Fountains of Youth – Classic trout flies that have withstood the test of time … flies that remain “forever young”
by Rusty Dunn
Ojibwe natives called the river Wiisaakode-ziibi (“river through half-burnt woods”) due to the many forest fires that scarred its valley. The Ojibwe traveled in birch bark canoes, carrying furs and other goods upstream from Lake Superior, across headwater bogs, and down the St. Croix River to the Mississippi basin. French fur traders translated Wiisaakode-ziibi as Bois Brulé (“burnt wood”) River, which remains the name today. Most Wisconsinites, however, simply know it as “The Brule”. When the great north woods beckon Wisconsin anglers, the Brule is often their destination. Read More
Posted: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – September 2025
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.)
Cross Plains Engagement
Your Board has engaged with the Village of Cross Plains on a development with the potential to negatively impact Black Earth Creek. Board members have attended meetings and approved issuing this letter to the Village.
Fishy Fun and Fantastic Food
Posted: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Many turned out to watch our friends in the DNR survey Black Earth Creek and then we gathered later for an informal picnic. Young and old, we all had fun getting out on a lovely summer day.
Check out the pictures below … we’re hoping to put together more of these light, friendly chapter gatherings and hope you can make the next one! Read More
Stream Team Workdays: Tentative Dates for Fall 2025
Last Updated: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Jim Hess, Conservation Chair Read More
Posted: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Chainsaw Training Classes – Fall 2025
Posted: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Remembering and Honoring Carol Murphy
To the Officers and Board of the Harry and Laura Nohr Chapter of Trout Unlimited,
Last night the Board of the Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited (SWTU) voted unanimously to donate $1,000 in honor and memory of Carol Murphy. Read More
Swanson’s Wet Dry Fly
Posted: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
Ojibwe natives called the river Wiisaakode-ziibi (“river through half-burnt woods”) due to the many forest fires that scarred its valley. The Ojibwe traveled in birch bark canoes, carrying furs and other goods upstream from Lake Superior, across headwater bogs, and down the St. Croix River to the Mississippi basin. French fur traders translated Wiisaakode-ziibi as Bois Brulé (“burnt wood”) River, which remains the name today. Most Wisconsinites, however, simply know it as “The Brule”. When the great north woods beckon Wisconsin anglers, the Brule is often their destination. Read More
Posted: August 31, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
DNR Brushing Crew Makes a Difference …
… and so do your donations because SWTU helped fund the crew!
By Topf Wells
Lloyd Meng’s newly issued report on the DNR Brushing Crew in the fall, winter and spring of ’24-’25 awaits you. The report is an excellent, well written and detailed summary of the brushing crew’s excellent work. The statistics, narrative and photos speak for themselves. I hope we, and all our TU members, agree that our funding of the crew is an excellent investment. Lloyd requested an additional $5,000 from the TU chapters who have supported the crew in order to increase the brushing in the upcoming fall/winter/spring season. SWTU has donated an additional $1,500 and other chapters are now considering chipping in. SWTU is also grateful that the crew will work on Mt. Vernon Creek this season.
Posted: August 31, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
DNR Watershed Report Names New Trout Water
By Topf Wells
Thanks to Nate Nye for an absolutely superb new survey and assessment of the Bear Creek watershed in Sauk and Richland Counties. Probably the key specific finding is that the Class 1, improved section of Bear Creek, especially the upper 2/3 of that stretch, offers excellent fishing. Along with thanking Nate for that restoration, we also owe enduring gratitude to the Aldo Leopold Chapter. This four mile stretch of Trout Heaven is one of that Chapter’s greatest achievements. (And we note some need for tree planting in some stretches … a possible workday in the future?) Read More
Posted: August 31, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Vets on the Fly Activities
By Dyan Lesnik
Vets on the Fly activities are free for all Vets and their family members. All equipment is provided so just show up for their events for socialization and fishing fun. Learn more at their Facebook page.
Posted: August 31, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – September 2025
We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new member to our ranks!
We are honored to have you among us. Please join our next meeting. We’d love to get to know you better, answer any questions and give you some free flies! If any questions about the meeting, please contact Topf Wells.
* Note that some longer-term members may be captured in the list above. A glitch in the excel file has made it harder to sort … but it’s better to be inclusive and we’re happy to have your continued support!
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