By Topf Wells

Throughout ’25 we mourned the loss of great SWTU members and leaders. Alas, 2026 starts with more losses; this time of great allies of trout, trout streams and conservation – Herb Schraepher and Jim Sime. 

Herb Schraepher was a dedicated farmer and bulwark of his family on Kittleson Creek in Iowa County. He sold two large easements on the creek to the DNR and permitted the DNR to restore both stretches. SWTU held a work day on the more downstream segment several years ago. I’ve fished his parts of the creek many times with wildly varying results. I’ve landed big fish, lost my biggest trout ever, and been skunked numerous times. But every trip has been a hoot in large part because of Herb’s stewardship of his land. Eagles are frequent companions along with other wildlife and pastoral beauty. When he did not have his cattle on pasture, his gates were open for easy access. He also let his pastures green up longer than most farmers. I hope that was good for his pastures and cattle; it definitely benefited the stream and trout. If you fished that area, a nice older farmer would be patrolling in his red pickup and stop for a chat. That was Herb.

Jim Sime was a dedicated Madison high school teacher; he and Rose, his wife, are among the greatest of SW Wisconsin conservationists. Early in their marriage, they purchased two parcels of 100s of acres with extraordinary natural features. They then spent decades of their time and labor in preserving and restoring those properties. Before he died this January, Jim and Rose donated a big chunk of the Boscobel Bluffs and the Big Rock of Big Rock Creek to land trusts. Before donating the land along Big Rock Creek to the Driftless Area Land Conservancy (DALC), Jim and Rose worked with the Nohr Chapter to restore the Creek. DALC will open the property to the public soon. We’ll keep an eye for that and let you know. The creek is a little gem and the Big Rock is mis-named. Humongous Rock would be more accurate. I’m guessing thousands of years ago the creek or something split it and the creek now runs through the middle of it. Wow.

I hope SWTU will be able to schedule a work day with DALC to continue the Sime’s conservation work on Big Rock.

The deaths of these two kind and generous gentlemen remind us of how important partners, friends and allies are to SWTU. We deeply appreciate their care for natural resources, especially their trout streams and offer our most sincere condolences to their friends and family.