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

No June, July or August Meetings

Per usual, we are taking the summer off and not having regular chapter meetings in June, July or August. The busy, hot, travel-filled summer months are not generally conducive to large meetings.

That’s not to say you can’t do anything! Here are some ideas to stay active …

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New Members – June 2017

Welcome New Members

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

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Volunteer Training Opportunities – Land & Water Resources

Dane County Land & Water Resources DepartmentThe Dane County Land & Water Resources Department offers a variety of training for volunteers of county parks and other partner groups. A variety of trainings are available.

  • June 13: WI First Detector Network – Invasive Species Workshop – Lussier Family Heritage Center
  • July 1: Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz-Lyman F. Anderson Agriculture & Conservation Center  
  • July 11: Woodland Plant ID Walk – Stewart Lake County Park

Register here

Registration note:  They use SignUp.com. Review the options listed, select a tour time, and and sign up. You will NOT need to create an account or password.

For more information, contact:

Rhea Stangel-Maier, Volunteer Coordinator
Parks Division
Dane County Land & Water Resources Department
5201 Fen Oak Drive
Madison WI 53718
(608) 224-3601stangel-maier@countyofdane.com
www.danecountyparks.com

Gordon Creek Workday Photos

SWTU Gordon Creek Workday, May 2017

Gordon Creek Stream Workday Photos

Saturday, May 7, near Blanchardville

Check out photos of our hearty Stream Team working to make a difference! Read More

Watershed Field Day

Sugar River through Neperud property

Join us for a Watershed Field Day
9 a.m.- 11 a.m. on  June 9, 2017

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New Members – May 2017

Welcome New Members

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

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Fly Tying: Quill Gordon

Quill Gordon fishing fly by Rusty Dunn

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

by Rusty Dunn

We are a nation of immigrants … a melting pot, where cultures and traditions imported from abroad adapt, evolve, and meld into a uniquely new society. The history of American fly fishing is much the same.  Fly an­gling as we know it developed in Great Britain, often by a privileged upper class.  The methods, how­ever, emigrated to America along with the hard work­ing early settlers.  Fly angling then adapted to the new geography, took root in America’s tremen­dous natural resources, and grew into the magnifi­cent pas­time that we honor and protect today.

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Saturday, May 6, 2017 Workday

Sugar River through Neperud property

Our last Spring workday will be Saturday, May 6, at a newly acquired DNR easement on Gordon Creek. The DNR is wanting to add more easements in this area and clearing out this section will help to convince other land owners to sign up for an easement. After the work, there will be brats and beer provided by the easement property owner, Kriss Marion, and the Blanchardville Women’s Club to say thank you.

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Newscasts – May 2017

  • Mike Miller of the DNR talks about Wisconsin streams and factors that affect their health
  • Elections for our Board of Directors
  • Advocacy Action Alert on Water Bill
  • “Guides” are needed for upcoming clinics!
  • Take a Dane County Parks Survey
  • See photos from the Riversmith Casting Clinic
  • Find out about the upcoming stream workday and view pictures form the last one
  • Rusty Dun – Quill Gordon
  • And more!

Build Wader Washing Stations to Stem Spread of Invasives

River Alliance is co-hosting an Earth Day event along with Upper Sugar River Watershed Association and Southern Wisconsin Trout Unlimited. We need 30 volunteers – that means you! – to help contain the New Zealand mudsnail to the Upper Sugar River, in order to protect other trout streams in Wisconsin from encroachment of this messy invasive.  A big thank you to Great Lakes Brewing Company for their sponsorship of this event.
We’ll meet at 8:30 a.m. at The Bruce Company property at 1548 Highway 69 in Verona, WI. Volunteers will get “earthy” building informational kiosks and stations for anglers to clean their waders. Great Lakes Brewery hosts a volunteer appreciation party immediately after the workday at The Rigby in Madison.
This is a great way to get actively engaged in the invasive species battle, learn about invasive species, and have some fun – not to mention good beer.
We are in need of some tools for this event. Please bring the following if you have them: table saw, circular saw, drills, square and Phillips head bits, squares, tape measures and saw horses.
Please contact Amanda Perdzock with questions at  aperdzock@wisconsinrivers.org.