So Much Happening at Our WEDNESDAY, May 14 Chapter Gathering, Including Tom Wendelburg Fly Auction
We will gather on WEDNESDAY, May 14 (as opposed to our usual Tuesday due to some scheduling with Schwoegler’s).
We’ll elect officers at this meeting, raffle an array of incredible flies and hear from an extremely special and welcome guest: Kyle Oliverncia – the new DNR fish biologist for Dane, Green, and Rock Counties. He is our point person for all of SWTU’s stream conservation work in our area. Kyle will introduce himself and discuss stream sampling plans for the year and provide an overview of the Garfoot Creek project planned for 2026/27. And don’t you want to hear about this fish picture?
Some of us have worked with Kyle on our Sawmill Creek workday and met with him and the other fish biologists in this part of the Driftless Area. He’s a great guy – knowledgeable, communicative and approachable. We and the trout are lucky to have him caring for our streams.
Special Raffle of Tom Wendelburg Flies on Wednesday, May 14
The late Tom Wendelburg was Wisconsin’s most prolific fly-fishing writer. In a 35 year career Tom wrote over 200 articles in all the nation’s outdoor magazines, from Sports Afield and Field-Astream, to the Flyfisher and Fly Fisherman. His 2001 book, Catching Big Fish with Light Tackle, was published actually by our prestigious University of Wisconsin Press. (Check for copies on eBay – it’s filled with hard-core fly fishing strategies. for trout, bass, panfish, steelhead and salmon.) Read More
Posted: June 26, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
They Had Fun!
Last month, we shared about the Earth Day tree planting with 4th grade students … and have since heard that several tagged the event as their favorite of the whole school year!
Rim Chung’s RS2
Last Updated: June 27, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
Spring creeks are the crown jewels of fly fishing. The common feature of all spring creeks is that the bulk of their flows originates from natural springs or artesian aquifers. Dissolved minerals, slight alkalinity, stable flows, and consistently cold temperatures promote year-round growth of aquatic plants, insects, and crustaceans. The food base and, hence, trout biomass of spring creeks are very high compared to equivalently sized freestone streams, whose flows originate primarily from melting snow and/or precipitation runoff. Examples of world-class spring creeks include Silver Creek and the Henry’s Fork in Idaho, Armstrong and DePuy Spring Creeks in Montana, Penns Creek, Spring Creek, and Letort Spring Run in Pennsylvania, and the fabled chalk streams of southern England (River Test, River Itchen, River Avon, etc.). Read More
Posted: June 26, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Stream Assessment Points the Way to Wild Trout
By Topf Wells
The next time you venture to Vernon County to fish for trout, turn right and head for LaCrosse County, specifically the Lower LaCrosse River and Halfway Creek watersheds. Kirk Olson just published his assessments of the streams in those watersheds. Some of the streams are full of brown trout, some full of brookies but all of them are filled with one or the other. The trout are all wild. A few of the brook streams have, as far as Kirk’s historical research can show, always held wild brook trout. A real rarity. Don’t fish Muddlers … none of the streams hold mottled sculpin. Kirk is so great; he is the Champion of Driftless sculpins. He’s going to re-introduce them in some of those streams.
This report is a tour de force of the scientific knowledge this generation of DNR fish biologists bring to their work. I’m humbled by the expertise and really grateful for it. To find it, go here and select LaCrosse County.
Posted: June 26, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – Summer 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 – May 2025
Last Updated: July 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
Last Updated: May 7, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Presentations, Elections and Raffles…
So Much Happening at Our WEDNESDAY, May 14 Chapter Gathering, Including Tom Wendelburg Fly Auction
We will gather on WEDNESDAY, May 14 (as opposed to our usual Tuesday due to some scheduling with Schwoegler’s).
Some of us have worked with Kyle on our Sawmill Creek workday and met with him and the other fish biologists in this part of the Driftless Area. He’s a great guy – knowledgeable, communicative and approachable. We and the trout are lucky to have him caring for our streams.
Special Raffle of Tom Wendelburg Flies on Wednesday, May 14
The late Tom Wendelburg was Wisconsin’s most prolific fly-fishing writer. In a 35 year career Tom wrote over 200 articles in all the nation’s outdoor magazines, from Sports Afield and Field-Astream, to the Flyfisher and Fly Fisherman. His 2001 book, Catching Big Fish with Light Tackle, was published actually by our prestigious University of Wisconsin Press. (Check for copies on eBay – it’s filled with hard-core fly fishing strategies. for trout, bass, panfish, steelhead and salmon.) Read More
Posted: May 7, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
2025 Chapter Elections
Another reason the WEDNESDAY, May 14, gathering is really important
SWTU needs to elect new Officers and Board Members.
The slate:
President: Topf Wells
Vice President: Dyan Lesnik
Secretary: Josh Reilly
Treasurer: Michael Westbury
Board Member: Don Golembiewski (incumbent)
Board Member: Gabe Park
Board Member: Henry Haugley
Board Member: Mark Maffit
Board Member: Open (1-year term)
State Council Rep: Michael Williamson (incumbent)
We’ll also happily accept nominations for any office from the floor.
Here’s a bit more on the non-incumbent candidates: Read More
Last Updated: May 7, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – Including a Yahara River Tour
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.)
Board Members learned more about the newly trout-designated Yahara River on the northeast side of Madison. Several DeForest officials led an informative and interesting walking tour.
SWTU will continue to learn about this local coldwater resource and look for opportunities to contribute to its success. 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
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