By Topf Wells
Carol Murphy would have enjoyed the work day in her honor (of course, one of Carol’s numerous good points was that she enjoyed all the work days). We worked hard, accomplished much, had fun, and ate good food. And created a unique Halloween Maze.
Our task was to clear clumps of trees, many of them box elders, along Big Spring Creek, where DNR Fish, Wildlife, and Forestry are cooperating to re-create an oak savanna. This summer produced good growing conditions for the oaks but even better for other woody vegetation and ragweed, Canada goldenrod, and sawtooth sunflowers. Much of the ragweed and sawtooth sunflowers towered up to 10 ft. tall and they packed the land. The DNR was blazing trails with a UTV and then sawyers and haulers, equipped with loppers and clippers, advanced. Thoroughly but slowly. Read More
Newscasts – October 2025
Last Updated: January 4, 2026 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
Last Updated: October 8, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Patagonia Adventures: Our October 2025 Chapter Gathering
Plus updates on the Meicher Auction and Other Events
We are pleased to welcome our speaker for Tuesday, October 14 – Kyle Zempel of Black Earth Creek Angling on trout fishing in Patagonia. It’s a legendary location with legendary fish (as the picture attests) … hear from a “local legend” on the services he now offers there and what to consider and expect from a trip to Patagonia.
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Posted: October 7, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – October 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.)
Posted: October 7, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
SWTU at Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies Film Event
By Linda Dorazio
The event for SWTU at the Lussier Family Heritage Center was successful in many ways. Several attendees wanted to learn about our organization and conservation efforts. A young woman inquired about employment opportunities at SWTU as she’s interested in our cause.
Henry and I demonstrated casting in the grass and there was much enthusiasm. We also had displays of the equipment we use for tying flies and many examples of our precious flies.
The film was excellent exploring ways to connect with nature. So much was learned about the indigenous people of Alaska, beautiful scenery and the importance to live in concert with the land, animals and humans.
It was an amazing experience and I was honored to attend.
Campus Outreach and Fly Tying Event
Posted: October 7, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Henry Nehls-Lowe
On September 30 at the Rathskeller, we were 11 instructors and about the same number of Hoofers who stopped by for a fabulous time of tying flies and talking about everything related to favorite flies and fly fishing and streams and beyond. Read More
Posted: October 7, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Luke’s Learn to Fish Clinic – Sunday, October 12
This invitation is a request from Matt Diebel via Dan Oele for help with a fishing clinic in memory and honor of Luke, his son. Matt has been a hydrologist with the DNR and Dane County with specialties in fisheries and water quality. He now works for the US Geological Survey. Luke’s death reverberated through the professional conservation community in Madison. The aim of the foundation is to introduce kids to fishing, the activity Luke and his family loved.
We wanted to let you know about an upcoming event called ‘Luke’s Learn to Fish Clinic’. This event is hosted by Cora’s Girl Scout Troop, Wingra Boats, and the City of Madison. It is October 12 from noon – 2pm. There are activities for the novice fisher (make a stick fishing rod and casting skills) to more advanced (flyfishing). Location is Wingra Park. Please come and have fun and share the announcement with your kids classes and anyone else.
We also need volunteers to help manage the different stations and help teach – you don’t need to be an expert. We could really use some extra help. Sign up genius here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D48AAAF2DA4F85-58225591-volunteer
SWTU Members Are In Good Health
Posted: October 7, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Topf Wells
Years ago when I started a serious exercise program the expert at UW Sports Medicine told me, if you’re sweating a lot while you work out, that’s a sign you’re in good health. The SWTU work day crew is in good health.
We were part of a multi-stage project. Pam Allen owns a lower part of Garfoot Creek with one of the oldest DNR easements in the Black Earth Creek watershed. As part of the easement, DNR agreed to fence and maintain it so Pam can graze her cattle in the pasture without harm to the creek. Years went by, brush grew, and the fence deteriorated.* It needed major repair but that would have put the DNR crew in the 9th Circle of Hell. Our job was to clear the brush so fence repair would be possible. Read More
A TU Halloween Maze
Posted: October 7, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Topf Wells
Carol Murphy would have enjoyed the work day in her honor (of course, one of Carol’s numerous good points was that she enjoyed all the work days). We worked hard, accomplished much, had fun, and ate good food. And created a unique Halloween Maze.
Our task was to clear clumps of trees, many of them box elders, along Big Spring Creek, where DNR Fish, Wildlife, and Forestry are cooperating to re-create an oak savanna. This summer produced good growing conditions for the oaks but even better for other woody vegetation and ragweed, Canada goldenrod, and sawtooth sunflowers. Much of the ragweed and sawtooth sunflowers towered up to 10 ft. tall and they packed the land. The DNR was blazing trails with a UTV and then sawyers and haulers, equipped with loppers and clippers, advanced. Thoroughly but slowly. Read More
Bird’s Nest Nymph
Last Updated: October 8, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
If you fly fish long enough, you will probably encounter one of angling’s most enjoyable but puzzling events. After you’ve landed a few trout, your fly becomes a bit disheveled. That manicured imitation carefully crafted at the vise is no longer neat and tidy. Land a few more fish, and the fly is totally bedraggled. Perhaps the tail is chewed off. Or that handsomely dubbed body thins to little more than a geriatric comb-over. Land a few more, and the fly begins to shed body parts. Maybe one of the wings is missing. Or the hackle stem breaks, and the long feather trails behind the fly. Or a broken thread causes half the pattern to be entirely missing. Trout flies do not fall apart gracefully and, by now, your fly resembles nothing in the aquatic or terrestrial world. Yet it continues to catch trout. Lots of trout. You are rightfully puzzled how such an amorphous lump of fur and feather would appeal to trout. Mumbling to yourself, “Why do we even bother with imitation?”, you eventually just accept the good fortune and have a wonderful hour or two of fishing. Read More
Posted: October 7, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Watershed Reports: Always Something to Learn
By Topf Wells
New reports at the DNR trout stream survey site for Sheboygan County features Nichols Creek and Onion Creek. The former is a high quality trib of the Milwaukee River; the latter has received the persistent care and attention of the Lakeshore Chapter for many years. With all the fish passage work in the Milwaukee River watershed, I wonder if Lake Michigan trout or salmon could make it to Nichols Creek and successfully spawn there? Read More
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