SWTU, P.O. Box 45555, Madison, WI 53744-5555
president@swtu.org
Conserving coldwater fisheries
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Newscasts – April 2024
Last Updated: April 4, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
April 2024 Newscasts
Last Updated: April 4, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Board Elections at the May Meeting
First and foremost, thank you to Tom Thrall, Jim Beecher, and Kevin Maes for their excellent and generous service on SWTU’s Board.
All the current officers are eligible to continue to serve and have graciously agreed to do so. Whew! and thanks. Steve Musser, Henry Nehls Lowe and Topf Wells will be on the ballot.
John Freborg is also eligible for re-election and he, too, will be on the ballot with our most sincere thanks. Ben Mechelke will run for the Board to fill one of the three open seats. (See Ben’s bio below.)
We probably will not have nominees for the two remaining seats for the April meeting. That meeting is already a full one and this month is probably our busiest with the Fundraiser and several work days.
We’ll run the elections at the May meeting with a full slate of candidates. To that end, please contact Topf Wells or Don Golembiewski if you are interested in serving on the Board.
Thanks,
Topf Wells and Don Golembiewski Read More
Posted: April 4, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Whirling Disease Parasite Discovered in Wisconsin
Please, please read this DNR press release. The whirling disease parasite has been found in Langlade County. This parasite does not always cause the disease but the DNR needs us to report any trout – in this part of the state, brook trout demand our careful attention – with symptoms of the disease. We also need to be more careful than ever about cleaning and disinfecting trout fishing gear. Let’s hope the parasite in not widespread in WI but take every precaution to detect it and prevent its spread.
Get your tickets now – 3rd Annual Spring Fair Fundraiser
Last Updated: April 3, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Join us Saturday, April 20, 2024, for another fun-filled, social day of camaraderie. We’ll be returning to the East Side Club on the shores of Lake Monona with hopefully stunning weather this year. Tickets are limited – secure your spot today!
Buy your tickets now at this secure online site.
Offline sales coordinated by John Freeborg – contact john-tu@freeborg.com. Tickets can also be purchased at SWTU chapter meeting on 4/9 from Topf Wells at the front table – cash or check only. Students use STUDENT discount code during checkout for 50% off any admission ticket. Must present valid student ID at event for admittance. Read More
Posted: April 3, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
DARE to Make a Difference at our April 9 Chapter meeting
DARE stands for Drifltess Area Restoration Effort – a vital initiative we can all get behind!
Peter is a former member of SWTU. He moved to the northern part of the Driftless and was a big part of TU chapters’ and DARE’s work to secure access to and improve trout streams in that area. Read More
Help plant trees at our first Workday of 2024
Last Updated: April 3, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Jim Hess, Conservation Chair
Join us Saturday, April 6 – Kittleson Valley Creek, HR Growing Acres. Details below, and we hope to see you there.
Time: 9am to 12 noon.
Where: Kittleson Valley Creek along Dane County Rd H, at the bridge on Kittleson Road. We will be working downstream of this bridge.
From Madison there are several routes you can take. Here are a couple:
Take Hwy 69 south from Verona to Paoli, turn right onto County Rd PB, go 2 miles to Cty Rd A, turn right on A and go 14 miles to Cty Rd H, turn left on H and go about 3 miles to Kittleson Road, turn south on Kittleson Rd and go to the bridge.
Take Hwy 151 west to Hwy 78 (west side of Mt. Horeb), exit Hwy 151 and take Hwy 78 south for 18 miles (going through Daleyville) to Cty Rd H, turn left on H and go 1 mile to Kittleson Rd. If you need directions, call Jim Hess (608-288-8662).
Here is the Google Map link for this location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GpPsW33inh9H9sMu8
What: Planting 30 oaks along the stream. The county will be pre-drilling the holes this week, if they can get machinery into the area. Pretty sure it will get done. If not, we will be hand digging the holes. We are planting bare root trees, requiring smaller holes. The weather forecast looks great for a workday.
After planting the 30 trees at this location, we will be replacing 10 dead trees downstream of this easement and 10 dead trees on German Valley Branch. There are dead trees on both sides of German Valley Branch, requiring rubber boots or waders to cross. This workday may go longer than normal, hopefully not. Read More
Perfect Timing for Prairie Seeding
Posted: April 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Topf Wells
Jim Hess, Justin Haglund, and some SWTU and Nohr volunteers made life better for brown trout and bumble bees a few weeks ago. Justin worked with a landowner to convert 3 or so acres of row crops along Conley Lewis creek on a DNR easement from row crops to a buffer. This change has multiple benefits: less runoff to the stream, less pesticides in the stream, less erosion, and more bugs along the stream. Read More
Riversmith Casting Clinic: 2024
Posted: April 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Each spring, we hold our Riversmith Fly Casting Clinic (named after Jeff Smith, who was the driving force behind it for many years). The clinic is free and available to anyone interested in learning how to cast a fly. Beginners are especially encouraged to attend. Loaner rods will be available for those who do not own their own equipment.
Saturday, May 4, from 9 to Noon at H.M. Zander Community Nature Park in Cross Plains
In conjunction with Cross Plains “Trout Days”, this FREE fly casting clinic is open to anyone ages 6 and up! Beginners are especially encouraged to attend. Equipment will be provided for those who don’t have a fly rod. Learn about equipment, how to cast a fly rod, how to read the water, what trout eat (aquatic etymology) and any other questions you might have!
Please join us and also pass the word along to anyone you know who is interested in learning about our sport. You can show up to learn or help teach or provide encouragement. It’s part of the larger “Trout Days” event so lots going on. Read More
Posted: April 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – April 2024
Minutes from SWTU Board of Director meetings can be viewed in this Google Drive. If you have questions on what you read in them, reach out to one of the Board members listed on the last page of each newsletter. (Note that you may need to click the “Last Modified” header at the top to sort the list with the latest minutes at the top.)
Posted: April 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Better Stream Banks for Us and the Streams
By Topf Wells
The SWTU Board recently donated $10,000 of the dollars we raise with your help to improve habitat and fishing.
Healthy streams need healthy stream banks. A proliferation of box elders and invasive plants like honeysuckle and buckthorn can create unstable stream banks, increase erosion and sedimentation, and choke out natives that are better for the banks and the trout living in the stream. They can also make access to and fishing the stream tortuous. Read More
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