By Henry Nehls-Lowe

John Freeborg and I represented SWTU at this year’s TU Costa 5Rivers College Clubs Midwest Rendezvous, held at the West Fork Sports Club on April 24-26.  Six Midwest college and university fishing clubs were represented by 58 attendees, including 6 UW-Madison Hoofers. To accommodate late arrivals, TU’s Cliff Watson postponed the Friday welcome session until breakfast on Saturday morning, which allowed John and me to get acquainted with the Hoofers (AnaGracia Brunette is the Hoofers Outing Club chair for Conservation and is very interested in SWTU workdays).  The evening weather was perfect so we set up fly rods for casting instruction (only 1 had previously cast a fly rod).  Saturday morning activities included introductions, orientation to TU & 5Rivers, my providing a fishing report, and planting of over 60 trees along the West Fork of the Kickapoo on Vernon County property just north of Avalanche.

Saturday afternoon was dedicated to fly fishing and we relocated to a fav spot on the WFK.  I’m delighted that 5 of 6 Hoofers caught fish, including AnaGracia who not only caught her first trout on a fly rod, but it was her first fish ever.  Saturday evening we happily reconvened at the WFSC for awards on fishing success and garbage collection, then enjoyed SWTU’s sponsored dinner of brats, grilled veggies, potato salad, and dessert.  It was another perfect Spring evening for enjoying time around the campfires.  On Sunday morning everyone broke camp, said goodbyes, and on the way home the Hoofers stopped to fish on the WFK and again reported success.

Photo to right is of AnaGracia (holding her first trout!) and Hailey. More below!