By Jim Hess
(note updates to remaining workdays)
Time: 9am to 12 noon (sawyers that have completed a chainsaw safety course please arrive at 8:30, if needed we can provide a chainsaw and safety equipment).
Where: Pleasant Valley Branch, which feeds into Kittleson Valley Creek, is located Southeast of Daleyville, near the T-intersection of Dane County Roads A and H. Here is a Google Map link for this location – https://maps.app.goo.gl/u1dwkidAZGGYHFXD6
A route from Madison:
Take Hwy 69 south to Paoli, at the roundabout 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 the work site is on the left side of the road.
What: We are assisting the Dane County Land and Water Resources Dept in removing a large stand of invasive willows along Pleasant Valley Branch. Katie Nicholas and Shawn Esser with Dane County will be leading this workday. Read More
SWTU Workday – Saturday, May 10, 2025 – Pleasant Valley Branch
Last Updated: May 18, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Jim Hess
(note updates to remaining workdays)
Time: 9am to 12 noon (sawyers that have completed a chainsaw safety course please arrive at 8:30, if needed we can provide a chainsaw and safety equipment).
Where: Pleasant Valley Branch, which feeds into Kittleson Valley Creek, is located Southeast of Daleyville, near the T-intersection of Dane County Roads A and H. Here is a Google Map link for this location – https://maps.app.goo.gl/u1dwkidAZGGYHFXD6
A route from Madison:
Take Hwy 69 south to Paoli, at the roundabout 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 the work site is on the left side of the road.
What: We are assisting the Dane County Land and Water Resources Dept in removing a large stand of invasive willows along Pleasant Valley Branch. Katie Nicholas and Shawn Esser with Dane County will be leading this workday. Read More
Two Great Workdays: Earth Day Planting and Conley Lewis Clearing
Posted: May 6, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Topf Wells
Fun and Learning at the Riversmith Casting Clinic #1
Last Updated: May 6, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Mark Maffit
The first of the two Riversmith Casting Clinics for 2025 was held on Saturday May 3rd at Zander Park. Since the clinic was held in conjunction with the Cross Plains Trout Days, we were able to reach a lot of people that we would not have contacted ordinarily. Thanks to our many volunteers we were able to offer basic fly fishing instruction to a lot of passersby. We owe many thanks to the following volunteers who were on hand to make the event a success. Read More
Posted: May 6, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
A Light, Interesting and Important Volunteer Opportunity
By Topf Wells
The Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC) is the regional planning commission for Dane County. Part of its mission is to share in the study and care of water quality in Dane County. Following the severe floods of the last few years in the Black Earth Creek watershed, CARPC convened a committee of local, state, and federal officials and concerned citizens to explore whether green infrastructure could mitigate floods and improve water quality in the watershed. SWTU participates in the study and its implementation. Read More
Posted: May 6, 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.
Last Updated: May 7, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Gilda’s Club + Lineworkers Could Use Your Help
The Lineworkers are partnering with Gilda’s Club Madison to offer a small group of participants a first fly fishing experience — a gentle introduction to a couple of simple casts, a few weeks of practice with loaner rods, and a chance to feel that first unforgettable tug when we take them out to fish for panfish.
We are keeping the group small (six participants) to ensure everyone has time and attention. Kalyn Hoggard and Seth Steinhauer will be leading the casting instruction and will also be on hand for the on-the-water day.
Event Details:
Read More
Sherry Spinner
Last Updated: May 7, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
Fly tyers have long been obsessed – some would say excessively so – with matching the color of artificial flies to corresponding naturals. The concept of precisely imitating insect colors dates to the very beginnings of fly angling. In Walton & Cotton’s timeless masterpiece The Compleat Angler (1676), Piscator instructs Viator on the subtleties of color in fly tying:
Piscator: So, here’s your dubbing now.
Viator: This dubbing is very black.
Piscator: It appears so in the hand: but step to the door and hold it up betwixt your eye and the sun and it will appear a shining red. Let me tell you, never a man in England can discern the true color of a dubbing any way but that. Read More
Last Updated: May 7, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – May 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!
Newscasts – April 2025
Last Updated: January 4, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
Streamer Fishing in the Driftless – Tips From Our Friends at the Musky Fool
Posted: April 1, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn tactics for targeting the biggest trout in the creek at SWTU’s April 8, 2025, Chapter Gathering. Presenting will be Tim O’Connor of The Musky Fool fly shop in Waunakee (muskyfool.com).
Why learn to fish streamers? Because lots of time they’re a great choice. At different times of the year and in different conditions, streamers might be the type of fly that gives you the best chance at a fish. If this is the season you’re absolutely, definitely going all out to catch the 20+ inch brown trout, you absolutely, definitely should know how to fish a streamer. SWTU is here to help. Read More
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