In May our members unanimously approved the slate of candidates nominated for the 2020-2021 SWTU Board of Directors. Thanks to everyone for voting online. Before I congratulate our new members I want to say thank you to outgoing Board Members Rodd Wangren and Mary Ann Doll. Rodd joined the board two years ago and has been a dedicated member; his passion for conservation advocacy will be missed. Mary Ann Doll served on the board for over six years, including two as Vice President. Her commitment to making our chapter events welcoming to all who attended was invaluable. I look forward to working with the current board to continue her efforts to recruit and welcome new members to our organization.
I couldn’t be happier that Jim Hess and Henry Nehls-Lowe agreed to come back into board service, and that Zach Olufs agreed to join the board as a new member. Jim will be a fantastic president and I step away knowing the chapter is in very good hands. Thanks to all of you for volunteering your time for these important leadership roles.
I never imagined my term as president would end in such unusual and traumatic circumstances – the Coronavirus pandemic forced us to cancel our spring meetings and work days, and the murder of George Floyd on May 25 inspired peaceful protests and incidences of violence in Madison and around the world. In the words of Chris Wood, TU President and CEO, “We cannot simply ignore the news, go fishing, and wait this out.” It’s up to all of us to end systemic racism in outdoor recreation and our communities, and make SWTU a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organization. I look forward to continuing to work with our Board on these efforts.
Last Updated: September 18, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Watch for virtual meeting news
Recordings and live virtual events in the works
We’ll stay fish-ically (physically) distant but socially connected through a variety of virtual events we’re developing for fall into winter. We of course hoped we’d be able to physically come together in some way, but that’s not in the cards and so we’re excited by some of the ideas and we’re exploring to bring to you.
Raise your virtual hand!
If you have any burning questions about the local watersheds, ecology initiatives or other outreach, please send them along to Topf Wells at topfwells@gmail.com and we’ll do our best to see they are addressed in an upcoming presentation.
Watch your email and we’ll “see” you soon! You can also keep connected through our website, Facebook page and Instagram.
Last Updated: September 18, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Message from our new President
By Jim Hess
Please let me introduce myself. I have been a member of SWTU for 20 years, joining the chapter after moving to Madison in 2000 to be the director of Monona Terrace. Since retiring in 2010, I have focused my efforts on conservation issues, including volunteering at our workdays. I have been the Conservation Committee Chair for the last six years and really enjoy planning and organizing these events and getting know everyone. I previously served on the SWTU Board from 2013 to 2019. Read More
Posted: September 18, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Good news comes in twos
There are two huge wins for conservation you may have heard about from SWTU or on your local news that we don’t remind repeating … and hope you don’t mind hearing about again. Read More
Klinkhåmer Special
Last Updated: September 18, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
Emergence is a time of great peril for mayflies, as nymphs must ascend to the surface in full view of ever-watchful trout. Nymphs that survive the ascent accumulate just under the surface, where they molt and transition from the juvenile to adult stage. The nymph’s thorax pierces the surface film, its skin splits, and the winged adult crawls atop the water, leaving an empty shuck behind. Adults then expand their wings, wait for them to dry, and fly off to the safety of streamside bushes. Hatching can take several minutes or more, and emergers are highly vulnerable to trout the whole time. The layer of water extending from the surface to a few inches below the surface is emerger country. Trout know it well, and so should you, for it is the most productive place to be during a hatch. Read More
Posted: September 18, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Orvis Great Giveback Days
Do some good, get some goodies
Throughout September, when you donate $10 via the Orvis Great Giveback Days, you’ll get a
$10 Orvis Savings Card valid on any full-priced, in-store, or online apparel purchase!
Orvis is once again teaming up with TU’s Embrace A Stream program to raise funds for river restoration projects across the country! Embrace A Stream is a grant program to fund local TU chapter conservation projects. Since 1975, it has funded more than 1,100 projects with more than $4.75 million in grants.
It’s easy to learn more and give: https://www.orvis.com/great-giveback-days
Posted: September 18, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
See something? Say something.
You’re out on a stream see something that doesn’t look right. Maybe a feeder creek is throwing dark, cloudy water into the stream and, on top of that, there is a bad smell in the air. What do you do?
It’s as simple as dialing the DNR at 1-800-943-0003 as soon as you possibly can. This number operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Damage from a spill or other event can happen quickly, which is why the DNR needs to know about it and get on site ASAP.
Program the number into your phone so you’re ready in the unlikely event you stumble on something that doesn’t look right while you’re out exploring. It can make a real difference.
Last Updated: September 18, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – September 2020
We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new members to our ranks! Read More
Newscasts – June/July 2020
Last Updated: September 18, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue has lots of great information, including:
Posted: June 24, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Thank You from Past President Amy Klusmeier
In May our members unanimously approved the slate of candidates nominated for the 2020-2021 SWTU Board of Directors. Thanks to everyone for voting online. Before I congratulate our new members I want to say thank you to outgoing Board Members Rodd Wangren and Mary Ann Doll. Rodd joined the board two years ago and has been a dedicated member; his passion for conservation advocacy will be missed. Mary Ann Doll served on the board for over six years, including two as Vice President. Her commitment to making our chapter events welcoming to all who attended was invaluable. I look forward to working with the current board to continue her efforts to recruit and welcome new members to our organization.
I couldn’t be happier that Jim Hess and Henry Nehls-Lowe agreed to come back into board service, and that Zach Olufs agreed to join the board as a new member. Jim will be a fantastic president and I step away knowing the chapter is in very good hands. Thanks to all of you for volunteering your time for these important leadership roles.
I never imagined my term as president would end in such unusual and traumatic circumstances – the Coronavirus pandemic forced us to cancel our spring meetings and work days, and the murder of George Floyd on May 25 inspired peaceful protests and incidences of violence in Madison and around the world. In the words of Chris Wood, TU President and CEO, “We cannot simply ignore the news, go fishing, and wait this out.” It’s up to all of us to end systemic racism in outdoor recreation and our communities, and make SWTU a more diverse, equitable and inclusive organization. I look forward to continuing to work with our Board on these efforts.
Posted: June 24, 2020 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Racial Injustice and the Conservation Community
The conservation community has joined the discussion of the insidious and pervasive effects of racism in our country. If you have not already read Chad Brown’s powerful article on racism and trout fishing, including his own experiences, please do so.
SWTU has plenty of work to do on this score. Our Officers and Board will be thinking hard and creatively about how to better welcome all people of all backgrounds to trout fishing, conservation and SWTU.
In short, we must do more to reach out to people of color of all ages. While SWTU’s leadership will be conscientious about this work, we’ll need help. If you have suggestions or observations, please contact any Officer or Board Member. Their contact information is always in the newsletter and on the website.
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