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

Thread Midge Larva

Thread Midge Larva Rusty Dunn

Fountains of Youth – Classic trout flies that have withstood the test of time … flies that remain “forever young”

by Rusty Dunn

Trout feeding on tiny insects at the surface of glassy smooth water is one of the most challenging situa­tions you’ll ever encounter. Trout at the surface are exposed to preda­tors, and “spooky” barely begins to describe their cau­tious be­havior. Trout vision is acute at the surface, and every aspect of your ap­proach and presen­tation is scrutinized. If any­thing is amiss, trout simply refuse the offering or, worse, flee to the depths below for safety. Quiet wading, long leaders, fine tip­pets, good presentations, and flies that match the size of nat­u­rals are important. Such condi­tions can bring even ex­pert an­glers to their knees, liter­ally as part of a stealthy ap­proach and figuratively for the ensuing frus­tration of being una­ble to raise a single trout among dozens of ris­ers. Read More

Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – January 2025

DNR Award to SWTU January 2025Minutes 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.)

We received a nice certificate and note of appreciation from the DNR for a recent donation to provide them with some tools for stream monitoring and surveying.

Continued Engagement on Badger Mill Creek

The SWTU Board has sent a letter to the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District regarding the likely harm that their planned changes will do to Badger Mill Creek. The letter is available here on our Google Drive. For more information, contact Topf Wells at topfwells@gmail.com.

2025 Wisconsin TU State Council Banquet Tickets

We have available to us a few free tickets to the Wisconsin State Council Banquet to be held in Oshkosh on Feb 1, 2025. This event is a lot of fun with some great auction items and also some inspirational presentation and wonderful food. If you have an interest in attending or want more info, please email admin@swtu.org.

Fox Valley TU Cabin Fever Days

Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
New location: Tanners Bar & Grill, Kimberly, Wisconsin

This is a tremendous TU chapter that has often supported our chapter and its events. This looks to be an amazing day of informational sessions, lunch, gear sales, auctions and a chance to go home with a stellar bamboo rod. Learn more and plan to attend: https://foxvalleytu.org/cabin-fever-day-2025/

It’s Looking Golden on the Blue

The Harry and Laura Nohr Chapter of TU published its 2024 Blue River Project Report. It’s well worth your time and filled with great pictures and information on some very important restoration work.

New Members – January 2025

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

Newscasts – December 2024

This issue is filled with great information, including:

Good News About Black Earth Creek

Join us good food, good fun and good news at our chapter meeting on December 10

James Brodzeller, in charge of Dane County’s trout program, will share some good news about Black Earth Creek (BEC) at our Tuesday, December 10th meeting.

He’ll describe and illustrate the massive Dane County restoration of a large section of BEC in Mazomanie and the County’s Walking Iron Park. You’ll be pleasantly amazed at the scope and detail of this project, which the County completed this fall. Read More

Help our Trout Waters / Help Your Taxes

‘Tis the giving season and your local trout waters could use your tax-deductible gift. Your donation to the Southern Wisconsin Trout Unlimited Endowment Fund is a great way to make a difference to the waters you fish. The SWTU Endowment Fund has made significant contributions to major projects, including Gordon Creek and the Sugar River. To make a tax-deductible gift, please visit https://www.swtu.org/donate/ for details on how to give via check or online. Read More