The list is long.  But where would each of these celebrities be without a cre­ative partner?  Probably a lot less famous.  Fly fishing is inherently a solitary endeavor, and this is reflected in book authorship.
Read More

A Very Special Field Trip

Report courtesy Topf Wells.
Our field trip and conservation mission at Neperud was a blast and productive, thanks to 22 wonderful 4th graders from Lincoln Elementary School, three of their teachers, Carolyn Byers, Education Coordinator for Madison Audubon, Dan Oele with his two wonderful techs, and a very nice and patient bus driver, whose name I did not catch. Read More

Fly Rod Swap with Fontana

You got too many rods in the closet?  Want to get the latest greatest fly rod, but need to make room in the quiver?  Want to help SWTU with its veteran, youth, and beginner programs?  Fontana sports has a solution to your dilemma and desires by offering a Fly Rod Swap the entire month of June. Read More