Our work day on the Upper Yahara in DeForest was a potpourri of goodness.
Fifty seven SWTU members, Scouts, (WAY TO GO and thanks, Troop 104), paddlers and some wonderful folks from the Village of DeForest and the DNR showed up Saturday, 10/25 to liberate the Upper Yahara River and its stream corridor from the formidable combo of invasive honeysuckle and buckthorn. This is probably the largest turnout ever for a work day. We needed everyone. You could not see the stream for this growth, much less walk to it. Read More
The winner of the 2025 fly rod drawing for those who participated in a workday was Noel Lambert. He is a member of Pheasants Forever and participated at our Duerst property workdays on the Sugar River. Several members of Pheasants Forever helped at the Duerst property at the request of James Brodzeller with Dane County. He was very excited about getting the fly rod.
Our crew has one more workday on December 15 – details TBD and will be shared via email – for the fall. It’s TBD because we finished our work on the Duerst property so no need to go back there! Read all about them in the December Newscasts!
By Dyan Lesnik
Veterans on the Fly start back up on November 5th for fly tying 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. First fly of the season is The Large Brown Stonefly. All veterans and their families are welcome. Never any cost. Even if you are just curious about tying or fly fishing come on out. Learn more at their Facebook page.
October 14 meant freedom for rainbow trout and fun with a bit of learning for students at Sun Prairie East High School. Josh Capodarco and students completed their second successful year of Trout In the Classroom (TIC). The rainbow trout they had nurtured from eggs to smolt found a new home in Token Creek. Kyle Olivencia, the DNR fish biologist for this area and his crew, electroshocked more of Token Creek and discussed what makes a healthy trout stream. The students then lunched and fished at Token Creek County Park. Read More
We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new member to our ranks!
Jack Haraldson
Kyle Mattingly
David Blume
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 contactDyan 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!
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.
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.)
Linda Dorazio and Henry Nehls-Lowe standing tall for SWTU
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.
Eagles, Huge Trout, Great Folks, Money, Fun Food, Lots of Work
Last Updated: November 4, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
By Topf Wells
Our work day on the Upper Yahara in DeForest was a potpourri of goodness.
Fifty seven SWTU members, Scouts, (WAY TO GO and thanks, Troop 104), paddlers and some wonderful folks from the Village of DeForest and the DNR showed up Saturday, 10/25 to liberate the Upper Yahara River and its stream corridor from the formidable combo of invasive honeysuckle and buckthorn. This is probably the largest turnout ever for a work day. We needed everyone. You could not see the stream for this growth, much less walk to it. Read More
Posted: November 4, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Congrats to Our Workday Winner!
The winner of the 2025 fly rod drawing for those who participated in a workday was Noel Lambert. He is a member of Pheasants Forever and participated at our Duerst property workdays on the Sugar River. Several members of Pheasants Forever helped at the Duerst property at the request of James Brodzeller with Dane County. He was very excited about getting the fly rod.
Posted: November 4, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
One More Workday To Go and More Reports in December
Our crew has one more workday on December 15 – details TBD and will be shared via email – for the fall. It’s TBD because we finished our work on the Duerst property so no need to go back there! Read all about them in the December Newscasts!
Posted: November 4, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Vets on the Fly Activities Starting Back Up
By Dyan Lesnik
Veterans on the Fly start back up on November 5th for fly tying 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. First fly of the season is The Large Brown Stonefly. All veterans and their families are welcome. Never any cost. Even if you are just curious about tying or fly fishing come on out. Learn more at their Facebook page.
Posted: November 4, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Big Day for Trout and High School and Some History
By Topf Wells
October 14 meant freedom for rainbow trout and fun with a bit of learning for students at Sun Prairie East High School. Josh Capodarco and students completed their second successful year of Trout In the Classroom (TIC). The rainbow trout they had nurtured from eggs to smolt found a new home in Token Creek. Kyle Olivencia, the DNR fish biologist for this area and his crew, electroshocked more of Token Creek and discussed what makes a healthy trout stream. The students then lunched and fished at Token Creek County Park. Read More
Posted: November 4, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – November 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 – 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.
Read More
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.
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