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

Oh how we LOVE Trout – Our Thursday, February 14 meeting

Join us Valentine’s Day for a Phenological Tour of Trout Stream Plants and Animals

Our monthly chapter meeting will host Michael Miller, DNR Stream Ecologist, UW Stream Ecology Teacher and avid trout angler.

Phenology is the study of reoccurring seasonal lifecycle events that are influenced by climate. Migratory animals return and various plants emerge each spring, Michael will explore these cycles, their impact on streams and trout with a Valentine’s Day focus.

Come early for food, spirits and fish tales.

There will be a 50/50 raffle to help cover the room fee. Tickets will be available from 6:30 – 7:45 pm for $5 each. The drawing will take place at 8:00 pm, or as soon as possible after the featured speaker is completed. This is a must be present to win drawing. One winning ticket takes home half of the cash raised.

We’ll again meet upstairs at The Coliseum Bar and Grill. As usual, the program begins at 7 p.m., but show up earlier for food, fish stories and friendship.

Who won $100?

Congratulations to Mark Kraft, who won $100 to Fontana Sports Specialties at the January meeting. This was our last “You Must Be Present To Win” drawing with the Fontana west side store closing (and them exiting the fly fishing business). Tremendous thanks and appreciation to the Hutchinson family for their long-standing support!!

Looking ahead to the annual Meicher Madness Auction on March 14

Plan ahead to attend, donate and buy at our annual March auction fundraiser. Year after year, hand-tied flies are a big seller, as well as usable outdoor and fishing gear, especially reels. Guided trips are most welcome. Also note that we are going to do even more to sort and display donated items, which should make for an auction that is more fun, more fast and more lucrative. But to do that we have to have folks show up earlier. So if you’re bringing items to donate (in particular if you have a lot of them) please, please, please consider arriving by 5:45 or 6. (That’s just saying what’s ideal … if you can’t arrive til closer to 7 and have items for the auction, obviously still bring them.)