Fountains of Youth – Classic trout flies that have withstood the test of time … flies that remain “forever young”
by Rusty Dunn
At some point between mid-April and mid-May in the East and upper Midwest, fly anglers begin acting a bit strangely. Furtive glances out the windows, sweaty palms, agitated conversations, quick peeks at the clock. Such actions reveal an unmistakable sense of urgency. Worried friends inquire, “Is everything OK?”. Fly-fishing friends, however, recognize the symptoms, smile knowingly, and plan accordingly. They exchange whispered messages, reschedule appointments, evade requests for time commitments, and prepare for one the angling year’s highpoints – the hatch of Hendrickson mayflies.
Hendricksons are the first large mayfly of spring, and their hatches are steeped in tradition. They emerge on spring afternoons when stream temperatures reach 50-52 degrees. Female duns are pinkish creamish grayish brown and imitated by a Hendrickson dry fly. Hendrickson males are smaller, more reddish in color, and imitated by a Red Quill. Remarkably, female and male Hendricksons can hatch in different parts of a stream. One riffle might yield mostly females, while another yields mostly males. Hendricksons of Wisconsin are sporadic, but if you encounter a good hatch, you will probably never forget it. After a winter of short rations, even the big fish join the feast when Hendricksons are on the wing. Read More
Yahara River Workday: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Posted: April 6, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Yes, there’s trout in the Upper Yahara River! The DNR has determined that the trout population in the Upper Yahara River, as it flows through De Forest, is healthy enough to be classified as a trout stream. With this news the Village of DeForest has decided to restore this stream and SWTU has made a significant donation to the Village toward this goal. It’s not often you find a new trout stream. We will be working with the village staff clearing honeysuckles and other invasive woodies. We need a big turnout to show our support for this project.
We are watching the weather and will send an email if rain forces us to shift this to another date. If you are interested in carpooling to the workday, contact Dyan Lesnik (dmlgriffin@gmail.com) and she will try to find a contact for you. Read More
Light Hendrickson (Art Flick)
Last Updated: April 7, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
At some point between mid-April and mid-May in the East and upper Midwest, fly anglers begin acting a bit strangely. Furtive glances out the windows, sweaty palms, agitated conversations, quick peeks at the clock. Such actions reveal an unmistakable sense of urgency. Worried friends inquire, “Is everything OK?”. Fly-fishing friends, however, recognize the symptoms, smile knowingly, and plan accordingly. They exchange whispered messages, reschedule appointments, evade requests for time commitments, and prepare for one the angling year’s highpoints – the hatch of Hendrickson mayflies.
Hendricksons are the first large mayfly of spring, and their hatches are steeped in tradition. They emerge on spring afternoons when stream temperatures reach 50-52 degrees. Female duns are pinkish creamish grayish brown and imitated by a Hendrickson dry fly. Hendrickson males are smaller, more reddish in color, and imitated by a Red Quill. Remarkably, female and male Hendricksons can hatch in different parts of a stream. One riffle might yield mostly females, while another yields mostly males. Hendricksons of Wisconsin are sporadic, but if you encounter a good hatch, you will probably never forget it. After a winter of short rations, even the big fish join the feast when Hendricksons are on the wing. Read More
Last Updated: April 7, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Please consider volunteering with Coulee Region TU!
We at SWTU received this message from our friends at Coulee Region TU (which is coincidentally the source of our featured speaker in April). It’s an amazing part of the state and we hope you can help them with some amazing outreach opportunities. Please see the information below or find them on Facebook.
Hello Fellow TU Chapters,
I am happy to answer any questions and thank you for all that you do for TU!
Deb Muresan
CRTU Secretary-Treasurer
We have many upcoming volunteer opportunities to show your support for CRTU Youth Education Sessions for April and May and more coming this summer! Read More
Posted: April 6, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Wow and Thanks to Musky Fool
SWTU deeply appreciates this extraordinary gift. We promise to put it to good use. We’re committed to improving trout habitat and teaching good angling techniques and ethics. Our local trout won’t grow as big as muskies but they’ll be as much fun. Read More
Posted: April 6, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Do you attend a lot of work days or other SWTU activities?
SWTU is offering an Adult First Aid/CPR/AED certification training with life threatening bleeding tourniquet application, Taught by the Red Cross.
We work in some rather remote locations, far from emergency services, on challenging terrain and with dangerous equipment. Accidents sometimes happen despite how careful we are or a volunteer could have a medical emergency during a workday. Hopefully neither of these things ever happen, but SWTU plans to be prepared. Read More
Posted: April 6, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Road Trip!
If you want to hit the open road and find some new water, check out Trout Stream Surveys on the DNR website. Two wonderful fish biologists have recently published some excellent data and analysis on some excellent fisheries.
To the northwest, note Kasey Yallaly’s assessments in Dunn and Pierce Counties including the Wilson Creek, Gilbert Creek, Trimbelle River, Pine Creek, Plum Creek, and Isabelle Creek watersheds. North or northeast, Dave Seibel has just released some helpful information on streams in Langlade and Lincoln Counties, including the Prairie and a key tributary.
Posted: April 6, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Attend the TU Nohr Chapter Banquet
Friday, May 1, 2026 – 5:30 p.m.
Castle Rock Ridge | 15040 Shemak Rd., Muscoda, WI
The Nohr Chapter of TU is an outstanding partner of ours and improves many of the waters SWTU members like to fish. Click here to learn more and register for their banquet, which promises …
RAFFLES | PRIZES | DINNER | HONORS | FAMILY FUN
We hope that many of our members are able to attend and help Nohr make an even bigger difference for our cold water resource.
Riversmith Casting Clinic: 2026
Last Updated: April 17, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
The clinic will be held in conjunction with Trout Days in Cross Plains on Saturday, May 2nd from 10 to 2 p.m. at H.M. Zander Community Nature Park in Cross Plains. All comers are welcome to this clinic.
Click here to view our flyer for the clinic.
Anyone who is interested in learning about fly fishing is welcome. The clinic is free and open to anyone ages 6 and up! Beginners are especially encouraged to attend. Equipment will be provided for those who don’t have a fly rod. Learn about equipment, how to cast a fly rod, how to read the water, what trout eat (aquatic etymology) and any other questions you might have! Please join us and also pass the word along to anyone you know who is interested in learning about our sport. You can show up to learn or help teach or provide encouragement. Read More
Last Updated: April 6, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Vets on the Fly Activities
By Dyan Lesnik
Veterans on the Fly meets most Wednesday’s at The V (VFW Post 1318, 2740 Ski Ln, Fitchburg). Fly tying starts around 5:30 but come early and have dinner at the VFW grill. We do a different fly each week, and all veterans and their families are welcome. Even if you are just curious about tying or fly fishing come on out – there is never any cost. Learn more at their Facebook page.
Posted: April 6, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – April 2026
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 Dyan Lesnik.
* 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!
Recent Posts
Categories