SWTU, P.O. Box 45555, Madison, WI 53744-5555 president@swtu.org

What can you do to help native brook trout? Plenty!

Justin discovered that the brook trout need help as part of his assessment of the Pine River. In the course of those surveys, he found the magnificent brown trout in the photo. The Pine is a system worth knowing and fishing – Justin will also discuss that watershed.

Learn all about a “fishy” volunteer opportunity at our Tuesday, October 10, Chapter Meeting

Melancthon Creek is one of the most important brook trout streams in our part of the Driftless Area. The Brookies have genetics that are native to the lower Wisconsin River drainage and are an important source of fish for the DNR’s wild trout management program. This program utilizes eggs from Melancthon Creek (and others) to provide for and maintain Brook Trout populations in the Driftless. The brookies, however are in decline and increasing numbers of brown trout are playing a role.

Justin Haglund, DNR fish biologist for Iowa and Richland Counties, Restorer of Smith Conley Creek, and Protector of Brook Trout, has a plan to protect those char and HE NEEDS OUR HELP. Read More

Our next Stream Team Workday

October 7, 2023 – Big Spring Branch, Iowa County | 5465 Big Spring Road, Highland
By Jim Hess, Conservation Chair

We hope you can make this event – lots of details in this announcement, be sure to read carefully.

Time: 9 am to 12 noon (Chapter Approved Sawyers please arrive at 8:30).

Where: The work site is located in a beautiful wooded valley near Spurgeon Vineyards & Winery. Unless you know this area, it may be difficult to find. The Fire Code is 5465 Big Spring Road, Town of Highland, which can be entered into your phone or the Google Map Link is https://maps.app.goo.gl/WabkPHPkFyWHqj6c8

And for those of you that want written directions: Get to Cobb, then north on STH 80 to Highland, take County Rd Q west for about 2 miles, then turn right on Big Spring Rd and go 1 mile to our worksite. Read More

The few, the proud …

By Topf Wells

Maybe not the Marines but our workday on the Sugar River at the Davidson property seemed like an amphibious assault at times.

We were clearing the stream bank of invasive honeysuckle and the too common box elder and creating a brush bundle. Doing so stabilizes the streambank and provides excellent habitat for small fish and invertebrates. It also gives some native plants a chance. An example is downstream where most of the oak understory is honeysuckle and nothing but honeysuckle. But in the few places where honeysuckle is not present, some native spring ephemerals thrive. Read More

Snipe and Purple

Snipe & Purple

Fountains of Youth – Classic trout flies that have withstood the test of time … flies that remain “forever young”

by Rusty Dunn

Fly fishing can be frighteningly complex. Every step of the process is fraught with decisions, decisions, deci­sions. What length of rod? What weight of line? What length of lead­er? What size tippet? Where to fish? Choos­ing flies can be even worse. Step to the fly bins of a well-stocked fly shop, and the decisions before you will make your head spin. Row after row. Bin after bin. Unrecognized flies of uncertain utility for unfamiliar waters. Fortu­nately, you can greatly simplify the pro­cess by returning to basics. The sim­plest flies are often among the best. This princi­ple has been proved many times over by the wing­less wet flies of the Eng­lish north. Read More

Finance Committee Seeks Members

By Marty Chiaro, Treasurer

We are seeking volunteers to serve on SWTU’s Finance Committee. Some of the primary functions of the Finance Committee include:

  • Serve as a financial sounding board for the Treasurer and Board of Directors.
  • Review the annual operating budget and provide a recommendation on the budget to the BOD.
  • Review the annual Operating Report submitted to TU National.
  • Review the annual tax return and prepare a recommendation to the BOD.
  • Provide feedback on various financial analyses prepared to support major Chapter operational or financial initiatives.

Read More

Learn What Your Board’s Been Up To – October 2023

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.)

Volunteering at Joy Trip Project Event

By Tom Thrall

The creator of this unique project is James Edward Mills. He is a nationally known journalist and is a Nelson Institute lecturer among many other things. He lives here in Madison. He is also a passionate fly fisher. This is a national program who’s goal is to encourage and train Black Men to get out in nature and enjoy our public lands.

The theme is, “Where do I as a black man, fit in nature? How do we hold space in nature for our next generation of young men?”

James was here in Madison for a national showing of a film he produced which is being shown around the country. Read More

You can help! Short-term Volunteer Opportunities

VolunteerYour chapter needs volunteers to join the fundraising event team, without which we may not be able to host another fun and social event in the Spring of 2024.

Also, your board wants to improve the chapter’s communication skills. To achieve this, we are forming a communications team which needs your help to expand reach and impact.

Both teams have a short window of commitment.

Contact John Freeborg at john-tu@freeborg.com or 608-695-8544 to learn more.

Participate in Survey for “Black Earth Creek State of the Watershed Report”

Black Earth Creek Watershed Association (BECWA) is preparing its first “Black Earth Creek State of the Watershed Report.” The report will include survey results of folks interested in the health of Black Earth Creek and its watershed.

To participate in the brief survey visit: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eXyqp5yXOFZXNDU, or scan the QR code from your mobile device:

For more information on BECWA, including its Fall 2023 Newsletter, visit https://www.becwa.org.

New Members – October 2023

We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new members to our ranks! Read More