Fountains of Youth – Classic trout flies that have withstood the test of time … flies that remain “forever young”
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
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:
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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
Last Updated: April 1, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Chapter Gatherings: A Look Back & Ahead
Ahead in May 2025 – We will gather on WEDNESDAY, May 14 (as opposed to our usual Tuesday due to some scheduling with Schwoegler’s).
Read More
Posted: April 1, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Board Elections at May 15 Meeting: You Can Make a Difference!
Please consider running for the SWTU Board.
Elections will be in May (instead of April), and we don’t yet have a full slate with a couple of Board openings. We know people are busy, but the commitment isn’t too large and much can be handled virtually. In short, candidates are hard to come by this year and we need people to step up. We have some openings created by some having served multi-year terms and one tremendous member who moved to Green Bay.
Our biggest need is Treasurer. Marty Chiaro leaves having improved all the functions of that office and leaving it in the best shape ever. The Board has also learned from Marty’s labors and expert advice and has taken a big step in making the Treasurer’s duties simpler and more manageable. We are in the process of hiring a CPA/devoted SWTU member to file tax documents and handle some key bookkeeping functions. We intend this improvement to be permanent. Read More
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