Last year saw the return of the Meicher Madness Auction – one of SWTU’s most fun and profitable events that got held up by COVID for a few years. After raising more than $4,000 least year, we’re doing it again on Tuesday, September 9, and hope to see you at Schwoegler’s Lanes for it!
The auction starts at 7PM, but please show up to Schwoegler’s before then if at all possible … as early as 5:30 to order food and to hand in any donated items and to peruse the auction offerings.
Larry Meicher was a founding member of SWTU and a tremendous force for good in our Chapter and at State Council. Larry did everything for us, serving as an officer and board member, a fly tying instructor, a participant at work days, and always as a passionate conservationist. One of his many contributions to SWTU was the creation of the March Madness Auction. At his passing we named the event Meicher Madness in his honor.
The madness and fun will continue on September 9. Everyone will have a chance at cool and highly usable gear, and the proceeds will support Chapter activities. As a teaser … one auction item will be a two-night state in the Green Cabin (pictured) at the West Fork Fishing Club (generously donated by that organization). Check out this flier to learn more about this fantastic opportunity!
Here are some auction needs and reminders:
Help. We need about a dozen folks to help at the auction itself: cashiers, folks to check in all the bidders, organizers of all the gear, and runners to make sure the bidders get the stuff they win.
Contact Topf Wells at topfwells@gmail.com if you can help.
Useful Auction Items. Traditionally members have brought in just about any gear they no longer had a use for. Along with great stuff, we must have received a hundred leaky waders and other items that had aged into oblivion.
Our last auction put much of the good gear in our chapter storeroom in the hands of the lucky and generous attendees. We can definitely use some of the good stuff in your personal storeroom. As you look at your piles of gear, you might think: 1. What am I not using? and 2. What might a beginning angler need or want? Just make sure it’s usable. Thanks! Read More
Posted: October 7, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – October 2025
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!
Newscasts – September 2025
Last Updated: October 8, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
Last Updated: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Meicher Madness Auction at the September 9 Membership Meeting
The auction starts at 7PM, but please show up to Schwoegler’s before then if at all possible … as early as 5:30 to order food and to hand in any donated items and to peruse the auction offerings.
Larry Meicher was a founding member of SWTU and a tremendous force for good in our Chapter and at State Council. Larry did everything for us, serving as an officer and board member, a fly tying instructor, a participant at work days, and always as a passionate conservationist. One of his many contributions to SWTU was the creation of the March Madness Auction. At his passing we named the event Meicher Madness in his honor.
Here are some auction needs and reminders:
Help. We need about a dozen folks to help at the auction itself: cashiers, folks to check in all the bidders, organizers of all the gear, and runners to make sure the bidders get the stuff they win.
Contact Topf Wells at topfwells@gmail.com if you can help.
Useful Auction Items. Traditionally members have brought in just about any gear they no longer had a use for. Along with great stuff, we must have received a hundred leaky waders and other items that had aged into oblivion.
Our last auction put much of the good gear in our chapter storeroom in the hands of the lucky and generous attendees. We can definitely use some of the good stuff in your personal storeroom. As you look at your piles of gear, you might think: 1. What am I not using? and 2. What might a beginning angler need or want? Just make sure it’s usable. Thanks! Read More
Posted: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
DeForest Riverfest – Fun and learning along the Upper Yahara
It’s a big afternoon event with food and many fun activities, including a kids fishing tournament from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Sunfish Pond. Learn more about Riverfest here.
And if you can help out with the casting and fishing clinic (you don’t have to be an expert!) for even an hour, please contact Topf Wells at topfwells@gmail.com.
Posted: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – September 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.)
Cross Plains Engagement
Your Board has engaged with the Village of Cross Plains on a development with the potential to negatively impact Black Earth Creek. Board members have attended meetings and approved issuing this letter to the Village.
Fishy Fun and Fantastic Food
Posted: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Many turned out to watch our friends in the DNR survey Black Earth Creek and then we gathered later for an informal picnic. Young and old, we all had fun getting out on a lovely summer day.
Check out the pictures below … we’re hoping to put together more of these light, friendly chapter gatherings and hope you can make the next one! Read More
Stream Team Workdays: Tentative Dates for Fall 2025
Last Updated: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Jim Hess, Conservation Chair Read More
Posted: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Chainsaw Training Classes – Fall 2025
Posted: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Remembering and Honoring Carol Murphy
To the Officers and Board of the Harry and Laura Nohr Chapter of Trout Unlimited,
Last night the Board of the Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited (SWTU) voted unanimously to donate $1,000 in honor and memory of Carol Murphy. Read More
Swanson’s Wet Dry Fly
Posted: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
Ojibwe natives called the river Wiisaakode-ziibi (“river through half-burnt woods”) due to the many forest fires that scarred its valley. The Ojibwe traveled in birch bark canoes, carrying furs and other goods upstream from Lake Superior, across headwater bogs, and down the St. Croix River to the Mississippi basin. French fur traders translated Wiisaakode-ziibi as Bois Brulé (“burnt wood”) River, which remains the name today. Most Wisconsinites, however, simply know it as “The Brule”. When the great north woods beckon Wisconsin anglers, the Brule is often their destination. Read More
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