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 this September and hope to see you at Schwoegler’s Lanes for it!
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 chances at some cool and highly usable gear, and the proceeds will support all the Chapter activities.
Here are some needs and reminders about our renewed and refreshed auction: Read More
Posted: August 31, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
DNR Brushing Crew Makes a Difference …
… and so do your donations because SWTU helped fund the crew!
By Topf Wells
Lloyd Meng’s newly issued report on the DNR Brushing Crew in the fall, winter and spring of ’24-’25 awaits you. The report is an excellent, well written and detailed summary of the brushing crew’s excellent work. The statistics, narrative and photos speak for themselves. I hope we, and all our TU members, agree that our funding of the crew is an excellent investment. Lloyd requested an additional $5,000 from the TU chapters who have supported the crew in order to increase the brushing in the upcoming fall/winter/spring season. SWTU has donated an additional $1,500 and other chapters are now considering chipping in. SWTU is also grateful that the crew will work on Mt. Vernon Creek this season.
Posted: August 31, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
DNR Watershed Report Names New Trout Water
By Topf Wells
Thanks to Nate Nye for an absolutely superb new survey and assessment of the Bear Creek watershed in Sauk and Richland Counties. Probably the key specific finding is that the Class 1, improved section of Bear Creek, especially the upper 2/3 of that stretch, offers excellent fishing. Along with thanking Nate for that restoration, we also owe enduring gratitude to the Aldo Leopold Chapter. This four mile stretch of Trout Heaven is one of that Chapter’s greatest achievements. (And we note some need for tree planting in some stretches … a possible workday in the future?) Read More
Posted: August 31, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Vets on the Fly Activities
By Dyan Lesnik
Vets on the Fly activities are free for all Vets and their family members. All equipment is provided so just show up for their events for socialization and fishing fun. Learn more at their Facebook page.
Posted: August 31, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – September 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 Topf Wells.
* 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 – Summer 2025
Last Updated: September 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
Posted: July 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Fishy Summer Fun!
By Topf Wells
Of course they are, although sometimes I wonder with my lack of success. See for yourself on Tuesday, July 29, at about 2 PM at Zander Park in Cross Plains (the site of our casting clinic). Kyle Olivencia and his crew will survey the stream then and there. Surveys are dependent on weather and other variable so stay tuned for confirming emails closer to that day. Huge thanks to Kyle for allowing us to see the DNR, trout and Black Earth Creek in action.
A Potential Picnic
Following the survey, we hope to hold a picnic when folks can join us after their workday. We could really use some volunteers. If we’re able to have the picnic, we’ll notify members via an email blast. Contact Topf Wells at topfwells@gmail.com if you can help.
Posted: July 2, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
2025 Chapter Election Results
Votes at the May meeting
Many thanks to those who stepped up, those who have served and those who voted at the May meeting. Here is our updated list of officers and board members: Read More
Posted: June 30, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Meicher Madness Auction again set for September 9 Membership Meeting
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 chances at some cool and highly usable gear, and the proceeds will support all the Chapter activities.
Here are some needs and reminders about our renewed and refreshed auction: Read More
Last Updated: June 30, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – Summer 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.) Some recent activity:
A letter TO our DNR: Good news on Mt. Vernon Creek. The DNR is in final stages of approving a purchase of 400 ft. of the creek near Mt. Vernon. Check out the letter SWTU sent to the DNR Board in support of the purchase.
A thanks FROM our DNR: The chapter recently received a letter and “Friends to Fisheries” certificate from the DNR expressing their appreciation of the $4,000 donation for Fisheries South district summer interns that the Board approved in February.
PGT Celebrates Another Successful Year
Posted: June 26, 2025 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
We received the following note about Project Green Teen (PGT) and some inspiring photos … be sure to click through to the website to see all the pictures!
Hey all!
I just wanted to thank you all for the continued support of PGT. We had another great year and introduced another crew of young people to the amazing humans and spaces associated with fly fishing.
I appreciate you all!
Brian Counselman
Malcolm Shabazz City High School
Science Teacher & Project Based Learning Coordinator Read More
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