Last year saw the return of the Meicher Madness Auction – one of SWTU’s most fun and profitable events that got held up by COVID for a few years. After raising more than $4,000 least year, we’re doing it again on Tuesday, September 9, and hope to see you at Schwoegler’s Lanes for it!
The auction starts at 7PM, but please show up to Schwoegler’s before then if at all possible … as early as 5:30 to order food and to hand in any donated items and to peruse the auction offerings.
Larry Meicher was a founding member of SWTU and a tremendous force for good in our Chapter and at State Council. Larry did everything for us, serving as an officer and board member, a fly tying instructor, a participant at work days, and always as a passionate conservationist. One of his many contributions to SWTU was the creation of the March Madness Auction. At his passing we named the event Meicher Madness in his honor.
The madness and fun will continue on September 9. Everyone will have a chance at cool and highly usable gear, and the proceeds will support Chapter activities. As a teaser … one auction item will be a two-night state in the Green Cabin (pictured) at the West Fork Fishing Club (generously donated by that organization). Check out this flier to learn more about this fantastic opportunity!
Here are some auction needs and reminders:
Help. We need about a dozen folks to help at the auction itself: cashiers, folks to check in all the bidders, organizers of all the gear, and runners to make sure the bidders get the stuff they win.
Contact Topf Wells at topfwells@gmail.com if you can help.
Useful Auction Items. Traditionally members have brought in just about any gear they no longer had a use for. Along with great stuff, we must have received a hundred leaky waders and other items that had aged into oblivion.
Our last auction put much of the good gear in our chapter storeroom in the hands of the lucky and generous attendees. We can definitely use some of the good stuff in your personal storeroom. As you look at your piles of gear, you might think: 1. What am I not using? and 2. What might a beginning angler need or want? Just make sure it’s usable. Thanks! Read More
Last Updated: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Meicher Madness Auction at the September 9 Membership Meeting
The auction starts at 7PM, but please show up to Schwoegler’s before then if at all possible … as early as 5:30 to order food and to hand in any donated items and to peruse the auction offerings.
Larry Meicher was a founding member of SWTU and a tremendous force for good in our Chapter and at State Council. Larry did everything for us, serving as an officer and board member, a fly tying instructor, a participant at work days, and always as a passionate conservationist. One of his many contributions to SWTU was the creation of the March Madness Auction. At his passing we named the event Meicher Madness in his honor.
Here are some auction needs and reminders:
Help. We need about a dozen folks to help at the auction itself: cashiers, folks to check in all the bidders, organizers of all the gear, and runners to make sure the bidders get the stuff they win.
Contact Topf Wells at topfwells@gmail.com if you can help.
Useful Auction Items. Traditionally members have brought in just about any gear they no longer had a use for. Along with great stuff, we must have received a hundred leaky waders and other items that had aged into oblivion.
Our last auction put much of the good gear in our chapter storeroom in the hands of the lucky and generous attendees. We can definitely use some of the good stuff in your personal storeroom. As you look at your piles of gear, you might think: 1. What am I not using? and 2. What might a beginning angler need or want? Just make sure it’s usable. Thanks! Read More
Posted: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
DeForest Riverfest – Fun and learning along the Upper Yahara
It’s a big afternoon event with food and many fun activities, including a kids fishing tournament from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Sunfish Pond. Learn more about Riverfest here.
And if you can help out with the casting and fishing clinic (you don’t have to be an expert!) for even an hour, please contact Topf Wells at topfwells@gmail.com.
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
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