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

Something to be thankful for: progress on a new easement!

For local trout anglers, Thanksgiving came a week early this year as Sara Rigelman and the Land and Water Resources Department introduced a resolution allowing the purchase of a trout stream easement on the Sugar River at the Sarabacker Farm on STH 69 just south of Paoli.

As always, the easement will not be open for fishing until the County Board passes the resolution, the County Executive approves it, and the County closes on the transaction, a process which takes several months.

Its history and the help some folks, including SWTU, gave Sara in obtaining this easement make this a very special achievement.

Sara thought a dinner this spring, based on the Blanchardville model and directed to Sugar River landowners, might spark interest in easements. SWTU and Badger Fly Fishers donated the funds. Sara with Sharene Smith and Curt Diehl of Dane County, and Dan Oele, Fish Biologist par excellence, organized and presented the content of the meeting. Jim Hess and Topf Wells helped with the logistics of the dinner. Pat Hasburgh was a Trout Hero … he cooked and served the dinner, pulled pork and all the fixings. The landowners loved it.

Several members of the Sarbacker family attended and immediately indicated an interest in an easement. Sara took it from there and several months later has delivered a most welcome addition to trout fishing on the Sugar.

Again, we owe Sara great thanks for her work, and lots more thanks are owed. Joe Parisi, the County Executive, continues to support these easements and Laura Hicklin ensures that they remain a priority for the Department. Josh Wescott, Parisi’s Chief of Staff, is a key liaison. The County Board, led by Chair Sharon Corrigan, has always strongly supported easements.

Badger Fly Fisher’s Bob Harrison made sure we received their vital donation in a very timely fashion. Pat and Jim put in long hours (cooking for 40 is no easy task). Dan’s presentation was effective, focusing on all the fish of the Sugar. I think the landowners found that really interesting and perhaps a bit unexpected.

As always, though, the most thanks have to go to the Sarbackers, the landowners. This is wonderful water and we’re blessed that they are willing to share it with the public.