SWTU, P.O. Box 45555, Madison, WI 53744-5555
president@swtu.org
Conserving coldwater fisheries
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Newscasts – November 2026
Posted: November 3, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
Daydreams and Plans
Last Updated: November 3, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
The local trout season ends and many of us turn our minds to our next cast … the bite, the fight, the net. Where and when will it be? November’s SWTU meeting will provide inspiration for great trips in ’27 and some fun facts and photos.
Four stalwart SWTU members will report on some fabulous trips and fish taken this year. The line up, from East to West:
Please join us for this Salmonid Jamboree, Tuesday, November 10, at Schwoegler’s (Grand Canyon Drive on Madison’s West Side). Dinner and drinks from 5:30 with presentations about 7.
Schwoegler’s Lanes, 444 Grand Canyon Dr., Madison, WI 53719
SWTU Clinics for UW Hoofers: Fly Casting on Sept 24th & Fly Tying on Nov 3rd
Posted: November 2, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Henry Nehls-Lowe
It was a fine September evening when SWTU provided a Fly Casting clinic for the UW Hoofers Outing Club. Fifteen Hoofers attended with a similar number of casting enthusiasts making for a perfect 1:1 ratio. Many thanks to instructors Kathy & Dave Ford, John Freeborg, Wayne Griffin, Don Golembiewski, Henry Haugley, Kalyn Hoggard, Claude Kazanski, Andy Morton, Henry Nehls-Lowe, Tom Thrall, and Paul Williams.
Next up for SWTU is the Nov 3rd Fly Tying Clinic for the Hoofers at UW Memorial Union, with a dozen instructors already signed up. We are hopeful for a repeat of SWTU’s March 2025 Fly Tying Clinic, when the room brimmed with enthusiasm as we guided over 20 Hoofers through the basics of tying various flies, plus some fly-themed jewelry. See more photos from Henry in the story on swtu.org. Read More
Last Updated: November 2, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Go Team!
SWTU does fantastic things for cold water resources, and we appreciate and need involvement from all like-minded folks. Pitch in with our Teams and workdays and you will get more good feelings in return for your support. Step up and share a stake in our collective success for trout.
Here’s your opportunity: The SWTU Board unanimously approved the creation or revitalization of some Teams and we need people to join them. More to come, but we are starting right away with two Teams.
Please consider helping. Contact Dyan or Don at membership meetings, work days or with the contact info at the end of this newsletter.
Posted: November 2, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Spring is in The Air; Time For a Fling
SWTU’s Spring Fling returns next year, April 3, 2027, at the East Side Businessmen’s Club. We’ll feature fun, food, drink, contests, bucket raffles, auctions and more. Best of all, the chance to connect with old and new friends. All proceeds will benefit SWTU and local trout conservation. Dyan Lesnik leads the team for this event and can use some more help. Contact Dyan at dmlgriffin@gmail.com
Upper Yahara, Looking Good – Oct 10 2026 Workday Report
Posted: November 2, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Topf Wells
SWTU returned to Dane County’s newest trout stream, the Upper Yahara River in Deforest on Saturday, 10/10. About two dozen of us decided to finish clearing the stream bank of invasives and unwanted vegetation. Today, buckthorn occupied our attention. Dyan Lesnik probably put it best: “Today buckthorn became my least favorite invasive.” Extraordinarily dense with some examples of buckthorn becoming a tree given enough time.
The brush saws and chainsaws whirred, haulers created huge piles, and the sprayers made sure the buckthorn was done for the foreseeable future.* We made it to the creek and there encountered a vision of the future. The creek looks pretty good and holds several year classes of wild brown trout. But it needs some work. The point we reached had some work stream bank and habitat stabilization and enhancement done years ago.** My goodness gracious … no doubt we were standing above some trout in happy homes and undeniable evidence that the creek will respond to improvement. Read More
Last Updated: November 3, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Trout Unlimited Fly-Tying Courses – 2027
Women’s Fly Fishing Clinic Testimonial – and 2027 Registration
Posted: November 2, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
June 17, 2026
This is a weekend clinic organized by women, for women and as a result, it is thoughtfully organized, and beautifully executed. And the location and accommodations are wonderful for the work to be done and for the community that is built in a weekend. And more than anything, it is about the connection and the belief that we can each learn new things and build our competence and our confidence. And maybe you will even catch a fish!
We gathered Friday evening and got to meet the team of women who all attended this clinic and were so taken by their experience and by the sport, that they continue to return to share it with the newest group of participants. Read More
Wooly Worm
Last Updated: November 3, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
Are you an aspiring trout bum? If so, load up the van, crank up the tunes, and head for western Montana, where snowcapped mountains punctuate lush valleys through which flow some of the world’s most famous trout rivers. West Yellowstone would be a good destination, as it is perhaps the most trout friendly town in America. West Yellowstone is gateway to Yellowstone National Park, but it is also ground zero for some of the finest trout fishing on the planet. Fabled rivers such as the Madison, Gallatin, Firehole, Gibbon, Yellowstone, Henry’s Fork, and Snake are within an hour’s drive. West Yellowstone began its climb to Trout Town, USA on June 11 1908, when a Union Pacific train pulled into town for the first time on newly constructed tracks. “West”, as locals call it, consisted of one hotel and two general stores at the time, but the railroad brought thousands of tourists to the doorstep of Yellowstone. The town grew quickly, and it was soon a bustling tourist and recreational destination. Read More
Posted: November 2, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Vets on the Fly Activities – Fly Tying Fall and Winter 2026
By Dyan Lesnik
On WEDNESDAY November 4th we will be tying Dave Pinczkowski’s Bad Hair Day! We will go over where the pattern comes from and its many variations. It can be a quick, simple fly or an advanced tie. This season we will be tying on Wednesdays 5:30pm at the VFW Post 1318. Arrive early and have dinner at the Post or just tell some fish stories.
These classes are for all levels. Never any cost. Stop out when you can as you can start anytime. No requirement to attend them all. All gear is provided. You are very welcome to bring a family member as well. Learn more on our Facebook site or contact Dyan Lesnik (dmlgriffin@gmail.com) for more info.
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