Council Banquet a “Can't-Miss Event”

Wisconsin Council of Trout Unlimited NONPROFIT ORG. 2515 Bigler Circle U.S. POSTAGE News and Views from Wisconsin Trout Unlimited Verona, WI 53593 PAID wicouncil.tu.org PERMIT NO. 1 MADISON, WI Wisconsin Trout Winter 2016 Council Banquet a “can't-miss event”

By Mike Kuhr, Council Vice-Chair brief awards program. The evening and 2016 Banquet Committee Chair will finish with the announcement of our silent auction and bucket raf- The 2016 Annual Meeting and fle winners. State Council Banquet on Saturday, The Council would like to thank February 6 is almost here. Please all of the chapters and individuals save the date and plan to join us in who donate prizes for the event. Oshkosh. We will once again return Your generosity makes for a suc- to the Best Western Waterfront Ho- cessful banquet and an unforgetta- tel and Convention Center. ble evening for our guests. This year This location served us well the we’ve assembled more than $10,000 past two years and we’re looking worth of prizes, and we’re eager to forward to coming back in Febru- give them away! And a special ary. A limited block of rooms has thanks to Rich Vetrano of SEWTU been set aside for both Friday and for helping us create the full-page Saturday nights. Call the hotel at ad in Wisconsin Trout. 855-230-1900 to make your room Chapter leaders should plan on reservations today. Tell them you’re attending the State Council meeting in town for the Trout Unlimited earlier in the day to discuss Council Banquet. business. The meeting starts at 9 The banquet is our Council’s a.m. and runs until about 2:30 p.m. biggest fundraiser. Funds raised at Please RSVP to Council Chair Linn this event allow us to continue serv- Beck if you plan on attending the ing local chapters, and help fund meeting so we can prepare for

programs such as the WITU Youth lunch. Franklin Todd Fishing Camp and STREAM Girls. We are also sponsoring a Wom- Tickets are $35 each. See the en’s Fly Fishing Clinic for beginners SMILING, HAPPY TICKET SELLERS full-page ad in this issue of Wiscon- who are curious about the sport. How can you resist buying a handful of bucket raffle tickets from these smiling sin Trout for more details. You may This free clinic will run from 9:30 also purchase tickets online at wis- a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. A lunch gals? Come to this year’s banquet and enjoy raffles, auctions, great food and consintu.bpt.me. While we do plan will be provided. Space is limited, so drinks, music and most of all, friends. for a few walk-ups every year, or- sign up now by contacting Heidi dering tickets in advance or making Oberstadt at heidi.ober- arrangements to pay at the door [email protected]. These types of Women’s activities planned and RSVP’ing to mikek.trout@ya- events are a great way to introduce hoo.com are highly encouraged. trout stream ecology and the impor- during annual meeting This event is open to the public so tance of TU’s conservation work to please consider bringing family, a new audience. Women’s social gathering Friday friends, co-workers and neighbors. Much planning has already tak- Please join us for a “Women’s Social Gathering” Friday, February 5 in All are welcome. en place and the Council is indebt- Oshkosh, the evening before the WITU annual meeting and banquet. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and ed to the work of the Banquet Let’s talk fishing, destinations and resources. Dun Magazine’s Jen Ripple there will be plenty of time to so- Committee. An event of this scale and Nome Buckman will be there. Make connections, see gear trends for cialize, visit the cash bar, or simply simply wouldn’t happen without the women. Geri Meyer of the Athena and Artemis Women's Fly Shop will be peruse the bucket raffle and silent efforts of Committee members Bill there. Learn a few new tricks and share good company. No registration auction prizes. Dinner seating will Heart, Heidi Oberstadt, Henry needed but we would love to know if you’re coming. Let Heidi Oberstadt begin around 6:30 p.m. After dinner Koltz, Jim Wierzba, Kim McCarthy, know by emailing her at [email protected] we’ll hold a live auction for several Linn Beck, and Todd Franklin. different fishing trips with some of We’re focused on planning a fun, Free Women’s Basic Fishing Clinic Saturday the top guides and destinations in entertaining, and successful ban- This clinic will be held during the day on Saturday, February 6. Please the state. We’ll also take time to quet. We hope you’ll join us in Osh- invite women you know who are curious about the sport of fly fishing. recognize some of our best volun- kosh on Feb. 6 to celebrating cold, Those interested please contact Heidi Oberstadt at Heidi.ober- teers and conservationists with a clean, fishable water in Wisconsin. [email protected] to register. WITU takes positions on Earlier trout season is open! proposed groundwater bills History, tips and tricks. By Duke Welter Sunday in April, followed by a five- day closure. By Henry Koltz, TU National Trustee Wisconsin trout anglers will have In 2016, the new season structure Wisconsin’s history of codified groundwater protection spans back to at 11 more weeks of stream fishing in will start earlier and eliminate the least 1983’s Comprehensive Groundwater Protection Act (1983 Wisconsin 2016, starting with the new early five-day closure, which earned its Act 410). That act created Chapter 160 of Wisconsin’s Statutes, which creat- catch-and-release season which share of criticism. Some anglers ed groundwater standards, regulatory programs, aquifer classifications, mon- opened January 2 on most state dubbed it the “silly season.” Many itoring programs, set aside research funding, and set local groundwater trout streams. The state’s history anglers who have traveled to Iowa management responsibilities. with the early trout season included (which has a year-round trout sea- In 2003, the Wisconsin Groundwater Protection Act (2003 Wisconsin Act an early January opener from 1975 son) during Wisconsin’s closed sea- 310) was passed, and provided more protections. Specifically, it called for the to 1999, with harvest of trout al- son are likely to fish closer to home tracking of well construction and water use, expanded the regulation of high- lowed. That season was only open in this year. That might make Iowa’s capacity wells, created designated groundwater management areas, and cre- the state’s seven southwestern-most anglers happy, although it might af- ated a groundwater advisory committee. counties, and anglers there com- fect some of the lodging and dining In 2007, Wisconsin Act 227 saw Wisconsin pass legislation to implement plained about being swamped by spots in small northeastern Iowa the Great Lakes Compact, which generally addresses water quality, use, and visitors from all over the state and towns such as Dorchester and Lan- diversions in the Great Lakes basin. The Great Lakes Compact was itself Midwest. As a result the seven- sing. signed by all Great Lakes states, Ontario, and Quebec, in 2005. county early season was revamped The trout season changes were Currently, a new groundwater bill (SB 291) has been introduced by Wis- in 1999. The new structure allowed the result of a lengthy DNR study catch-and-release angling from the Continued on page 26 Continued on Page 25 first Saturday in March to the last PagePage 2 Wisconsin Trout WinterJuly 2016 2006

Wisconsin TU Chapters, Presidents, and Websites Aldo Leopold (#375): Scott Allen, E4835 N Stoney Ridge Road, Reedsburg, WI 53959; (608) 495-1482; [email protected]; aldoleopold.tu.org Antigo (#313): Scott Henricks, 213 Mary St., Antigo, WI 54409-2536 (715) 623-3867; [email protected] WILD RIVERS Blackhawk (#390): Gordon Long; 4850 Cardamon Ln., Rockford, IL 61114 (815) 877-8614; [email protected]; Bayfield Douglas NORTHWOODS www.BlackhawkTU.org Central Wisconsin (#117): Michael San Dretto; 467 Hawhorne St., Iron Ashland Neenah, WI 54956 (920) 722-8478; [email protected]; www.cw- Vilas tu.org, Burnett Washburn Coulee Region (#278): Curt Rees; W5190 Birchwood Lane, La-

Sawyer Price Florence Crosse, WI 54601; [email protected] Oneida www.CouleeRegionTU.org Forest MARINETTE Polk Rusk Fox Valley (#193): Tom Lager, 1700 Spring Hill Ct., Neenah, WI Barron Marinette 54956 (920) 540-9194; [email protected]; ANTIGO GREEN BAY Lincoln www.foxvalleytu.org Taylor Langlade WOLF Frank Hornberg (#624): Matt Salchert, 1800 Minnesota Ave., Ste- RIVER St. Croix Chippewa vens Point, WI 54481 (715) 321-1394; [email protected]; Dunn WISCONSIN Menominee RIVER VALLEY Oconto www.Hornberg-TU.org OCONTO WI CLEAR Marathon Green Bay (#083): Adrian Meseberg, 315 South Michigan Street, Shawano RIVER Clark WATERS Door DePere, WI 54115 (920) 562-6129; [email protected]; Pierce Eau Claire SHAW-PACA www.GreenBayTU.com Kewaunee Pepin Wood Waupaca Harry & Laura Nohr (#257): Tim Fraley, 2 Pagham Court, Madison, Portage Buffalo Outagamie Brown FOX WI 53719; hm:(608) 271-1733; c:(608)220-0762; Jackson FRANK HORNBERG VALLEY [email protected]; www.NohrTU.org Trempealeau Manitowoc Waushara Winnebago Kiap-TU-Wish (#168): Tom Schnadt, 2174 Commonwealth Ave., St. KIAP-TU-WISH Calumet LAKESHORE Adams CENTRAL Paul, MN 55108; 651-245-5163; [email protected]; Monroe La Crosse Juneau WISCONSIN Marquette www.kiaptuwish.org Sheboygan Green Lakeshore (#423): Gordy Martin, N7601 Royal and Ancient Dr., Lake Fond du Lac Elkhart Lake, WI 53020; [email protected]; Vernon ALDO LEOPOLD www.WisconsinTU.org/Lakeshore Dodge Ozaukee Columbia Marinette (#422): Doug Erdmann, 2418 Woodview Lane, Marinette, Richland Sauk Washington WI 54143 (715) 735-7407; [email protected]; marinette- Crawford county.new.tu.org COULEE Dane SOUTHEASTERN Jefferson Waukesha Milwaukee Northwoods (#256): Laura MacFarland, 3116 Tremolo Trl., Rhine- REGION Iowa WISCONSIN Grant SOUTHERN WISCONSIN lander, WI 54501 (715) 482-0394; [email protected] Oconto River (#385): Tom Klatt; 1677 Forest Glen Drive Green Bay, Rock Walworth Racine Lafayette Green WI 54304 (920) 621-9266; [email protected]; ocontorivertu.com

HARRY & Kenosha Shaw-Paca (#381): Nate Sipple, 931 E. Fifth St., Shawano, WI LAURA NOHR 54166; (715) 304-7581; [email protected]; Wisconsin- TU.org/ShawPaca; www.facebook.com/shawpacatu BLACKHAWK Southeastern Wisconsin (#078): Boyd Roessler; 212 S. James Street, Waukesha, WI 53186; [email protected]; 252-896-8471; SEWTU.org; facebook.com/southeastwisconsintroutunlimited Southern Wisconsin (#061): Matt Krueger; (608) 852-3020 [email protected]; www.swtu.org Wild Rivers (#415): Bob Rice 74355 Kaukamo Road, Iron River, WI 54847; (715) 292-1143; [email protected] www.wisconsintu.org/wildrivers Wisconsin Clear Waters (#255): Al Noll, N4336 500th St., Meno- monie, WI 54751; H(715) 235-0814; C(715)-556-4212 noll@uw- stout.edu www.WisconsinTU.org/ClearWaters Visit WITU online at: Wisconsin River Valley (#395): Patrick Esselman, pesselman@char- ter.net; www.wrvtu.org wicouncil.tu.org Wolf River (#050): Tim Waters, 409 Second St., Menasha, WI 54952; (920) 751-0654; [email protected]; WolfriverTU.org

State Council Leadership Are you getting emails from TU? State Chair: Linn Beck, 160 W. Education: Bob Haase, W7949 If you are currently not receiving news and event-related email 19th Ave., Oshkosh, WI 54902 Treptow Ln., Eldorado, WI 54932 messages from your chapter, the state council and TU National, (920) 216-7408; (920) 922-8003 (H); then you are truly missing out on what’s happening at all three lev- [email protected] [email protected] els. TU National manages the mailing list for the council and chap- Vice Chair: Mike Kuhr, 6103 Communications: Chris Long, ters, so update your address by going to www.tu.org, log in, then go Queensway, Monona, WI 53716; 5460 Reeve Road, Mazomanie, (414) 588-4281; WI 53560 608-658-7901; to “Email Preferences.” You can also call 1-800-834-2419 to make [email protected] [email protected] these changes, or to ask questions about making the changes via Secretary: Tom Lager, 1700 Spring Friends of WITU and Watershed the web site. Hill Ct., Neenah, WI 54956; Access Fund: Doug Brown, R4800 (920) 540-9194; Timber Ln., Ringle, WI 54471 [email protected] (715) 899-0024; Decbrown@ya- Treasurer: Gary Stoychoff, 1326 hoo.com WISCONSIN TROUT 14th Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304 Legal Counsel: Winston Ostrow, Vol. 28, No. 1— Winter 2016 [email protected] 233 N. Broadway #120, De Pere, National Trustee and Past State WI 54115 920-362-6609 (W); Wisconsin Trout is the official publication of the Wisconsin Council of Chair: Henry Koltz, 2300 N. May- [email protected] Trout Unlimited and is distributed to the members of Wisconsin’s 21 fair Rd., Ste. 1175, Milwaukee, WI Legislative Chair: Henry Koltz TU chapters. Non-member subscriptions are $12.50/year. Publication 53226 (414) 331-5679 (H); (see above) dates are the first weeks of January, April, July and October. Dead- [email protected] Membership: Linn Beck and Mike lines for articles and advertisements are the 10th of December, March, Vice Chair, Central Region: Kuhr (see above) June and September. For a current advertising rate sheet, contact the To m L a g e r , s e e a b o v e National Leadership Council editor. Vice Chair, Northeast Region: Representative: Kim McCarthy, Paul Kruse, 500 Saint Jude St., 736 Meadowbrook Ct., Green Photo/article contributions, letters to the editor and advertisements Green Bay, WI 54303 (920) 494- Bay, WI 54313 (920) 434-3659; are welcomed. Submit to: 4220); [email protected] [email protected] Todd Franklin, Editor Vice Chair, Southern Region: Jim Water Resources: Bob Obma, 2515 Bigler Circle Wierzba, 2817 Country Club 12870 West Shore Drive, Moun- Verona, WI 53593 Drive, Mequon, WI 53092 (262) tain, WI 54149 (715) 276-1170 (H) (608) 516-3647 238-0282; [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Vice Chair, Western Region: Gary Website: Chris Long, 5460 Reeve Horvath, 623 W. Pine Street, River Road, Mazomanie, WI 53560 608- State Council Officers Falls, WI 54806 (715)425-8489; 658-7901; [email protected] Executive Committee includes officers and vice chairs [email protected] Women’s Initiatives: Awards: Bill Heart, 29450 Verners Heidi Oberstadt, 456 Wadleigh St., Linn Beck, Chair Mike Kuhr, Vice Chair Road, Ashland, WI 54806; (715) Stevens Point, WI 54481; 715-573- 209-0431; 5104; [email protected] Tom Lager, Secretary Gary Stoychoff, Treasurer [email protected] Winter 2016 Wisconsin Trout Page 3 Chairman’s Column By Linn Beck, Council Chair with you. Our third annual WITU youth I would like to start off by thank- camp is scheduled, and we are exciting all of you for a great year of ed to raise the limit to 20 attendees work in 2015. Your chapter leaders this year. With more students means have submitted their year-end re- we will need more volunteers for all ports, and it’s always amazing to see aspects. And with the popularity of how many volunteer hours our the spin fishing and bait fishing as- members contribute. You all de- pects, we would really like to get serve a very big round of applause some of the TU members who spin for a job well done. 2016 promises fish or bait fish involved in the to be an even better year for all, and camp. Anyone interested please we will have plenty of opportunities contact me and we will get you for involvement and improvement. signed up to help out. To help chapters improve their Lastly I would like to talk a little efforts in the areas of membership about the advocacy that has been and leadership, we have created a happening. A huge thank you goes very unique program to steer them out to all of you who have contacted in the right direction. We are happy the legislature about the various is- to put on this program for individual sues affecting our coldwater re- BECK AND A BIGHORN BROWN chapters or for groups of chapters. sources. Please know that your It includes many lessons learned efforts are greatly appreciated and Wisconsin State Council Chair Linn Beck enjoys some well-earned vacation from past chapter experiences, they do work. TU has become very time on the Bighorn River in Montana. some of which were floundering and well known and all have come to ex- turned their chapters around. If in- pect TU to speak up on the issues and expressing our facts. Please mission to preserve and protect our terested please contact Council Vice we feel are very important to our know that we will continue on this coldwater resources. Chair Mike Kuhr or myself and we mission. And the best thing is we are track and we will certainly call on all Thanks for all you do! will be glad to schedule a program doing it the right way by educating of you again to help us fight for our DNR land sales update By Mike Stapleton, WITU Legislative articles by columnist Patrick Dur- Committee kin, in which he urged sportsmen, hunters in particular, to oppose this The top story in the last issue of action. Wisconsin Trout explained the po- TU should be grateful for assis- tential sale of 118 parcels of state tance we may have received due to land, which was set into motion by newspaper articles, since every provisions of the 2013 Biennial Bud- piece of the properties we are con- get Bill. cerned about may also be someone The interests of all outdoor en- else's favorite grouse cover, deer thusiasts would take a hit if all of the hunting or bird watching spot. It's 118 parcels identified for possible not just about fishing, and to the ex- sale were in fact sold. However, the tent that hunters and other outdoor interests of TU and other trout an- enthusiasts have joined us in our re- glers in particular could be seriously sponse to this, we are grateful to impacted since almost half of those Durkin for helping to get the word properties either abut or are in close out. proximity to existing coldwater re- In November Rep. Mark Spre- sources. itzer, D-Beloit, introduced Assem- Significant among the parcels bly Bill 499, which would repeal the were a number of spring pond prop- statutory provisions that required erties in Langlade County, as well as 10,000 acres of DNR-owned proper- lands abutting popular trout streams ty to be offered for sale. Sen. Spre- in other areas of the state. itzer has stated that the specific Since the release of the property target of this bill was the land sale list, DNR field staff have been con- process currently under review. The ducting reviews of each of them. bill was referred to the Assembly Deputy Director of the DNR Bu- Committee on Environment and reau of Facilities and Lands Doug Forestry. Sen. Mark Miller, D- Haag stated that while most field re- Monona, has introduced a compan- views are complete, a small number ion bill, SB-364, which was referred are not, which is why the matter was to the Senate Committee on Forest- not part of the Natural Resources ry and Energy. Neither bill has been Board agenda for December, as had scheduled for a public hearing. TU been previously anticipated. He said members should contact their legis- reports and recommendations of lators, offer arguments as to why the the central office staff will be pre- potential land sales would be un- sented to the NRB at its February, wise, and request support to not on- TU National his hired Laura MacFarland to work on northern streams. 2016 meeting in Madison. These fi- ly bring this bill to a public hearing, nal reports will be posted on the but to support its adoption. Land Sales page of the DNR web- Right now it’s still a waiting TU hires MacFarland for site in late January. game, though we can continue to ex- Haag also confirmed that the press our concerns and opposition National Forest habitat work DNR central office has received a to the potential sale of these lands, considerable number of letters pro- and also to seek legislative support TU National has hired Laura MacFarland as the new staff person to do testing the proposed land sale. In for the recently introduced AB 499 work on the Nicolet Chequamegon National Forest. Laura comes to Trout addition to the TU email urging our and SB 364. Unlimited following a very successful time with The River Alliance of Wis- members to submit such letters to It will be at least a month before consin, where she worked with the invasive species program. Laura has also DNR staff as well as legislators, final staff reports and recommenda- been involved with TU at the chapter level as president of the Northwoods some of the letters received may tions are available to the public and Chapter the past few years. have been generated by newspaper we should all be watching for them. I’m sure most of you are familiar with the TU model of “Preserve, Re- store, and Reconnect.” It is the “Reconnect” piece of the habitat model that Support Wisconsin TU! Laura is being hired to direct on the National Forest. For years it has been Get your Wisconsin TU license plates! well known that one of the biggest issues facing trout streams in the forest has been poorly placed culverts at road crossings. Many problem sites have Support TU and get your been identified, and streams both large and small have fish populations be- Wisconsin TU license plate now. ing prevented from reaching upstream spawning areas because of poorly Go to www.dot.state.wi.us/ planned culvert installations. Laura’s task will be to obtain funding and work with crews to get the most serious obstructions corrected. drivers/vehicles/personal/ We welcome Laura on board to TU’s staff. Her hiring is another very pos- special/trout.htm itive development for trout in northern Wisconsin. —Kim McCarthy Page 4 Wisconsin Trout Winter 2016 National Leadership Council report By Kim McCarthy, NLC Rep for from early elementary school right Wisconsin TU through college, but many chapters and councils are not familiar with all Things are very active at TU Na- of these programs. Chapter mem- tional. A couple of issues are devel- bers are sometimes reluctant to do oping that will impact local chapters youth activities because they don’t throughout Wisconsin. know how to approach holding an The first is not solely an NLC is- event. Yet TU National has devel- sue but is part of a change in finan- oped plans for just about any kind of cial policy by TU National. Properly youth activity a chapter might want handling money within chapters and to do. councils is a critically important part To solve the familiarity gap be-

of what we do. All chapters and tween what National has available Heidi Oberstadt councils owe it to the resource and and what chapters are aware of, their donors to guarantee that funds each chapter and council will be are used solely for TU’s mission. asked to assign one of their leaders The vast majority of chapters and to serve as education coordinator. Students, volunteers councils have never had any issues These people would take on the task financially. But a few have had of making themselves familiar with problems, and a simple policy could all of the education programs avail- sought for youth camp have prevented them. able through National and provid- The new policy requires two peo- ing that information to their chapter ple to keep an eye on chapter and as education activities are consid- By Linn Beck, State Council Chair streamside habitat workshop includ- council finances. It would be as sim- ered. By having an education coor- ing the fish shocking, fly and spin ple as using online banking and hav- dinator within each chapter, it is I guess with the ringing in of the casting, spin fishing, bait fishing plus ing a board member who is not the hoped that chapters will be able to new year, there is only one thing to many more. We are also adding a treasurer take a quick look at the increase their educational activities. think about…well, maybe two. One new program on invasive species. accounts once a month. Regardless We will be discussing both of is the new fishing season but the We can certainly use more volun- of how chapters decide to imple- these issues at the February 6 Annu- other is just as important. It’s time teers, especially those who fish with ment having a second person check- al Meeting in Oshkosh. I look for- to start thinking about this year’s spinners and bait and who can help ing the finances, National is now ward to seeing all of the chapter third annual WITU Youth Fishing with the fishing excursions. If you going to require all chapters and leaders at the meeting. Camp. are interested in helping, the State councils to implement that policy. TU’s National Leadership Council If you know of a youngster who Council picks up the tab for room The NLC Education Committee is the volunteer body that sets the di- would be interested in attending this and board for the weekend. Come is also hard at work to make educa- rection for TU and is made up of rep- amazing camp, please contact your for one day or stay and help out all tion a larger part of what TU does. resentatives from each state council. local chapter or contact one of the weekend. It’s up to you. If you can TU has developed education pro- Kim McCarthy is Wisconsin TU’s organizers listed below. We are ex- help please contact us. grams to make committed conserva- current NLC representative. pecting to fill the camp roster of 20 All of the WITU youth camp tionists of young people all the way attendees, so the earlier the better staff thank you in advance for help- for getting in your applications to ing us get the third annual camp off assure a spot. to a flying start, and we hope that This year’s camp will run from you consider helping out. You will Thursday July 14 through Sunday be glad you did. July 17 at Pine Lake Bible camp be- To volunteer, nominate a stu- tween Waupaca and Wild Rose. The dent or ask other questions, contact camp is open to all youth ages 12-16. Linn Beck at [email protected], 920- There will be a wide variety of work- 216-7408; Wayne Parmley at shops, from knot tying to fly tying. [email protected], 920- This year’s camp also will have the 540-2315; or Bob Haase at flyti- same great programs like the [email protected], 920-579-3858. 2016 Annual Driftless Symposium Feb. 2-3

By Jeff Hastings, TUDARE Project Manager The annual Driftless Symposium well be held at the Radisson Hotel in La Crosse February 2-3, 2016. Both planning groups have been busy developing two separate tracks: “Coldwater Riparian Management” and “Soil and Wa- ter: Quality Matters.” Those who follow the “Coldwater Riparian Management” track will have the opportunity to attend sessions including: the latest research about Drift- less trout streams; in-stream habitat; riparian connectivity; and the social aspects of water resource management. The “Soil and Water: Quality Matters” track will be offering sessions on: Ecology and Management of Prairiestrips, Cover Crops, Soil Quality Restoration and more. The conference will open up again with five-minute presentations from the various conservation groups working in and around the Driftless Area, and a social at Freight House with plenty of opportunity to network. By the end of December we will have on-line registration and a draft agenda available at http://www.darestoration.com/Symposium.html. Support Wisconsin TU! Get your Wisconsin TU license plates now! Gear up for your Fly Tying and Support Wisconsin TU Winter Destination needs with us. and get your Wisconsin TU license plates now. Go to www.dot.state.wi.us/ drivers/vehicles/ personal/special/ trout.htm Winter 2016 Wisconsin Trout Page 5 Bill Heart receives award from WWA

iron mine development. two). He understands the impor- At its annual awards ceremony tance of this area as a trout fishery in Madison, the Wisconsin Wet- and how wetlands play a part in lands Association bestowed maintaining its health. awards to Heart, as well as the He has connections throughout Bad River Tribal Natural Re- the region and the state and is a sources Program, the Bad River wetland leader, promoting the im- Watershed Association, John portance of this wetland land- Coleman and Dawn White of the scape to the watershed resources Great Lakes Indian Fish and all the way down to Lake Superi- Wildlife Commission Environ- or. mental Section and Jim Meeker He has introduced hundreds of (who passed away in 2014) and people to the wetlands and water Joan Elias. resources of the Bad River According to the WWA, Heart Watershed. Bill’s work in this area was recognized because he has is intensely personal to him. For been instrumental in organizing example, when a large develop- and helping others protect and ment proposal threatened this ar- care for the wetland resources of ea, Bill employed his experience, the Bad River Watershed. He has connections, understanding and Todd Franklin Todd also been involved in fieldwork passion to protect the land he so for the wetlands and advocated dearly loves.” HEART’S EFFORTS RECOGNIZED the importance of the area as a Bill Heart receives an award from Wisconsin Wetlands Association Executive trout fishery. The WWA was established in Director Tracy Hames for his efforts at protecting the Bad River watershed. WWA Executive Director Tra- 1969 for the protection, restoration cy Hames said “Bill knows the and enjoyment and associated eco- Former Council Chair, NLC ing the importance of wetlands in systems through science-based pro- Representative and long-time protecting the Bad River Water- Bad River Watershed. The land, the landscape, and the people are grams, education and advocacy. Wild Rivers Chapter leader Bill shed, which includes the Bad Riv- They hold the annual Wetlands Heart was among several groups er/Kakaogon Sloughs Estuary and a part of his being. There’s no one in the Chequamegon bay area Awards to honor groups and indi- and individuals who were recently the Penokee Hills, an area recent- viduals working hard for wetlands recognized for their work promot- ly considered for a controversial who doesn’t know and love Bill Heart (well maybe one or across the state.

publication, TU’s national office has magazines for kids under 12. worked on behalf of Wisconsin in To take advantage of this offer, Trustee’s Report the past two years to bring addition- simply go to tu.org/familymember- al national staff to Wisconsin. These ship and plug in your information. New and views from our TU national trustee staff are intended to help streams in The entire process only takes a few the northern reaches of our state, minutes. and to help spread the power of By Henry Koltz, TU National Trustee had a few not-insignificant alleged stream restoration just as TUDARE License Plates issues of financial impropriety has done in the Driftless region. As some of you know, I was vot- which have occurred recently. I have Interviews have been held and License plate sales have been ed in as a National Grassroots been closely involved working hires are set. This development is steady. But, to be blunt, we need to Trustee at the beginning of this year. through one of these issues, and due in no uncertain terms to the sell more plates. These plates will I want to say thank you to everyone have a good working knowledge of reputation that TU and its volun- provide $25 each year to the State reading this, as it is undoubtedly others. I can say, quite honestly, that teers have earned. Because of the Council, which we can use for a vari- your collective efforts that resulted in retrospect every group involved work that you’ve done, the national ety of things. From habitat work, to in my appointment. I am keenly would easily trade 15 to 30 minutes office has come through to support hiring professionals to aid us in our aware of the fact that I am nothing each month dealing with these fi- you with additional full-time staff. mission, to simply building up Wis- more than a reflection of the de- nancial controls Congratulations, consin TU’s finances, license plates cades of work that the whole of Wis- versus dealing and let’s do all are a great way to make your car consin TU has logged, and the with missing that we can to look fantastic, and to also help our incredible reputation that its money, police, Because of our support our new cause. achievements have earned. While I anger and suspi- staff moving for- Growing up, I drove what can happen to be the body at the table, cion and disap- incredible leaders, ward, and to probably be best referred to as a the seat is yours. Thank you, in all pointed donors. Wisconsin is on the make sure that “junk parade” of jalopies. One time sincerity. No one wants the north sees the hood of the car I was driving lit- more work to do. forefront of much in the even more in- erally just flew off. One time the dash lights quit working so we Financial controls policy I get it. But think TU world credible work about this: Our projects go into drilled a hole through the dash and First, TU has recently adopted a volunteers and the water. stuck a little battery powered light new Policy on Financial and Proper- donors do so bulb in there. Totally custom, baby. ty Controls. That policy is available A different car had a wheel fly off much for us. They give their time, Free Family Memberships to all leaders in the on-line Tackle money, and efforts all for our good for reasons that are still unclear. Yet Box (available in the Leaders Only cause. They show up when we ask TU recognizes that many of us another car, my first, a ‘76 AMC section of the TU website). The pol- them to. They donate when we ask are one-member TU families. What Matador, was actually more Bondo icy seeks that chapters: them to, and they keep doing so does that mean? Well, in my family than metal. It was so nonmetallic year after year. We owe it to them to for many years I was our only paying that it was actually microwaveable. I • Create an inventory of assets safeguard the financial support that TU member. My wife, however, is as have no idea why my parents lis- over $200 in value. they provide with the same vigor much a part of the TU family as tened to me when I said “I can fix • Ensure funds donated for specif- that we protect cold water. anyone. My kids have basically that car!” Anyhow, I would have ic purposes are in fact used such Moreover, we owe it to our lead- grown up in streams, and half of ev- killed for something like a TU li- purposes ers to ensure that we have given erything they wear has TU embla- cense plate to divert people’s gaze • Not knowingly elect as leaders them a framework to operate with- zoned on it. from whatever I was driving. All I’m those convicted of certain crimes in, and this policy does so. This poli- In short, being TU is second na- asking is that in the spirit of the lita- (notably involving fraud, dishon- cy was vetted with state council ture around my place. But for many ny of rolling garbage I have driven esty, or financial improprieties, chairs, NLC representatives and years, the rest of my family weren’t in my life, that you have mercy on and sex-related crimes); board members from across the TU members. I bet that’s the case for a me and buy a license plate, and help • Strive to have officer turnover nation. lot of us and those we love. Wisconsin TU. and term limits consistent with I firmly believe that although this As a result, TU has launched a the national model bylaws; policy may take some getting used Free Family Membership Upgrade Conclusion • Have a non-signatory officer re- drive. In short, an existing single, to, it is designed with chapters and It’s been another solid year for view financial transactions once chapter leaders’ best interests in regular member can upgrade their per month; membership to a family member- Wisconsin TU. We’ve been as active mind. Because of our incredible as ever supporting our cause in • Strive to use dual signatures for leaders, Wisconsin is on the fore- ship, for free. checks of more than $1,000 (or The benefits include ensuring Madison. We’ve done an incredible front of much in the TU world, and amount of stream work, worked other lower amounts as the chap- I believe that this is another area that each of your family members ter sees fit); and, becomes a TU member, the ability with kids at an amazing clip, and where we can excel and serve as an have been incredibly involved using • Use debit and credit cards with example nationwide. for each of your family TU mem- caution, and as outlined in the bers to create a login for the TU na- trout and cold water to help our vet- policy. tional website, the ability to receive erans. I’ve said it before, but it bears National staffer hired for communications about TU events repeating: It’s an honor and privi- This policy is a direct reaction to northern Wisconsin such as women’s events, kids events, lege to be your voice at the table. actual events. Specifically, TU has workdays, and Stream Explorer Thank you for all that you do for As reported elsewhere in this Wisconsin TU. Page 6 Wisconsin Trout Winter 2016 Driftless trout numbers dynamic Some recent trends in trout numbers in Driftless Area streams

By Matthew Mitro, DNR Trout streams in terms of the number of numbers. Age one trout, which had ently different from one another. Scientist and Joanna Griffin, DNR trout include Plum Creek (Craw- just survived their first winter, also We cannot predict how regional Trout Coordinator ford County), Crooked Creek increased into 2011 and decreased weather conditions will change from (Grant), Mormon Coulee Creek into 2014, followed by a sharp in- one year to the next and how it will Trout populations in streams are (La Crosse), Little La Crosse River crease in 2015. affect regional trends in trout num- dynamic. Trout move and feed and (Monroe), Rush River (Pierce), and If you as an angler have noticed bers. With proper management and grow; some are caught and maybe Timber Coulee Creek (Vernon). that your favorite stream has not protection of our trout populations, harvested while others may suc- The catch per mile of trout greater been fishing as well this past year streams, and watersheds we can ex- cumb to mortality of a natural than five inches was more than compared to just a few years earlier, pect Wisconsin streams to continue cause. Those that survive may 2,000 in these streams. you are likely noticing the regional to provide quality trout fishing op- spawn in the fall and a new year trend in trout numbers shown in the portunities into the future. class (young-of-year) may emerge Timber Coulee and Big DNR stream surveys. There are ma- from those fall eggs the following Spring ny factors driving such trends. Explanation of box plots spring. We often keep tabs on the During this period, we have ex- overall population and how it The remaining figures show in- perienced two major flood events in In each figure the boxes repre- changes from year to year by way of formation on two individual streams the Driftless region (2007 and sent the 25th to 75th percentiles, the annual electrofishing stream sur- that were surveyed annually through 2008), cool-wet summers (2010), black bars represent the median or veys. 2015 as a part of different research hot-dry summers (2012), unusually 50th percentile, and the horizontal In 2007 the DNR updated its sur- studies. warm winters (December 2011- line across years represents the av- vey methods to be better able to The 11-year October survey for March 2012), and unusually cold erage of the medians. The “caps” on track changes in trout abundance Timber Coulee Creek (Vernon winters (December 2013-March ends of the bars extend to the 5th or across the state and through time. County) showed steep increases in 2014). 95th percentiles. In any given year, We specifically included repeated brown trout abundance from 2005 Such variable weather conditions 50% of the streams surveyed had annual surveys of a range of streams to 2011 in both upper (near Lars will have regional effects on stream abundances that fall within the box, to identify trends over time. Here Hill Road) and lower (near Olstad conditions and affect regional vari- and half of the surveyed streams we are going to focus on the Drift- Road) reaches of the stream. The ability in trout numbers. On top of had abundances greater than the less Area of Wisconsin. number of brown trout age one and this, individual streams are inher- median or above the black bar. We surveyed 63 Driftless Area older was about four times greater streams in June-September for five in 2011 than in 2005. Trout numbers or more years during 2007-2014. have since declined into 2015 but re- (Region-wide data for 2015 were main about twice as high as they not yet available for these analyses.) were in 2005. This decline in age Figures 1-3 show trends in the num- one and older trout may be related ber of brown trout greater than five to the sharp drop in young-of-year inches in length per mile (generally brown trout after 2011. Young-of- age one and older), brown trout year brown trout in Timber Coulee greater than nine inches (legal size Creek, however, have increased in Driftless streams allowing harvest over the past couple years. in 2007-2014), and brown trout less Elk Creek (Richland and Vernon than five inches (generally young-of- counties), in a 12-year October sur- year). vey, showed a similar increasing The actual abundance of trout in trend in age one and older brown a stream may be higher than these trout abundance from 2004 to 2011 numbers because our electrofishing followed by a decline into 2015. surveys do not catch every fish in a Young-of-year numbers were quite stretch of stream. We typically cap- variable, with strong year classes ture 75-90 percent of the fish from produced in 2005 and 2009. As in year to year in a given stream, so Timber Coulee Creek, Elk Creek these numbers are an accurate index young-of-year numbers declined in- of the actual abundance of trout in a to 2013 and have increased into stream. 2015. We see an increasing trend in Big Spring Branch (Grant and trout abundance across the Driftless Iowa counties), in an 11-year April Area of Wisconsin from 2007 survey, showed an almost six-fold in- through 2012 followed by a decline crease in age 2 and older trout num- into 2014. Young-of-year trout numbers from 2006 to 2011 in a lower bers appeared more variable, with reach (near Pine Tree Road). strong year classes noted in 2009, Stream habitat work had been com- 2010, and 2012. pleted at this site and may have con- Some of the “best of the best” tributed to the high observed Winter 2016 Wisconsin Trout Page 7

By Women For Women Beginners Fly Fishing

Clinic free 9:30am 4:30pm lunch included Saturday, Feb 6, 2016 Best Western One North Main Street Oshkosh, WI 54901 920 230-1900

Hosted by WITU and presented by Wisconsin Women’s Fly Fishing Clinics.

Page 8 Wisconsin Trout Winter 2016 Driftless Rambler With Duke Welter TUDARE Communications Director These are the good old days An abundance of riches. A trout water across the region, in wealth of resources. A plethora of about 600 watersheds. A rough esti- challenges. However you look at it, mate of the dollars going into Drift- the increasing number of miles of less Area restoration at the time trout water, improved trout water, would have been about $1 million a and publicly accessible trout water year from all sources. indicate the Driftless Area is an in- The number of miles of public credible place for a trout angler. fishing access would have been And if you pay some attention to about 750 miles across the three the research attempting to model states, although some of it wasn't le- what our trout resources might look gally enforceable access, but rather like in a changing climatic world in permission from landowner grant- 50 to 100 years, you might conclude ed through a handshake. that the attention being paid to these resources gives us some What's it look like today? This spring you may see this Limited Edition 1957 Rambler Rebel along a ground for optimism that they will continue to offer quality fishing. Today the number of miles of Driftless stream. The 327-inch V-8 will make it a snappy mover from 0-60, if its To try to assess what we have, classified trout water has increased operator can find a straightaway. Who knows, maybe it will have a trunkful of and where we were a few years ago, dramatically in the Wisconsin Drift- Driftless Ale? Jim Dworschack of Soldiers Grove restored this beauty. I contacted various sources to gath- less Area, from about 2,500 miles in er information on trout resources in 2002 to almost 4,445 miles today, obtain a grant from USDA’s Natural see the good ones hang it up, and the three Driftless states richest in with more on the way. Minnesota Resources Conservation Service of one can hope that there will be a those waters. Then I sought to cal- counts 173 streams with 800 miles of almost $5 million for projects in the way to utilize his expertise to help culate how much publicly accessible trout water, and Iowa reports an- watershed. Part of the Mississippi more projects across the region. TU water is available, and how that’s other 530 miles of trout water. That River Basin Initiative, the grants has honored John for the great con- changed in the past 10 years or so. totals up to 5,775 miles of trout wa- are intended to reduce sediment tribution he made and vision he has Comparatively speaking, I can go ter in the three states, an increase of and nutrients flowing into the big had for the streams of this part of back to a mid-1970s article from Fly 1,775 miles of classified water in the river from targeted watersheds. the state. They’re better for his Fisherman magazine by the late Jim past 14 years. Jeff Hastings, TUDARE Project work. Humphrey (co-author with Bill And what does the access picture Manager, co-wrote the grant and Shogren of “Trout Streams of Wis- look like? Well, Wisconsin DNR re- says it will help focus on key erosion New event coming consin and Minnesota,” the first and ports 694 miles of access to trout sites where both fisheries and water streams in the Driftless Area. Min- quality can be improved. DNR and Although we witnessed the last second editions of which are known of the Great Waters Fly Fishing Ex- to some anglers as the Old and New nesota has 208 miles of access, and Vernon County are pursuing ease- Iowa reports 143 miles of streams ments to go along with the project po in the Twin Cities, a new event Testaments) on Driftless Area trout will be coming to western Wisconsin opportunities. Back then, Jim could have public access. sites. Landowners can sign up now Other entities also hold ease- with the Vernon and Crawford in March. The River Falls Fly Fish- focus on only a half-dozen streams ing Festival (or R4F), is March 11 across the region, simply because ments in the Wisconsin parts of the County Land Conservation depart- Driftless Area. Counties hold at ments. If you know landowners in and 12 on the UW-River Falls cam- there were so few available to be pus. Organized by Brian Smolinski, fished. Not much restoration had least 87 miles of easements, land this area, please encourage them to trusts at least 14, local conservation sign up. proprietor of Lund’s Fly Shop in been done, and many streams were River Falls, the Friday night event badly degraded. clubs at least 10, and TU an estimated 10 miles. The Wisconsin total, in- will be a Fly Fishing Film Tour pre- These days, the number of high- DNR’s John Sours retires sentation and party, and Saturday quality fisheries across the region cluding the DNR easements, comes to 814 miles. During the last 20-plus years, will offer exhibitors, seminars, fly- has mushroomed, with strong resto- I’ve had hundreds of interactions tying and other fun stuff. Check in ration programs in both Wisconsin Combining Wisconsin’s total with those of Iowa and Minnesota, with the DNR’s John Sours, who be- at the RFflyfishingfestival.com web- and Minnesota leading to reduced came the leader of the “Trout site and Facebook page for details. erosion, better natural reproduc- that's at least 1,166 miles of publicly accessible trout streams. In a region Crew” in west-central Wisconsin. tion, and abundant public access. As TU pushed hard to develop the a matter of policy, both Minnesota where the vast majority of trout Project planning help stream miles are privately owned, Trout Crew in 1997-98 to put a and Wisconsin DNR require public backlog of trout stamp dollars into Project planning, done well, fishing access before they invest in a it’s a significant resource for public takes time and networking, thought recreation. the water. John headed that crew stream, and so does TU. In Iowa, for four years, and dozens of proj- and vision. We’ve found that if plan- some “handshake” public fishing ac- These are, as I said, the good old ning a project takes an extra year, it days. ects got done in the area around cess agreements are still in place, Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Hud- will be far better organized and but they only last as long as the son and River Falls. funded than if it is rushed. landowner who agrees to grant ac- Lower Kickapoo getting When the backlog was gone, we Right now long-term planning cess rights continues to do so. help worked with a solid group of con- meetings are going on across the When TUDARE began back in Lower Kickapoo River tributar- servation partners including TU Driftless Area, bringing together 2004-6, biologists estimated that ies may get a lot of attention the chapters, county and federal con- agencies, partners and landowners. there were about 4,000 miles of next three years, as TUDARE helps servation agencies, good local out- They mull possible projects, plan a door groups, schools and couple years ahead, put together universities to find other funding partnerships, and get things under and do more projects. way. John served as Trout Crew lead- In December more than 30 peo- er since 1998, and put in hundreds ple joined to talk about projects of evenings and weekends working east and west of Menomonie, and in with landowners and volunteers, op- January we expect to hold more erating an excavator like a surgeon meetings around LaCrosse and with a scalpel, meeting with groups Decorah, and possibly elsewhere in in the evenings, and just helping the Driftless Area. If you’re inter- move things forward. ested in helping to organize or at- It wasn’t hard to recognize tend these events, email me at John’s burly figure in that cab even [email protected]. from a distance, from morning ‘til Similarly, we’re starting the plan- dark, throughout every dry day of ning process for the Westby Work- the project season and a bunch of shop to be held at Living Waters the soggy ones. Bible Camp April 2-3, 2016. If you But it was darn hard to recognize would like to learn how to plan, him to give him thanks for all the fund, organize, carry out, publicize work he did, because he isn’t a or celebrate a restoration project, headline-grabbing kind of guy. John this is the place to do it. Duke Welter retired this past fall after more than If you’ve got ideas for what you’d 30 years with the DNR, just after we like to see offered, or would like to BOB HUNT AND JOHN SOURS SHARING IDEAS showcased projects on Trimbelle play a role in this fun two-day event, The DNR’s John Sours (right) is retiring. Sours was leader of the “Trout Crew” River and Gilbert Creek on the complete with evening dinner and TUDARE project tour, projects fishing opportunities and other fun, in west-central Wisconsin and helped with dozens of projects in the area send me an email. around Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Hudson and River Falls. he’d played key roles in. You hate to Winter 2016 Wisconsin Trout Page 9 Passing the torch: Women teaching women at the Wisconsin Women’s Fly Fishing Clinics Water Skills” Clinic focuses on giv- Over the last few years that I ing women a chance to review basics have been involved with the Wom- and gain more experience in casting, en’s Clinics, I hear time and again fly selection, reading water, and line the instructors speak of when a par- management. ticipant “gets it,” that “aha!” mo- Intermediate participants also ment when it all comes together and get a chance to fish with several dif- she understands the power of this ferent volunteers from Wisconsin pursuit, the pure and unadulterated Trout Unlimited chapters, introduc- joy of being on the water and feeling ing them to networks of experienced connected to everything around anglers and challenging “the boys” you. to think seriously about how best to Some have been lucky enough to help mentor women in the sport. receive this legacy from fathers, I have received a lot of eye rolls mothers, grandfathers or friends, when talking about the idea of a but for some of us the path to fly- “Women’s Clinic” with other an- fishing has been a little less straight- glers. Even my mother, who also forward. And for many of the more fishes, was skeptical when I first than 200 ladies who have been for- broached the topic. Why have a clin- tunate enough to attend the Wis- ic only for women? What does that consin Women’s Fly Fishing Clinics matter? over the last seven years, this group I suppose many of us would an- of female anglers who are commit- Wisconsin Women’s Fly Fishing Women’s Wisconsin swer this question in different ways: ted to passing the torch to a new FLY LINES ARE FLYING, WITH SOME NICE LOOPS women have a different learning generation of women have been, The Wisconsin Women’s Fly Fishing Clinics’ cover everything from fly tying to style; we have the shared experience well, everything. casting to identifying aquatic life. of feeling a bit reticent about looking for advice and mentorship in a Sign up now! sport where most of the participants By Erica Hickey loved fly-fishing. I knew that al- are men. Maybe some of us are The 2016 Wisconsin Wom- ready, but I needed skills, and I afraid of being patronized or that en’s Fly Fishing Clinic “Basics The friendship and support of an needed to ask questions of someone our inexperience will somehow be Clinic” is June17-19. experienced fly fisher can be so im- who had the knowledge, time, and interpreted as helplessness. The “On the Water Skills In- portant for a novice angler. patience to give me good answers. I My answer to this question is termediate Clinic” is June 15- Learning how to fish as an adult had heard about the Wisconsin “Why not? Spending time with peo- 16. and as a woman, I felt my lack of Women’s Fly Fishing Clinics from a ple who share your interest; nights Volunteers, flies and extra mentorship acutely. friend and fellow novice angler. around the campfire drinking beer; gear and tackle are always wel- It’s not that I don’t have good Myself and two other girlfriends telling fishing stories; watching a comed. For more information fishing genes. My grandfather was had decided to check it out, hoping participant and new friend release go to swtu.org/wffc_womens_ an avid outdoorsman: a hunter, a to become more competent in our her first trout, letting that vibrant, clinics.html. fisher, a lover of the lakes and waders and to transition from being living soul slip through her hands to woods. He took me fishing when I ladies who relied on guides or hus- disappear back into the depths. This Hope to see you on the wa- was seven years old on Lake Ontar- bands for help to being independent is more than just the passing of io, using big spinning rods and fly fishers. What we discovered over knowledge. It is the stuff that we live ter. downriggers for Great Lakes salm- the course of the next several days for, fishermen and women alike.” on. I mostly watched, but I was was a living culture of passionate fe- proud of the fish he caught and male anglers, a legacy that we had prouder still that he deemed me not even known existed. stalwart enough to accompany him. Through word of mouth, these I don’t know if he ever fished annual clinics have become a gath- with a fly rod. No one in my family is ering place for some of the most ex- able to remember, but he died when perienced female anglers and guides I was 12 years old, long before I had in the Midwest. Not only that, but discovered the quiet beauty of fly many of the instructors who come to line on water. share their expertise are also experi- He died on the opening day of enced educators. They know how to fishing season, on the shore of his fish, but they also know how to com- favorite fishing spot. Some days municate, encourage, build confi- when I am up in the Driftless Area dence. And they are starting to show fishing on my own, I wish he were those of us who now have a few there with me to pass on his legacy years of experience behind us how of fishing knowledge. I know that in to teach others. his gruff, yet kind, way he would The three-day Basics Clinic ad- have been a good teacher. dresses the minutiae needed to get It was this fishing knowledge that out on the water and fish: how to I sought when I drove to the Ava- put a rod together and rig the line, lanche campground near Viroqua in tie knots, identify insects, a casting Fly Fishing Women’s Wisconsin June of 2012 for what would be per- clinic, and a fishing session with a haps three of the most impactful more experienced female “River TRULY PROFESSIONAL ADVICE and important days of my life. I Buddy.” The Intermediate “On the Instructor/guide Nome Buckman (center) is one of the key instructors for the women’s clinic. She is a guide in the UP. Not only do the instructors teach the students, but they show the more experienced students how to share their knowledge with each other and with newcomers to the sport. MIKE’S SERVICE AT LANGLADE JUNCTION OF HWY. 55 AND 64 FLY SHOP AUTO REPAIR Fly Shop & Sporting Goods Need a special pattern? Ask Mike! • Custom Tied Flies •

MICHAEL & (715) 882-8901 ALICE KLIMOSKI 4505 STATE ROAD 55 Owners WHITE LAKE, WISCONSIN 54491 Page 10 Wisconsin Trout Winter 2016 A life-changing experience The Reel Recovery leader was inspired by cancer survivors and volunteers. By Jeremy Southworth my way inside the lobby when I was drawn to a large banner that read The date was important enough “REEL RECOVERY…BE WELL! that I’ll always remember it: Febru- FISH ON!” and was instantly greet- ary 9, 2012. Perusing the local paper ed by the staff. during my lunch break, I came From the moment I stepped into across the headline “Onalaska may the hotel lobby and walked into the reel in fishing retreat for men with inaugural Midwest Reel Recovery cancer.” For some reason, it retreat, I unknowingly became part grabbed my attention. of a family that can share something At the time I was 35 and consid- deeper and more meaningful than I ered myself an avid outdoorsman. could have imagined, all because I The words “fishing retreat” instant- took the time to volunteer at what I ly piqued my interest. The article ignorantly thought was just a fishing went on to describe a fishing retreat retreat. that would bring together men It had such a positive effect on whom had been effected by cancer, my outlook on life that I have and would allow them to spend a agreed to serve as the state coordi- few days together and talking about nator for Reel Recovery. My goal how they cope with the disease. It now is to make this organization a would also pair them up with a fish- household name. ing buddy to learn the art of fly fish- Reel Recovery was founded in ing. The article ended with some 2003 by a group of avid fly-fishers contact information and asked for who were inspired by their fishing volunteers. buddy’s ongoing battle with brain At this point in my life, I had cancer. Witnessing first-hand the

never even picked up a fly rod, but beneficial impact that fly-fishing Larson Anthony the draw of fishing with men who provided their friend, they created had been diagnosed with cancer Reel Recovery to provide the same HIGHLIGHT OF REEL RECOVERY RETREATS? FISHING, OF COURSE! had gotten me to write down the opportunity for other men who website, and I was determined to were battling cancer. Retreat participant Milton Borntranger (left) fishes with then-volunteer Jeremy throw my name in the hat in hopes Combining fly-fishing instruction Southworth, who is now the state coordinator for Reel Recovery. of being chosen to volunteer in with directed, courageous conversa- whatever capacity I was needed. tions, the organization provides therapy sessions. Going into these Traverse City, Michigan is the only The following evening I punched men with all forms of cancer a conversations, some of the men ap- other retreat in our region. With in the website and discovered pho- unique opportunity to share their proached it with their guards up, nearly 800,000 men in the United tos and quotes of men who had at- stories, learn a new skill, form last- tight-lipped and stubborn…because States being diagnosed with cancer tended one of these retreats. Seeing ing friendships and gain renewed that’s the way many of us have been each year there are very few pro- those pictures and reading about hope as they confront the challeng- raised. But the main purpose of grams out there specifically for men their feelings excited me even more. es of cancer. these conversations is to reverse and none that offer what Reel Re- I navigated through the site and The mission of Reel Recovery is that. covery retreats do for men. found the “how can I help” tab. to help men in the cancer recovery By the last “courageous conver- All Reel Recovery retreats are It wasn’t long before I received a process by introducing them to the sation” on Friday afternoon, the free to the men we serve. The Wis- follow-up email and a personal healing powers of the sport of fly- men have completely changed their consin/Midwest retreat is currently phone call from one of the organiz- fishing, while providing a safe, sup- perception of cancer and have seeking funding from individuals, ers who had noticed that I had list- portive environment to explore opened up their hearts and minds. businesses and organizations. I ed my “career” as emergency their personal experiences of cancer Many leave the retreats as truly would like to personally invite and medical technician on the applica- with others who share their stories. changed men. These unique conver- challenge all TU members and tion. They had apparently noticed The retreats are three days long sations are what makes a Reel Re- chapters to help make sure this the lack of fly-fishing experience, as and give a mixture of “courageous covery retreat such an amazing event occurs for years to come. they asked if I would be interested conversations” and fishing time to opportunity for the survivors and If you or someone you know in providing medical support for the participants. the volunteers. would like more information on their upcoming event. Without hesi- Since I was initially placed in a The participants, like me, got Reel Recovery, please visit the web- tation, I gladly accepted, because I position of general support, I had hooked with the promise of fishing site at reelrecovery.org or feel free was going to be part of a “fishing re- the opportunity to participate in all some of the country’s greatest wa- to contact me personally at jsouth- treat” that benefitted men with can- of the aspects of the retreat, not just ters with a fly-rod. Each day there [email protected] cer, and I wasn’t going to be asked the fishing. This gave me the oppor- are designated times in which the to teach someone how to fly fish. tunity to sit in on one of the “coura- participants are given fly-fishing in- Fast forward a few months to geous conversations,” in which the struction, and are then taken to sev- September 12, 2012, at Stoney men share their experiences with eral area locations to put their Creek Inn in Onalaska. At this cancer through guided questions, newfound skills to the test. point I still didn’t know a lot about mediated by a psychologist. As many of you are already well the organization. I parked my truck Throughout the retreat, the men aware, there are many benefits to in the hotel parking lot and made are able to attend five different heading out to the local streams, rivers and lakes with rod in hand, the same goes for the participants of a Reel Recovery retreat. Something magical happens when you are sur- rounded by the natural beauty of the outdoors. When it’s calm and peaceful on the local stream, and you quietly watch the tip of a trout’s nose break the surface in search of its next meal and you try to outsmart it with your best fly and your per- fectly placed cast. That’s what makes Reel Recov- ery such an amazing organization. It combines some much needed open conversations between men experi- encing many of the same hardships and struggles of cancer with the peacefulness that is fly-fishing. It gives the men hope, it gives them a Elevate your fly fishing to a new place to talk openly, and it allows level. The Original BlueSky them to be vulnerable if only for a few days. Furled Leader. Sizes for all fish & Reel Recovery began hosting re- fishing conditions. BlueSky - the treats in Wisconsin in 2012 and will leader in furled leaders.TM Anthony Larson Anthony be hosting 27 retreats in the United CLOSING CEREMONY States and New Zealand in 2015. FurledLeaders.com Reel Recovery participant Gilles Cochet with Retreat Facilitator Ted Larson The Wisconsin/Midwest retreat [email protected] • Ph/Fax 920-822-5396 serves almost the entire Midwest as (putting hand on chest) at the closing ceremony of the Retreat. 1237 Yurek Rd., Pulaski WI 54162 USA Winter 2016 Wisconsin Trout Page 11 Hidey Ho from Heidi O. Women’s Initiative Chair Heidi Oberstadt

Hello, Wisconsin TU members! exciting to see what chapters and Once again I am thrilled to be women across the country have full of fabulous information regard- been doing! You can read the most ing the women in Wisconsin TU. recent newsletter by following this Our Women’s Initiative committee link: tu.org/sites/default/files/Wom- had its first conference call this fall, ens_Initiative_Newsletter_Novemb and we will resume regular calls this er_2015.pdf. spring! As always, if you are inter- If you are active on the national ested in joining our Women’s Initia- TU website, tu.org, you can sign in tive here in Wisconsin, please reach to your account, and have access to the new women’s website at tu.org/women. There, you can find information that will help your chapters get and stay involved with the women in your area, including back issues of On IF HEIDI HAS ONE, THEN THEY MUST BE COOL! The Rise. Support TU and get your Wisconsin TU license plate now. Go I got a new vise for to www.dot.state.wi.us/drivers/vehicles/personal/special/ Christmas, trout.htm and believe me, I’ll be out to me. I don’t bite, and we will making good use of it during the up- welcome you with open arms! coming cold and snowy months. I Our WITU State Council is ex- will be spending a week of January cited to be hosting our second annu- in Colorado at the Women’s Show- al free introductory clinic for case of the Fly Fishing Show and women who are interested in learn- out on some secret water. Mean- ing more about fly fishing, on Feb- while, I’ll see you all out on our ruary 6, in Oshkosh. This year, we’re streams on January 2. You’ll know adding a social event on Friday, I’m there when you see my license February 5, for active fly anglers. plate. Send me an email and I’ll get you on Love, Heidi O. the list. [email protected] National TU has been produc- 715-573-5104 ing a quarterly Women’s Initiative newsletter entitled On The Rise. It’s EDITORIAL CAFO threatens Ashland and Another View Bayfield county trout streams

By Mary Dougherty, CAFOs on water. With 16 CAFOs and more than Creek would be impacted because the flow of Co-Founder of Farms Not Factories 98,000 cows in Kewaunee County, more than 30 cold groundwater will diminish and the water will percent of tested private wells are polluted with warm. Bayfield County, known for its premier trout nitrates and bacteria. The Wisconsin DNR estimated that the Fish fishing and access to Lake Superior, may soon From the fur trade through the 1860’s, the log- Creek watershed accounted for 20 percent of join the ranks of the 57 other counties in Wiscon- ging and cutover through the 1920’s and the Lake Superior’s self-sustaining, migratory fisher- sin with a Concentrated Animal Feeding Opera- small-scale agriculture of today, the Fish Creek ies and spawned 47,000 one-year-old migratory tion (CAFO), know by some as a “factory farm,” watershed has seen land-use practices that have trout and young-of-the year Coho salmon in the within its borders. impacted its overall health and vitality. South Fish 1990’s. The Badgerwood CAFO and the farm Iowa hog farmer and businessman Dale Reicks Creek, where the Badgerwood CAFO will be lo- fields that will receive its manure is upstream submitted an application in late 2014 requesting a cated, has experienced the most adverse impacts from this sensitive and important fish spawning permit for a farrowing CAFO in the Town of Ei- and already has elevated levels of phosphorus, ac- and nursery and, given the self-reporting and self- leen, about eight miles from the Chequamegon cording to the research conducted by Professor regulating nature of the CAFO industry, is ex- Bay and Lake Superior. According to the Febru- Randy Lehr of Northland College. tremely vulnerable to the water pollution that of- ary 2015 application, the Badgerwood LLC facili- Given the complexity of the watershed and the ten accompanies industrial agriculture. ty will house 100 boars, 7,500 sows, 4,125 (55 numerous feeder streams that flow into the Fish We don’t believe that existing CAFO regula- pound market weight) pigs and 14,625 (0-55 Creek Watershed and the Chequamegon Bay, tions protect citizens or are adequately enforced. pound) piglets. runoff from the land-spread or injected manure For instance on October 20, 2015, 16 Wisconsin The Badgerwood facility will be the largest hog poses a threat to the entire fishery. citizens and Midwest Environmental Advocates CAFO in the state as well as the first hog CAFO Nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, filed a petition for corrective action with the U.S. in the entire Lake Superior basin. The DNR reduce the dissolved oxygen in the streams and EPA asking them to more closely monitor water CAFO specialist responsible for permitting the creeks and will either reduce or eliminate habitat regulation in Wisconsin. In addition, 45 former facility, already monitors 77 CAFOs in 15 coun- necessary for a robust trout population. Unfortu- DNR employees sent a letter to the EPA express- ties and is located in Black River Falls, more than nately, many small wetlands were lost when the ing deep concern about the DNR’s ability to ef- 200 miles from the proposed Badgerwood CAFO area was cleared for farm fields in the 1920’s and fectively administer its Wisconsin Pollution site. as a result, there are areas of “concentrated flow” Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) pro- It is estimated that Badgerwood will dump 10 which further contribute to runoff and sediment gram. million gallons of manure per year in the water- entering the system. Wisconsin citizens are in a quintessential Da- shed of Fish Creek, and possibly the White River While there are no current plans to spread or vid and Goliath fight against an industry that has watersheds. Given the clay soils and potential for inject manure near North Fish Creek, the CAFO insured they have every legislative and regulatory runoff, the health of these watersheds is in very requires a large amount of water (between 24 – 33 right to operate in rural communities, regardless real danger. million gallons annually) and will have two pumps of what citizens want. I’m deeply concerned that the intersection be- with a flow rate of 65 gallons per minute. Current- This is the time for courage and truth. A time tween little to no DNR operational oversight and ly, North Fish Creek has a steady supply of cold, for citizens, elected officials and organizations to the self-regulating/self-reporting nature of the artesian water and maintains a temperature of stand together, united in defense of their commu- CAFO industry will result in disastrous conse- about 50 degrees in the summer, which provides nity’s clean water and air. quences for Lake Superior and that streams that an optimal environment for the resident rainbow For more information about the Badgerwood feed it. and brown trout. CAFO, check out Farms Not Factories website, I have been working with citizens from Ke- If the CAFO starts to deplete the groundwater www.farmsnotfactorieswi.org. waunee County, who know too well the impacts of due to its water demands, it is likely North Fish Page 12 Wisconsin Trout Winter 2016 Learning from Tenkara-no-Oni The master of long-line Tenkara shows his skills By Matt Sment of Badger Tenkara light lines more accurately that any- onstrated long-line casting with line upstream position with different one you’ve ever seen! lengths exceeding 10 meters. It was drifts and tactics. It is not often that one gets the One of the most common mis- explained that while this would be On some casts, the line would be chance to meet someone who is a conceptions about Tenkara is that largely impractical on the water, it kept off the water entirely, and oth- true “master” of anything, let alone the length of the rod is used to dan- serves as excellent training for cast- ers, half the line was in the water as fly fishing. This summer I had the gle the line and fly in the water like ing and manipulating “normal” he played the fly downstream. Some opportunity to learn from Masami a “cane pole.” I’ve heard many fly length level lines. The idea being drifts were very short, 2-3 seconds Sakakibara, known as “Tenkara-no- anglers say that they are not inter- that if you can control a 10 meter long, and others were very long, as Oni,” and one of the most respected ested in exploring Tenkara because line, you'll be able to exert even he drifted an entire broad section of and experienced Tenkara anglers in “they like to cast and wouldn’t be more control over a 3-5 meter line. current from top to bottom. There the world. Hosted by Tenkara able to do that with Tenkara.” Any- There is certainly a logic to that! did not seem to be any hard and fast Guides LLC, the “Oni Tenkara body holding this opinion need only As far as all of those amazing, rules, and his tactics were extremely School USA” was held June 13-15 watch Tenkara-no-Oni use an ultra- graceful casts that you can see Oni dynamic. on three different-but-incredible light 10-meter line to drop a pin- make on You- Of course, it rivers near Salt Lake City, Utah. point cast on a 12-inch target to Tube videos, goes without say- At this point, you may be think- know the true potential of Tenkara they are 100 ing that his casts ing about people who have been fly casting! percent real. He He casts long, light were precise and fishing all of their lives, and nobody On the water, he fished more makes crisp, but lines more accurately consistently im- is calling them a “master.” So what practical lengths of line (4-5 meters) never overpow- pressive. You is the big deal about Masami Sakak- with a tippet section of about 3 feet, ered, casts that that anyone you’ve could tell that he ibara? Simply put, he casts long, but on several occasions Oni dem- rely more on ever seen! was not just cast- timing than ing into that shad- force. One ma- owy area by the jor thing to note bank, he was cast- is that he does not give his cast time ing to that clump of grass sticking to straighten out behind him. Often out by that particular rock in the times, the line was still travelling shadowy area by the bank, because backwards, the line tip overhead, that is exactly where his fly would when the rod tip was snapping for- land. ward again. The cast’s backstroke I had the pleasure of watching was the familiar abrupt stop at 12 him catch a good-sized cutthroat o’clock, but it was a much faster that gave him some nice runs. The backstroke than I expected. fish put a serious bend into the rod One big takeaway from watching and Oni brought up his off hand Oni fish was that his entire body is to support the rod. If you have not involved in supporting the cast. He seen this technique, it is a good one places the foot on his casting side to learn. He applies his off hand forward and firmly plants it before with an open palm to the section up making the throw. He often drops above the grip. It is important to into a slight crouch to lower his cen- note that he does not grasp ter of gravity and settle into a stable the section; that would stop the sec- position. Conversely, when he gets a tion from being able to flex. He sim- good sized fish on the hook, he does ply puts his open hand there to act not remain rooted in place. He as resistance for the fish to pull the springs quickly into action and rod against, and at the same time, moves as needed to play the fish. drops the rod sideways so that it is This seamless shift between stability mostly parallel to the water. This and mobility gives him whichever lets the rod flex and distribute the advantage he needs at a given mo- force of the fight across the entire ment to best target or land a fish. rod. Oni keeps a very light and flexi- It was an honor and pleasure to ble grip on the rod. During the cast, meet Tenkara-no-Oni and an invalu- the butt travels 2-3 inches out from able learning experience to watch his wrist before returning. I saw him him fish. There was a lot to learn make several corrections on casts and I am still processing much of it where the angler was creating too myself. Hopefully, I’ve passed on much separation, so this is an impor- something from the experience in tant aspect of his casting style. A fre- this article that you’ll find useful or quent move I observed was Oni re- thought provoking for your own positioning his hand on the upper, Tenkara fishing. If you have not seen middle, or lower grip by doing a Tenkara-no-Oni casting, there is a small, quick toss of the rod into the wealth of videos on YouTube that air and then grabbing it where he showcase his skills, and demonstrate wanted it next. I suspect that this the potential of long-line Tenkara. was largely to make minor adjust- Have fun exploring. ments in range, used in conjunction with body position when setting up for a cast. Scott W. Grady Tactically, he made very Rodmaker thorough and varied explorations of key water. He would target specific zones and terrain features, in se- quences set to minimize disturbance Split Bamboo Rods to areas he had not yet hit. When New, repairs, restoration, appraisals fishing a pool, he would fish the Rodmaking Tools and Advice TENKARA MASTER SHARES HIS TECHNIQUES near edge, then the bottom, then the far edge, then get out and move "Tenkara-no-Oni" demonstrates casting from a kneeling position directly Call or email Scott for details at around the far side of the pool, and 920/687-0987 or [email protected] towards the class. fish the entire pool again from an Winter 2016 Wisconsin Trout Page 13 Bob’s sunken beetle draws hard hits from fish By Bob Haase MATERIALS LIST I don’t know the origin of the Bob’s sunken beetle first sunken beetle but as new tying materials become available I keep modifying and changing the pattern. Hook: Mustad 3906B or equiv- My first modification was a varia- alent #12 & #14 tion of a fly tied by John Gremmer, Step 2 - Cut three clumps of Thread: black 140 denier and I used black toolbox liner for pheasant tail fibers about 3/8-inch Body: mixture of ice dubbing the shell back. I then changed the (blue & green) wide and tie them by the tips as body material from chenille to Ice Head: dark purple/black iri- Dubbing and the shell back to shown, letting the tips of the fibers descent 6/0 glass bead Step 6 - Select a wild turkey body pheasant tail fibers coated with UV- go past the eye of the hook. Tie the set polymer. Weight:.25 lead or lead-free feather and trim it so that you have a first clump in on top and the next two sharp edge on each side on the top. All the previous patterns worked Step 4 - Turn the hook upside down quite well, and sometimes they clumps on each side. Trim the tips of Select about six or seven fibers on and, using a scissors, trim the ice caught fish when nothing else was the fibers as shown. This is for a each side and cut the stem where it dubbing close to the body as shown. working. When fishing this pattern #12 hook. Use a little less for is separated. Run each side between just let the sunken beetle tumble in smaller hooks. Then turn the hook right side up. the riffles and strip it in the pools. your forefinger and thumbnail to You will not believe how hard the separate the fibers. fish hit these. I believe the pattern shown here is the most productive yet, and you will want to have some in your fly box.

Step 3 - Dub the body with a mixture Step 5 - Bring the pheasant tail fibers of ice dubbing. I blend Emerald Step 7 - Position the fibers on the over the back first and tie in with a Green, Blue Steelie and purple. After side of the body and using your wrap of thread or two over the fibers dubbing, use a Velcro brush to pull thumb and forefinger to hold them in and then in front of the fibers behind Step 1 - Put a glass purple or black down the fibers as shown. position, tie them in place. Make the bead. Repeat this with a clump of 6/0 bead on the hook. Then make wraps behind and in front of the legs fibers for each side, trying to keep wraps of .25 lead or lead-free wire to hold them out perpendicular to the the fibers even as shown and leaving from the point of the hook to the body. Trim the excess fibers off and a little of the body showing. Then bead. Start your thread and wrap tie off your thread. trim off the excess fibers as close as over the lead to secure the lead you can to the bead. wraps. Then coat the lead with UV- Step 8 - Place one coat of head set polymer to help secure and seal cement over your thread wraps and the lead. the pheasant tail shell back. Let dry and place a coat of Loon UV Knot Sense over the shell, covering all the Advice from fibers on top and sides. You can use Bob’s Tying Tips the bench of a bodkin to spread the Knot Sense so Bob Haase that it covers evenly. Then put a coat of regular UV-set polymer over that Coating lead wire with lighting when tying on location for and you are done. UV-set polymer short periods, but one of the best A while back I started coating investments I have made in my ty- my wraps of lead wire with a UV- ing is purchasing a good tying Get “social” with our Facebook pages set polymer to lock in the wraps, light for my home and cottage but more importantly to coat the where I do most of my tying. Look We’re getting social. The Council now has an official lead and seal it. I do not have doc- around and take some time in se- Wisconsin Trout Unlimited Facebook page at face- umentation to prove it, but I be- lecting a good light that fits your book.com/WisconsinTU. So go ahead and give us a lieve that sealing the lead with a tying needs. “Like!” We’ve also set up a Wisconsin Trout Unlimited UV-set polymer makes the fly State Council “group” on Facebook for people to share more environmentally friendly. I Free tying materials try to use substitutes for lead upcoming event info and conservation-related news. when possible, such as lead-free If you hunt, you will end up wire, tungsten or other alloys. with a lot of free tying materials However, I still find a need to use such as duck, turkey, pheasant lead at times, such as with the and grouse feathers, as well as sunken beetle pattern. squirrel fur and tails, and deer hair and tails. If you don’t hunt, You’ve Arrived Lighting talk to some of your hunting bud- dies, friends or an area taxider- If you only tie a few flies, the mist to see about getting some of as an angler, use of good lighting is not as criti- their trimmings. I have talked you know you’ve arrived: cal, but if you tie a lot you should about this before, but I mention it consider buying yourself a good when you appreciate again now because so many tiers the experience of angling light for your tying station. The overlook the free source of quality light you select should provide tying materials. With hunting sea- more than the fish enough light and it should be son all but wrapped up, now is the you’ve caught; even, soft lighting. Harsh lighting time to talk to your hunting is hard on the eyes. Having good when you commit friends. even lighting will also help you to helping the resource, see better when tying smaller IMPORTANT! Do not bring not just enjoying it; flies. I also prefer lighting that is any hair or feathers into your ty- daylight balanced. Stores such as ing area unless it has been cleaned when you acknowledge JoAnn Fabrics often have 50-per- and processed to get rid of any in- you are mortal, cent-off coupons on OttLites, and sects or their larvae. I will be post- the river immortal; they offer a number of different ing information on how to inspect, you can rejoice styles. wash, clean and treat hair and The reason I am talking about feathers and it will be posted on for you’ve become reverent. lighting is that it can actually help the CWTU website under Fly Ty- ing. I don't let anything into my ty- you tie a better fly when you can From the book “A Poet’s Gift To Anglers,” by Daniel O. Holland see better and reduce your eye ing area without first placing it in a microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. strain caused by poor and harsh For copies contact Dan at [email protected] lighting. I am not as critical of the Page 14 Wisconsin Trout Winter 2016 Chapter News

tigo TU we have approximately area DNR fish managers and the $2,000 set aside for this project. National Forest Service staff. If I’m In November our chapter joined not mistaken we donated more than Silver Moon Springs and planted $47,000. Great job, everyone, for trout in Remington Lake for the helping us support our coldwater re- kids to catch this winter. sources. I just returned from our WITU Our banquet is Saturday, April 2, Northeast Region winter meeting 2016 at Northstar Banquet Center. and saw again what a wonderful job —Scott Henricks our chapters did in supporting our Blackhawk Chapter

With stream work over earlier Dave Patrick represented the than usual this year, the members at chapter at the Council meeting in

Todd Franklin Todd our monthly meetings sat back and Eau Claire in October. In early No- ALDO LEOPOLD CHAPTER’S FLY TYING CLASSES COMING SOON listened to three good presentations vember the chapter sent letters to The chapter will be hosting its five-week fly tying class at the Baraboo Public regarding Wisconsin trout streams. Duke Welter and Jeff Hastings in Library beginning Wednesday, January 27 at 6 p.m. In September, Kurt Welke, DNR support of the funding grant request Fish Biologist for Green, Dane and for the TU Driftless Area Restora- Rock counties, gave us his view of tion. Aldo Leopold Chapter the trout conditions in our local ar- Looking ahead to 2016, we have ea. In October, Kyle Zempel OF already pledged $500 for a Shabazz The final bank seeding of Bear our roster and contact information Black Earth Angling Co. reached High School Project Green Teen Creek in western Sauk County is current and produce a member di- out further north and west with his work day on the West Fork of the completed, bringing to a close the rectory each year. views, now from a guide’s perspec- Kickapoo River in May. We are largest habitat improvement in the Jared Sagal, one of our very active, and Paul Cunningham, DNR planning one or more work days on chapter’s history: 4.25 miles of im- tive teen members, recently earned Systems Ecologist and Habitat Pro- Otter Creek west of LaFarge, and proved trout water. The chapter his Eagle Scout Award, and several tection Specialist, discussed trout we’ve been in touch with Land and spearheaded the project and a huge of our chapter leaders attended the fishing Easements and Acquisitions Water Conservation Director Paul thank you goes to the contractor, awards ceremony in December. throughout Wisconsin at our No- Krahn in Vernon County. Holtz Lime and Gravel of Logan- Congratulations, Jared! vember meeting. —Dave Hinde ville, Brent Bergstrom of Sauk Coincidentally, Jared was among County Conservation, Planning and the students in last year’s inaugural Zoning, and Tony Pillow of NRCS. Wisconsin TU Youth Fly Fishing Central Wisconsin Chapter Our public servants did indeed serve Camp. Riverland Conservancy has us well. agreed to help us sponsor a student Central Wisconsin Trout Unlim- White River Fishery Area. While The chapter is now securing for this year’s camp, so if you know ited members Ira Giese and Jeff this parcel is just outside the Lunch funding for a smaller habitat project of a youth in our chapter area with Treu took the lead in an event we Creek project area, it offers the best at Manley Creek in eastern Sauk an interest in conservation and fly were invited to participate in. St. public access to the upper portion of County, a small ribbon of a stream fishing, please submit their name to Paul Parish in Plainfield held its first Lunch Creek. Also, if this property with a resident native brook trout me as soon as possible. annual “Women in the Great Out- is sold, two DNR easements would population. We plan to develop The chapter will be hosting a doors Retreat” in late September. no longer connect to Upper Lunch deep pool habitat and increase ac- five-week fly-tying class at the This was an all-day event for women Creek public lands. cessibility through bank tapering Baraboo Public Library beginning and daughters of faith to learn Letters were sent. Work done by and canary grass control. Wednesday, January 27 at 6 p.m. On about and participate in outdoor the Council has really been very Two newly created positions for the heels of the fly-tying class, the sports and activities. helpful and we appreciate it. They the chapter, webmaster and mem- chapter, in conjunction with Orvis of Participants had the opportunity identified the issue early, made it bership chair, have been filled. I am Middleton, will offer Fly Fishing to explore archery, bow hunting, easy for us to learn where the par- very happy to announce that Dan 101, a free fly-casting clinic indoors outdoor campfire cooking, wild cels were and how to comment. In Braun of Baraboo will assume web- at the Baraboo Civic Center on game cooking, outdoor photogra- their last mailing to Wisconsin TU master duties to maintain and devel- March 9. The class will be taught by phy, master gardening and of course members they included the property op our web presence. Bob Moss of Tristan Kloss of Orvis. All tackle will fly fishing and fly tying. Ira and Jeff of interest to us and parcels found Pardeeville stepped up and offered be supplied and each attendee will had 20 women who were interested by other chapters along with the to take on the responsibilities of receive a free TU membership. in learning fly fishing and fly tying. It Langlade County spring ponds. membership chair. Bob will keep —Scott Allen went well. The women progressed October is banquet time for CW- through basic fly casting. Each tied a TU. On Saturday October 10 we fly they got to keep. held our 44th Annual Banquet at With the announcement of the the Best Western Premier Water- possible sale of numerous DNR par- front Hotel and Convention Center cels, we decided to look at the par- in Oshkosh. This is the same site cels being considered in our five- where the Wisconsin TU banquet county area. The total number of has been held the last two years. parcels to be offered for sale in the This was a new site for our banquet region are 15. and it worked well. Changing a ban- Thanks to Jeff Wegand’s exten- quet site can make you nervous, but sive Central Wisconsin stream fish- many chapter members have been ing experience, we did find a parcel to recent WITU State Council Ban- worth commenting about. It is par- quets and knew this site had good cel number FI2847 and is part of the facilities, food and service. We had Mike StapletonMike ALDO LEOPOLD’S JARED SEGAL ACHIEVES EAGLE SCOUT RANK Aldo Leopold’s most active teen member, Jared Segal, was recently awarded the Eagle Scout award. Here he receives the award from his scoutmaster while his proud parents look on. Antigo Chapter

Merry Christmas and a Happy fishing day for area disabled vets. New Year to all. As I write this We are looking at July 2016 to set chapter report the grass is green and this event up. looking for snow. Our chapter is working with the This fall has been busy. Tim Gre- city of Antigo to help acquire a grich has done a great job of making floating dock system at Remington Amundson Chris contact with some area disabled vet- Lake in the city. This would replace erans and the Langlade County Vet- the existing dock at this site. With COULEE CHAPTER STARTING A TIC PROGRAM erans Service Officer to arrange a the support of local people and An- Looks like the eggs have hatched at the TIC project in Sparta. Winter 2016 Wisconsin Trout Page 15 Chapter News better attendance than last year and hour and a half drive to quality trib- raised more money. Emphasis was utary fishing. made on youth participation with a With the new early season upon deeply discounted ticket price and a us, have you found places to get out youth raffle. Each young person got and get ice in your guides? Do you a small box of flies tied by chapter feel the need to maybe come in and members. The fly boxes were donat- warm up? We would love to have ed by Tight Lines Fly Fishing Com- you join us at our winter show, pany of De Pere. Troutfest, Saturday February 27 at Our November program present- the Fin’n’Feather in Winneconne. ed by DNR Fisheries Biologist Nick We have 10 mini seminars through- Legler was most interesting and pro- out the day. There will be raffles, fly vided great insight into factors that tyers, vendors and much more. Ad- influence the fishery of Lake Michi- mission is free. Check out our web- gan and its tributaries. The program site cwtu.org in February as all the was well attended, demonstrating details come together. the great interest in tributary fishing —Mike San Dretto Genske Roger even for an “inland” TU chapter. FOX VALLEY CHAPTER PLANTS 16,000 BROWN TROUT Many of our members live within an These Fox Valley TU members planted 16,000 brown trout along a reach of the Coulee Region Chapter Waupaca River in Waupaca Co. ing for Cabin Fever Day on January Even though we have had a mild We’ve had some excellent pre- Monday of every month. We are 23 at the Grand Meridian. Funds start to winter this year, the decorat- sentations during our fall chapter looking forward to the Cozad 1Fly from this event help pay for the ed homes and businesses have many meetings. Cy Post gave us some very event on March 26, hosted by the DNR LTE crews that work in the of us thinking of Christmas and the helpful tips with stories and photos Driftless Angler Fly Shop in Viro- northeast and north-central regions holidays and the special times that from his years on the water. Levi qua. This is a team event that raised during the summer months. Please we will be having with family and Plath, from the Mississippi Valley more than $3,000 for our youth fish- check our website at foxvalleytu.org friends over the next few weeks. Re- Conservancy, shared how the MVC ing and outdoor events. Find out for additional information on Cab- lax and enjoy this great season. works with other organizations like more about the event by searching in Fever Day and our other activi- From all of us at Fox Valley TU: TU to preserve and restore our “Cozad’s Driftless 1Fly” on Face- ties. Merry Christmas and Happy New beautiful natural resources and also book. See the highlight video from Jen Erickson has created a Face- Year and we’ll see you on a trout make that land available for public the last 1Fly event on Casey Zem- book page for our chapter, so please stream in 2016. recreational use. Steve DeWald is a pel’s YouTube channel or by search- check it out and use it to keep up on —Rich Erickson retired DNR warden and shared ing “Cozad’s Driftless One Fly.” chapter activities. stories from his books about his time One of the youth projects the in the field. Roger Haro from UW 1Fly event sponsored this year was a Frank Hornberg Chapter La Crosse gave a fascinating talk Trout in the Classroom setup in about the adaptive caddis fly and Chris Amundson’s classroom in the Our 2015 stream rehabilitation providing construction equipment how it uses silk to survive and thrive Sparta School District. Chris reports activities came to a close in Septem- and labor, when they did a major re- in many different environments. that their eggs have arrived and now ber. During that month we had two habilitation project on his property. DNR fisheries biologist Jordan the kids are waiting for a hatch. work sessions at the intersection of In December we held our holi- Weeks will talk to us in January Our banquet is Friday, February the Tomorrow River and Stedman day social occasion with a family about the outlook for the upcoming 26. Ticket information can be found Creek. We also moved rocks and cut dinner at Shooters Supper Club in trout season. on the CRTU web site at couleere- brush on the Tomorrow River at the Plover. Thanks to Steve Craig for host- giontu.org. Welton Road access areas. We are scheduling three public ing a monthly fly-tying event at the —Curt Rees Several members helped DNR meetings in January, February and West Salem Legion on the first personnel do shocking surveys in March of 2016. The exact dates and September on the Tomorrow River speakers will be announced when fi- Fox Valley Chapter upstream from Nelsonville. This was nal details are determined. We will a new experience for some of the also be scheduling fly-tying work- The Fox Valley chapter has start- Our November meeting featured members, and it proved to be educa- shops during the winter months, just ed the 2015-2016 winter schedule of a presentation titled “The Lake tional as well. as we have in the past. meetings and is preparing for our Michigan Steelhead and Brown We were saddened by the unex- We are also using the winter annual fundraiser, Cabin Fever Day. Trout Fishery.” The first speaker pected passing of Robert Lea, a months to arrange the future deliv- Our October chapter meeting was DNR fisheries biologist Nick great friend of our chapter. The To- ery of rocks, Christmas trees, sand- featured a presentation by Dave Sei- Legler. Two of our members, Don morrow River flows through the bags and other supplies for our bel from the DNR and chapter Clouthier and Tom Lager, then used Lea farm downstream from Nelson- workdays next year. We look for- member Tony Garvey, dealing with a PowerPoint presentation to ex- ville. Bob gave chapter members ward to a busy summer on the wa- the “Spring Ponds of Northeast Wis- plain the “What’s, How’s and Maybe free access to the river from his ter, working as well as fishing. consin”. Dave presented an over- the Where’s of Trib Fishing.” Both property. He worked with the DNR, —John Vollrath view of the profile of the spring presentations were very informative, ponds and talked about the history but a few of us believe that not all of Green Bay Chapter of the ponds. Tony shared some nice the “Where’s” were shared with the photos from his many fishing trips group! In September seven GBTU als for a panfish wooly bugger. After on the ponds. Check our chapter’s Our December meeting was our members (Dennis Gusick, Pat Hill, many weeks of discussing how we Facebook page and scroll down to annual “Tie and Lie Night.” Mem- Jack Kovistio, Adrian Meseberg, wanted to approach our fly-tying the pic of Tony with a very nice bers and friends tied flies and told Jeff House, Lee Meyers and Mike program, we finally reached a con- spring pond brown. stories/fibs/lies about the past fish- Renish) got together for our sixth clusion. Education chair Dave Os- On October 22 a number of ing season. Our January 28 meeting work project of the summer. For tanek put in the orders for enough members gathered at Nancy Rosen- is our annual event put on by the this project we finished painting a materials to tie several hundred flies bacher’s place, called The Rose students in the Culinary Arts pro- covered bridge on our Trout Educa- including such classics as the wooly Farm, on the Waupaca River, for an gram at FVTC. If you are interested tion Trail across from the N.E.W. bugger, Mickey Finn, a beetle and afternoon of planting more than in attending that event please check Zoo. more. We also printed and laminat- 16,000 brown trout in the Waupaca our website for information. During the summer of 2015 GB- ed step-by-step directions for each River. We are also planning and prepar- TU held a total of six work projects, (around four for each pattern). This averaging about eight volunteers way the chapter will have them for a per project. Our projects averaged long time, and multiple volunteers 4.5 hours, and we logged 209.5 can use them at once. hours of volunteer labor. In August members Jack Koivis- A big thanks goes to work project to, Mike Renish and Adrian Mese- chair Lee Meyers, our devoted vol- berg helped dozens of girl scouts unteers, the U.S. Forest Service, Ni- catch fish. The event was held at the colet Sportmen’s Club, Wolf River Izaak Walton League Ponds and was TU, Oconto TU, Southeastern TU, coordinated by Jodi Arndt. the Peshtigo DNR, Antigo DNR This quarter GBTU finally got and all those who helped restore involved with the popular Trout In and improve our northeast regional the Classroom program. In August

Rich Erickson Rich trout streams in 2015. we teamed with the Oconto Chapter During our fly-tying events we to bring 250 brook trout to Pulaski FOX VALLEY CHAPTER MEMBERS LEARN ABOUT LAKE MICHIGAN SALMON were encountering folks who were High School. This was a fun and ex- Nick Legler, Wis DNR Fisheries Biologist Lake Michigan, presented status of interested in tying a variety of flies. citing endeavor. On November 20 Lake Michigan salmonid fishery and future plans. By Tom Lager Unfortunately we only had materi- the eggs were delivered. Page 16 Wisconsin Trout Winter 2016 Chapter News

in October. Tim talked about his els, and is considered an area of im- decades of knowledge, experience mediate concern. We wanted to and data fishing the Wolf River. It develop a better understanding of was terrific. There is no doubt many the representatives’ efforts, and to a GBTU angler will hit the Wolf provide our own insight and input. with added excitement next season. Also in December Paul Kruse Our second program, in Novem- (WITU Northeast Vice Chair), Da- ber, featured DNR biologist Dave ni Long, Lee Meyers and Adrian Seibl. Dave shared his insights on Meseberg attended the WITU the Spring Ponds of Langlade Northeast Regional meeting. Work- County. His program was also great. ing with all the northeast chapters, It really helped many of us under- we were able to cover all funding re- stand the uniqueness of this requests for trout stream improve- source and the threat it currently ment, conservation and studies. faces. Every regional representative was In December Adrian Meseberg, great to work with. Lee Meyers, Kim McCarthy, Mike Please do not hesitate to visit our Renish, Staush Gruszynski and amazing website at greenbaytu.org Bruce Duechert, along with two for the latest news, recent stories, Ducks Unlimited members, met an incredible photo gallery and with Sen. Robert Cowles and Rep. much more. Mike Renish has done Joel Kitchens. The meeting was to an incredible job with the construc- discuss Cowles’ proposed high-cation and management of the site. pacity well bill. High-capacity wells Content management is contributed pose a potential threat to ground from Randy Rake and Adrian water levels which can, and in many Meseberg. Mike Renish cases will, affect surface waters. —Adrian Meseberg PAINTING THEIR HEARTS OUT Wisconsin’s Central Sands region is already seeing lowering water lev- Green Bay Chapter members enjoy nice weather and even better scenery as they paint the Trout Education Trail’s covered bridge. Harry & Laura Nohr Chapter The DNR salmon egg collection into fly fishing, then showed partici- facility in Kewaunee held its Open pates how to tie a different pattern Projects for 2016 are Pompey Pil- near Lancaster. House in October. GBTU was there each class. Some of the patterns lar, which was delayed from 2015 We will have a “Lie and Tie” at to direct and perform fly tying for were the wooly bugger, Mickey because of permitting issues, and Stonefield Apartments at noon on interested parties. Our volunteers Finn, deer-hair beetle, different egg Blue River below Shemack Road, Sunday, January 17. We will be tying included Paul Kruse, Mike Renish, patterns and more. Paul Kruse is the and below our last work there down flies for the state banquet and will Dave Ostanek and Adrian Mese- chair of this program. It has been a to the next road. The latter has very happily accept any fly donations for berg. great learning experience and, as we high banks and will require moving our chapter’s fly box, which will be Also in October I lent a helping move forward, hopefully we can a lot of dirt. This is the lowest area auctioned off at the WITU banquet. hand to around a dozen boy scouts generate even more excitement. on the Blue River with access. This There is a Grant County Sports- in Pulaski with instruction on fish- Some of our volunteers include Da- summer we completed projects on men’s Youth Day on Jan 30 at ing. I taught the group a variety of ni Long, Jim Vanden Branden, Mike Six Mile Branch and on the SWTC in Fennimore. We will be fishing-related topics including, fish Renish, Jack Koivisto, Dave Os- Widerow property on the Blue Riv- demonstrating fly tying and teach anatomy, species, habitat, diet, loca- tanek, Dan Simmons and Adrian er. basic casting. We are looking for tions, fishing equipment, how to fish Meseberg. A project for 2017 includes a volunteers. for different species, and much Our meetings season lasts from new property on the Blue River The chapter banquet will be Fri- more. Of course, much of the time September through April. The first above Bower Road. We will be get- day, May 6 at the Arthur Haus in was spent on trout. The event was Thursday of the month is a “pro- ting an easement and we’ve started Arthur, a few miles north of Platte- also used to promote Trout Unlimit- gram” meeting with presenter, food, the permitting process. We are also ville. ed and its goals and mission. drinks and door prizes. The third looking at a piece of ground that al- —Brian Larson GBTU began our first Project Thursday’s are our business meet- ready has access on Borah Creek, Healing Waters Fly Fishing program ings. This is where board of director this quarter. We held classes two decisions are made. We kicked off Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter Tuesday’s a month (first and third) our meeting season on Thursday, from September through Novem- September 17. The Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter re- In October Professor Jarod ber. To start we did an introduction Tim Waters was our first speaker, mains busy with stream restoration, Blades and 15 UW River Falls stu- advocacy, outreach and fun. dents from his Foundations of Eco- The 1,700-foot Trudeau Project, logical Restoration class toured the the most recent of the chapter’s site. John Sours met the group and work on the Trimbelle River, was explained the techniques used to completed in September. improve the stream habitat, the im- The DNR stream crew, DNR’s portance of exploring the past histo- Habitat Coordinator and Fisheries ry of the site and how the Biologist John Sours and Roger restoration work improved overall Fredrick incorporated large flat stream health. rocks for overhead cover, 13 “I think the Trimbelle tour was LUNKER structures, boulders, logs fantastic,” said Professor Blades. and root wads into the stream. “The tour provided our students Dan Wilcox, Randy Arnold, Fair- with a first-hand look at how a mount Santrol employees and Kiap- multi-year, multi-phase, successful TU-Wish volunteers supported the stream and riparian restoration can project by seeding, mulching, build- be implemented by collaborative ef- ing LUNKER structures and install- forts, such as partnerships with TU, ing blue bird and bat houses. The the DNR, private landowners and bat houses will provide roosts for Fairmont Santrol. These types of summer broods. partnerships and restoration proj- Everyone who has toured the ects bring life to what we teach in site is impressed with the enhanced the college classroom.” habitat, including the trout that can In October, shortly after the UW be easily seen investigating their River Falls tour, the Trimbelle was trout-friendly habitat. This winter, featured on the TUDARE Fall grass and forb seed obtained by Stream Tour. Approximately 60 Caitlin Smith of the U.S. Fish and people, from Wisconsin DNR, Min- Wildlife Service will be planted. nesota DNR, other public natural Work on the Trimbelle has been resources groups and TU members,

Maria Manion ongoing since 2013 and the total listened to John Sours and Marty project includes a mile of restored Engel of the DNR explain the dif- KIAP-TU-WISH CHAPTER AWARDS stream. It has proven to be a great ferent techniques that were used to Bob Bradham (left) received the Silver Trout award for his long-time Kiap resource for educational opportuni- enhance the stream and riparian involvement and his specific dedication in keeping the chapter’s newsletter ties. This past fall, two groups habitat. toured the project site to learn In regard to future work, Kiap- affordable and available to members. He is pictured with Kiap-TU-Wish about the restoration. TU-Wish long-range planning com- member Jonathan Jacobs. Winter 2016 Wisconsin Trout Page 17 Chapter News

use by all Wisconsin TU chapters. ter’s newsletter affordable and The annual Kiap-TU-Wish Holi- available to members. Kiap-TU- day Conservation Banquet in De- Wish Volunteer Coordinator Randy cember scored high marks on all Arnold did a great job recognizing fronts. It provided a comfortable, John Sours, who recently retired congenial atmosphere to socialize from the DNR for his 30-plus years with fellow coldwater enthusiasts. of stream restoration work in the The speaker, Steve Kinsella, educat- upper Driftless Region. As a bonus, ed the audience on the growing ef- John then shared with the audience fort to move federal public lands to his view of how important organiza- the stewardship of individual states tions like TU are to the protection and explained the negative possible and restoration of coldwater re- consequences. The banquet was also sources. a good venue in which to recognize A big thanks to the committee the efforts of Kiap-TU-Wish mem- that put on this first-class event: bers and, based on the preliminary Mike Alwin, Deb Alwin, Allison Ja- numbers, it looks like the chapter’s cobs, Scott Wagner, Bob Diesch and funding goal will be achieved too. Tom Schnadt, plus countless other Members Trish Hannah, Scott volunteers. Also, thanks to the indi- Thorpe and Jack Sackrison received viduals, corporations and private certificates of appreciation and a businesses that generously donated $25 gift card for their 2015 volun- both premium raffle items and gen- Maria Manion Maria teer efforts. Bob Bradham received tly used silent auction items. ARNOLD AND SOURS GET KIAP-TU-WISH AWARDS the Silver Trout award for his long- —Maria Manion, Tom Schnadt, Tom John Sours, WDNR Trout Habitat Coordinator and Fisheries Biologist, with time Kiap involvement and his spe- Henderson, Greg Olson and Dan cific dedication in keeping the chap- Wilcox Randy Arnold, Habitat Volunteer Coordinator for the Kiap-TU-Wish chapter. Lakeshore Chapter

Lakeshore TU lost an amazing he is in dry fly heaven casting to a force in our chapter. I am incredibly 20-incher and is about to set the sad to report the passing of Jeff Pre- hook. iss on Saturday, December 5. For On a personal note I will never those of you who knew Jeff, you forget our banquet about five years knew of his great enthusiasm for life ago. I was minding my own business and mostly fly fishing. Jeff was a pil- and he came up to me and said, lar in our Lakeshore Chapter, coor- “Hey, Mr. President!” I looked dinating the entire banquet, around wondering who he was talk- handling the finances and doing just ing to, before I realized what he was about everything to keep the chap- up to. He basically appointed me as ter going. Jeff’s tireless work on the new pesident of Lakeshore Onion River is a testament to his TU, citing the chapter wanted “new devotion to coldwater fisheries not blood.” And that is literally how I only locally but throughout the became Lakeshore president. I will state. He will be greatly missed. never forget that evening and the It seemed everywhere I have ensuing months once I was elected. gone in Wisconsin, whether for TU Thanks, Jeff! or just fishing on my own, someone In all seriousness I do thank Jeff, knew Jeff Preiss. I could be on Tim- not only for his work but also for ber Coulee, meet a few guys, tell trusting me to do a satisfactory job. them I am Lakeshore president and I owe so much to Jeff. He helped me undoubtedly they knew Jeff. Always with a lot of issues when I had no they would say “tell Jeff I say hello,” clue. Anyone who has a story, a pic- and of course I did. Jeff’s response ture or an anecdote about Jeff, would invariably be “Oh ya, how’s please contact me at 773-308-6156, he doing, did I tell you about the as I would like to put together some time we were fishing and we caught sort of acknowledgement of Jeff. a great hatch and landed 75 fish?” I, I will submit all important news Maria Manion Maria of course, would listen and some- from Lakshore TU in the next Wis- KIAP-TU-WISH AWARD WINNERS how by the end of the story I felt as consin Trout. I think this submission Recipients of Kiap-TU-Wish Certificate of Appreciation awards: Scott Thorpe, though I was there...which was al- should be all about Jeff. We will ways the case with Jeff’s stories. He miss you. Trish Hannah and Jim Sackrison was devoted to the sport and all the —Gordy Martin friends he made in his life. I’m sure mittee members Randy Arnold and should consider when doing their Tom Henderson recently met with sediment sampling plan. Both the Marinette County Chapter Marty Engel, John Sours, Nate An- City of River Falls and Inter-Fluve derson and Heath Benike of the responded positively to the sugges- DNR to review the list of potential tions. In December representatives Stream Explorers. Cubmaster Dar- stream habitat improvement sites Kiap-TU-Wish is expanding its from our chapter taught 10 mem- ryl Proft reported that “all the kids within our territory. Trout in the Classroom (TIC) pro- bers of Peshtigo Cub Scout Pack had a blast.” Our hope is that we in- A new easement on the Trim- grams. In 2014-2015 the chapter as- 4054 to tie their first fly, a woolly spired the next generation of stew- belle, located four miles northwest sisted Brian Burbach’s fifth-grade bugger. The scouts learned about ards for our coldwater resources. of Ellsworth, was given high priori- North Hudson Elementary class various tying tools and tying materi- —Doug Erdmann ty. Having received a project scope with their TIC program. The pro- als. They were also given a copy of and budget from the DNR, Kiap-Tu- gram was a huge success for Brian’s Wish can now begin planning to class and last May they released Oconto River Chapter raise the necessary funds. Most like- classroom-raised brown trout into ly the stream at this new easement the Willow River. This school year, The chapter has kicked off its an- derful project for the classes in- will be our project for 2017. Kiap is assisting two new TIC pro- nual Trout In the Classroom pro- volved. Special thanks to Tim The City of River Falls convened grams in our area: John Mueller’s gram by delivering “eyed” eggs to Winkle at Silver Moon Springs a stakeholder meeting in October to fifth-grade class at River Crest Ele- the students at Suring, Oconto, Trout Ranch for supplying the eggs review the report on the sediment mentary in Hudson and Jeremiah Oconto Falls, Lena, Marion and to the classes. The school district co- study conducted by their consulting Fisk’s fifth-grade class at Amery El- Gillett School Districts. ordinators that include this project engineers, Inter-Fluve. Dan Wilcox ementary. Near the end of the Pulaski High School has also in their curriculum are Lara Nichols attended on behalf of Kiap-TU- school year, River Crest will stock joined the other schools and will be at Oconto, Roberta Windus at Lena, Wish and reported back to our Dam brown trout fingerlings in the Wil- adding the Trout In the Classroom Greg Zeitler at Gillett, Sean Wag- Committee. The committee in- low River and Amery will do the curriculum. We owe a big thanks to ner at Suring, Jodi Meyer at Mari- cludes Dan Wilcox, Gary Horvath same in an area trout pond. Green Bay TU for assisting with the on, Amanda Lietz at Oconto Falls and Kent Johnson, who reviewed Kiap is also assisting the Wiscon- cost of the chiller and equipment for and Kaleb Santy at Pulaski. These the study and responded with a sin Clearwater Chapter with starting Pulaski. instructors have been asked to share well-reasoned, 20-point response, a TIC program at Menomonie High Dale Halla is coordinating the ef- their experiences with their peers. including additional items the City School, and has helped draft some fort. Eggs will begin to hatch in early Our board of directors met in of River Falls and Inter-Fluve TIC guidelines for the Council for December and will provide a won- November to complete the AFR. Page 18 Wisconsin Trout Winter 2016 Chapter News

ers open and flowing well, with The annual Shaw-Paca Chapter fresh fish arriving each week. It’s Banquet will once again be held at amazing to think we can now fish NorthWinds Banquet Hall in Mari- the inland trout streams earlier with on on Thursday, April 7. Check out the new early catch and release sea- the Shaw-Paca Facebook page or son. With all the forecasts pointing chapter website at shawpaca.tu.org towards a very mild winter, there’s a for information on our meetings, lot to be excited about when it presentations and banquet. comes to Wisconsin trout fishing —Nate Sipple this winter. Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter

Numerous events this fall have Whitewater Creek in Walworth kept members of the Southeast Wis- County. We cut brush, and piled consin Chapter of Trout Unlimited bundles of brush in the stream to (SEWTU) quite busy. We’ve been narrow the channel and stabilize the attending chapter events and meet- banks. This was a very challenging ings, workdays and planning and task, because prior to the workday participating in outreach programs. approximately five inches of rain In October we held our annual had fallen and flooded the area. SEWTU Habitat Fundraiser at the Most of our work was done while New Berlin Golf Club. Attendees standing in water over our knees. enjoyed some delicious hors d’oeu- In October we partnered with vres while socializing with friends the Ozaukee County Fish Passage, and acquaintances. Many wonderful the Great Lakes CCC, and a Boy prizes were won in the raffle, and Scout troop from Fredonia for a Darryl Proft Darryl the number and quality of dona- workday at Ulao Creek in Ozaukee MARINETTE CHAPTER TEACHES FLY TYING TO SCOUTS tions was very impressive. County. Participants planted trees We would like to thank everyone and shrubs along the stream. Ray In December Marinette TU members taught 10 members of Peshtigo Cub who supported this event by donat- Weiss did a great job running this Scout Pack 4054 to tie their first fly, a woolly bugger. The scouts learned about ing items or purchasing tickets. All workday for SEWTU. various tying tools and tying materials. They were also given copies of TU’s of the proceeds will be used for hab- Our December workday was Stream Explorers. Here Doug Erdmann teaches Brooks to tie his first fly. itat projects. Stan Strelka, Jim Wier- held at Scuppernong Springs in zba and Ivan Nohavica, along with Waukesha County. The project in- many others, did a great job orga- volved installing and adjusting bio- They will propose a 2016 activity projects affecting the Oconto River nizing this event. logs and removing some in-stream schedule at the upcoming meeting Watershed in 2016, our chapter jug- Our chapter meetings have been gravel that was slowing the velocity and will prepare a budget accord- gled our budget for the coming year well attended and we’ve had some of the stream. Jim Wierzba and Ja- ingly. Member of the year and best to contribute $4,500 for stream res- great speakers and events. In No- son Freund of SEWTU, and Ben lunch awards were discussed at the toration. In addition, the chapter vember Jen Ripple spoke. Jen is the Heussener of the DNR, planned December chapter meeting. Awards will placing an application to editor in chief of Dunn magazine this event. will be presented at the February Friends of Wisconsin for a grant of and the executive editor of Tight SEWTU members continue to meeting. $2,000 to be used on these Oconto Loops magazine. The topic of her provide educational and outreach The banquet committee was es- River projects. presentation was “The History of opportunities and there have been tablished and a tentative date set for Our membership meetings are Women in Fly Fishing.” This was a many events this fall. In October, April 28, 2016. Our banquet is our held monthly, except May and No- fascinating topic and we learned SEWTU members, along with largest fundraiser event of the year. vember, on the first Wednesday of that several women with Wisconsin members of the Gary Borger TU Banquet Chair Dan Sumnicht re- the month. Meetings are held at the connections hold prominent places chapter, demonstrated fly-casting ported that we have a great selec- Lone Oak Gun Club just north of in the history of fly tying, casting and fly tying at the Root River tion of prizes already set aside for Gillett starting at 7 p.m. Learn more and fishing. Steelhead Facility in Racine. Ben- the banquet. about what is happening by follow- Our December chapter meeting bow Cheesman represented our Members attended the WITU ing us at ocontorivertu.com. capitalized on the holiday season. chapter at this event. Northeast Regional meeting in Lan- —Tom Klatt We held an optional gift exchange Also in October some members glade in December. With so many for attendees and members contrib- manned an information table and uted to a food drive to support the demonstrated fly tying and casting Hunger Task Force. Robert Thomp- at the Shorewood Fish and Feathers son, an outdoor filmmaker, was our Event at Hubbard Park in Shore- guest for the meeting. Robert has wood. Rick Frye, chair of the SEW- just completed a new fishing film TU education committee, did a that we viewed to conclude the wonderful job organizing both of meeting. Our membership commit- these events. tee chairs, Taylor Todd and Abby The fall season also means that Mertz, have done a wonderful job the Oak Creek fly tying events have inviting speakers and planning ac- started. This group, organized by tivities for our meetings. Greg Schick, meets two times each Workdays also kept SEWTU month at the Oak Creek Communi- members active this past fall. Our ty Center to tie flies. September workday, planned by Ja- SEWTU is a strong supporter of son Freund of SEWTU and Luke the Project Healing Waters (PHW) Roffler of the DNR, took place at program that connects veterans

TWO-CHAPTER TIC TROUT EGG DELIVER CREW Delivering brook trout eggs to Pulaski High School. Pictured from left are Oconto TU’s Dale Halla, GBTU President Adrian Meseberg, and Oconto Chapter members Kaleb Santy, Dave Brunner and President Tom Klatt

Shaw-Paca Chapter

With 2015 coming to a close, the monthly meeting, where he’ll give a Shaw-Paca Chapter is busy at work presentation on fishing the lower planning their annual banquet and Wisconsin River. All are welcome. enjoying the incredible December Our meetings are held the third weather we’re having. In November Thursday of the month at Mathew’s we enjoyed an amazing presentation Supper Club in Clintonville.

by Tim Landwehr of Tight Lines Fly I have been out on the tributaries Krueger Matt Fishing Company on fly fishing for this past month and have had some golden dorado in Bolivia. On Febru- luck with fresh steelhead and migra- SWTU A KEY PARTNER IN TROUT AND TRAIL FEST ary 18 we’ll be hosting Kyle Zempel tory brown trout. The unseasonably Trout and Trail Fest was held in Mazomanie in September. SWTU was a key of Black Earth Angling Co. for our warm temps and rainfall had the riv- partner in this community celebration. Winter 2016 Wisconsin Trout Page 19 Chapter News with fishing and fly tying opportuni- do a great job organizing these ac- ties. This fall, SEWTU members tivities. have been involved in PHW fishing Feel free to check out our web- outings at Kletzsch Park in Milwau- site at sewtu.tu.org and Facebook kee and weekly fly tying sessions. In page to learn more about SEWTU. early December, veterans involved We hope everyone has a great start with the PHW program volunteered to 2016 and that you have a chance to wrap gifts and demonstrate fly ty- to enjoy the early trout season. ing at the Orvis Shop at Bayshore —Boyd Roessler Mall. George Batcha continues to Southern Wisconsin Chapter

Please mark your calendar for event; they will receive free admis- our annual Icebreaker event on Jan- sion with their military ID. uary 16. We are excited to welcome We’ll see you on Saturday, Janu- Jeff Currier as our keynote speaker. ary 16 at our new event location. Jeff has fished the world over and You’ll enjoy a friendly, roomy, pro- landed 300 species of fish on the fly. fessional and relaxed atmosphere. He brings a tremendous passion for Read our latest newsletter at sw- the sport and conservation to all he tu.org for more information. does. Jeff will speak domestically of Looking back to September, “Four Seasons of Yellowstone Trout we’re extremely proud of the first- Fishing” and then take us on a ever Mazomanie Trout & Trail Fest. whirlwind trip called “Trout Fishing It was a fantastic day of celebration, the World.” and a fine example of how a coldwa- The Icebreaker has something ter resource can be the centerpiece for the experienced and novice fly of a community. Businesses and or- fisher. Be sure to note our new loca- ganizations from the Mazomanie tion: this year it’s conveniently lo- community and beyond were pres- cated at the headquarters of ent and each made contributions to James Beecher American Family Insurance, right make the event special. DANE COUNTY’S DIEHL GETS SWTU AWARD off the interstate on the east side of The festival was capped by a deli- Madison. The address is 6000 cious, friendly, celebratory, colle- Curt Diehl, Conservation Specialist with the Wisconsin DNR, receiving an American Parkway. gial, engaging and musical evening. award from Southern Wisconsin Trout Unlimited for his outstanding service to The day-long event will also fea- At this banquet, we presented our coldwater resource. ture some of the region’s most inno- awards to Curt Diehl, Paul Douglas vative fly tyers, a Trout Fishing 101 and The Natural Heritage Land session, and a legendary array of Trust. We also honored landowners nizes tying events in our communi- ship recruitment. Many of these bucket raffle items. Raffle items David Mays and Ann Windsor, and ty. These events are great outreach partner organizations have staffed range from a beautiful Paul Douglas the Neperud family, for their con- for the chapter and enable us to put information tables at the event, and bamboo fly rod to a Yeti cooler, and servation stewardship. Lastly, we together flies to donate to the State it is a great way to learn in one day, scores of rods, reels, flies, guided presented Jeff Smith with our high- Council banquet February 6. what kinds of conservation efforts trips, outdoor gear and pieces of art. est honor for his decades of service. This year, in addition to the are happening in the chapter’s re- Bring the kids. Those under 12 Jeff passed away several days later. events we host at the Northern gion. get in free when accompanied by a We were better for knowing him, Great Lakes Visitor Center through In October our chapter hosted parent. They can visit our stream ex- and our chapter was better for hav- December and January, we’ve de- its first Trivia Night at The Spot. plorers’ education room between 9 ing him as a driving, and welcoming, veloped a new partnership with the The Spot is Ashland’s local bar and a.m. and noon and they always en- force. Ashland Parks and Recreation de- wellness center. Owners Charmaine joy Mike Miller’s invertebrate dis- Learn more about us, our events partment through new Wild Rivers and Josh Swan put together trivia play. and activities at swtu.org or by find- chapter member and Ashland Parks nights several times a month as a We again invite both retired and ing us on Facebook. and Recreation Director Sara Hud- way to help nonprofits do outreach, active military personnel to our —Drew Kasel son. We will be hosting tying events a bit of fundraising, and have a real- with Ashland area youth through its ly fun experience along the way. after-school programs. Our topic for the first trivia night Wild Rivers Chapter In conjunction with this program covered the full spectrum of water- there has also been interest from sheds, biology, trout in literature It’s a rare December that I can mittee. the local youth outreach end of and film, and a bit of “legends of look out the window and see bare Board member and chapter UW-Extension to tag onto this and flyfishing” biographical inquiry. grass on the hay fields instead of meeting organizer Jason Stewart engage youth from a wider area I’d like to give a big thank you to snow blanketing the landscape. If put together some fun and informa- than just the Ashland area schools. Val Damstra and Kelly McKnight this uncommon warmth persists, our tive meetings for us this past fall. Our first event was in December for coordinating the event, and to new extended catch and release sea- We all met at the Brule River for a and I am really excited to see this all the chapter board members who son in Wisconsin might be an enjoy- lesson in two-handed and spey cast- new relationship grow into an op- submitted questions for the eve- able time. Wild Rivers chapter ing led by Jason and by John Fehnel portunity for our chapter to do ning. Taking on that task meant that tends to get so cold and snow cov- of Great Lakes Fly Shop in Duluth. more to help nurture area youth to none of the board members could ered in the winter that I was antici- Thanks to both Jason and John for develop a passion for conservation. compete on teams or win prizes, but pating travel times to make the most the instruction and entertainment I was fortunate to have tying it also meant that the questions of the extended season beginning in on the stream. It was especially nice mentors when I was young, and al- came from the people who are most January. If it remains warm, I might to have a steelhead rolling over though I never developed the skills heavily invested in our chapter’s not have to drive as far. from time to time right in front of that most of them possessed, it has success. Val, Kelly, Frank Pratt and Our chapter has been working where we were learning. always been thrilling to spend win- I all had a lot of fun swapping MC with Allison Werner of the Wiscon- Jason also booked DNR fisheries ters tying. Most of us can relate to responsibilities. We are looking for- sin River Alliance to develop a five- biologist Craig Roberts from the how tying keeps our minds on ward to our next opportunity. year strategic plan. This past fall we Spooner DNR office for our No- streams when weather limits access. The final thing I’d like to report gathered survey data from chapter vember meeting. Craig spoke to us Save the date April 2 for our an- on is what we are doing to draw members, interviewing key stake- about a couple of streams and a net- nual expo. Details are developing public opinion to the potential dan- holder and partners who are instru- work of stocked ponds in the area. over the next month. A big thanks gers of Concentrated Agricultural mental in the chapter being Most of us have never fished any of to Chuck Campbell for chairing the Feeding Operations, and also call successful at fulfilling TU’s mission the waters that Craig spoke about, committee that is planning the ex- attention to our chapter’s efforts to locally, and meeting as a board to and we were all grateful to learn po. We welcome folks from other make known to DNR leadership make sense of the data being col- about some new water within our chapters. Please contact me if you that we understand many of the lected. In December we held a chapter’s boundaries. would like to tie a bunch of flies to CAFO-related threats to water board retreat to develop goals for Our chapter covers a lot of terri- donate to Wild Rivers for the expo quality and the health of our cold- the next five years based on the data tory in northwest Wisconsin. Get- or if you would like more informa- water fisheries. Chapter Vice Presi- collected. ting to know all of the water in the tion about attending. This expo is dent Kelly McKnight has been Over the years, I have participat- northern counties is always made our primary fundraiser each year. rewriting drafts of a chapter posi- ed in a lot of strategic planning ini- easier by having one of the many We have a lot of fun during the auction on CAFO’s as feedback from tiatives. I’m always mindful that you great biologists from the DNR edu- tion portion. chapter members and board leader- only get what you put in to it. I’ve cate us on the fisheries they are We also are fortunate to have ship are given in response to each been happy to see enthusiasm and working to improve and conserve. great support and participation version. Kelly has completed a draft committed participation from our Thanks to Craig Roberts for spend- from our area partners, with whom which takes into consideration all board. A very special thank you to ing the evening with the Wild Rivers we work throughout each year to the feedback we have received. It Chapter Secretary Bob Traczyk for Chapter. take on conservation projects, edu- was presented and voted on by the chairing the strategic planning com- Every winter our chapter orga- cation and outreach, and member- chapter board in December. Page 20 Wisconsin Trout Winter 2016 Chapter News

Our position paper comes at an consin. See the opinion column on port, plus they had recently re- vironmental Science Instructor important time, as Iowa-based page 11 of this issue of Wisconsin ceived an unexpected grant from and will be in charge of the pro- Reicks View Farms has stated their Trout for more information on this TicketPrinting.com. This project gram. After setting up the 75-gal- intention to establish a hog CAFO CAFO. seemed like the perfect fit for that lon tank and allowing all in Bayfield County, and has been —Bob Rice money. A local company that has processes to smooth and tempera- following the process of submitting often assisted our TU Chapter, tures to get down to the desired their proposal to the State of Wis- Fairmount Santrol, also liked the level, he will soon receive eggs educational component of TIC from a local hatchery. Wisconsin Clear Waters and offered their support. I love it Students will observe, record when a plan comes together. Co- data, maintain ideal conditions in The mission of TU is to con- motion, but then a major remod- operation from at least eight dif- the system, and gain an apprecia- serve, protect and restore our eling of the science labs caused us ferent players has now allowed tion for the life cycle of the amaz- coldwater fisheries and their wa- to wait a while longer. this project to spawn. ing coldwater species that many of tersheds. With that in mind it may This summer I received an After receiving an OK from ar- us have come to love. This hands- seem out of order to spend time email note from fellow TU mem- ea fish biologist Marty Engel, we on learning process will serve our and money on a 75-gallon aquari- bers Tom Schnadt and Greg Ol- received fish farm permits from coldwater fisheries and water- um complete with accessories. son in the neighboring Kiap-TU- the state. The package of neces- sheds well, as these young people When I first learned about the Wish Chapter. They had heard sary supplies was purchased after support preservation of the re- Trout in the Classroom (TIC) that there was interest in starting receiving a helpful list from TU source by conserving, protecting concept, I was immediately inter- the project locally and since they Headwaters Program Coordina- and restoring watersheds for years ested. As a retired high school bi- that helped another school, they tor Tara Granke. Nate McMahon to come. ology teacher, I thought it would offered their experience and help. is Menomonie High School’s En- —Dale Dahlke be a great hands-on learning pro- Menomonie Senior High School cess for understanding and appre- had just completed their renova- Wolf River Chapter ciating the delicate life cycle of tion, and timing fell into place. our coldwater fisheries. Greg gave me a list of people and In December the WITU North- Chapter helped finance the Antigo Initially the cost of the tank permits that I needed to contact. east Regional meeting was held at summer brushing crew for 2016. and the chiller and filter was a Tom provided an idea for assis- the Wild Wolf Inn along the mighty —Tim Waters stumbling block. The biology tance in funding and everything Wolf River. All funding requests teacher at the local high school came together. The Wisconsin were met by the generosity of the was eager to set the project into Clearwaters board gave their sup- northeast chapters. The Wolf River Bills would provide exemption for habitat structures By Henry Koltz, TU National Trustee DNR and sportsmen’s groups to en- the net pens at issue are more akin in a tremendous amount of stream courage steelhead to return to cer- to those used by local sportsmen’s work year after year in Wisconsin. Senate Bill 315, introduced by tain streams, for example, by rearing groups to aid in wild fish stocking, Trout Unlimited carries insurance Senators Richard Gudex (R-Fond steelhead in pens to imprint them and are not commercial, aquacul- which protects its volunteers. This du Lac) and Thomas Tiffany (R-Ha- with that stream’s characteristics. ture related pens, the Legislative bill, if signed in to law, would fur- zelhurst), and its identical compan- The foregoing facts were careful- Committee found that the signifi- ther protect Wisconsin TU’s volun- ion Assembly Bill 421, introduced ly considered by Wisconsin TU’s cant protections liability immunity teers, and ensure that they have by Representatives Robert Swearin- Legislative Committee, as obvious- protections afforded by this bill war- litigation protections. On these bas- gen (R-Rhinelander), Gary Tauchen ly any time the phrase “net pen” ap- ranted its support. es, Wisconsin TU supported these (R-Bonduel), Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R- pears our ears perk up. Given that We ask our volunteers to engage bills by written letter. Fond du Lac), Edward Brooks (R- Reedsburg), Thomas Larson (R- Colfax), Bob Kulp (R-Stratford), Mary Czaja (R-Irma), Paul Tittl (R- Manitowoc), Alvin Ott (R-Forest Junction), Daniel Knodl (R-Ger- mantown), and Jeffrey Mursau (R- Crivitz), provide a civil liability immunity for individuals who construct and place, and maintain, habitat structures navigable waterways under a permit or other approval from the Wisconsin Depart- ment of Natural Resources. th Just Under this bill, individuals and January 16 2016 groups (such as Wisconsin TU and $10 its members) are immune from civil American Family Insurance liability for damage to personal FREE for Vets! property, and for injury to a person 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 with Military ID or death caused by placing a habitat Featured Speaker structure on the bed of a navigable Join Us For: waterway if the structure is placed Jeff for the purpose of fish and wildlife tFabulous Speakers Currier habitat creation or protection, and under a DNR permit or in circum- tMaster Fly Tying Demonstrations -HIIKDVÀVKHGLQRYHU stances where no permit was re- t)\GMXMRK&YGOIX6EJ¾IW FRXQWULHVDQGlanded over quired. The bill further provides VSHFLHVRIÀVKRQWKH that there is no duty to provide no- tDelicious Lunch Á\LQKLV\HDUVRQWKH tice or warning about the existence tMuch, Much More! ZDWHU+HLVDVRXJKWDIWHU of such structures, or to inspect and H[SHUWIRUWHOHYLVLRQUDGLR maintain the same. DQGQXPHURXVÁ\ÀVKLQJ This bill also provides the same NEwly expanded: ÀOPV-HIIEULQJVDVHQVH immunities for fish net pens, but on- Stream Explorers Program for Kids! ly for non-commercial pens that are RIKXPRUHQWKXVLDVP used in Great Lakes water bodies or /HDGE\6:78\RXWKOHDGHU+HQU\&U\QVWKLV DQGDSSURDFKDELOLW\ tributaries. The net pens involved \HDUV6WUHDP([SORUHU·VURRPZLOOKDYHPRUHWR ZKHUHYHUKHJRHV here are: 1) only for holding or rear- GGRWKDQHYHU%ULQJWKHNLGVIRU ing fish for noncommercial purpos- DDQLQWURGXFWLRQWRÁ\W\LQJFDVW- es, 2.) where the pen rearing KIDS LLQJDQGPXFKPRUH'RQ·WIRUJHW involves fish stocked by DNR, or by GET IN MMike Miller,:'156WUHDP a person licensed by DNR, and 3.) ((FRORJLVWZLOOEHRQKDQGSURYLGLQJ where the fish being reared are re- FREE! DDQXSFORVHLQWURGXFWLRQLQWRWKH leased into the same body of water (Under 12) ZZRQGHUIXOZRUOGRIPDFUR where the pen is located. This is not LLQYHUWLEUDWHV an immunity for commercial opera- Henry tions, and does not promote aqua- culture. Rather, this appears aimed For more information: swtu.org at net pens similar to those used by Winter 2016 Wisconsin Trout Page 21 Highlights of October Council meeting By Tom Lager, Council Secretary National meeting and NLC grated systems approach to protect, Linn attended the TU National Education Committee restore and enhance sustainable Representatives from 13 of 21 meeting. The National Leadership aquatic habitat and trout popula- TU chapters attended the October Bob Haase called for new com- tions, provide a variety of opportu- Council implemented a new Chap- mittee members and Curt Rees and 24 State Council meeting held in ter Efficiency Index (CEI), which nities for diverse and sustainable Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Please con- Heidi Oberstadt volunteered. The recreation and commercial trout places more credit on chapter vol- next steps are to gather information sider attending the next meeting. unteer hours, education and veter- fisheries-based activities. Other All members are always invited. about each chapter’s education pro- goals include promoting public ans programs. The NLC instituted a grams, define education opportuni- The next meeting is Saturday, Feb- change to the financial accountabili- awareness, engaging new and exist- ruary 6, 2016 in Oshkosh, followed ties and share methods. Council ing trout anglers, making trout man- ty process, which now requires a Vice Chair Mike Kuhr will be draft- by our annual banquet. second person within each chapter agement decisions on best available ing guidelines for our Trout In the data and science, while incorporat- to conduct a monthly review of fi- Classroom efforts. Finance and operations nancial transactions. It is recom- ing social and economic perspectives, and recruit, hire, retain, The Council continues to be fi- mended that each chapter select a youth coordinator. There is plenty Strategic plan develop and support a world class nancially sound, with funding cover- fisheries staff and program. ing expected expenses. We will of information at tu.org. Regarding the recent survey of members, Council Chair Linn Beck The trout stamp contest in 2016 present a complete report on li- will now include other art media as cense plate revenue at the February reported that 56 percent of mem- Women’s events bers responded to the survey. One well as paintings, and may include meeting. Heidi Oberstadt discussed the both youth and adult categories. Chapter re-chartering in 2015 common theme among respon- Woman’s Initiative group. Their dents was to encourage more wom- was completed by seven chapters; goals include encouraging women six are scheduled for 2016. The WI- en and youth to get involved. A final Upcoming events to step up to accept TU leadership plan will be available in 2016. TU Executive Committee carried positions, involve new women and discussed the following motions: those currently in chapters, and SWTU’s Icebreaker event will be help teach chapters to be welcoming DNR report in Madison on January 16. Fox Val- • Financially supporting the to women. Chapter are encouraged DNR Trout Coordinator Joanna ley TU’s Cabin Fever Day is Janu- STREAM Girls program to nominate a Women’s Initiative Griffith reported on the early sea- ary 23. • Established official positions on Chair and designate her on tu.org. son, which begins January 2, 2016. The Council’s February meeting the spring ponds and groundwa- Chapters can also host women’s Regulations will now be on-line via and annual banquet is Saturday, ter bills. events. For help and ideas contact Webmap. February 6 at the Oshkosh Best • Selected Tom Lager as Central Heidi, [email protected]. They are currently drafting their Western conference center. The Region vice president Trout Management Plan, and TU WITU youth camp is July 14-17 and input will be requested. The plan is open to 12-16 year olds, with a There is now an expectation that Legislative update will identify constraints, guide trout maximum of 20 students and a regional vice chairs submit quarterly Henry Koltz updated the coun- program charges and priorities and sponsorship cost of $250 per stu- reports to the State Council at the cil on the status of proposed sales of plan for directing resources. The dent. This year we are adding spring council meeting. The vice state land and asked that all mem- management plan topics include aquatic entomology and invasive chair role is to represent their re- bers keep communicating our con- habitat protection and rehabilita- species to the curriculum. gion to the Council Executive Com- cerns to the DNR and legislators. tion, trout stream classification, TU National’s next Regional TU mittee and help fulfill the vision of Several bills relating to ground wa- monitoring and evaluations, angler Meeting will be in Illinois in 2017. “One TU” and help unite chapters ter and high-capacity wells have re- use, angler access, outreach and ed- within regions. quired Henry to spend many hours ucation, research and integration. at the Capitol in Madison talking to The goals are to create an inte- legislators.

Colleen Grant Eden Prairie MN Thomas Rogers Princeton WI John Gribb Mt. Horeb WI Michael San Dretto Neenah WI Chris Gultch East Troy WI David Schiebel Abrams WI Stephen Hawk Madison WI Jeff Schmoeger Cottage Grove WI Ashton Hawk Madison WI Richard Schumann Hartford WI John Hawk New Holstein WI John Shillinglaw Madison WI Bill Heart Ashland WI Greg Smith River Falls WI Jan & Mark Heifner Appleton WI Stephen Somerville Green Bay WI Nancy and Dan Hill Spencer WI Michael Spittler Minneapolis MN Charles Hodulik Madison WI Charles Steudel Mineral Point WI Jonathon Jacobs Hudson WI Wayne Stockman Spring Valley WI Thomas Janssen Appleton WI Wayne Strelow Appleton WI David Kinnamon Bayside WI Taylor Struwe Altoona WI Barb and Joe Kruse LaCrosse WI Ronald Suslick Peshtigo WI Jim Larson LaCrosse WI Gary Tielens Athelstane WI Chris Long Mazomanie WI Bill Vanden Elzen Appleton WI Randy Lueth Marshfield WI Carol Vendt Oconto WI Winter 2016 update Larissa and Thomas Lyon Janesville WI Marten & Karen Voss Eau Claire WI Janice and Randy McGrath Janesville WI Doug Wadsworth Madison WI John McMullen Tomah WI Don Wagner Gillett WI By Doug Brown David Menke Bristol WI Raymond Weiss Grafton WI Peter Meronek Stevens Point WI Robert Welker Glendale WI Fred Mikolajewski West Allis WI Dan Wisniewski MiddletonWI The 2015 Watershed Access Fund campaign was as successful as ever Harold Moilanen Glendale WI Robert Wyman Beaver Dam WI and I can't Thank You enough for your financial support! We raised just Frederick Motschman Appleton WI John Zei Wausau WI J. Peter Mullen Prairie du Sac WI shy of $9,000 from 81 contributors and three TU chapters. Thank you so Keith Nelson Waunakee WI Badger Fly Fishers Stoughton WI much for your support! Herb Oechler Wauwatosa WI Kiap TU Wish TU Winston Ostrow De Pere WI WI ClearWaters TU With the recent political climate and discussions of selling state lands, Eric Ratzlaff Grafton WI Marinette Co. TU the Watershed Program is even more important these days to secure per- Bob Retko Cedarburg WI May Close, New London, in Memory of Jay manent fishing access. All contributions will be used solely for Wisconsin Steve Robertson Verona WI Close acquisitions. The current grant request is $7,500. Because two chapters may each request for a single acquisition and each chapter would have to match at 50 Here is my contribution of $100 percent, the new limits would provide as much as $15,000 for a single purchase or easement. The matching 50 percent from chapters can be in the or more to the Watershed Access Fund form of volunteer hours. By now, you should have received the 2016 Watershed Access Fund ap- (Make your check payable to peal letter. Please consider making a generous contribution. The need for “Wisconsin Trout Unlimited”) access is critical for anglers to continue their passion for trout fishing. Ac- cess is also critical for Trout Unlimited to continue its successful stream MAIL TO: TU Watershed Access Fund improvement work. Attn: Doug Brown R4800 Timber Ln. I hope you all had a joyous holiday season. Ringle, WI 54471

Name 2015 Contributors Henry Barkhausen Winnetka IL Bruce Davidson Wauwatosa WI Address Edwin Barklay Shultz Prairie du Sac WI Dave Drewiski Hudson WI Charles Barnhill Madison WI Richard Duplessie Eau Claire WI Phil Blake Fitchburg WI Pat Esselman Weston WI City, State, Zip Stephen Born Madison WI John Ewen Neenah WI Edward Brockner Beaver Dam WI Cindy and Alan Finesilver DePere WI Will Burlington Madison WI William Flader, M.D. Madison WI Leigh Cherveny Sheboygan Falls WI Richard Galling Hartland WI Phone Lawrence Clowry, M.D. Wauwatosa WI Ralph Gaudio Desoto WI Terry Cummings Rhinelander WI Scott Geboy Fox Point WI Page 22 Wisconsin Trout Winter 2016 Keep ‘em wet There’s a lot more to safely handling fish than simply catching and releasing By Kyle Zempel fully larger—fish again in the future. than 10 seconds and try keep the really on the feed you will often find It is a pretty simple concept which in head and gills submerged while han- your hook deep in and around the Catch-and-release fishing has most situations has created out- dling your catch. gill area. A barbless hook in this sit- been on the rise for some time now, standing fishing opportunities. Principle #2: Eliminate contact uation can be the difference be- whether it be through regulation or Again, the whole point of the re- with dry surfaces. Fish are slimy for tween a safe hook removal versus common practice. The bottom line lease is to allow your catch to return a reason. Fish have a protective mu- the ultimate death of the fish. is that we are put- to fight another cus that protects them from diseas- If your fish happens to swallow ting our catch back day, if the fish dies es. When fish come in contact with your hook deep and you are unable to fight another due to poor han- dry surfaces, whether it be your to remove it, cut your line if you in- day. Thanks to ad- Lee Wulff: dling, the whole hands, dry grass, rocks, etc., that tend to release the fish. Data has vances in science, “Game fish are too concept is compro- protection is compromised. Fish, as showed that a fish is more likely to we are gaining a valuable to only be mised. Scientific most of you know, have a tendency pass the hook than recover from better understand- data regarding the to flop around when not in the wa- damage done trying to remove a ing of the impacts caught once.” impact of releas- ter. This flopping, especially on dry deep hook. catch-and-release ing a fish has surfaces, can easily lead to injury ul- has on the fish we brought about timately effecting the health of the seek to chase. It is our responsibility “Keep ‘em Wet’s” three core princi- fish. Carry forceps as anglers to take what we know and ples: Minimize air exposure, elimi- Try to do the following: They are one of the most impor- put it into practice, ensuring that if nate contact with dry surfaces and • -Land your fish in the water. tant pieces of your equipment. For- we choose to catch and release, that reduce handling. • -Wet your hands prior to touch- ceps make removing hooks easy and we do so correctly, and with minimal Principle #1: Minimize air expo- ing the fish. minimizes the amount of handling. impact on the fish. The “Keep ‘em sure. Imagine running a marathon, • -Hold fish in or slightly above the Keep them on the ready so you are Wet” initiative strives to promote and as you cross the finish line water, away from dry or hard sur- not searching for them once the fish awareness of proper handling, pho- someone grabs you and sticks your faces while photographing. is landed. tographing, and ultimately the re- head under water. After the heavy lease of fish. exercise, all you want to do is catch Principle #3: Reduce handling. Handle fish with care your breath and bring your heart Ultimately, the less the fish is han- Keep your hands out of the gills. What is “Keep ‘em Wet?” rate down. The same goes for a fish. dled the better. One can reduce Each fish requires a little different Fish experience exercise-induced handling with a little preparation. handling but one should always use The “Keep ‘em Wet” concept is stress that effects their muscle func- Use barbless hooks, have your tools about releasing your catch with min- two hands. One to carefully grip the tionality, which is why a fish tires af- at the ready, and keep the fish in fish and the other to support the imal impact upon the fish. The ter a certain period of time. In order your net. The following tips can - - rest of the body. When handling fish whole point of catch and release for the fish to recover, it most pump greatly reduce the amount of han- fishing is to first catch the fish, then try to keep them close to the water oxygen into its system, which can dling needed. and never hold over dry or hard sur- release that fish to fight another only be done if the fish is in the wa- day. You get the enjoyment of the faces. ter. Even short periods of time (10- When holding smaller fish use take, the fight and the photograph. 20 seconds) out of the water can Keep’em Wet Tips and You release with hopes that you or Tricks the hand cradle technique. Put fin- have a negative effect on the health ger tips under the fish and carefully someone else will have the privilege of the fish. Whenever possible try to Minimize angling duration to dual with that same—and hope- lift using the palms of your hands to keep the fish out of water no longer No one can deny that fighting a keep the fish upright. This is one of fish is a blast, but it is best to keep it the best ways to hold an average- within reason. As a guide I often tell sized fish. my clients to “put the stick to’em.” Basically it means once hooked into the fish get it to the boat as soon as Photograph wet fish the fish allows. If the fish allows you Number one, it just looks better. to bring in line, then bring in line. The reality is, you will remove a fish Use a properly weighted rod for the from the water to photograph it species you are chasing and use the from time to time. This is okay if do- lifting power of the rod to get the ne carefully and thoughtfully. Think fish to the net. “Keep ‘em dripping wet.” Within 10 When fighting a large fish, seconds the fish is no longer drip- change the angle of you rod from ping wet. The person holding the side to side. This keeps the fish from camera should be in charge and di- gaining the upper hand and allows rect the subject when to remove the you to gain line, ultimately getting fish form the water. Use a count. 1, the fish to hand faster. 2, 3, lift…CLICK….fish back in the water. Check your shot, if you need another repeat. You shouldn’t be Carry a net checking your shot while the fish is If you plan to photograph fish, out of the water. then a landing net is an absolute Talk it out. You’ve landed the fish must-have. A net helps you land the and it is recouping in the net, in the fish quickly and allows the fish to re- water. Talk out who is going to take main in the water while you get the shot and what will be in the ready to proceed. Rubber nets have frame (grip and grin? just the adi- been proven to have the least im- pose fin? A certain marking? the pact on the fish, so if you are in the eye? etc.), how the person should net market, then consider rubber. hold the fish, etc. Everything should Use a long-handled net and stick be talked out before the fish comes the long handle into the soft bank out of the water. This will allow you with the netting dangling in the wa- to capture the photograph you ter (see photo). You’ve just created would like while keeping the fish out a livewell for yourself. Now your of the water for less than five sec- hands are free to get your camera onds. out and snap a photo. If there isn’t a soft bank nearby, then use a rock or two to prop your net in the same po- Revive them sition. Do not move the fish back and forth. I see it all the time, it is incor- rect and can cause damage to the Mash your barb fish. The fish has just had a traumat- Although the law doesn’t require ic experience and needs to be re- barbless hooks, you should mash vived before release. your hooks out of safety concerns Point the fish’s head upstream so for the fish, yourself and the ones that water flows through the mouth around you. Using a spinner or out through the gills. This is a one- Black Earth Angling Co. Angling Earth Black crankbait? Mash the barbs and your way system. Avoid holding the fish hook removal time will be cut in IF YOU MUST HOLD THE FISH, CRADLE IT GENTLY by the mouth during revival as half. The bottom line is, if you are mouth movement is crucial to their When holding smaller fish use the hand cradle technique. Put finger tips under planning to release the fish your breathing process. In slack water sit- the fish and carefully lift using the palms of your hands to keep the fish upright. barb should be mashed down. They uations move the fish in a head first This is one of the best ways to hold an average-sized fish. come out of the fish with minimal figure-eight motion. handling and effort. When fish are Winter 2016 Wisconsin Trout Page 23

Revival is of the utmost impor- say these fish are not important, but tance when predators are present. do you really need a pic with them? If one were to release a poorly re- A beautiful Wisconsin brook trout vived bonefish with a barracuda or doesn’t look so beautiful when your shark in the area that fish will end hand is covering half its body. Why up dinner. Same goes for spawning photograph it in a way that isn’t fish, as eggs are food for others in capturing its true beauty? To prove the water. If you catch a fish, re- you caught a fish? To me, the gor- moving it from the bed, and return geous coloration, the stark white on it without reviving, it may lack the the fin, the unique markings are the energy to ward off predators. things that should be captured and After a fight a fish’s muscles will focused on. seize up (much like our muscle cramps). You don’t want to release Thinking outside the box a fish in this state. Keep a close eye on the fish’s fins and you will often Next time you’re out on the wa- , see the fins begin to move and coor- ter with your camera try capturing dination return. At this point the something other than you and your fish can be released. catch. The capabilities of today’s camera phones and point and shoot cameras allow you endless possibili- Food for thought ties to capture a piece of art. Try As a fly-fishing photographer I taking an underwater photo. Try look for new angles and approaches taking a macro photo of the great to photographing fish. red spots of that beauty brown. Most publications out there want Challenge yourself to tell a story nothing to do with your classic grip with your photograph. Focus on the and grin. Next time you catch a fish, tiny details of your catch. Capture

Black Earth Angling Co. Angling Earth Black ask yourself, “Do I really need my the fish leaving your buddy’s hand INSTANT LIVEWELL FOR TAKING PHOTOS face in this photo?” If it is your big- during the release. There are end- gest fish ever or maybe a new spe- less ways to photograph a fish all Use a long-handled net and stick the long handle into the soft bank with the cies, then be sure to capture that while meeting the principles of netting dangling in the water. You’ve just created a livewell for yourself. Now milestone moment. “Keep ‘em Wet.“ your hands are free to get your camera out and snap a photo. If there isn’t a However, most fish caught dur- As Lee Wulff said, “Game fish soft bank nearby, then use a rock or two to prop your net in the same position. ing the course of an outing fall into are too valuable to only be caught the category of average fish, not to once.” Palmered Windings: “Of wader patches and marital bliss” By Benbow Cheesman were only a hand-saw, manual drill around,” they say, so by the time I member me, slowly, but Herself and screwdriver. turned to go back upstream to camp, screeched back that she could han- Palmered Windings? With those in hand, Her Lady- I was lifting and moving about dle it and told them to go back to I have often wondered about the ship, with some assistance from twelve pounds of very cold water whatever bikers do in the wee small origin of the term “palmering” for the Your Humble Servant, constructed against the current. But I was young hours. Several more trees lost their technique of spiral-wrapping hackle and installed a folding bed platform and strong in those days, so once I skins, but I blessed her for it. While on a fly. I knew that, in the Middle Ag- made of 2x2”s, brass hinges and a reached camp, I heroically sloshed that was happening, we simultane- es, pilgrims who had been to the Holy piece of 4’x8’ 3/8” plywood, which ashore, doffed and emptied my wad- ously lunged for the zipper, and with Land returned with palms as botani- we sawed by hand into two sections, ers (Did you ever hear a bull moose my elbow I again struck her in the cal proof of having been there, and seven feet long and 2 ½ feet wide, urinating in a lake?) and joined my process, or wherever. thus were called “palmers”. It seems hinged along the center cut. The “lovely” for dinner. There was wine, The platform was well-construct- that caterpillars have filaments wound 2”x2” legs folded under while the and I anticipated a good night’s ed, but never intended to support about their bodies in a spiral. The re- van was underway, and folded out to sleep. Wrong, but again, you already two people cantilevered over its semblance to the palms carried by pil- support our double sleeping bag at know that. edge. It collapsed, dumping both of grims led to the critters being called night. It was a thing of beauty. And, The platform was unfolded, al- us on the floor. Murphy must have “palmers”. Enter the flytier, who saw like many things of beauty, treacher- ways with praise for the builder, and been too busy laughing to notice, so and imitated the spirals by wrapping ous. More on that later. the double sleeping bag arranged. I reached the zipper first and exited hackle around the fly. Thus: “pal- The brown drakes were hatching, As I sleep on my left side, I got the the van, only to fall face-first into mered hackle.” My middle name is and I set out well-rigged to fish inside space, and we zipped the bag the mud. Did I mention that it was Palmer, and these articles will “wind downstream from our campsite sev- closed for coziness. raining? Of course it was raining! around” the general subjects of flyfish- eral hundred yards, then back up- At the hour the military calls “ze- I slithered to the nearest (bark- ing, flytying and folks of my acquain- stream to arrive for supper. Herself ro dark hundred,” every muscle in denuded) tree and hauled myself up tance who share those interests with was comfortably settled with her my left leg, in congress assembled, while Herself considered whether to me. “Palmered Windings,” therefore, choice of novel or needlework, and unanimously voted to express their try to wrest the axe from the cutting- seems an appropriate title for the col- waved me fond farewell for the du- collective displeasure at the abuse stump. That gave me enough time to umn. ration. The fish were cooperative, I’d visited upon them in the river. To call out “leg cramp!,” whereupon This story – the best kind, I think – and I was having a grand old time call them “serious leg cramps” is like She became all solicitous. I walked is based on a real incident, as will be with them, when I realized that the calling D-Day “a bunch of guys on a the cramps out while she heated wa- others. On occasion, there will be epi- left leg of my waders had sprung a beach.” My left leg snapped up, ter in which to soak a towel to pla- sodes from “The Thurlow Chroni- leak and was allowing very cold wa- kicking Herself in the process. OK, I cate the abused muscles, and we cles”, a series of anecdotes about me ter to enter upon my person. kicked her somewhere other than finally made it back to a quiet night and my friend and fishing buddy, This was before the era of the process, but you get the idea. and peaceful rest. Thurlow, whom I met years ago in breathables, so I was wearing heavy My pain was so great that I could Next morning, the bikers showed West Virginia. I hope you enjoy read- neoprene, or was it rubber? No mat- not talk, only gasp, which she inter- themselves as decent folks from De- ing them as much as I enjoy writing ter: it was heavy and boot-footed. preted as crazed lust-inspired heavy troit, on a trek around Lake Michi- them. Thank you for allowing me to One may ask why I did not wade breathing. Convinced that she’d gan. We explained what had share them with you. ashore, empty the waders, patch married a homicidal maniac, she let happened, laughed, shared stories, them and continue fishing. out a series of shrieks. Trust me: at and all was well. They joined us for a First of all, there are no real full screech, Her Ladyship can peel breakfast of bread, fish and good “Of wader patches and “banks” on that river, at least not bark from a tree. As a result, before wine. It was Sunday, and we all knew marital bliss” just downstream from Grayling. The leaving her native Washington State what was happening, but nobody felt Michigan’s famed AuSable is a shore is colloidal mud, thickly popu- for New York, she had a job offer the need to wrap stained glass sand river, which means that, among lated with downed cedar trees local- from Weyerhauser to clear timber, around it. It was good, and good was other things, you can wade out to ly known as “sweepers,” from their but she turned it down to become a enough. Later that day, I patched the crested center, which is shallow- being swept back and forth by the social worker. Go figure. the waders, and had a week of excel- er, and fish a dry fly downstream in- current. To paraphrase Gertrude Inside the sleeping bag, she real- lent dry, and dry-fly, fishing. to the deeper water near the bank. Stein, when it comes to the “banks” ized that if I exited first, I would So, you young fisherman, if you Lazy fishing, which, given the of the AuSable, “there’s no ‘there’ have access to the axe, hatchet, mal- be wed and accompanied by your choice, I’ll always choose over hav- there.” let and splitting wedge at the edge of Lady, take heed. Always check your ing to work for it. The second reason is that I’d left the fire pit, with which to wreak hav- waders before embarking upon the So there we were, my bride and I, the wader patch kit back in the car. oc upon her person. This, she con- waters, and always carry your wader married three years and enjoying a So I did what any young fool of a cluded, was not going to happen. patch kit with you. Your fishing, and week in our home-made VW camp- fisherman would do under the cir- She let out an arpeggio of screeches. your marriage, will be the better for er. The camper deserves special cumstances: I kept on fishing. Very Did I mention there were bikers in it. mention, particularly in that Herself bad move, but you already knew the adjacent campsite? There were. Benbow Cheesman is an active was the chief design engineer and that. O death, where is thy sting? The bik- member of the Southeast Wisconsin construction manager, and the tools “A pint’s a pound the world ers offered to come over and dis- Chapter. Page 24 Wisconsin Trout Winter 2016 Book Reviews by Duke Welter Book covers history of Driftless streams “Historical Agriculture and Soil Erosion in the Upper Mississippi Valley Hill County” I've been savoring and learning soil borings, interviews, newspaper ment. The settlements on valley protected by no-till or other conser- from a couple of books on very dif- articles and photos from descen- floors were finding their buildings vation measures, or where hillsides ferent aspects of the Driftless Area, dants of settlers and local history half-drowned in mud. were overgrazed, severe erosion each focusing on a particular valley. sources. It is truly amazing, to think The gully erosion led to ravines took place. The first is Prof. Stanley W. Trim- of the astonishing transformation of 30 to 50 feet deep that were migrat- Trimble offers a number of inter- ble’s “Historical Agriculture and the coulee region over a four-de- ing uphill a quarter to half mile each esting points to ponder, past and Soil Erosion in the Upper Mississip- cade period, when land use and year. The LaCrosse & Southeastern present. Most of the deposited soil, pi Valley Hill Country” (CRC Press, abuse finally led to a cascade of soil Railroad line built from Stoddard to he believes, ended up in the lower 2013), a remarkable story focused that carved out deep ravines, flood- Westby opened in 1904, much of it and lower middle parts of stream on the Coon Creek system in Ver- ed out towns and clogged valleys, set on a 12- to 15-foot embankment. valleys, rather than the Mississippi non County. and disrupted But by the 1930s, much of it was un- River: “As yet, there is no evidence Tr i m b le , a n society and agri- der several feet of sediment, and it that 75 years of soil conservation in emeritus profes- culture. had to be abandoned. The valley the Hill Country has reduced sedi- sor of geography In the Coon Creek In the Coon floor near Chaseburg is now over 15 ment inflow to the Mississippi Riv- at UCLA, has valley, scientists Creek valley, sci- feet higher than when the town was er.” And, he believes, places with been studying the entists estimat- settled. A huge flood in 1907 raised heavy deposits of migrating soil, area since the estimated that each ed that each year the floor of Coon Creek four feet such as Arcadia, are “set up for a di- early 1970s, often year in the 1920s and in the 1920s and through Chaseburg. saster” of a flood. Other valleys with with a team of 1930s, 12,000 On top of those infrastructure similar threats include the lower graduate stu- 1930s, 12,000 tons of tons of soil per losses, agricultural productivity suf- Kickapoo, Trempealeau and the dents doing field soil per square mile square mile per fered across the region. It may be Root River in Minnesota. work. His book per year was year was deposit- more often reported that the Some river scientists, including may have a ed on the valley cutover of Wisconsin’s northern for- Trimble, are critical of stream resto- dauntingly dry ti- deposited on the valley floor, raising ests represented a major human- ration that intends to mimic those tle, but is a re- floor, raising flood plain flood plain lev- caused ecological event, but the ca- pre-settlement stable channels, and markable piece of els a remarkable tastrophe experienced in the Drift- provides overhead cover that bene- detective work levels a remarkable six six inches each less is at least of similar scope and fits quite a few species as well as and a resource inches each year. year. Trimble ob- impact. trout. They’d prefer to let the in- that should be serves that the cised channels simply erode away found in every deep-rooted pre- Conservation begins across the soil deposited in valleys, public and school settlement vege- taking however long in geological library in the re- tation held soil In the 1930s, upland conserva- terms was necessary (“centuries, gion. in place and led tion practices like contour farming even millennia”) to flush out that to stable crystal-clear stream sys- began to take root, especially after blanket of sediment. But their criti- tems. But plowmen who broke that the nation's first soil conservation cism, though perhaps grounded in Bad Axe River “cool, clear program around Coon Valley, and sparkling” sod for grain crops and overgrazed principles learned in many less-de- the deforested hillsides didn’t take farmers began to take their grazing graded river systems, could leave The historic descriptions of into account the rainfalls that were cows off the hillsides. Other practic- our streams clogged with sediment Driftless streams in the 19th century much heavier than in Europe. A es added to reduce upland erosion, and eroding banks, migrating across dug up by Trimble are remarkably 100-year rain event in Britain, he and by the 1950s a major turn- their valleys for centuries to come. uniform. For instance, he reports an observes, would be a one-year event around was under way. With restoration techniques, in- 1884 resident, recalling waters of here. But today we are seeing corn and stead, we can benefit the biologic the Bad Axe River (often murky to- Crop rotation was infrequently bean agriculture lead to the loss of community, reduce streambank ero- day, and warmed by upstream found, and many farmers followed a contour strips and hay, with a ten- sion, expand the diversity of plant dams) had earlier been “ever … “plowing ethic” by which they were fold increase in soil loss. And many (and insect, bird and mammal) spe- cool, clear and sparkling and bright, judged by the straightness of their more acres are being planted with- cies along the stream corridor, and and the trout that darted through its rows, rather than plowing with con- out contour plowing or contour buffer streams from inputs of nutri- crystal waters, very large, lively fel- tours. strips, which doubles soil loss. ents and the remaining upland sedi- lows, and of a superior flavor.” It took the period from settle- No-till farming has become the ment. It’s not an approach that will These streams, he reports, were ment in the 1850s and 1860s until tool of choice, and Trimble believes solve every problem, as continued very stable in their channels, flowed the 1890s for the “disastrous” cas- it to be useful in reducing upland deposition from upstream can raise over gravel and sand and carried cade of erosion to begin. When it erosion. In areas hit with the ex- banks and cause recurring incision, very slight sediment loads. did, it threatened the new society treme flooding of 2007 and 2008, but it addresses many of them. And You’ve probably heard summa- across the region. Towns and coun- when as much as 12 inches of rain while not every stream in this region ries of the massive erosion that ties were spending their entire bud- fell in 24 hours, he found little or no needs or warrants this restorative plagued this region by the 1890s, but gets replacing ruined bridges and evidence of soil loss off upland attention, many of them do. the book amply documents it with trying to keep roads cleared of sedi- fields. Where fields had not been Historical perspective on Kickapoo Valley Another Driftless-centric book for those of us In Clinton Township southeast of Cashton, promised, would control flooding and create tour- interested in the unglaciated area is Lynne Heas- Old Order Amish from eastern states began buy- ist revenue. Though the Corps began the dam and ley’s “A Thousand Pieces of Paradise: Landscape ing farms and land in the 1960s, eventually lead- almost completed it before it was finally halted by and Property in the Kickapoo Valley.” (UW ing to the state’s largest Amish community. Land opposition from Wisconsin’s governor and sena- Press, 2005) Heasley looks at the Kickapoo Valley use and conservation have been hot topics over tors, who had initially supported it, the project from social and ecological history perspectives, the years in the area, as many Amish landowners had created massive change in the area. examining the fondness of its residents for this removed contour strips on erodible hillsides, and Many locals believed it should continue, and “enchanted Coulee land, this friendly and hospi- often grazed forested slopes. that outside interests such as envi- table paradise,” in the words of one local author. Neighbors saw those moves as ronmentalists and recreationists, But she balances it with some of the harsh con- contrary to the long-established had torpedoed it. Eventually, fur- ditions the region imposed on its residents, and methods of holding soils in Two unscrupulous ther study of impacts concluded quotes a 1913 diarist who wrote, “We look around place. real estate priceless ecological communities to see what is around us and our thoughts come But in recent years Amish would be lost, water quality would fast as we ask our sephs…who will meet disaster farmers have been lauded for developers used be marginal, and human artifacts and death some by flods and that by the hundreds keeping cows on the land, pre- fraudulent pitches to flooded forever. on the home near a river or rivers and traped like serving pastures and hay pro- By the 1990s, the abandoned rats in a trap to drown.” duction, moving toward sell little pieces of federal lands were transferred to Her book offers three case studies to examine sustainable uses and with a paradise to out-of- the State of Wisconsin and Ho- our attachments to land, on three almost adjacent strong focus on their communi- Chunk nation, which co-manage townships in the Kickapoo Valley. ty’s simple way of life and low- town buyers. them along with a citizens’ board In Liberty Township in the 1980s and 90s, two impact living on the land. of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. unscrupulous real estate developers used fraudu- “We’re more alike than we of- As the reserve has matured, it has lent pitches to sell little pieces of paradise to out- ten acknowledge,” says one wide public support and increasing of-town buyers. Eventually, due in large part to neighbor to the Amish community. environmental value as a natural area. Now, Hea- the persistence of Madison newspaper reporter Finally, in Stark Township, Heasley covers the sley observes, a landscape-wide vision for the re- Susan Lampert Smith, kingpin Thomas White controversial history of the Lake LaFarge project, serve reflects a communitywide agreement that went to prison, from which he eventually escaped which would have dammed the river and created values its protection and responsible public use. and has never been found. But historic family a huge reservoir of dubious water quality. The Not a lengthy read, but an engaging and challeng- farms had been divided up and unusable lands Corps of Engineers purchased more than 8,500 ing story, well told. sold to unsuspecting buyers in the process. acres from local landowners for a lake which, it Winter 2016 Wisconsin Trout Page 25 Upgrade now for free family memberships WITU encourages all members to consider These benefits include: • A complimentary copy of Stream Explor- TU National’s new Free Family Membership • Ensuring your family members feel that ers magazine for any youth under age 12. Upgrade offer to any existing TU member, great sense of belonging to the nation’s leading • All members of the household will be able which is for a limited time only. By signing up trout and salmon conservation organization. to create a unique member profile on and adding the names and information for the • Additional family members can expect to www.tu.org to engage in our online community, family members living in your household at receive communications and invitations to lo- join discussion groups, access member-only www.tu.org/familymembership, you will enjoy cal, statewide and national events and activities, content such as the digital version of TROUT the benefits of a TU family membership for the like for example one of our dozens of chapter- Magazine and more... duration of your regular membership for free. hosted women’s-specific fly fishing seminars or youth fishing days.

graphic areas of the state where, af- fectively perpetual. SB 291. Moreover, Wisconsin TU Groundwater bills ter DNR study, tailored Wisconsin TU is opposed to the requests that their members con- Continued from Page 1 groundwater management measures proposed exemptions precisely be- tact SB 291’s sponsors, Senators may be put in place to ensure cause they are currently one of the Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay), Lu- consin Senator Robert Cowles groundwater and surface water lev- relatively rare occasions on which ther Olsen (R-Ripon), Jerry (R-Green Bay). This bill is large and els and protections. an existing high-capacity well is re- Petrowski (R-Marathon), and co- technical, and contains several com- The process by which SRA’s are quired to be reviewed. Accordingly, sponsor Rep. Scott Krug (R-Neeko- ponents which would significantly created, however, is lengthy, politi- Wisconsin TU has taken a compro- sa), and express Wisconsin TU’s po- impact groundwater in Wisconsin. cized (in that a designation requires mise position, and has asserted that sitions. Wisconsin TU, along with our legislative approval), and has nu- such exemptions should only be al- As always, be polite, thank your traditional conservation partners, merous points at which the process lowed if all high-capacity wells are legislators for their work and be and other groups including lake as- may be stopped. Some estimate that subject to periodic review, rather mindful that your voice represents sociations and agricultural groups, achieving an SRA status could take than simply being granted perpetual Wisconsin Trout Unlimited. Thank have formed an informal cadre in up to a decade. permits. you for all that you do for Wisconsin support of some of SB 291’s provi- In addition, it is apparent to Wis- Wisconsin TU agrees that scien- Trout Unlimited. sions, and to seek that others be consin TU that there are numerous changed. areas of the state where SRA’s Numerous Wisconsin TU lead- should be immediately created, no- ers, including Mike Kuhr, Mike San- tably in the Central Sands region. dretto, Matt Krueger, Heidi Under SB 291, no SRA’s are imme- Oberstadt, myself and others have diately established. traveled to Madison and spoke at Wisconsin TU strongly supports public hearings regarding this bill. the SRA concept, and applauds its In addition, Mike Kuhr and myself inclusion in SB 291. We believe that have traveled to Madison on numer- the process by which SRA’s are cre- ous occasions to discuss Wisconsin ated, however, is too lengthy and TU’s position regarding SB 291 with should be de-politicized. Addition- legislators and their staff. Behind all ally, Wisconsin TU strongly believes of that, countless Wisconsin TU that SRA’s should be immediately members have been active in re- created where needed, notably in sponding to email calls for legisla- Wisconsin’s Central Sands area. tive contacts, and supporting our Cumulative A PIER TO NOWHERE...AT LEAST NOWHERE WET position. Thank you to all who impact Waupaca County’s Long Lake, near Plainfield, was once a trophy bass lake, have helped Wis- Wisconsin TU strongly Under SB but now suffers from a lack of water. In 2006 it dried up completely. consin TU’s believes that SRA’s 291, the DNR’s SB 239 – Regarding High cause. authority, in- tific knowledge is always increasing, Capacity Well Permits Examining ev- should be immediately cluding public and that in the future we will be bet- Another groundwater bill which ery provision of trust duties ter able to gauge the impacts of created where needed, is working its way through the Legis- the 20-page SB and rule-mak- high-capacity wells and their im- lature is SB 239, a groundwater bill 291 would be ex- notably in Wisconsin’s ing authority, pacts on ground and surface waters. introduced by Sen. Richard Gudex haustive, but would be strict- Future generations should not be Central Sands area. (R-Fond du Lac). here are some of ly statutorily saddled with today’s science and Under current law, a person is the most-dis- governed when abilities forever. As such, reviewing required to obtain approval or un- cussed provi- permitting high-capacity wells on a periodic, dertake certain procedures when sions, and high-capacity staggered basis would address the making certain repairs to an existing Wisconsin TU’s wells. As such, agricultural community’s concerns, high-capacity well, when recon- position regarding them. DNR would and would also ensure certainty for structing a well or a replacement apparently no longer be able to con- all ground- and surface-water users. well, or when they seek to transfer sider cumulative impact, meaning Wisconsin TU believes that this is a High-capacity well permits ownership of the land upon which a how newly proposed wells function common sense solution that would high-capacity well is located. These near trout streams in existence with already existing provide all users a good outcome. First, the bill would increase the wells, when reviewing high-capacity instances constitute some of the on- threshold distance in which special well applications. Application to all waters of ly opportunities under which high- environmental reviews are required Wisconsin TU is strongly op- Wisconsin capacity well permits are reviewed, for high-capacity wells when located posed to this component of the SB Under SB 291, DNR may set and high-capacity well permits are near trout streams. Currently, a spe- 291. Wisconsin TU believes that it is conditions on high-capacity well otherwise essentially perpetual. cial environmental review is trig- simply common sense that well per- permits, but only to address poten- Under SB 239, all of the activities gered when a proposed well is mit applications must be reviewed in tial impacts to navigable waterways. listed above would be exempt from within 1,200 feet of a designated real world terms, and not in an arti- The traditional Wisconsin test review. trout stream. Under SB 291, that ficial vacuum where the draws of al- for whether a water is navigable is As such, Wisconsin TU traveled distances is increased to 1,600 feet. ready-existing high-capacity wells whether it can float “any boat, skiff, to Madison on October 7, 2015, to Wisconsin TU obviously supports are ignored. or canoe, of the shallowest draft speak in opposition to SB 239, as it this component of the bill. used for recreational purposes.” is currently written, for the reasons However, this definition may not in- outlined above. Wisconsin TU in- Periodic review stead offers the compromise posi- Establishment of Sensitive clude small headwaters or ephemer- One common concern heard al/intermittent streams. Such non- tion that such activities could be Resource Areas (“SRA’s”) from Wisconsin’s agricultural com- navigable streams are undeniably excepted from review if and only if It is undeniable that surface wa- munity is that a re-permitting pro- connected, and often times critical, all high-capacity wells were subject- ter and groundwater are intercon- cess must be engaged in order to to downstream “navigable” trout ed to staggered, periodic review. nected. repair, reconstruct, or transfer exist- streams, and in many instances Wisconsin TU believes that all Nowhere is this more clear than ing high-capacity wells. The agricul- serve as spawning areas. Such areas high-capacity well should be period- in the Central Sands area of Wis- tural community notes that if a well should certainly be included within ically reviewed using the best avail- consin. In the Central Sands, the in- fails, it is often a delayed process be- the purview of SB 291. able science. As time progresses, so terplay between high-capacity wells, fore repairs can be done, and there As such, Wisconsin TU strongly too does our science and our ability water use, weather conditions and is a risk that a crop may be lost as a believes that SB 291 should be ex- to better understand the impacts of other factors has led to streams run- result of such delays. SB 291 extended to apply to “all waters of high-capacity wells on surface and ning dry and trout being left to die, empts existing wells from repermit- Wisconsin,” and not just navigable ground waters. Wisconsin TU be- lakes disappearing, and residential ting under such circumstances. waterways. lieves that it makes sense to periodi- wells ceasing to appropriately func- Currently, the activities which SB cally review permits to ensure that tion. 291 would exempt from review are the impact of all wells is understood, This bill creates a process by some of the only circumstances un- Call for action and so that appropriate measures which “Sensitive Resource Areas” der which existing high-capacity Wisconsin TU urges all members may be put in place to ensure all us- (or “SRA’s”) are created. Generally, wells are reviewed. In many instanc- to contact their legislators and ask ers certainty. SRA’s are specially designated geo- es, high-capacity well permits are ef- that the above changes be made to Page 26 Wisconsin Trout Winter 2016

Early season winter mornings when the day is at Continued from Page 1 its coldest, and rising trout can be taken with very small size-22 or size- process, as well as many public dis- 24 dry-fly patterns on 6X or 7X tip- cussions across the state. The DNR’s pet. The male midge in particular revised rules passed through legisla- sometimes moves very quickly on tive review in October. the water’s surface after hatching, so The new season structure will al- a bit of movement with the fly can be so extend the harvest season until deadly. Griffith’s gnats are often October 15. As a result of the chang- fished to represent midge clusters. es, and similar ones in Minnesota, Occasionally blue wing olives hatch the two state’s trout seasons will on milder winter afternoons, and in nearly mirror each other in 2016, those instances fly sizes might range with early January openers and mid- from small size 24’s all the way up to October closures. size 16’s. Standard Blue Wing pat- Most streams in the northwest, terns work as well during winter southwest and east central will be months as they do during normal open, but only selected streams in spring and fall hatches.” the northeast will be open, including Skeate continued, “As is the case several in each county. during more temperate months, the angler will not catch a winter trout if the fly is not on or in the water, and Strategies for winter trout don’t forget the hand warmers!”

Anglers can expect different ex- A little farther north, Brian Smo- Adam Klusmeier periences in different types of linski is proprietor of Lund’s Fly WINTERTIME FISHING REQUIRES DIFFERENT STRATEGIES streams across the state. Northern Shop in River Falls and a member of As SWTU’s Amy Klusmeier discovers, wintertime trout hang out in different freestoners have colder tempera- TU’s Kiap-TU-Wish chapter. He has tures and more ice, while Driftless fished Minnesota’s limited streams parts of the stream, often gathered in deeper pools, than spring and summer spring creeks may have warmer wa- that have been open January 1 in trout. Fishing slow, whether with flies or spinners, will help your success. ter temperatures and more active previous years. This year all of that trout. In past years, even with the state’s streams opened January 1. Rapala-type crankbait, about 2 ¾ spring creek anglers over those who March opener, I have encountered Brian likes streamers for early inches long, in brown trout color- fish chilly freestone streams. He zero-degree temperatures and snow season trout. “Winter trout fishing ation. Others use small micro-jigs looks for spring inputs and the depths that made it necessary to fish can be some of the most productive ties to imitate common nymphs such warmest time of the day, and his from snowshoes. there is, or maybe that’s just some- as stoneflies or larger mayflies. In ei- stream thermometer is his best At the same time, the longer thing we tell ourselves to get a little ther case, fish slow and deep rather friend on the stream. trout season gives anglers plenty of motivation to get off the couch and than using aggressive, active re- Leeches can be effective, as can new things to learn. Wintertime scrape off a little cabin fever. Look trieves. One experienced spin angler scuds in various colors (even an or- trout hang out in different parts of for fish to hole up in pods of large suggests clipping off two of the three ange or orange-pink scud can be the stream, especially gathered in numbers, usually in the deepest hooks of a treble on a crankbait, and quite effective this time of year). deeper pools, than spring and sum- holes in the river. Holes with a lot of removing the front treble, to reduce And remember, if you’re fishing mer trout. Fishing slow, whether spring flow directly in, or with heavy hooking mortality. while wearing snowshoes, it’s best to with flies or spinners, will help your spring water just upstream, will hold Jay Thurston, author of several fish from the bank. success. even larger numbers. books on trout fishing, suggests that In northeast Iowa, Jeffery Skeate “A great method for targeting water temperatures are a key to of Decorah fishes the entire year, these fish is with a long leader and a trout activity, and that may favor and savors winter fishing for its soli- multi-nymph rig. Start with a nine- tude and often great midge fishing. foot tapered leader and attach about Entomologists working in the Drift- 18-24 inches of the next size smaller less Area are learning more about tippet. At the knot, using a tippet the great value of midges as winter- rig, attach some split shot or a wad time trout food, even on very cold of tungsten putty. At the end of days. Skeate, a member of the Iowa your tippet, tie the larger, heavier Driftless TU Chapter and author of nymph you are using. I like to use three books on trout fishing, likes to about a 14-16 scud, pink squirrel, or fish midges when they’re on the wa- other bead head nymph, non-tung- ter, and streamers when they’re not. sten. Off the hook of that first fly, tie “Streamer fishing can be an ef- another 18-24 inches of the next size fective option during the early sea- smaller tippet again (I usually use son months of winter, from New fluorocarbon here). At the end, I Year’s Day through the end of typically tie on a size 18 or 20 emerg- March,” he explained. “A tradition- er, zebra midge, or some other kind al across-and-down approach is sim- of midge pattern. Set your indicator ple and sometimes works best under high up the leader so the weight at cold or harsh conditions. Trout may the end of the main leader is near or strike any time during the swing, at even bouncing off the bottom. If the the stop or on the retrieve, so it’s weight you use is heavier than the best to be ready at all times during flies used, it will keep your flies from the cast. It helps to vary the speed, getting snagged even if your weight depth and movement of the fly until is bottom-bouncing. Don’t forget to the angler finds the right presenta- mend your line for a drag-free drift tion on a given day, as conditions, and watch for very subtle strikes. and trout attitudes, change as much Adjust your indicator until you find and as mysteriously during the win- fish.” ter as they do throughout the sea- Mat Wagner and Geri Meyer of son,” he added. the Driftless Angler Fly Shop in Vir- “Generally speaking, very fast oqua offered plenty of tips. “Slow it Tenkara Fishing water can be difficult for winter all down,” said Mat. “Think small, Equipment Tactics trout as they may not be able to ex- dark and heavy flies, fished slow and pend the energy necessary to feed in deep.” heavy current. Sometimes it’s best to “You don’t have to fish early or work the seams and outer edges of late, just the warmest couple of riffles where the current is not as de- hours at midday,” added Geri. “Try manding. The quieter tails of pools dead-drifting a leech deep, under an can also hold good trout during win- indicator.” ter months. Standard wooly bugger “Look for the steam on a cold patterns are excellent options for day, because that’s where the water winter trout, often with a touch of comes from springs and is the warm- white or yellow on the body or tail est in these spring creeks,” Mat for extra visibility and attraction. explained. “And try to fish the sec- The light spruce, an old northwest- ond or third warming day in a row, ern steelhead pattern, is also a great when the water temperatures have choice for winter streamer fishing in had a chance to warm up and the Midwest’s Driftless Region,” stabilize.” Skeate added. Spin anglers can do well fishing “Surprisingly, dry fly fishing can early, too. Experienced spin anglers also be very good during winter suggest, for example, using a #1 months, though of course not nearly spinner, matching the color to the so good as it will become in April stream condition: gold if it is stained and May. Midges often hatch on and silver if water is clear. Or use a Winter 2016 Wisconsin Trout Page 27 Page 28 Wisconsin Trout Winter 2016 January 2016 Friends of Wisconsin TU Update

By Doug Brown, Friends of Wisconsin TU Chair donations that come into the Friends program. The monies raised during this fundraising year The 2015 Friends of Wisconsin TU campaign will be used for grant requests that come in this is having another fantastic year, with nearly winter for stream improvement projects this $16,000 in donations, which all finds its way into summer. stream improvement projects across the state! A huge "Thank You" to everyone for the 135 dona- I hope you had a great 2015 trout fishing sea- tions, and thank you to the seven chapters who son. Now that the early season has opened, made contributions. This is the 25th Anniversa- please get out there and enjoy some of the ry of the Friends of Wisconsin TU program, and stream improvements that the Friends program the support remains as strong as ever. has supported. FRIENDS GRANTS SUPPORT HABITAT CREWS The incredible habitat work that this pro- Tight Lines. gram supports is only possible by the generous Chapter funds, along with Friends grants, support LTESs like Ben Thome and Colton Zdroik. Providing habitat improvement grants since 1991.

The latest projects are... $2,000 to the Northwoods Chapter for habitat crews in 2015 $2,000 to Wild Rivers for White River in Ashland County in 2015 $2,000 to Marinette and $1,500 to Wolf River for NE $2,000 to Wisconsin River Val- Region work in 2015 ley for Prairie River Project in Lincoln County in 2015

$2,000 to the Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter for the Upper Kinni in 2014 $2,000 to Green Bay Chapter for a habitat crew 2015

$2,000 to Wis. Clearwaters Chapter for Waumandee Creek in 2015

$2,000 to Aldo Leopold and $2,000 to Harry & Laura Nohr $2,000 to Southeast for Bear Chapter for Pompey Pillar, 2015 Cr., Sauk Co., 2015

Here are our Jim & Billie March LaCrosseWI Stephen Wilke MarinetteWI Kathleen and Robert Martini Rhinelander WI Donald M. Williams Fort AtkinsonWI Friends of Wisconsin TU Dan McGuire Madison WI Betsy Wilson Madison WI Edwin Barnes MiddletonWI Cris Meyer Middleton WI Dan Wisniewski MiddletonWI Charles Barnhill MadisonWI John Murphy East Troy WI Nancy and Roland Woodruff OshkoshWI Jim Bayorgeon AppletonWI Bob Obma Mountain WI Robert Wyman Beaver Dam WI Sen. Janet Bewley Mason WI Herb Oechler Wauwatosa WI Peggy Yessa Madison WI Blaine Biederman Madison WI Cheryl and Winston Ostrow De PereWI Frederic Young RoscoeIL John and Susan Bleimehl VeronaWI Richard Pfiffner AmherstWI Dean Ziemendorf Elcho WI Stephen Born MadisonWI Randall Rake Helena MT Allon Bostwik Port Washington WI Ron Rellatz MertonWI TROUT UNLIMITED CHAPTERS Jerry Bristol Ellsworth WI Bob Retko Cedarburg WI Aldo Leopold Casey Calkins BrookfieldWI Glenn Ringwall New Berlin WI Antigo Lynn Christiansen MiddletonWI Thomas Rogers Princeton WI Coulee Region Rick Christopherson NorwalkWI Dan Rorabeck HudsonWI Kiap-TU-Wish Andrew Cook II Sister BayWI Michael Sandretto Neenah WI Lakeshore Terry Cummings RhinelanderWI Jeff and Mary Schmoeger Cottage GroveWI Marinette County Bruce Davidson WauwatosaWI James Schommer Lodi WI Wisconsin Clearwaters Leonard Debee Menomonie WI James School KaukaunaWI Pete Dramm Manitowoc WI Delmar Schwaller Winneconne WI IN MEMORIAM Richard Duplessie Eau Claire WI Robert Selk MadisonWI Ed Eggers Genoa IL John Shillinglaw MadisonWI In memory of John Higley by the Wisconsin Clear- Harley Erbs Rhinelander WI George Shinners Antigo WI waters Chapter of Trout Unlimited John Ewen NeenahWI Brent Sittlow HudsonWI In memory of William R. Kruse by Paul Kruse of Jim Flesch Fox Point, WI Robert Smith Milwaukee WI Green Bay Scott Geboy Fox Point WI Arthur Sonneland, M.D. DePere WI Dan Geddes Appleton WI Michael Stapleton Pardeeville WI In memory of Roger Moon by Betsy Wilson Donald Grade Mosinee WI Gary Stoychoff Green BayWI of Madison John Gribb Mount Horeb WI Michael Stupich WatertownWI Gordon Grieshaber Mineral Point WI Rick Szymialis Waupaca WI In memory of Roger Moon by Peggy Yessa Dean Hagness CusterWI Robert Tabbert Lac du FlambeauWI of Madison Jon Hanson Madison WI Charles Velie James Milwaukee WI Henry Haugley Sun Prairie WI GregVodak StoughtonWI Ashton Hawk Columbus OH Ken Voight Sugar Grove IL Stephen Hawk Madison WI Doug Wadsworth MadisonWI William Heart Ashland WI Don Wagner GillettWI Brian Hegge Rhinelander WI Mark Heifner Appleton WI Walter Heil Jr De PereWI Bob Hellyer Boulder JunctionWI Yes, I want to join the “Friends” of Wisconsin TU. Holtz Lime, Gravel & Excavating Loganville WI Enclosed is my check, payable to Wisconsin Trout Unlimited. Jeff Jackson Oconto FallsWI Thomas Janssen AppletonWI MAIL TO: Friends of Wisconsin TU Paul Jones Wausau WI % Doug Brown Charles Jorgenson Oconomowoc WI R4800 Timber Lane Frank Kearney III Neenah WI Ringle, WI 54471 Daniel and Sheree Kehoe Madison WI Lane Kistler MilwaukeeWI Barb and Joe Kruse LaCrosse WI Name Paul Kruse Green Bay WI Rick Lindroth Madison WI Tim Logeman Wausau WI Address Tom Lukas Manitowoc WI Douglas MacFarland DousmanWI City, State Zip Phone # Anna Magnin MarshfieldWI