John Schweiger died on January 1; his obituary is available online with details for services on January 25.
SWTU cherishes John as a great member and leader. He and Rose, his wonderful wife, were partners in organizing SWTU’s Special Fishing Day for Disabled Children, one of our most popular and worthwhile activities for many years. They were the folks who greeted and sold or took the tickets of guests at many SWTU events, including the Icebreakers. They were key organizers of many of the Meicher Auctions. John also served as our Treasurer.
John was a huge UW men and women’s basketball fan. Before he turned 18, he volunteered for the Army and served in Vietnam. He spent most of his professional career in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
John served and improved his nation and his community in many ways. SWTU was extraordinarily blessed in being one of John’s communities and the beneficiary of his kindness and good deeds.
Pictured: John and Rose in 2018 receiving SWTU’s prestigious Pass Lake Award honoring “A legacy of service advancing the conservation of our natural resource now and for future generations.”
Casual Dress
Posted: February 4, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
No author has captured the artistry and allure of fishing with nymphs better than the great G.E.M. Skues:
“The indications which tell your dry-fly angler when to strike are clear and unmistakable, but those which bid a wet-fly man raise his rod point and draw in the steel are frequently so subtle, so evanescent and impalpable to the senses, that when the bending rod assures him that he has divined aright, he feels an ecstasy as though he had performed a miracle each time.” (Minor Tactics of the Chalk Stream, 1910)
Many fly fishers spend their entire angling lives presenting flies on or near the surface. Dedicated nymph anglers, however, regularly prowl the inky depths where trout spend their leisure time. If you’ve not probed the hidden recesses of your favorite streams during non-hatch periods, you’re missing out on the many miracles that Skues describes. Read More
Posted: February 4, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – February 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.
Awards and Honors at State Council Banquet
Last Updated: February 5, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
It was another wonderful event that we’re proud to recap!
First, Steve Born was acknowledged for all his work with the Council and being the MC at the Banquet. He stepped down during Covid and didn’t get a chance to be recognized.
Andy Morton and Michael Williamson received the Reel Partner Award for their leadership and many hours of work in creating the first Wisconsin Neonicotinoid Forum. Attached are some pics, including their wives, Karon Morton and Mary Ann Doll. Read More
2025 Tentative Spring Workday Sites
Posted: February 3, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Jim Hess, Conservation Chair
Still working on dates and sites, but here is an update as of 2.02.25
The first workday will be April 5 and the last one on June 7. April 26 will be at Conley Lewis. Trying to avoid Easter weekend, Sat. April 19, and Memorial Day weekend (May 24).
Here are the locations so far: Read More
Fly Tying Classes Spin Up Good Flies and Fun
Posted: February 3, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
A few photos of students hard at work courtesy Henry Nehls-Lowe, chapter Secretary and longtime fly tying class instructor. Read More
Posted: February 3, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Stream Smallies With a Flyrod = Lots of Fun
Last Updated: February 4, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – February 2025
We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new member to our ranks! Read More
Registration Open for the 2025 Women’s Fly Fishing Clinics
Last Updated: January 4, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Also note an opportunity on Feb 1 at Wisconsin State Council
Please register now or share this with someone who may be interested. These fill up and we want our members to have an opportunity to take part in these groundbreaking clinics. (Check out the article in this issue and this one from October about this year’s successful clinics.)
There are two types of clinics detailed below with links and QR codes for more information. Both are set in Westby, WI (near Viroqua, in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area) and the cost is $355 until April 1, 2025, and $375 after that. Read More
Newscasts – January 2025
Last Updated: February 5, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
Last Updated: January 6, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Remembering John Schweiger
SWTU cherishes John as a great member and leader. He and Rose, his wonderful wife, were partners in organizing SWTU’s Special Fishing Day for Disabled Children, one of our most popular and worthwhile activities for many years. They were the folks who greeted and sold or took the tickets of guests at many SWTU events, including the Icebreakers. They were key organizers of many of the Meicher Auctions. John also served as our Treasurer.
John was a huge UW men and women’s basketball fan. Before he turned 18, he volunteered for the Army and served in Vietnam. He spent most of his professional career in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
John served and improved his nation and his community in many ways. SWTU was extraordinarily blessed in being one of John’s communities and the beneficiary of his kindness and good deeds.
Pictured: John and Rose in 2018 receiving SWTU’s prestigious Pass Lake Award honoring “A legacy of service advancing the conservation of our natural resource now and for future generations.”
Recent Posts
Categories