SWTU, P.O. Box 45555, Madison, WI 53744-5555 president@swtu.org

Chainsaw Training Classes – Fall 2025

All sawyers at our Workdays need to at least complete Level 1 Chainsaw Training. It’s a requirement for doing chainsaw work in any park and helps to ensure a vital level of expertise and safety. This fall, Dane County is offering Level 1, 2 and 3 classes … these must be taken in sequence and sessions appear available at the time of publication. Note as well that there are specific sessions for women and gender minorities. If you have questions on this, please contact Jim Hess.

Remembering and Honoring Carol Murphy

With sadness we share the passing of Carol Murphy, longtime leader (and force of nature) with the Nohr TU Chapter, which is to the west of us. Below is a Board action and correspondence related to this remarkable conservationist.

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

Rusty Dunn Swanson Wet Dry Fly

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

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.

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

Vets on the Fly Activities

Vets On The Fly
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.

New Members – September 2025

We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new member to our ranks!

  • Rod McKenzie
  • Chris O’Hearn
  • James Fromm
  • Zachary Nichols
  • Lincoln Anderson
  • Zach Heredia
  • Robert Graebner

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 – Summer 2025

This issue is filled with great information, including:

Fishy Summer Fun!

By Topf Wells

Summer FunAre Trout in Black Earth Creek?

Of course they are, although sometimes I wonder with my lack of success. See for yourself on Tuesday, July 29, at about 2 PM at Zander Park in Cross Plains (the site of our casting clinic). Kyle Olivencia and his crew will survey the stream then and there. Surveys are dependent on weather and other variable so stay tuned for confirming emails closer to that day. Huge thanks to Kyle for allowing us to see the DNR, trout and Black Earth Creek in action.

A Potential Picnic

Following the survey, we hope to hold a picnic when folks can join us after their workday. We could really use some volunteers. If we’re able to have the picnic, we’ll notify members via an email blast. Contact Topf Wells at topfwells@gmail.com if you can help.