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 Spring 2018 Wetlands bill update A controversial wetlands bill was amended and passed by the legislature. By Mike Kuhr, Council Vice Chair bills. At the end of January, Rep. Steineke introduced Assembly Sub- Last October, Wisconsin legisla- stitute Amendment 1 that included tors introduced legislation that some of the compromise language. would significantly roll back state- A substitute amendment essentially wide wetlands protections, which replaces the original bill. could potentially harm coldwater WITU opposed Assembly Sub- habitat and trout streams around stitute Amendment 1 to AB 547, as the state. AB 547 and SB 600 did many of our partnering organi- (whose lead authors are Rep. zations. While the amendment con- Steineke and Sen. Roth) would re- tained protections for isolated move protections for “non-federal” wetlands in the headwaters (non- wetlands, which make up an esti- navigable portions) of Class I and mated 20 percent of Wisconsin’s to- Class II trout streams, we saw lots of tal wetland acreage, or room for improvements in the bill. approximately one million acres. We were concerned with the lack of Non-federal wetlands lack a per- any mitigation requirements, as well manent surface water connection to as the broad definition of an “urban water bodies like lakes and rivers area.” We also felt that sedge mead- that are protected by the Clean Wa- ow wetlands should be included in ter Act. However, these wetlands the list of rare, high-quality wet- provide many benefits, such as sup- lands that will still require permit- Mike Kuhr plying critical amounts of ground- ting and mitigation. water to coldwater streams, partic- Under the amendment, up to ISOLATED WETLANDS ARE CRITICAL TO THE HEALTH OF TROUT STREAM ularly in headwaters sections, as three acres of isolated wetlands in HEADWATERS LIKE THESE well as protection against flooding, rural areas could be filled only for erosion and nutrient pollution. the purpose of building an agricul- our partners to push for more strin- don’t believe that either side is com- These wetlands also provide habitat tural structure with no mitigation. gent language that addressed our pletely satisfied with the amended for diverse plant, animal and bird Up to one acre of isolated wetlands concerns. Sen. Cowles and Sen. bill, but that’s the true nature of species throughout our state. could be filled in urban areas with Roth introduced language in the compromise. We’d also like to thank Wisconsin TU believes that both no mitigation required. Currently, Senate Committee on Natural Re- Brandon Scholz from The Capitol conservation and responsible devel- mitigation works like this: If a devel- sources and Energy that put mitiga- Group, whose services we retained opment of our communities are oper wants to fill one acre of wet- tion back into the bill, narrowed the to help guide our advocacy efforts possible with the right framework. lands, they need to create 1.2 acres definition of an “urban area” and on this critical issue. We felt AB 547 and SB 600 fall far of wetlands somewhere nearby. included protections for sedge We value the recreational oppor- short of this, and we were disap- Democrats introduced their own meadow wetlands. This language tunities that the woods and waters pointed that the bills would leave so Substitute Amendments (Sen. Mill- was quickly rolled into the Assembly of Wisconsin offer. We also recog- much of our state’s ecologically er in the Senate and Rep. Brostoff version as Substitute Amendment 3. nize the economic impacts that valuable wetlands unprotected. We in the Assembly) that would have The Assembly passed the newly trout fishing in particular, and an- joined many of our partners in the only exempted from permitting the amended AB 547 on Feb. 15. The gling in general, provide to our sporting and conservation commu- filling of artificial (not naturally oc- Senate followed suit and passed the state. Many isolated wetlands are nity in opposing these bills last Oc- curring) wetlands and would have bill on Feb. 20. The governor will critical to the headwaters and tober. created the Wetlands Study Coun- probably have signed the bill by the spawning areas of our trout streams. In the following months, Sen. cil, which is included in the Republi- time you read this. For that reason, we will continue ad- Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay) and his can version as well. Neither of these Wisconsin Trout Unlimited vocating for wetland protections to staff began meeting with represen- amendments had the support to would like to thank Sen. Cowles and ensure that future generations have tatives from conservation organiza- pass through either chamber. his staff for the respect they have access to cold, clean fishable water tions and developers in an effort to In February, we continued to shown for the sporting community in Wisconsin. draft more suitable language for the work with Sen. Cowles, his staff and while crafting this amendment. We Successful banquet Volunteers, sponsors, donors, attendees create another successful and enjoyable banquet. By Mike Kuhr, Council Vice Chair and Heidi Oberstadt, Jim Wierzba, Linn Banquet Chair Beck, Paul Kruse and Todd Frank- lin working on its behalf. Our 2018 State Council Ban- Our donors really came though quet will be remembered for snow- this year with an amazing array of storms and perseverance. prizes. We’d like to thank the indi- On a cold Saturday in early Feb- vidual donors and all the chapters ruary, more than 240 people gath- that made prize and cash contribu- ered in Oshkosh, despite inclement tions. The Council would also like weather, to support our coldwater to thank our sponsors for their gen- fisheries. We rewarded attendees by erous support. Please see our handing out more than $25,000 in “Thanks” to sponsors on page 32. prizes. Treasurer Gary Stoychoff The Council would like to thank said we raised more than $22,000. the many volunteers who per- Volunteer efforts and local chap- formed so many tasks leading up to ter support were again keys to the and during the banquet. Their ef- banquet’s success. The Banquet forts are critical to making an event The Oberstadts Committee was outstanding in both like this run smoothly. planning and execution. The Coun- See BANQUET, page 28 ADAM ZINS’ AMAZING BROOK TROUT ART ON DISPLAY cil is fortunate to have Bill Heart, Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 2 Chairman’s Column TU offers so many ways to get involved Where does the time go? It am gearing up for summer activities. day. But that is the fun part of it. It's ever more important for us as at- seems like I was just getting ready I'm already thinking of where I can exciting to have the opportunities tacks on our water resources contin- for our annual meeting, and now I fit another four hours into every and ability to protect and enhance ue. While we can't monitor every our coldwater resources. stream, monitoring a major creek, There are a lot of opportunities stream or upper watershed can pro- available for us all to get out and vide important data when issues help our chapters. Work days pro- such as well permits, factory farms vide great opportunities. Help or manure spreading are being con- comes in all forms, because chapters sidered. The sooner we get data re- not only need volunteers for the corded on our waters, the easier it heavy lifting, but help with the meal will be to show that these water- when all the work is done, or re- sheds should be left alone. cording the day's events with camera Although I’ve always stressed the or notebook. need for all of us need to be more Via the National TU website, involved in advocating our science- chapters can now record the loca- based ideas to our elected officials, tion of the work day and what was times have changed so much in our done to that area. This site will cap- political world that I need to stress ture and record your chapter’s vol- this again. Thanks to your continued unteer hours, so at the end of the efforts, our legislators are better ed- year your chapter can easily find ucated on coldwater conservation is- your annual total volunteer hours. sues. Now that we have their Youth programs continue to attention, please keep up the good grow among our chapters. If your work. chapter doesn’t have a youth-relat- Wisconsin Trout Unlimited is ed program, take it upon yourself to lucky to have members like all of start one. When someone steps up you. If you would like to get more to be a leader, it’s amazing how oth- involved with anything from youth er members will volunteer to help education to issue advocacy, please you get it going. Youth programs are contact your local chapter. If water a great way to educate kids about monitoring is something you are in- conservation and, of course, get terested in, please contact me and I them hooked on the outdoors by will put you in touch with the Water taking them fishing. The parents, in- Action Volunteer coordinator. evitably see what we do, and some Thanks for all you do. Scot Stewart Scot of them join chapters and become Tight Lines volunteers and leaders themselves. STATE COUNCIL CHAIR LINN BECK Water monitoring is going to be Linn WITU Youth Camp Please help with youth expo in May This July will mark our fourth annual youth fishing camp. Each year we try to WITU has a great chance to tweak and improve the camp. We work on introduce hundreds of kids to streamlining our curriculum to share the fishing, and the outdoors, but most information, along with providing only with your help. Please vol- time for all the participants to feel com- unteer at this year’s Midwest fortable with what we are teaching. Outdoor Heritage Education This year will be no different. The Expo near Poynette. DNR’s Shawn Sullivan has offered his guys The expo is Wednesday and to be available for most of the weekend. Thursday, May 16-17. We’re ex- They will be around to help answer ques- pecting to see more than 3,000 tions about everything from conservation kids from 4-6 grades, as well as to fishing. their chaperones. Last year we started working with the This is a great opportunity Wisconsin Conservation Congress, which for Wisconsin Trout Unlimited contacted us about offering our students a to share information with them chance to become youth delegates in the about fishing and conservation congress. Guess what, half of our last class issues. Some of the activities at of 18 students has accepted the chance to the event include archery, for- be a delegate. It’s great to see that our stu- estry, wildlife tracking and game dents are embracing conservation. calling, bird dog demonstra- Bob Haase We also altered our schedule so the stu- tions, trapping, parks and camp- dents can experience an actual TU work ing, outdoor safety and angler day for a couple of hours, in conjunction education. HELP US REACH HUNDREDS OF KIDS with our regular streamside presentation Every year TU volunteers Aldo Leopold Chapter’s Jared Segal helps a young tyer create her first fly at about stream restoration and fish shocking. help about 900 children tie their last year’s Expo. Jared was once a student at this amazing event, and now During the rest of camp, we’ll still cover first fly. That’s an amazing num- the same important topics: stream/water ber, but could even be higher, if returns to share his passion and knowledge with the next generation. safety, knot tying, fly tying and entomolo- we could round up more volun- gy. Always a highlight for students and in- teers. We could use about 16-18 volunteers per day one volunteer to answer questions and lead them structors will be the portions where we to help with the fly tying. We show the kids how to tie through the activity. cover fly fishing, bait fishing and spin fish- a simple bluegill fly, and explain how they can use With additional volunteers, we could teach kids ing. their spinning rods and a spinning float to catch fish how to tie some basic knots. All it would take is a few This year’s camp will run from Thurs- on it. We are not trying to make them fly tyers or fly knot-tying kits and a few volunteers. day, July 19 through Sunday, July 22. The anglers. We are trying to get them hooked on fishing. We’re hoping a chapter steps up to design and camp will be held again at the Pine Lake It’s amazing how excited kids get when they catch a construct a display for these types of events, which Bible Camp, located between Waupaca fish on a bait they made themselves. could be shared by all chapters. Maybe this display and Wild Rose on beautiful Pine Lake. We provide the tying materials, so that volunteers could be put in schools and public libraries across the If you know of a youngster 12-16 who only need a vise and basic tying tools, including a state when not in use at the Expo. If this is something might be interested in attending, contact scissors, bobbin and half hitch tool. your chapter would like to do, please contact me. your local chapter or contact me. The This event also presents an opportunity for us to I am coordinating the fly tying and looking for camp roster is filling fast and the limit is 20 teach kids about conservation. All we would need is a volunteers to help the kids tie flies. Volunteers need students. display showing the work we do on trout streams and to be at the MacKenzie Center in Poynette from Wayne Parmley will be contacting past water monitoring. We could teach kids how to identi- about 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. If a chapter or individuals volunteers. If you haven’t experienced the fy aquatic insects from our streams and explain the would like to help put together another activity, such fun and satisfaction of volunteering at the role they play in monitoring our water quality. It as knot tying, bug identification or would like to cre- camp, please contact Wayne Parmley and would only take about three or four volunteers each ate a display about TU stream restoration activities he will share the amazing details. Come for day to help with bug identification and answer ques- or water monitoring, let me know. If you have any a day or come for the weekend. Everyone tions from the kids and chaparones. questions or would like to volunteer, contact me is welcome. I’ve also suggested we present a display showing soon at 920-579-3858 or [email protected]. Contact Linn Beck at [email protected] the different kinds of trout, and ask kids to match the —Bob Haase or 920-216-7408. Contact Wayne Parmley picture to the name of the fish. It would only take at [email protected] or 920-540-2315. Page 3 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018

Wisconsin TU Chapters, Presidents, and Websites Aldo Leopold (#375): Mike Stapleton, W8002 Whitetail Drive, Pard- eeville, WI 53954; (608) 742-3665; [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): Dave Brethauer; 17348 W. Gepler Road, Brod- head, WI 53520; (608) 897-4166; [email protected]; Bayfield Douglas NORTHWOODS www.BlackhawkTU.org Central Wisconsin (#117): Laura Tucker; N5424 Sunny Hill Rd, Sax- Iron Ashland eville, 54976 (920) 622-5401; [email protected]; cwtu.org, Vilas Coulee Region (#278): Curt Rees; W5190 Birchwood Lane, La- Burnett Washburn Crosse, WI 54601; [email protected]

Sawyer Price Florence www.CouleeRegionTU.org Oneida Forest Fox Valley (#193): Nate Ratliff, 199 Taylor Street, Little Chute, MARINETTE Polk Rusk 54140 (920) 851-0502; [email protected]; Barron Marinette www.foxvalleytu.org ANTIGO GREEN BAY Lincoln Frank Hornberg (#624): Matt Salchert, 1800 Minnesota Ave., Ste- Taylor Langlade WOLF vens Point, WI 54481 (715) 321-1394; [email protected]; RIVER St. Croix Chippewa www.Hornberg-TU.org Dunn WISCONSIN Menominee RIVER VALLEY Oconto Green Bay (#083): Staush Gruszynski, 1715 Deckner Ave., Green OCONTO WI CLEAR Marathon Bay, 54302 (920) 216-3793; [email protected]; Shawano RIVER Clark WATERS Door greenbaytu.org Pierce Eau Claire SHAW-PACA Kewaunee Harry & Laura Nohr (#257): Tim Fraley, 2 Pagham Court, Madison, Pepin Wood Waupaca WI 53719; hm:(608) 271-1733; c:(608)220-0762; Portage Buffalo Outagamie Brown [email protected]; www.NohrTU.org FOX Jackson FRANK HORNBERG VALLEY Kiap-TU-Wish (#168): Scott Wagner, 1208 Highway 35 N. Hudson, Trempealeau Manitowoc Waushara Winnebago Calumet WI 54016; 715-781-6874; [email protected]; kiaptuwish.org KIAP-TU-WISH LAKESHORE Adams CENTRAL Lakeshore (#423): Myk Hranicka, N2766 Hopeman Heights, Waldo, Monroe La Crosse Juneau WISCONSIN Marquette WI 53093; 920-627-5779; [email protected]; www.Wisconsin- Sheboygan Green TU.org/Lakeshore Lake Fond du Lac Marinette (#422): Dale Lange, N2095 CTH BB, Marinette, WI; 715- Vernon ALDO LEOPOLD 582-1135; [email protected], marinettecounty.tu.org. Dodge Ozaukee Columbia Northwoods (#256): Richland Sauk Jay N. Joppa; 8570 Oak Park Circle, Minocqua, Washington WI 54548; (715) 499-1022; [email protected]; Crawford northwoods.tu.org COULEE Dane Jefferson Waukesha Milwaukee SOUTHEASTERN Oconto River (#385): Tom Klatt; 1677 Forest Glen Drive Green Bay, REGION Iowa WISCONSIN Grant SOUTHERN WISCONSIN WI 54304 (920) 621-9266; [email protected]; ocontorivertu.com Shaw-Paca (#381): Nate Sipple, 931 E. Fifth St., Shawano, WI Rock Walworth Racine Lafayette Green 54166; (715) 304-7581; [email protected]; Wisconsin-

HARRY & Kenosha TU.org/ShawPaca; www.facebook.com/shawpacatu LAURA NOHR Southeastern Wisconsin (#078): Todd Durian; 4724 W. Blue Mound Road, Milwaukee, 53186; [email protected]; 414-403-5670; BLACKHAWK SEWTU.org; facebook.com/southeastwisconsintroutunlimited Southern Wisconsin (#061): Matt Sment; 608-218-4133; fis- [email protected]; P.O. Box 45555, Madison, WI 53744- 5555; www.swtu.org Wild Rivers (#415): Bob Rice 74355 Kaukamo Road, Iron River, WI 54847; (715) 292-1143; [email protected] Visit the Wisconsin State Council’s www.wisconsintu.org/wildrivers Wisconsin Clear Waters (#255): Dick Duplessie, 335 Corydon Road, web site at wicouncil.tu.org, or find Eau Claire, WI 54701 (715) 577-5805; [email protected]; WisconsinTU.org/ClearWaters Wisconsin River Valley (#395): Doug Brown, R4800 Timber Lane, us on Facebook. Ringle, WI 54471; [email protected]; 715-899-0024; www.wrvtu.org Wolf River (#050): Andy Killoren, N1493 Hwy 45, Fremont, WI 54940; (920) 667-5385; [email protected]; WolfriverTU.org State Council Leadership Are you getting emails from TU? State Chair: Linn Beck, 160 W. Education: Bob Haase, W7949 19th Ave., Oshkosh, WI 54902 Treptow Ln., Eldorado, WI 54932 If you are currently not receiving news and event-related email (920) 216-7408; (920) 922-8003 (H); messages from your chapter, the state council and TU National, [email protected] [email protected] then you are truly missing out on what’s happening at all three lev- Vice Chair: Mike Kuhr, 6103 Friends of WITU and Watershed els. TU National manages the mailing list for the council and chap- Queensway, Monona, WI 53716; Access Fund: Doug Brown, R4800 (414) 588-4281; Timber Ln., Ringle, WI 54471 ters, so update your address by going to www.tu.org, log in, then go [email protected] (715) 899-0024; to “Email Preferences.” You can also call 1-800-834-2419 to make Secretary: Tom Lager, 1700 Spring [email protected] these changes, or to ask questions about making the changes via Hill Ct., Neenah, WI 54956; Legal Counsel: Open the web site. (920) 540-9194; Legislative Chair: Henry Koltz [email protected] Membership: Chair Paul Kruse, Treasurer: Gary Stoychoff, 1326 500 Saint Jude St., Green Bay, WI 14th Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304 54303 (920) 494-4220); WISCONSIN TROUT [email protected] [email protected]; Vol. 30, No. 2 — Spring 2018 National Trustee: Henry Koltz, National Leadership Council 2300 N. Mayfair Rd., Ste. 1175, Representative: Kim McCarthy, Wisconsin Trout is the official publication of the Wisconsin Council of Milwaukee, WI 53226 (414) 331- 736 Meadowbrook Ct., Green Trout Unlimited and is distributed to the members of Wisconsin’s 21 5679 (H); [email protected] Bay, WI 54313 (920) 434-3659; TU chapters. Non-member subscriptions are $12.50/year. Publication Vice Chair, Central Region: [email protected] dates are the first weeks of January, April, July and October. Dead- To m L a g e r , s e e a b o v e Trout In the Classroom Coordina- lines for articles and advertisements are the 10th of December, March, Vice Chair, Northeast Region: tor: Greg Olson, 16370 Division June and September. For a current advertising rate sheet, contact the Doug Erdmann, 1523 Rosewood St., Lakeland MN, 55043; editor. Ave., Wis. Rapids, WI 54494; 715- [email protected] 712-3134; derdmann55@char- Veterans Services Partnership Co- Photo/article contributions, letters to the editor and advertisements ter.net ordinator: Mike Kuhr are welcomed. Submit to: Vice Chair, Southern Region: Jim Water Resources: Bob Obma, Wierzba, 2817 Country Club Todd Franklin, Editor 12870 West Shore Drive, Moun- 2515 Bigler Circle Drive, Mequon, WI 53092 (262) tain, WI 54149 (715) 276-1170 (H) 238-0282; [email protected] Verona, WI 53593 [email protected] (608) 516-3647 Vice Chair, Western Region: Gary Website: Brandon Schmalz, 1229 [email protected] Horvath, 623 W. Pine Street, River Goss Ave., Menasha, WI 54952; Falls, WI 54806 (715)425-8489; [email protected] 920-851-8129; State Council Officers [email protected] Executive Committee includes officers and vice chairs Awards: Bill Heart, 29450 Verners Women’s Initiatives: Road, Ashland, WI 54806; (715) Linn Beck, Chair Mike Kuhr, Vice Chair 209-0431;[email protected] Heidi Oberstadt, 456 Wadleigh St., Stevens Point, WI 54481; 715-573- Communications: Open 5104; [email protected] Tom Lager, Secretary Gary Stoychoff, Treasurer Page 4 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018 Commentary Are increased harvest regulations going too far? Before his passing, our foremost authority on trout research suggested that could be the case. By Kim McCarthy number of trout present decreases, the greater the percentage of trout caught becomes. Overhar- Trout management in Wisconsin is undergoing vest may not be noticeable for a few years, but rapid change. Trout regulations were rewritten eventually the harvest results in a crash. This rule just a couple of years ago. The rewrite was an at- has been documented in oceanic fisheries as well tempt to clear up some issues that had existed as inland fisheries. The danger of such a crash will since the category system was implemented more increase in Wisconsin trout fisheries as the daily than 25 years ago. The category system was put in bag limit liberalizes. place after research by people like Robert Hunt TU National recognized that the trout man- suggested that trout fishing could be much better agement program in Wisconsin is the best in the in Wisconsin with a management approach that nation. Let’s be cautious about changing the pres- allowed managers to manage in a way that took ent system. It’s a lot better to under-harvest than into account the different characteristics of vari- to over-harvest. ous water bodies. I am skeptical about the claim that present Parts of the category system bothered some conservative regulations have scared away young anglers, such as multiple regulations on the same people from trout fishing. Kids today are good at body of water, too many categories and a confus- handling complexities. Most of them have a cell ing number of different special regulations. The phone in one pocket and an IPod in another. I regulations committee went to work in 2011, and don’t think they are about to be intimidated by the new regulations were implemented in 2016. some color coded trout regulations. Loss of young The number of categories was reduced from 5 to recruits is a nationwide problem for all outdoor 3. Wherever possible a single regulation was put oriented organizations, a social phenomenon that in place for an entire stream. The number of spe- has little to do with complexities of a given sport. cial regulations used around the state was re- TU chapters are probably doing a better job of duced from over 40 to ten. That all seemed getting kids started fishing than most other out- logical, and, as a member of the Trout Study door focused groups. TU deserves commenda- Committee I agreed with what was done. tion, not criticism. We teach a lot of One of the more interesting discoveries made environmental knowledge as well as how to fly while doing the regulations revision came from a cast or spin cast. survey conducted among anglers who had pur- A final thought: Turning back the societal chased trout stamps in the past, but had since clock to a simpler time when present day parents stopped. Some claimed that people had stopped FAMED TROUT BIOLOGIST ROBERT HUNT and grandparents grew up in a more rural envi- fishing because of the rules under the category ronment is not going to happen. Radical tinkering system. The DNR wanted to establish if there was I would never consider guessing at what Hunt of the present category based regulations would fact in that claim. There was not. would think of the constant effort to increase har- be a gigantic mistake.” The survey showed that, by far, the number vest. Fortunately I don’t have to guess. Back in —Bob Hunt one reason people had stopped fishing was “lack 2011, when the regulations were being reviewed I of time.” No other reason given even came close. was the Trout Unlimited State Council Chair in I will end this article by saying that if I have to So, more than anything else, it was society chang- Wisconsin. We had a regulations committee in agree with someone on the issue of continuing to ing the demand for people’s time that caused place, and Hunt agreed to give advice to that find ways to harvest more fish, I will agree with some people to give up trout fishing. committee. I sent Hunt a request asking him for Hunt, especially his statement that it is better to his opinion on some of the issues being discussed. under-harvest than to over-harvest. Hopefully his Demand for increased trout harvest Although not feeling well, (he passed away not words of wisdom will be remembered, will take too long afterward) he was kind enough to send hold, and we will continue to have world-class There were also other pressures being applied. me some thoughts on regulations. trout fishing in Wisconsin. Remember, that was One of those was a demand for greatly increased I have made it a point to keep that last com- not always the case. harvest. The category system of regulations, plus munication from him, as it may have been the fi- a change to wild trout stocking, plus good habitat nal time he offered suggestions about regulations. Kim McCarthy has been a member of Trout Un- work had succeeded in greatly increasing the I think it would serve us well to consider the con- limited since the 1970s. During that time he has trout populations in many areas of the state. The tents and advice contained in that communica- served as Chapter President in Green Bay, as the new regulations considered the higher popula- tion. The quotes below come directly from his Northeast Region Vice Chair, and then as the State tions and raised the bag limits in many parts of letter. I have underlined parts for emphasis. His Council Chair from 2010-2012. He is currently serv- the state. first statement references complaints about regu- ing as the Wisconsin Representative on the TU Na- Many creeks that for years featured three-fish lations originating in southwestern Wisconsin. tional Leadership Council. bag limits now have five-fish limits. Special regu- “There seem to be few complaints from trout lations were removed from a number of streams. fishers in other re- Five southwestern streams were changed to allow gions of the state a 10-fish bag limit. 15 days of harvest season were about the category added to the month of October. Taken in total, it system of managing was a large increase in potential harvest. trout. I guess the Still, the demand for more harvest has not qui- DNR must be doing eted down. Some are floating new ideas to in- something right regu- crease harvest opportunities. lation wise. The ad One idea is to open the harvest season a full hoc committee I month earlier, on the first Saturday in April. This served on to develop would add a month of harvest at a time when fish the category system are starting to feed heavily following the lean was primarily focused times of winter. on reducing harvest It would remove a month when only catch- statewide. That goal and-release fishing is allowed on some streams was accomplished and and replace that with a month of full harvest trout populations statewide. It would add a full additional month of have generally in- harvest in northern Wisconsin where even catch- creased. Especially and-release early seasons have been rejected. significant in terms of providing better fish- April trout harvest proposal will be a ing has been the in- question at Spring Hearings crease in the number It would be another large increase in harvest of trout reaching ter- on top of an already large increase under the new minal size. Increasing 2016 regulations. Anglers will be asked about the the statewide daily idea of opening the regular harvest season in ear- bag limit to 5 will in- ly April when they vote on question 31 at the crease harvest and re- April Spring Hearings. I will not support that pro- duce angling quality posal. by reducing the num- In trying to decide whether still more harvest is ber of large trout. a good idea, I began to think about the vision for There is a biologi- trout fishing in Wisconsin held by Robert Hunt. cal principle called Hunt has long been considered Wisconsin’s fore- “Inverse Density De- most authority on trout research. His work has pendent Mortality” landed him a spot in the Wisconsin Conservation that I proved oper- Hall of Fame beside such visionaries as John Muir ates. It basically and Aldo Leopold. means that as the Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 5 Back 40 Mine update Federal and state agencies raise concerns about the mine proposal. Allison Werner, Ironically, this is exactly what the River Alliance of Wisconsin Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin’s lawsuit is asking to have happen. The last few months have been On January 22, the Menominee active for the Back 40 Mine Propos- Tribe filed a lawsuit because they al. The latest news is the Environ- believe the Corps and EPA should mental Protection Agency (EPA), take over the review of the wetlands on behalf of the U.S. Army Corps permit application. of Engineers (Corps) and U.S. Fish For most states the Corps has a and Wildlife Service (FWS), have role in reviewing wetland permit ap- objected to Aquila Resources’ wet- plications. This is not the case in land permit application. Michigan. The state of Michigan In a March 8, 2018 letter to has been given sole authority to re- Michigan Department of Environ- view wetland permits. The Menomi- mental Quality (MI DEQ), the EPA nee Tribe believes the state of stated, “The federal agencies have Michigan should not have been del- identified specific concerns with the egated this authority for this pro- project as proposed. Our concerns posal because the Menominee LancourKevin include the deficiencies in the im- River is an interstate body of water. BACK 40 MINE HEARING DRAWS LARGE CROWDS pacts analysis, the significance of In addition to the objections to The Environmental Protection Agency, on behalf of the U.S. Army Corps of aquatic resource impacts, alterna- the wetland permit from the EPA, tives analysis, and the demonstra- MI DEQ also sent Aquila Resourc- Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have objected to Aquila tion of adequate compensation for es a list of issues to address on both Resources’ wetland permit application. Please let everyone know what’s going wetland and stream impacts. There- January 18 and March 2. The 30- on with this potentially damaging mine. fore, this project does not comply page document provided by MI with the CWA Section 404(b)(1) DEQ to Aquila Resources on responded in writing to the concerns to mine, it will be awhile before this Guidelines, and EPA objects to the March 2 included the comments MI DEQ raised on January 18 and proposal moves forward. issuance of a permit for this project shared by the 88 people who spoke the company said it will address the Please continue to inform TU as proposed.” at the January 23 public hearing for EPA’s concerns within the 90-day members and other angling friends If Aquila Resources and MI the wetland permit. The document deadline. It is estimated that MI about this issue. The best way to DEQ do not satisfactorily address also included a summary of the DEQ will not have a decision on the protect the Menominee River and the concerns raised by the EPA 3,420 written comments MI DEQ wetland permit until at least June. Lake Michigan fishery is grassroots within 90 days, the review of the received from people concerned Add in the Menominee Tribe’s law- opposition to activities that will pol- wetland permit will be taken over about this risky proposal. suit and Aquila Resources need to lute our waters. by the Army Corps of Engineers. Aquila Resources has recently acquire funding and a social license Wanted: EPA, GLRI and LWCF Aquatic resources face significant cuts The Trump Administration’s plans to kill federal support for improving and protecting some of the nation’s mot prized waterways has failed, thanks seasonal intern to bipartisan support to maintain funding for key programs. TU is seeking an Aquatic Desired qualifications The proposal would have significantly cut funding to the EPA and other Resources Seasonal Intern, • Ideally working towards or com- agencies, essentially eliminating programs such as the Great Lakes Restora- who will report directly to Lau- pleted a B.S. in a field related to tion Initiative (GLRI). On March 22 the U.S. House of Representatives de- ra MacFarland, Great Lakes fisheries management, aquatic cided to keep, and in some cases increase, funding. Restoration Manager, and will ecology, watershed management, Since 2010, the GLRI has supported more than 3,400 projects, totaling assist with projects to restore geomorphology, or biological nearly $1.76 billion, in the Great Lakes region, including TU projects im- systems engineering. proving stream connectivity and restoring instream habitat. The president’s aquatic connectivity and in- budget proposed to reduce GLRI funding from $300 million to $30 million, stream habitat in Northern • A working knowledge of princi- ples and practices of fisheries and end the program the next year. But due to a vocal sportsmen’s commu- Wisconsin. and aquatic resource manage- nity and a unified, bipartisan Great Lakes delegation, GLRI was fully fund- The position will require fre- ment. ed at $300 million. quent overnight travel (camp- • Outstanding interpersonal and As of this printing, we’re unsure what has become of the Land and Water ing on the Chequamegon- written communication skills. Conservation Fund, which faced a 98 percent overall cut to the program. Nicolet National Forest) and • Demonstrated ability to work ef- Federal agencies’ budgets for conservation at our national parks, forests and will work three days a week, not fectively as both a team player national wildlife refuges and other public lands would be eliminated out- to exceed 30 hours per week. and independently right or held so low as to barely pay staff, affecting future protection of our This position is not to exceed • Proficient with Microsoft Office lands and waters and undercutting efforts to enhance public access for hunt- six months in duration. Some programs. ing, fishing and other activities that drive a vibrant economy. • Willingness to travel (frequently State grant programs, funded through LWCF, support local recreation fa- weekend work will be re- cilities, state parks, working forests, wildlife habitat and other community quired. This position is not eli- overnight) and capable of hiking and carrying equipment in diffi- conservation priorities. gible for benefits. The position cult terrain and working in in- is based in Crandon, Wisconsin. clement conditions and remote locations. Duties and • Valid driver's license and a reli- Making a responsibilities: able vehicle. • Conduct a variety of stream • Passion for protecting and re- storing trout populations and Destination, Part II surveys including aquatic or- their watersheds. ganism passage assessments For those who have been in- undertake a major reclamation and habitat assessments volved, or have been following what project on the river running through • Assist with data entry and How to apply John Meachen and I have been do- the village. Principal among those database management, as Please send a letter of interest ing to create an angling destination are complex easement issues, as well as assist with project re- and resume to Laura MacFarland here in central Wisconsin, a brief well as anticipated local opposition at [email protected]. No update seems to be in order. to a major makeover of the river porting phone calls please. Open until • Coordinate education and Following Phase I of Making a and the area bordering it. filled. Destination, concluding with At the If those issues can be satisfactori- outreach efforts with project TU is an Equal Employment Op- Convergence held at the Leigh ly resolved, we will be looking to en- partners and general public portunity & Affirmative Action Em- Yawkey Woodson Art Museum last list the assistance of TU chapters to • Assist in project implemen- ployer pursuant to Section 503 of the October, we now seek to move on to remove massive amounts of deadfall tation and on-site construc- Rehabilitation Act & Vietnam Era Phase II: Rehabilitating a Stream. currently clogging the river. If our tion Veterans Readjustment Assistant Act. We’ve identified a possible site in a current efforts aren’t successful, we TU hires staff without regard to race, small village in Marathon County. I will be looking for an alternative This is not an all-inclusive color, religion, national origin, age, made a formal presentation to the destination somewhere in the cen- list of duties and responsibili- gender, sexual orientation, marital village council in February. The re- tral part of the state. In any event, ties. status or disability. ception I received was extremely fa- stay tuned and make sure your vorable, but, as usual, there are chainsaws are well sharpened. Your significant issues involved which help may be needed this summer! must be overcome before we can —Dan Holland and John Meachen Page 6 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018 Council bestows awards at banquet The Wisconsin State Council of Trout Unlimited honored several individ- uals, one chapter and one corporate sponsor at the annual banquet in Osh- kosh February 3. The council has been presenting awards since 1984. Thanks go out to Mike Kuhr for overseeing the banquet awards committee. Other award committee members include Todd Franklin and Bill Heart. Todd Fran- lin will take over as chair and is seeking new members for this committee. If you are interested please contact Todd at [email protected]. We would also like to thank our sponsors and for those who donated priz- es for our banquet. Council Chair Linn Beck is shown presenting awards in these photos. Thank you to the Oberstadts for taking photos of the award winners.

JIM WIERZBA RECEIVED THE GOLD TROUT AWARD FOR SERVICE At the same time, Jim became the vice president of the Wisconsin Coun- cil’s Southern Region, helping to distribute Friends of Wisconsin Trout Un- limited funds, and leading efforts to coordinate joint workdays between the Southern Region’s chapters. Aside from his TU responsibilities, Jim continues to serve as a Conserva- tion Congress Delegate on its Trout Study Committee, where he works to protect trout streams and trout fishing opportunities for all. Finally, Jim served as Wisconsin TU’s representative to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources regarding its recent trout fishing regulation revisions and is involved in new efforts to update Wisconsin’s Trout Management Plan. Resource Award of Merit: Laura MacFarland It would be impossible to list all of Jim’s efforts for Trout Unlimited in this small space. Suffice it to say that whenever Trout Unlimited has called, In the short time since taking the restoration manager position, Laura’s Jim has answered and done so in a manner that is above and beyond ordi- work in reconnecting streams in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest nary. For his chapter, the Council and trout anglers in general, Jim has been has been well documented in Wisconsin Trout and now in TU’s national pub- a shining example of service to others and to Trout Unlimited’s mission. lication, Trout magazine. It is amazing how quickly the trout have responded in returning to their historic spawning grounds once given the chance. Besides her work correcting culverts, Laura is coordinating a large habitat Silver Trout Award for Chapter Merit: Wild Rivers Chapter restoration project on the North Branch of the Oconto River in and around The Wild Rivers Chapter continues to be very active on many fronts. Af- Wabeno. Depending on where the work will be done, she will be working with ter Wisconsin TU decided to realign the Northeast Region by adding Wild different partners. In carrying out this work, Laura has demonstrated incred- Rivers, the chapter has been active in the region by donating funds for habi- ible coordination and communication skills working with landowners, con- tat work outside of the chapter boundaries and to support TU’s growing tractors, state and federal employees, town crews, tribal governments, work in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. In 2018 the chapter will volunteers and the general public. Laura has mastered the thankless and te- assist on a culvert replacement on forest land on a tributary of Eighteen dious task of grant writing as well, much to the benefit of the local trout. Mile Creek in Bayfield County, and chapter members will use Wild Rivers Laura coordinated and carried out the Trout in the Classroom (TIC) pro- and Northeast Region funds in Sawyer County, assisting the DNR with gram at Wabeno Elementary School and is now taking TIC to the Environ- some brush bundling work on two small spring creeks that have been im- mental Science students at Wabeno High School. pacted by beavers. As a TU National employee, Laura had to surrender her official status as The chapter’s Spring Fishing Expo is held on the campus of Northland an officer and board member with the Northwoods Chapter, but she remains College. The chapter invites about 20 natural resource organizations to set a valuable and hard-working member of our chapter in her “advisory” role. up free booths to help educate the public on what is happening in the north. Laura arrived in the Northwoods in February 2010, and by May she was ac- The event often brings in more than 100 attendees. The chapter combines tive with the Northwoods Chapter, serving as vice president from 2011 to this afternoon with a couple programs, bucket raffles and live auction as its 2013. By May 2013, Laura was elected chapter president. Our chapter, Wis- major fundraiser of the year. consin TU and TU National is fortunate to have someone with Laura’s tal- The chapter hosts a number of fly-tying events throughout the year, espe- ent, energy and enthusiasm. cially during the winter months to get ready for the expo. For the past couple Before her arrival in the northwoods, Laura was a member of the South- of years, four chapter members also attended a two-week session of the Ash- ern Wisconsin Chapter. She served as education chair and teamed up with land High School Natural Resource & Environmental Science class. They other chapter leaders to organize the first of many successful women’s fly- taught fly tying, entomology, stream craft and fly casting, and explained fishing clinics. She remains active in organizing this annual clinic by women, TU’s role as an organization that works to protect rivers. For the past couple for women, at the West Fork Sportsmen’s Club. of years, Wild Rivers has partnered with Solstice Outdoors to put on wom- Laura’s resume includes a bachelor’s degree in biology from William en’s fly fishing clinics in the city of Ashland. Woods University and a masters of science in Water Resource Management The Wild Rivers chapter continues to be a strong financial supporter for at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She worked for Alpine County, Cal- continuation of the USGS Leonard School Gage on the Namekagon River, ifornia, managing five watersheds in northern California, as well as serving as and continues to have a strong voice in opposition of mining and CAFO de- the executive director of the Alpine Watershed Group. After that we knew velopment. Like many chapters throughout the state, it’s an active, hard- her as the invasive species director for the River Alliance of Wisconsin. working chapter that get things done. Besides her passion for fishing and conservation, Laura enjoys skiing, camping, canoeing and cooking for her family.

Gold Trout Award for Service: Jim Wierzba Jim Wierzba has been a driving force for Wisconsin Trout Unlimited for the better part of a decade. Starting as a board member for the Southeast Wisconsin Chapter, Jim eventually became SEWTU’s president. During that time Jim presided over numerous stream projects, habitat workdays, youth and veterans’ events, and continued SEWTU’s strong history of fundraising. In 2013, Jim spent countless hours helping to lead SEWTU and the state council’s hospitality room efforts at Trout Unlimited’s Annual Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin. In addition, Jim has been a significant contributor to the State Council, notably with his prize marshalling, coordination and setup work at our annual banquet. As a result of Jim’s efforts and the associated generosity of donors and chapters, both the number of prizes and their quali- ty has increased significantly. Jim notably ensured that prizes were equally THE WILD RIVERS CHAPTER WON THE SILVER TROUT AWARD distributed between raffle and silent auctions events so that all attendees had From left are Bob Traczyk, Jason Stewart, State Council Chair Linn Beck, Frank a chance to win a truly top-shelf prize. Pratt, Bill Heart and Bob Rice. Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 7

Amy began her relationship with TU a few years ago by attending the Women’s Beginners Fly Fishing Clinic in southwestern Wisconsin. The next year she returned for the intermediate clinic and joined the board of direc- tors of the Southern Chapter. She served as vice president, and has been suc- cessfully organizing our major fundraiser, the Winter Icebreaker, for three years now. Amy continues to help with the Women’s Fly Fishing Clinics as a river buddy, guiding new women fly anglers. She always agrees to teach special topics at the clinics as well. Amy routinely teaches at the women’s clinics here at the State Council meeting and banquet. She helps with Project Green Teen, a program which puts at-risk high school youth out on trout streams. She also helps with TU’s veteran programs. If that is not enough, Amy is active in SWTU workdays and is trained and proficient with a chainsaw. Amy participates in the stream keeper program to monitor and do minor maintenance on coldwater streams. She covers a portion of Kittleson Creek. She has helped to suggest ways to make TU more attractive to new members and has influenced our strategic plan to grow our membership and improve diversity. Recently Amy has been representing Wisconsin TU on the TUDARE Volunteer Steering Committee. This important committee works to ensure that the Driftless Area Restoration Effort will remain strong for years to come. We are thankful for Amy’s contributions to both SWTU and the State Council, and are honored to award her the Joan and Lee Wulff Award for Gold Net Award: Curt Rees Outstanding Conservation Leadership. While the area covered by the Coulee Region Chapter of TU (CRTU) is home to more than 1,000 miles of trout streams in southwest Wisconsin, the chapter has at times struggled to carry TU’s mission out to the area. Curt Rees, in his three years as chapter president, has led the chapter to a better, stronger position to conserve, protect and restore our coldwater resources. Curt Rees is a quiet-spoken man, but when he speaks at a chapter event or in a newsletter, people listen. He is an elementary school principal in La Crosse, and his administrative, leadership and speaking skills come through in his communications with members. He has invited and listened to new ideas, many of which have been put into action: moving meetings around, working with outside chapters on projects within the area, supporting non- typical events like the Driftless One-Fly and the Coon Valley Trout Fest. Un- der his leadership, CRTU has begun supporting Trout in the Classroom and other teaching opportunities, and the public response has been significant and positive. As a result, the chapter is stronger and has become more able to sponsor and support events with its volunteers. Work days with other chapters in this area have drawn members from all over southern Wisconsin and Illinois. Kids’ events are well-covered. He has been integral working with the chapter banquet and other fund-raising events to be been successful. The money raised has been used to raise more funds from other sources. Several new board members have been added in the past couple of years, replacing veter- ans who were ready for a break. There appears to be more interest and more activity than at any other time in the past 20 years. Curt intends to step down later this year, to share more time (much of it on the water) with his family. But he has put CRTU in a good position to move forward with strong membership and board leadership. For all that good work and strong leadership, we honor Curt Rees with the 2018 Gold Robert Hunt Resource Professional Award: Dale Higgins Net Award from Wisconsin Trout Unlimited. Dale Higgins recently retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) with nearly 39 years of honorable pub- Joan & Lee Wulff Award for Outstanding Conservation lic service. Before joining the Forest Service, he obtained two degrees from Leadership: Amy Klusmeier the University of Minnesota: a bachelor’s degree in forest resource develop- The Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited nominated Amy ment in 1977 and a master’s degree in forest hydrology in 1979. Dale worked Klusmeier for the Joan and Lee Wulff Award for Outstanding Conservation on national forests in three different regions across the country. He began his Leadership, and the state council fully agrees that she is most deserving of FS journey in Roanoke, Virginia, at the Jefferson National Forest, then trav- this prestigious award. Amy is one of her chapter’s most active members and elled west to John Day, Oregon, to work on the Malhuer National Forest, gives a huge amount of time and energy to TU. Not only has her work bene- and completed his lifelong natural resource career on the Chequamegon-Ni- fitted the trout resources of our state, but it has attracted women, youth and colet National Forest in Park Falls. others to help achieve what all of us agree we need in our organization. His diverse geographic work background and experience includes a broad range of hydrology and watershed management activities implemented to protect, restore and manage streams, lakes and wetland habitats and ecosys- tems. These include aquatic habitat inventories, project monitoring, scientific training, detailed hydrologic analysis for instream flows, dam removals and road-stream crossings, and design and implementation of stream, lake and wetland habitat restoration projects. Dale also developed prescriptions and/or mitigation measures for various ground land management activities such as road construction, mining activi- ties, timber sales, sewage treatment plants and recreation sites, to name a few. Dale received regional and national awards from the Forest Service for his passion, dedication and professionalism as a forest hydrologist. Some of his more significant contributions include: • Participating in the hydropower relicensing projects in Wisconsin and Michigan to ensure adequate minimum fish and channel maintenance flows and also to ensure reservoir water levels are achieved and maintained. • Designing and implementing nearly 100 miles of in-stream habitat res- toration for both coldwater and warm-water systems. • Developing and nurturing complex partnerships with the forest fish pro- grams at the federal, state, regional and local levels with agencies, tribes, the public and non-government organizations, especially TU. • Implementing a detailed in-stream water temperature monitoring pro- gram to evaluate long-term impacts from climate change. But what may be one of the most significant areas that Dale participated in during the past few decades is working on Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) projects at road-stream crossings. It is significant how that program links to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative in funding for the Forest Ser- vice and TU acquire to reconnect coldwater streams in the Lake Michigan and Lake Superior basins. Budgets annually range between $150,000 to $1.5 million for fixing road culverts. Dale has designed and helped construct more than 200 fish passage crossing structures during his career.

Robert Hunt Resource Professional Award: Mike Miller We are blessed in Wisconsin to work with numerous fisheries profession- AMY KLUSMEIR EARNED THE JOAN & LEE WULFF AWARD als who are committed to our water resources and the fish species living in Page 8 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018

Corporate Sponsorship Award: Driftless Angler & Athena and Artemis For 11 years now, the Driftless Angler Fly Shop in Viroqua has been a valued partner to Coulee Region Trout Unlimited (CRTU) and thousands of visiting anglers from across the nation. They’ve supported WITU and many, many Midwestern TU chapters with donations and by visiting their meetings to talk about fishing in the Driftless Area. They’ve contributed hundreds of hours to teaching anglers, both men and women, about the joys of trout fish- ing through donated trips and teaching workshops in the area. And time af- ter time they’ve been willing to speak up about environmental issues arising in our area. For all those contributions, CRTU and the Wisconsin TU State Council enthusiastically recognize the Driftless Angler and its co-owners, Mat Wag- ner and Geri Meyer, as our 2018 Corporate Partner of the Year. Geri and Mat opened the shop in 2006 after visiting the community from their former base in New Mexico. They’d never been in the unglaciated area of the upper Midwest. Mat is from Michigan and Geri from Washington, but they fell in love with it on their first visit. They looked at the streams and saw schools of fish and assumed they were suckers, but learned in fact they were trout. The shop has been successful with an experienced group of guides and of- fers a full range of equipment and flies. On top of those attractions, the shop is a center for conversations about resource issues and just spreading the word about what the Driftless Area has to offer. Being surrounded by 6,000 miles of trout streams within 100 miles is another undeniable draw. Some businesses tend to keep their heads down when issues arise that THE DNR’S MIKE MILLER RECEIVED THE ROBERT HUNT RESOURCE provoke controversy. Not Mat and Geri. They speak up and work to orga- PROFESSIONAL AWARD nize discussions and show up at meetings to give their informed opinions on those waters. They work with several state, federal and county agencies, and the threats to coldwater streams. often spend a great deal of their work time improving habitat for and under- Two years ago Geri launched Athena and Artemis – the Women’s Fly standing of our coldwater resources. Shop. She is also involved with many regional and national women’s fishing When we find one of those outstanding professionals who goes beyond groups and manufacturers in efforts to increase the involvement of women in their weekday employment to study and teach others about these resources, fly fishing. Athena & Artemis offers gear that’s tailored toward women, but we should recognize them for their extra commitment arising from their pas- more importantly, it provides a safe, comfortable and inviting space for the sion for coldwater. growing community of female anglers. DNR Stream Ecologist Mike Miller perfectly illustrates one of those who They go at all these activities with verve and humor, enjoying the people go the extra distance. In his years with DNR, he’s worked with lake trout, in the Driftless Area and sharing it with new visitors. salmon, carp and various contaminants, but for the last 20 years he’s focused All these positive contributions make the Driftless Angler, Athena & Ar- on watershed and stream ecology. temis and their owners, Geri Meyer and Mat Wagner, worthy honorees as Mike, a Sheboygan native, grew up playing in streams near his home. our 2018 Corporate Partner of the Year. Now he plays in streams all around the state. He’s done important work as- sessing the impacts of culverts and road crossings on stream fishes and their Certificate of Appreciation: John Meachen & Dan Holland migration. That work has informed many TU chapters and led to notably When John Meachen and Dan Holland hatched “At the Convergence,” it improved culvert design and installations. was borne out of a shared sense of outrage about our state and nation’s cur- Education is an important part of Mike’s work. With numerous TU rent environmental policies. The galvanizing moment occurred when Dan groups, from local chapters, the state council, women’s workshops and the asked John: “What are we going to do about it?” national teen summit, he has been a patient and entertaining teacher. He Dan responded with legendary anthropologist Margaret Mead’s immortal brings a wealth of stream knowledge to discussions with these groups as they words: “Never doubt that a few thoughtful, concerned people can change the assess the mix of bugs in a particular stream, teaching people how that insect world. Indeed, that is the only thing that ever has.” At that moment Dan and assemblage is affected by sediment and contaminants. And he does it on John committed themselves to do whatever they could to be a positive force weekends throughout the season, all over the state. People of all types—an- for good in a world much in need of good. glers, non-anglers, kids, women—ended up learning, laughing and enthusi- They approached Curator of Education Catie Anderson at the award- astic about our streams. winning Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau. When they dis- With a co-author, Mike wrote an outstanding, broad-based book, the cussed their intent to “fight ugly with beauty,” she startled them by saying, “Field Guide to Wisconsin’s Streams: Plants, Fishes, Invertebrates, Amphib- “Your idea would fit perfectly with Birds in Art, and we are in the planning ians and Reptiles,” which should be in every angler and outdoorsperson’s stages of that now.” backpack. That is how some of the luminaries of writing, visual art and environmen- On top of all those accomplishments, for the last several years Mike has tal science came together in Wausau in early October to celebrate the thing taught a class at UW-Madison, his alma mater, on stream ecology and water that unites us allÒa love of beauty. management. “The passion and intelligence of university students gives me Because of their friendship with celebrated artist Bob White, they asked hope for the future,” he says. him what he thought. His reply was, “I’m in.” He paused an instant, then Mike may not fill a traditional fisheries biologist’s role, but he has been added, “I’ll get Gierach and Dvorak.” Then they were able, again with Cat- an outstanding contributor to our understanding of Wisconsin streams and ie’s help, to add eminent environmental scientists Alan Haney and Eric An- what they need, to TU in its advocacy for those streams, and to the public derson to the distinguished individuals who made the event such a success. through his educational efforts. We are proud to honor Mike with the Rob- Who could have foreseen the evolution of a wild idea into the celebration ert Hunt Resource Professional Award. that became “At the Convergence?” In the aftermath of the event, sponsored jointly by WITU and the muse- um, a host of memorable images remain: Bob White creating a masterpiece of Alaskan landscape before the adoring eyes of numerous onlookers, the gallery tour of Birds in Art identifying and talking about imperiled species of birds around the world. For their incredible effort at putting this event together, on somewhat short notice, we are awarding John Meachen and Dan Holland with Certifi- cates of Appreciation.

GERI MEYER ACCEPTS THE CORPORATE SPONSOR AWARD FOR THE DRIFTLESS ANGLER AND ATHENA & ARTEMIS, WHICH PROVIDES GEAR TAILORED TOWARD WOMEN, BUT ALSO PROVIDES A SAFE ENVIRONMENT DAN HOLLAND (ABOVE, WITH LINN BECK) AND JOHN MEACHEN RECEIVED FOR THIS GROWING PORTION OF THE FISHING COMMUNITY. CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 9

Certificate of Appreciation: Jonathan Jacobs Jonathan Jacobs has been a member of the Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter for more 30 years. During the mid-1980’s, chapter membership was down to about 118 members and the board of directors was having difficulty filling ANNA KUEHN ACCEPTED A CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION ON BEHALF OF positions. Jean Mitchell, an early chapter stalwart, was recruited to serve as JUDY LUTTER president. She recruited Jonathan for the board through her work at Bob Mitchell’s Fly Shop, recognizing his strengths, intelligence and character. Aside from Judy’s fundraising involvement, she’s now lending her writing Jonathan succeeded her as president a year or two later. He later served on and editing expertise to the chapter newsletter. A published author and for- the board for several terms. mer columnist, Judy proof-read the newsletter each month, and has started In addition to serving as chapter president and board member for multi- writing a series of chapter leader profiles to help members become more ac- ple terms, Jonathan was the longtime editor of Rip Rap, the chapter news- quainted with one another. During the summer, she also lends the use of her letter. While serving as editor, he was also a regular contributor of essays cabin to the Kiap-TU-Wish board members for their monthly meeting. Sit- and fly-tying articles to the newsletter. Jonathan’s fly-tying advice and pat- ting in a cabin on a bluff above the Kinni, it’s a poignant place to meet and terns are a major source of the chapter’s archives of reliable fly patterns. talk about furthering the chapter’s mission. While no longer editor of the newsletter, Jonathan continues to be a regular For Judy’s longtime commitment to the chapter’s Hap Lutter Memorial contributor of excellent essays to Rip Rap. His essays cover a wide range of Spring Appeal, for her ongoing support of our conservation banquet, and for topics and are always exceptionally well written. her growing contributions to our chapter’s communication efforts, we award Jonathan also served for years on the chapter’s fundraising banquet com- Judy Lutter a certificate of appreciation. mittee and was master of ceremonies at a number of banquet events. For many years Jonathan recruited fly tyers and organized the chapter’s annual Most Valuable Unsung Trouter: Jason Freund fly-tying event. This event was always a big success and well attended be- For nearly two decades, Jason Freund has been serving the Southeast cause of his efforts. Jonathan also conducted tying seminars himself at the Wisconsin Chapter of TU (SEWTU). He’s a “jack of all trades,” selflessly event as well as at local fly shops. He is an accomplished tyer of trout and doing whatever volunteer duty the chapter needs. He has occupied numer- warm-water patterns. For many years he helped organize the chapter’s annu- ous official and not-so-official chapter positions over the years, from officer al fly fishing instructional event on the banks of the Kinnickinnic River and and member of the board of directors to habitat workday coordinator and served as a casting instructor, again being an excellent caster and effective, guest presenter at chapter meetings. patient instructor. Jason has a Ph.D. in Fisheries Ecology and Management from West Vir- Jonathan also participated as a volunteer in many years of stream restora- ginia University and is currently teaching biology and ecology courses at tion events. UW–La Crosse. His teaching background is evident throughout his volun- The Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter holds regular chapter meeting at local ven- teer efforts. Jason is always willing to take the time and share his knowledge ues, and they have been increasingly well attended, including long-time with others, be it stream ecology or trout angling tips and techniques. chapter members and new attendees. At each of these meetings, Jonathan Recently, Jason has taken on the task of administering the state council’s personally introduces everyone attending the meeting. Some of the intro- Facebook page. If you’re a part of our online community, you’ll instantly rec- ductions are done by his astonishing memory and others from the sign-in list. ognize his posts like “Imitation Tuesday” and “Fish Science Thursday.” Ear- Everyone gets introduced. This ritual provides a sense of welcome and good lier this year, he took us on an in-depth look at the trout’s diet. Every will to all who attend the meetings and serves as an excellent icebreaker to Tuesday he featured a different aquatic insect of importance to both the meet your neighbor and foster chapter cohesion. trout and the angler. These regular and interesting posts have contributed Jonathan’s wide-ranging contributions to Kiap-TU-Wish are immeasur- greatly to the growth of the state council’s online presence. able and can best be summed up in his own words: “If I can somehow begin While teaching at Carroll University in Waukesha, Jason served as mentor to convey what a pleasure being among you is and how proud I am to be able to its 5 Rivers Club – a student-run group focused on fly fishing and outdoor to think of you as my friends, I will give thanks for the opportunity.” Kiap- recreation. Jason would often chaperone the students on field trips to the TU-Wish is a better chapter for Jonathan’s many years of contributions. Driftless Area to try out their new skills. His research at Carroll often brought students out to the university’s field stations, conveniently located Certificate of Appreciation: Judy Lutter Judy Lutter has a long history with the Kiap-TU-Wish chapter. The annu- al spring appeal was started by her late husband, Hap Lutter, who recog- nized the need for additional fundraising to support the chapter’s stream restoration efforts. Judy was a strong supporter at that time, joining Hap in sending handwritten notes of appeal and thanks to those who contributed. Many of the notes received by chapter members were written in Judy’s hand. Judy’s experience and expertise with fundraising for non-profit organiza- tions – she founded the Melpomene Institute, a non-profit focusing on wom- en’s health, in 1982 – was extremely helpful to the appeal efforts. Sadly, Hap Lutter passed away in 2009. The spring appeal was renamed in his honor, and Judy has continued her connection to this effort. While not a passionate trout angler herself, Judy did share Hap’s love of the Kinnickin- nic. Each year she has donated to the chapter in Hap’s name, and once again provides input into the creation of the appeal letter, advises spring appeal volunteers, writes personalized notes of appeal to chapter members, and paints small watercolors of trout, which she sends as a thank you to major contributors. This past year, one of our project landowners was so touched by her painting, that the chapter requested additional paintings to be pre- sented as awards at the banquet. Judy’s involvement with the chapter has only continued to grow since los- ing Hap. In addition to her spring appeal commitment, Judy has graciously donated a “gourmet fishing lunch” to the chapter’s conservation banquet. Nearly every year, at her cabin along the Kinni, she has cooked a gourmet lunch for the silent auction winner and their guest, walked them to the river to point out the best spots, and left them to enjoy the quiet and beauty of the place she loves. For those who knew Hap and share his love of the Kinnick- innic, it’s a particularly special event. JASON FRUEND IS OUR MOST VALUABLE UNSUNG TROUTER Page 10 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018 on the banks of a local trout stream. This location has played host to many tion, side channels and other newer techniques, and are having a dramatic SEWTU habitat restoration projects, including the removal of a roller mill positive impact on the brown and brook trout in Weister Creek. dam in the early 2000s. Paul’s organizing has resulted in significant contributions from many TU Jason has provided valuable leadership on numerous SEWTU Habitat chapters around Wisconsin and Illinois to augment our state trout stamp and Restoration Projects. He’s a FISTA-trained chainsaw operator and his or- other dollars. He has coordinated work days and monitored completed sec- ange chaps are visible on chapter worksites in the heat of summer and the tions as the work goes on. Without his leadership this project would have dead of winter. On chapter fishing outings in the Driftless, Jason can often been unlikely to be a success. It’s a good illustration of how much impact one be found forgoing his own angling time in order to take a newer member out thoughtful, committed volunteer can have. These qualities make Paul Hayes on the stream. This is the type of mentoring that often encourages newer a worthy recipient of this award. members to return to future events, thus sustaining the viability of SEWTU. Jason has done all of this with the selfless commitment to TU’s mission to Tomorrow’s Angler Award: Mike Stary: no photo protect and restore our coldwater fisheries. He’s a “Valuable Trouter” that Mike Stary has been instrumental in the success of the Wisconsin TU any TU Chapter would be proud to call their own. Youth Trout Fishing Camp. He has been involved since the beginning, in- cluding being on the planning committee, and he brings some great new ideas to the camp every year. Mike’s specialty is spin fishing for trout, specifically with spinners. The en- thusiasm he infuses into his presentations is infectious and he really gets the kids wanting to hit the streams. His techniques, ideas and shared experiences get us all rethinking what we thought about spin fishing. Mike discusses in detail rods, reels, lines, spinners and lures as well as on-the-water execution and observations. Seeing all those young minds turned on about modifying and customizing their lures and spinners and thinking outside the box is impressive. He shares great stories and tips that take spin fishing to the next level. Often, many kids who were planning to work on fly fishing change their minds the next time they get on the stream. They find themselves saying they want to try all of Mike’s ideas and find a renewed interest in all the possibilities of spin fishing. Mike also wrote a great series of articles on spin fishing for Wisconsin ACCEPTING THE REEL PARTNER AWARD FOR THE OAKBROOK TU CHAPTER Trout. The articles covered more than technical things about spinning, but all the other aspects of fishing including the importance of friends and family, WERE KEN KRUEGER, STAN ZARNOWECKI AND DAVE CARLSON. and just being outdoors to have fun. Mike is completely engaged from the opening hour of camp to the last Reel Partner Award: Oakbrook Chapter of Trout Unlimited door prize being handed out on Sunday afternoon. He is never idle. If he is For decades the Oak Brook Chapter in Illinois has worked to protect and not tuning up his presentations, he is making a last-minute fix to the casting restore trout habitat here in Wisconsin. The chapter has made financial con- contest. Or he is sneaking out to check on one more fishing spot in the area tributions to dozens of government agencies, conservation organizations and for the next youth fishing outing. His rapport with the kids is the frosting on other TU chapters. This support helped finance everything from fish-tagging the cake, as he is a kid at heart and they all respond to it in the very best way. equipment to egg-hatching equipment to brushing equipment and, most im- What more could you ask for in a youth mentor? portantly, to stream restoration projects throughout the state. And, like other chapters that may not have a tremendous amount of cold- water resources close to home, this chapter long ago figured out how to coor- Certificate of Appreciation: Dan Harmon III (no photo) dinate carpooling, lodging and fishing opportunities to get their members to Dan Harmon III is a lifelong member of the Central Wisconsin TU Chap- travel north into Wisconsin. When they get here, they work hard, then enjoy ter (CWTU). He has been instrumental in the success of the organization. the wonderful trout fishing resources that they have helped restore. He has been president of CWTU in the past and remains a board member. Some of the streams that have benefited from OBTU support include Dan is coordinator of CWTU’s annual award selection and presentation. He Warner, Blue River, Emmons, Castle Rock, Kickapoo Watershed, Farmer’s maintains the endowment for CWTU scholarships for post-graduate degrees Valley, the White River, Paradise Springs, Tenney Spring and Black Earth in environmental science. Dan also coordinates the selection process of Creek. The list goes all the way back to 1973, when they helped acquire eggs scholarship recipients. and Vibert boxes for the Wolf River. Dan initiated the CWTU Annual Trout Fishing School in 1976. The More recently, the chapter has provided financial support for the Weister school is the first and longest-running instructional program of its kind in the Creek project in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, while working with the Orvis area. Dan remains the coordinator of the school. The school has outstanding Lombard store to obtain a $2,500 Orvis grant for this project. Since 2014, reviews. Dan says the half day of fishing one-on-one with a mentor adds to near Sparta, the chapter has provided both volunteer and financial support the success of the school. for ongoing stream restoration projects on Beaver Creek and Farmer’s Valley As program director, Dan created the curriculum. The curriculum has Creek. been redesigned through relentless reviewing, research and critiquing the Given this record of support here in Wisconsin, we’re proud to honor the material. Oak Brook Chapter of Trout Unlimited with the “Reel Partner Award.” The school teaches various fly-casting techniques, stream entomology, tackle selection, trout stream ethics, knot tying, fly pattern selection, how to play, land and safely release a trout, and water conservation concepts. In- struction includes interactive classroom, on-stream instruction and one-to- one guided fishing with some of the most experienced and enthusiastic fly fishers in the CWTU area. The educational team is composed of highly experienced fly fishers and fly tyers in central Wisconsin with combined fishing experience of more than 500 years! Dan has donated relentless time, talent and knowledge, paying attention to detail in order to put forth a superb program. Meals are included and lodging can be purchased for $10 per night. His organizational skills and marketing skills are remarkable. The 41st Annual Fly Fishing School will be held June 2-3, 2018. Dan has created scholarships for those who wish to at- tend but are unable to afford the fee. Dan also teaches casting through Project Healing Waters in Florida, his winter home. He has provided numerous veterans with ways to deal with stress and improve their quality of life. Dan remains a lifelong fisherman and conservationist donating a large section of his life to CWTU and TU and is someone all of us should emulate. He is truly an asset to CWTU and the TU

Jeffrey Carlson Leadership Award: Paul Hayes MIKE’S Paul Hayes lives along the West Fork of the Kickapoo River and has be- come a guardian of that stream and others in the area. For his career, he worked as an ecologist in the County Forest Preserves near Chicago, Illinois. SERVICE In his retirement, he has continued to spur restoration projects and river AT LANGLADE protection on the West Fork, Wiester Creek and other sites. Those who have worked with Paul, both through the Coulee Region Chapter and TUDARE, JUNCTION OF HWY. 55 AND 64 are indebted to his thoughtful approach to conservation. FLY SHOP AUTO REPAIR Paul was instrumental working with Blackhawk TU, West Fork Sports Club and the DNR in working on the upper end of the West Fork between Bloomingdale and Jersey Valley Lake. Using his ecologist’s eye, he encour- Fly Shop & Sporting Goods aged inclusion of non-game habitat features such as turtle basking logs and side channels. That encouragement has led to a popular part of the DARE Need a special pattern? Ask Mike! program, good for a wide range of non-game species such as turtles, snakes, butterflies, frogs, dragonflies and many native plant species. • Custom Tied Flies • The past three years, Paul has been a key organizer of the Weister Creek Project in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve north of La Farge. Working with ma- ny TU chapters, KVR staff and the Wisconsin DNR’s La Crosse Trout Habi- MICHAEL & (715) 882-8901 tat Crew, three phases have been completed and two remain for the next two ALICE KLIMOSKI 4505 STATE ROAD 55 years. These innovative projects incorporate woody materials, log toe protec- Owners WHITE LAKE, WISCONSIN 54491 Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 11 Trout management plan to be created Many stakeholders involved in initial meetings.

By Kent Johnson, Kiap-TU-Wish holder team was held in January in Six vision statements topic areas: 1) angler opportunities; Chapter of Trout Unlimited Stevens Point. The DNR Trout At a second meeting of the stake- 2) habitat restoration and improve- Team was on hand to provide back- holder team in March, DNR staff ment; 3) public education and out- The Wisconsin Department of ground information on Wisconsin’s presented the team with six vision reach and partners; 4) wild trout Natural Resources has begun the current trout management program, statements that could guide creation management; and 5) inland lake process of creating a Statewide In- including the fisheries management of the trout management plan: trout management/two story lakes. land Trout Management Plan. Cur- structure, funding, public access • Use the best biological, social At the conclusion of this process, rently, no inland trout management standards and major program com- and economic data to inform each stakeholder selected her/his plan exists, so this new plan will sup- ponents, which include: 1) surveys trout management decisions. three “highest priorities” from the port the existing efforts in the de- and assessment; 2) stocking and • Engage new and existing trout idea list generated in each of the partment. The scope of the new wild trout management; 3) classifi- anglers and supporters through five topic areas. DNR staff noted plan covers inland trout waters only, cations and regulations; 4) habitat education, outreach and promo- that prioritization will be helpful for excluding the Great Lakes, but in- development; 5) beaver manage- tion, and promote public aware- plan development, but all stake- cluding Great Lakes tributaries. In- ment; 6) angler access; 7) public ed- ness, understanding and holder ideas will be considered. land brook, brown, rainbow and ucation and outreach; and 8) involvement with the trout pro- No future meetings are currently lake trout will be included in the research. gram. planned. DNR staff will prepare a management plan. To solicit stakeholder input on • Increase and maintain partner- draft inland trout management plan these issues and more, DNR staff ships with the general public, ag- throughout 2018. The first step will Large stakeholder team asked the following questions: riculture, co-ops, angling groups be drafting an outline of the plan for What do you value about Wiscon- and others. the stakeholder team to review. Af- To obtain public, private and sin’s coldwater trout fishery? ter the draft plan is complete, in- partner input on the creation of this • Provide trout angling opportuni- What are your concerns about ties that satisfy the diverse pref- cluding internal DNR review and new plan, the DNR has assembled a trout resources and trout manage- approval, public meetings on the team of stakeholders from the four erences and needs of our ment in the future (what are the risks participants. draft plan will be held during the state fisheries districts (north, south, and threats)? winter of 2018-2019. The ultimate east and west). Stakeholders have • Protect, restore and enhance sus- 10 years from now, what would tainable coldwater habitats and goal is for the Wisconsin Natural been selected to represent each dis- you like to see accomplished via a Resources Board to approve the in- trict, with members from the follow- trout populations. trout management plan? • Recruit, hire, develop and sup- land trout management plan in ing groups: two anglers (including April 2019. one TU member angler), one land- port a world-class fisheries staff Stakeholder feedback at the Jan- and program. As Wisconsin TU’s angler repre- owner, one “non-consumptive” uary 27 meeting particularly empha- sentatives, Laura, Tom, Tim and member not affiliated with an an- sized the topics of climate change, The vision statements created an Kent are open to hearing any and all gler group, one tribal representa- stream restoration, public education of your ideas about issues, topics, tive, one Conservation Congress excellent discussion, as stakeholder and outreach (how to nurture the team members shared their and concerns that should be includ- member, one business/tourism interest and support of future trout ed in the new plan. Please send your member, and one member-at-large. thoughts with the DNR Trout Team. enthusiasts), partnerships for trout DNR staff are planning to revise ideas to your district representative, Trout Unlimited anglers represent- management, public access, fund- who will forward them to the DNR ing the four districts include Laura these vision statements based on the ing and prioritization of resources, input received. Trout Team. Collectively, we can McFarland (North), Tom Lager and maintaining a strong science- make this a strong plan for the fu- (East), Tim Fraley (South), and During the March meeting, and research-based approach to stakeholders had an opportunity to ture of trout management in Wis- Kent Johnson (West). trout management. consin. Thanks for your input and The initial meeting of the stake- circulate through stations where DNR staff received input on five support.

Ron & Margery Ginsbach Elmwood WI Gary Preisler West Bend WI Thomas Goodman Miami FL Randall Rake Helena MT Dan Grauer Wausau WI Bob Retko Cedarburg WI John Gribb Mt. Horeb WI Ken Rizzo Oconomowoc WI Jack Halbrehder Sparta WI James Roden Eau Claire WI Stephen Hawk Madison WI Dan Rorabeck Hudson WI Ashton Hawk Madison WI Nancy Rosenbacher Waupaca WI James Hayett Hartland WI Michael San Dretto Neenah WI Jan & Mark Heifner Appleton WI Jeff & Mary Schmoeger Lake Mills WI Walter Hellyer Egg Harber WI George Shinners Antigo WI Nancy and Dan Hill Spencer WI Tim Stark Wind Lake WI Mike Hittle Appleton WI Wayne Stockman Spring Valley WI Ed & Irene Josephs Oconomowoc WI Juergen Stuebs Wautoma WI Patrick Kirsop Stoughton WI Ronald Suslick Peshtigo WI Lane Kistler Milwaukee WI Charles Urban Wauwatosa WI Spring 2018 update Robert Kleba Crivitz WI Karen & Martin Voss Eau Claire WI Barb & Joe Kruse LaCrosse WI Dick Wachoski Eau Claire WI Peter Kurtz O.D. Menominee WI Don Wagner Gillett WI The 2017 Watershed Access Fund campaign came to an end, and Rodd Wangen Oregon we had another excellent year of financial support. Through your David Lange LaCrosse WI Randy Lueth Marshfield WI Donald Wellhouse Kaukana WI generous contributories we raised more than $6,000! Thank you so Brian Madsen Ellsworth WI Jared Wunderlich DePere WI much! The 2018 campaign is in full swing and the initial response Matenaer Corp. West Bend WI has been tremendous. Kim McCarthy Green Bay WI Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of TU This fund can help WITU secure easements like the important Fred Mikolajewski West Allis WI Marinette County Chapter of TU Robert Moser Milwaukee WI “Horseshoe” section on the North Fork of the Bad Axe. Without Herb Oechler Wauwatosa WI your continued support, this wouldn't have been a reality. Edward Parsons Platteville WI There are some potential projects that may require support from Ray Piehl Wautoma WI this program in 2018. Please consider supporting this important pro- gram so valuable trout streams across this state can be protected for your permanent access and enjoyment. Here is my contribution of $100 or more to Chapters can request up to $7,500 for an easement from this pro- gram, but because two chapters may each request for a single acqui- the Wisconsin TU Watershed Access Fund sition, the Watershed Access Fund can provide as much as $15,000 Make your check payable to for a single purchase or easement. Wisconsin Trout Unlimited I hope you all had a wonderful winter. Wishing you the best in the 2018 fishing season. MAIL TO: TU Watershed Access Fund Doug Brown, Wisconsin TU Watershed Access Fund Chair Attn: Doug Brown R4800 Timber Ln. Ringle, WI 54471

2017 Contributors Name Ed Barnes Middleton WI David Dybdahl Middleton WI James Baxter Whitefish Bay WI Chuck Egle Amherst Junction WI Address Jolene Berg Chippewa Falls WI Beatrice,William Evans NewRichmond Robert Burke Markesan WI John Ewen Neenah WI Dennis Buzzar DeForest WI Erik Forsgren Fremont WI City, State, Zip Tom Crabb Monona WI Richard Galling Hartland WI Terry Cummings Rhinelander WI Robert Galvin Crivitz WI Phone David & Sharol Darling River Falls WI Daniel Geddes Appleton WI Richard Duplessie Eau Claire WI Giorgio Gimelli Madison WI Page 12 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018 Fixing roads to fix rivers A collaborative success on the Hunting River opens miles of habitat. By Jon Simonsen, Laura MacFarland, reach with plentiful gravel and crossings across the United States. 70-plus years through major floods. Caroline Gottschalk Druschke and groundwater upwelling. At the pop- In Wisconsin alone, there are While a 100-year flood event might Michael Miller ulation level, trout benefit when in- some 3,700 dams, and likely more sound unlikely, it actually has a 1 dividuals are able to disperse than 80,000 roadway crossings of percent chance of occurring each Want to learn how 25 feet of in- throughout a stream, allowing for streams and rivers, including an es- year, and more than a 50 percent stream work can restore more than the flow of genetic material and the timated 62,000 road stream cross- chance of happening over the lifes- a mile of instream habitat and re- ability to recolonize after distur- ings with culverts. An estimated 19 pan of a culvert. connect 9.5 miles of river, 8.8 miles bances like floods, overfishing and percent of those crossings in the To compound this problem, we of coldwater tributaries and 39.2 manure spills. Great Lakes basin are barriers to are experiencing an increase in the acres of 12 high-quality spring Of course, it’s not just trout that fish movement, and this percentage frequency and magnitude of heavy ponds? Hint: we aren’t talking about benefit from connectivity. Other is even higher in other areas of the precipitation events. In the past six a dam removal. fish, amphibians, reptiles, mussels state. years, Wisconsin has experienced On northeastern Wisconsin’s and benthic macroinvertebrates Managing transportation infra- five 100-year flood events and one Hunting River, Wisconsin TU and (trout food) benefit in the same way. structure is a significant challenge, 1,000-year flood. Wisconsinites have several TU chapters, the Town of Rivers are not only superhigh- and attention to infrastructure im- witnessed firsthand the devastation Elcho, the DNR, the Langlade ways for animals; they also actively provements often focus on the skin that results from flood-related cul- County Land Conservation Depart- transport water (obviously), sedi- at the expense of the heart: fixing vert failures, including irreversible ment (LCD), and the Department ment, woody debris and nutrients as road surfaces while aging bridges degradation to our rivers, millions of Agriculture Trade, and Consumer water from wet- and plastic, steel or of dollars of infrastructure damage Protection (DATCP) took a collab- lands, spring ponds, concrete culverts re- and the loss of human life. orative approach to helping the riv- rivulets, and spring Wisconsin has an main below. er by focusing on roads, addressing creeks converges in estimated 62,000 Many Wisconsin Collaborating for flood- an undersized road stream crossing a dendritic pat- culverts are reaching resilient culverts on the that posed connectivity challenges tern—like the road stream or have exceeded for the river. branches on a their life expectancy, Hunting River Across Wisconsin, diverse part- tree—to form our crossings with and it’s common to Addressing road and stream con- ners are leveraging conservation rivers and streams. culverts. find culverts that are nectivity and flood resiliency can funding to help municipalities with These long and lin- much narrower than seem like a daunting task, but TU very limited resources target high- ear ecosystems In Wisconsin’s Great the width of the and TU’s partners are already play- priority sites. These efforts improve wind through our Lakes basin, one in stream. Consequent- ing an important role creating the water quality, create a safer, more fields, forests and ly, many rural munic- connectivity success stories that will durable, lower maintenance road- towns, requiring us five are barriers to ipal road crossings inspire broader change. In 2017 way and restore aquatic connectivi- to install culverts fish movement. have difficulty pass- alone, TU was instrumental in help- ty. and build bridges to ing water during a ing to improve at least 11 road leave them intact. large storm event. crossings. These flood-resilient and But where these It is common for fish-friendly crossings are an impor- Stream connectivity tant first step to demonstrate the matters for trout man-made structures are meant to undersized culverts to last only 20 to allow both water and cars to contin- 40 years, and they require periodic broad public benefits of culvert im- Thanks to TU’s strong emphasis ue on unimpeded, inadequate size maintenance to remove debris and provement to a wide variety of on reconnecting rivers, if you’re or elevation can turn culverts into fix road shoulders. When culverts stakeholders. reading Wisconsin Trout, you’re sieves and even barriers, impound- need to be replaced, municipalities Residents have become so used probably at least somewhat familiar ing water upstream and preventing often opt to replace them with the to seeing undersized culverts that with the idea that connectivity mat- the free movement of animals, same undersized culverts due to a they are often shocked to see how ters for trout. plants, organic matter and sediment. combination of limited annual fund- big an appropriately sized culvert Rivers are complicated ecosys- And the magnitude of this problem ing and lack of design tools. can be. But after the next flood tems, far from homogenous as they is larger than many people imagine. Many municipalities and coun- flows unimpeded through a re- flow from their source downstream. ties do not have engineers on staff, placed culvert, it is common to hear If you were to wade a stream from nor do they have the fiscal means to local community members exclaim its headwaters to its mouth, you Culverts, culverts how glad they are for the seemingly everywhere... hire independent engineering con- would undoubtedly notice a change sultants for their projects. Stream- oversized culvert. These on-the- in substrate, pool depth, cover and More than four million roadway bed elevation surveys and estimates ground demonstrations are key to temperature throughout various miles in the United States criss-cross of stream flows and culvert capaci- changing perceptions and attitudes reaches. It’s rare for a particular the nation’s estimated 3.5 million ties are valuable tools to determine over time. stream reach to contain the variety stream and river miles. While peo- the cost-versus-flow benefit of dif- TU members can be proud of of habitat trout need throughout all ple are becoming more aware of the ferent culvert configurations. With- this perception-changing work this seasons and life stages, so individual impacts of the country’s estimated out them it’s difficult to choose the past year on the Hunting River, in trout thrive, growing larger faster, 75,000 dams on stream connectivi- appropriate size and determine the midst of county forest lands in when they can travel throughout a ty, culverts may have an even more proper elevations. Since these tools the headwaters of the Lake Michi- river system. significant impact. The number of are not readily available, even when gan basin, just over seven miles up- During the summer, trout can roadway crossings of streams and problem culverts are identified, mu- stream of the confluence of the seek colder reaches for refuge from rivers may be 20 times greater than nicipalities and counties often have Hunting and the Wolf rivers. uncomfortable or even lethal water the number of dams; various unpub- limited information to determine The entire Hunting River is a temperatures. In autumn, trout may lished estimates range between one the best cost-effective alternatives Class II trout stream, offering high- seek good spawning grounds in a million and two million road-stream to replace them. quality, naturally reproducing brook trout and brown trout. Local DNR fisheries biologist Dave Seibel sug- Broad benefits of culvert gests the river has the potential to replacements be reclassified as a Class I trout wa- While we still need more data ter. Fisheries surveys have also not- that tracks the total life cycle cost of ed a fall influx of large brown trout undersized culverts, recent re- into the Hunting River, presumably search in Wisconsin and beyond is from the Wolf River. Wolf River revealing strong evidence that mu- trout almost assuredly use the nicipalities often save money over Hunting River for spawning, nurs- the long term by investing in ade- ery and rearing habitat and also as a quately sized culverts at problem refuge from periodic warm water sites. For more information about temps that routinely occur in the “culvert economics,” contact Jona- Wolf River. [email protected] for For years, the Fitzgerald Dam digital copies of several culvert cost- Road crossing consisted of four 36- benefit analysis studies. Municipali- inch culverts that severely constrict- ties can save money over time ed the natural 30-foot river width. thanks to longer culvert life, greatly The culverts were too small to pass reduced chance of flood failure and normal flows, were perched above reduced periodic maintenance the water surface, created a signifi- A FINAL LOOK AT A HIGH-PRIORITY STREAM BARRIER costs. cant backwater, and would fre- Both the perched water drop and the very high water velocities measured at When it comes to culverts, flood quently plug with debris. The river resiliency is key. The best way to flow at each culvert outlet looked this site were impassable for native fish and other aquatic organisms, even protect that investment is not to rely like an oversized garden hose. during summer low flow periods. Dave Seibel, who has worked in Langlade on a coin toss chance that a flood Both the perched water drop and and Lincoln Counties for many years, was a strong advocate for this project won’t occur. Instead, cost effective- the very high water velocities mea- and indicated that this site was the highest priority road stream barrier and the ness means planning ahead for sured at the site were impassable for flooding, with culverts designed to See FIXING ROADS, page 31 only aquatic connectivity barrier on the entire Hunting River system. resist corroding and stay in place for Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 13 Landowner dinner proves rewarding Stewards met their DNR biologists, learned about their streams and showed tremendous inter- est in stream easements. streams. Pat saw old friends and worked hard to reach out to all the family acquaintances and reached landowners. out to several with miles of stream The landowners were fun to be ownership. He deserves huge thanks with. “Stewards of the land and wa- for his varied work before and dur- ter” is a phrase that gets thrown ing this meeting. around a lot, and many of these Jim Hess, who also worked on landowners are living proof. Nearly the event and had helpful conversa- all of them are concerned about tions with several landowners, took their streams and were willing to some great photographs. learn how to take better care of The landowners were quite var- them. ied. Some were older farmers with The groups we worked with are miles of stream and whose property fabulous. Kriss, Steve Fabos and has been in their families for gener- April Prussia have sparked great en- ations. Some of the farmers were thusiasm for stream conservation in younger and had recently acquired the Sawmill and Erickson creek wa- properties. A fair number of folks tersheds. had parcels where they are pursuing Finally, way to go, ambitious conservation programs, SWTU. Landowners in this area including prairie and oak savanna know that TU really does support restorations. Some folks had smaller and appreciate their conservation of parcels, in many cases retirement trout streams and that we are ready homes. to help however we can. All seemed to appreciate the in- Some landowners in attendance vitation, were very positive in con- are extremely interested in ease- versations, and many seemed ments and are willing (in some cases Jim Hess genuinely interested in easements. eager) to start the formal process of At least three landowners who had selling an easement. Prior to the LANDOWNERS ENJOYED EVENT AND LEARNED A LOT sold easements to the DNR, includ- meeting we determined that the The landowners seemed to appreciate the invitation, were very positive in ing two who had restoration work event would be a success if it result- conversations, and many seemed genuinely interested in easements. At least completed, talked to the other land- ed in the acquisition of five owners about how pleased they easements. I’m predicting we’ll even three landowners who had sold easements to the DNR, including two who had were with the sales and restorations. surpass that number. restoration work completed, talked to the other landowners about how pleased The Southern TU Chapter’s con- Topf Wells is a long-time member they were with the sales and restorations. tribution was to provide sponsorship of the Southern Wisconsin Chapter of and volunteers, and included $300 Trout Unlimited and currently serves By Topf Wells importance of healthy streams and toward the dinner costs. Based on on its board. He worked for Dane public access to the area’s economic the results, that $300 was one of the County for 15 years and was one of Thanks to the efforts of several health. best investments our chapter has ev- the Dane County staff who created organizations, including Southern Sims, along with Dan Oele and er made. the county trout stream restoration Wisconsin TU, 36 landowners in the Justin Haglund, the DNR fish biol- It has certainly generated some and easement programs. He has been southwest Dane County watersheds ogists attending the event, spent good will in this area and opened one of the most active SWTU volun- of Kittleson, Gordon, Sawmill and much of the evening circulating some doors for our DNR fish biolo- teers on various Sugar River projects Erickson creeks and the East among and discussing streams with gists and easement specialists. and other efforts such as the land- Branch of the Pecatonica River en- all the landowners. Two of our fish biologists are owner dinner. joyed a wonderful dinner, learned They presented detailed maps of fairly new to the job, and all three about the DNR’s stream bank ease- each sub-watershed and brought ment program and met the fish biol- the technology to pull up photo- ogists for their streams. Other graphs and detailed information organizers included Pecatonica about any segment of the streams CANOE RAFFLE! Pride, the DNR and the Blanchard- landowners wanted to talk about. ville Women’s Club. They did a superb job. Each had A delicious chicken dinner was detailed conversations with several GRAND PRIZE: Beautiful 15’ Cedar Strip Canoe* catered by the Viking Café, while landowners about their streams. the Blandchardville Women's Club Landowners were asked to fill SECOND PRIZE: Hardy Jet 8’4 4wt 4-piece Rod provided a table of homemade des- out postcards indicating their inter- THIRD PRIZE: $200 Gift Certificate to Mel’s Trading Post serts. est in the program and most did. Bradd Sims of the DNR success- Kimberly Kuber, the fish technician Buy Your Tickets Today | 1 for $5.00 OR 5 for $20.00 fully battled laryngitis to provide an working with Dan, provided very update on the trout fishery in that helpful logistical support to the bi- area, while Paul Cunningham pro- ologists and Paul. Tickets available at Mel’s Trading Post in Rhinelander vided a succinct, helpful review of Pat Hasburgh created all the (Canoe on Display) or by contacting Terry Cummings at the easement process. graphic material used to advertise April Prussia reviewed citizen- the event and opened the evening (715) 362-2187 or [email protected]. Drawing to be based water monitoring efforts and with a very warm welcome to all the held on April 28th. opportunities in the area, while Pe- landowners from the perspective of catonica Pride’s Kriss Marion, the someone who had grown up in that You do not have to be present to win the canoe raffle. spark plug of the event, pitched the neighborhood and fished all the *paddles are not included

Northwoods Trout Unlimited 42nd Conservation Banquet Quality Inn (668 West Kemp Street, Rhinelander) April 28, 2018 | 5:00 – 9:00 PM

For tickets or more information contact Terry Cummings (see above) prior to April 21st. No tickets purchase at the door. Discount hotel rooms available. Jim Hess DINNER BROUGHT OUT DOZENS OF LANDOWNERS Thanks to the efforts of several organizations, including Southern Wisconsin TU, 36 landowners in the southwest Dane County watersheds of Kittleson, Gordon, Sawmill and Erickson creeks and the East Branch of the Pecatonica River enjoyed a wonderful dinner, learned about the DNR’s stream bank easement program and met the fish biologists for their streams. Page 14 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018 Crews enjoy tackling box elder menace By Joe Knight are planning to start work on a sec- measures on the uplands to reduce Kiap-TU-Wish tion of the Trimbelle River in Pierce runoff into Wilson and Annis Wood smoke drifted in the air County, which is closer to where creeks. while an eight-foot-high bonfire I have gone over twice to help on their members live. crackled as branches and logs were this project, along with a few other “There’s a thousand box elders added. Chainsaws buzzed. Trees fell. volunteers from Eau Claire and there that need to Beyond the first bonfire, three or Menomonie, but there were more come down,” he said. four more were being started, each Minnesota folks than Wisconsin So little time, so ma- fed by teams of volunteers dragging folks there. ny box elders. branches in the snow. The project is being coordinated by the Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of This deforestation was being do- Partnerships ne in the name of conservation and Trout Unlimited, which is comprised water quality. The trees being cut of Wisconsin residents living west of Work being done were 99 percent box elders, border- Baldwin, but also a number of Min- this winter on Wilson ing Wilson Creek, a small trout nesota residents who fish in Wiscon- Creek is part of a larger stream. The plan is to replace box sin. clean water project, the elders with native grasses, which They went to work efficiently, Wilson and Annis have deep roots that prevent ero- cutting dead trees first and collect- Creek Watershed Part- sion. ing wood for the base of the bonfires nership, explains Chris Wilson Creek carries so much and green boughs and logs are Gaetzke, Conservation phosphorus and sediment that it is tossed on top. The whole thing is ig- Planner for the Dunn on the federal list of impaired wa- nited with a roll of toilet paper County Environmental ters. The creek flows into Lake soaked in diesel fuel. Services Department. Menomin at Menomonie, adding If a bonfire sputtered with too The watershed cov- more nutrients to that famously much green wood, they gave it a ers 33,000 acres, includ- green lake. A major part of the blast of air with a leaf blower, one of ing a portion of eastern funding for the work comes from a those gas-powered devices normally St. Croix County. federal farm bill program for clean used for blowing leaves off of urban “We’ve got farmers water. But this is also a trout habitat driveways. involved, rural land- project. Wilson Creek has wild They have been at it every Satur- owners and nonprofit brook trout, although not many in day all winter. Sometimes a few of agencies, state and fed- this section. them come over on Wednesday eral agencies involved,” This project covers about 2,000 mornings. he said. “We’re getting feet of stream between Highway O On New Year’s Day, when most people to know each and 770th Avenue, just east of folks were in their warm homes other,” he said. Volun- Knapp in Dunn County. watching parades and football teers monitor water games, a crew was cutting trees on quality and UW-Stout LONG TIME CREW LEADER RANDY ARNOLD Wilson Creek. By the time they quit students are also in- Trees and trout in early afternoon, it had warmed up volved, Gaetzke said. The drive to Knapp from Minnetonka, which is on Box elders are a native species to 5 below. The estimated cost the western side of the Twin Cities, to Wilson Creek related to maples. I’m told if you are They stayed warm, said their of this 2,000-foot sec- takes about an hour and 20 minutes. But for Arnold, willing to boil enough of their sap leader, Randy Arnold of Minneton- tion of the Wilson it’s a labor of love. “I enjoy getting out there and you can get maple syrup, but in ka. “As soon as you get one fire go- Creek project is working. It’s not drudgery to me,” he said. “We’ve flood plains they are very aggressive, ing, and people are working, then $160,000. The major shading out other trees. Box elders pretty soon people are down to their funding source is a fed- got eager volunteers. For the most part, they enjoy it have shallow root systems and when shirt sleeves,” he said. eral grant through the too.” they tip over they uproot soil that Well, pretty soon he’s down to his farm bill, but funding finds its way into the creek. shirt sleeves. sources also include state trout Joe Knight was the outdoors editor As box elders tumble into the With broad shoulders and long stamp dollars and smaller grants. and reporter for the Eau Claire Lead- creek they divert the current to the hair, he would not look out of place So far, the watershed partner- er-Telegram for 34 years, retiring two far bank, causing additional box el- at a Grateful Dead concert, except ship has lined up eight streambank years ago. He is currently a board ders to topple in a sort of domino ef- that he usually has a chainsaw in his easements, totaling about 14,000 member for the Wisconsin Clear Wa- fect, said Nate Anderson, hands. He owns 20, although he feet of stream, with two more ease- ters Chapter of TU. Department of Natural Resources doesn’t bring them all to the work ments in the works. The partnership Trout Habitat Specialist in western days. is also encouraging conservation Wisconsin. The end result of the The placement of the bonfires is toppling box elders is a wide, shal- important, he explained. You want low creek with a bottom of shifting enough dead wood nearby to get a sand and sediment, leaving few plac- fire going, but you want the fire cen- es for trout to live and spawn. trally located so that people don’t Free pollinator This project is trying to reverse have to drag logs and branches more this trend by replacing the box el- than 30 or 40 feet. ders with deep rooted native grasses “I’m a fan of more fires and less seeds available bordering the creek. “Right now, it’s dragging,” he said. extremely wide and shallow. What The first time I worked on the By Jeff Hastings, TUDARE always on the move, they need to we want to do is narrow the creek up project, I suggested we leave the have the right plants at the right and get it back to its original width,” piles of branches for rabbit habitat, You probably are aware that time along their migration route. Anderson said. but he said that wouldn’t work here. bees are disappearing and bats are Caterpillars need to feed on milk- The trees are being cut leaving The goal is to have a cleared surface dying. These animals face habitat weed to complete their life cycle, about three feet of stump – higher where the DNR can plant native loss, disease, parasites and constant and adult butterflies need the right than you would cut if you were har- grasses, he said. environmental challenges that have nectar-producing plants in bloom vesting trees for timber. However, The drive to Knapp from Min- contributed to the decline of many for needed energy. Milkweed not the three-foot stump makes it easier netonka, which is on the western species of pollinators. We have an only provides food for monarchs, for the DNR to come in later with side of the Twin Cities, takes about opportunity every time we seed one but it also supports other pollinators an excavator and pull up the roots, an hour and 20 minutes, he said. of our projects to provide additional such as honey bees, which are vital Anderson said. If they don’t get the But it’s a labor of love. habitat for these species. During the to agriculture. roots, the trees will re-sprout. “I enjoy getting out there and past six months TUDARE has been If your chapter would like some Anderson said when volunteers working. It’s not drudgery to me,” working with The Prairie Enthusi- additional pollinator seed to en- cut the trees, it saves the DNR time he said. “We’ve got eager volun- asts and the Empire-Sauk chapter hance your projects this summer, let and the hourly costs of operating teers. For the most part, they enjoy to gather and process milkweed for us know and we will arrange to get it heavy machinery. Also, the volun- it too.” our Trout Unlimited projects. to your chapter. The U.S. Fish and teer hours can be used for a match And it is rewarding to see the fin- Our Midwest projects are in the Wildlife Service has also provided for some grants. ished product, he said. This will one heart of the migratory route of the us with another $5,000 to add addi- The tree cutters are also leaving day be a gravel-bottom creek with monarch butterfly, a species that tional pollinator plants, which we 10-foot logs from some of the grass banks arising from the former benefits greatly from milkweed. will be available at our Westby straighter box elders. Some of those box elder jungle. Monarch populations have de- spring workshop and state council logs may be used in trout habitat The volunteers conclude their creased significantly during the past meeting in Viroqua May 12. structures in the creek, Anderson day by roasting hotdogs over the two decades, in part because of the Let me know ahead of these up- said. Some may go to the Dunn embers of one of their bonfires. The decrease in native plants, particular- coming meetings how many acres County Fish and Game Club to be hotdogs sort of have a box elder fla- ly milkweed, on which their caterpil- your project will be. Please under- used in fish cribs. Box elder logs vor. lars feed. Agriculture and stand that this seed will enhance from Hay Creek, a tributary of Wil- As of mid-January they had development have removed much of your plantings, and is not intended son, are the main source of logs for logged more than 500 hours of vol- the native milkweed that once was to cover all your planting needs. the fish cribs. unteer work, but the Kiap-TU-Wish so commonly found throughout the Jeff Hastings, [email protected] Some logs will be used as fire- crew hopes to move on to a second Midwest. 608-606-4158 wood by area residents. project before the winter ends. They Because monarch butterflies are Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 15 Driftless Rambler With Duke Welter TUDARE Outreach Coordinator Driftless stream etiquette Across Wisconsin, trout anglers fish, especially on land with no ease- encounter each other with varying ments. They seldom say “No.” One regularity. A steelhead angler on Bohemian Valley landowner told the Brule, Root or Sheboygan may me last year how he liked those Chi- be used to seeing more anglers close cago anglers, because so often they by than a solo angler on a Driftless stopped by to say thanks. Farmers stream. But in each of these situa- don’t like to have anglers go tions, always assume there may be through gates and leave them open. in and fish upstream. But don’t your fellow anglers might suit some rules of etiquette that you may not If you find it closed, close it after “high-hole” them, jumping in just people fine, but to me it’s not what be aware of. you go through, and make sure it's above. That’s truly rude. this is about. I usually judge an out- Bear with me, if I seem a little latched. They don’t like anglers One smart move, for several rea- ing by the joy I find in it, whether I preachy on this topic, but it’s impor- bringing dogs into their pastures. sons, was shown me by a very good caught “enough” fish to be happy. tant that all of us anglers to err to- Livestock are unpredictable and trout angler in Chippewa County. That could be a very small number. ward the side of being good citizens. dogs can make them more so. In my He usually fishes alone. He has a If you need to count, take up golf. We all pay the price for a jerk’s ac- area, the sign landowners request home-made sign he puts on his Similarly, who needs to whoop tions. most is one that says, “NO DOGS, dashboard. On one side it says he’s and holler when they catch a fish? The encounters vary, as do the PLEASE.” Leave your dog at home fishing upstream, and on the other As one of my most gentlemanly an- streams and angling conditions. or in your truck or car. side it says he’s fishing downstream. gling friends, the late Bob Hunt, But, whether it’s angler-angler or Landowners also don’t like you Both sides have his name, cell num- said, “it’s boorish and stupid.” angler-landowner, we need to keep walking through crop fields, unless ber and an emergency contact. I’ve Bob always showed great respect in mind that common courtesy and you’re extremely careful not to had local police check my car out and courtesy to other anglers and good relations should underpin any crush crops. If there’s a two-track or when I’ve been on the stream. This landowners, a great role model. If encounter. Nobody — at least no- driveway down to the stream, and it sign makes that unnecessary. we’re arrogant or impolite, we may body I will voluntarily fish with goes through the landowner’s front A couple of women anglers with spoil the hospitality for other an- more than once — intends to be a yard, don’t go speeding through at whom I’ve discussed this pointed glers by our actions. Who wants that jerk, but thoughtless actions hurt all the risk of their kids or chickens. out to me that they’d feel uncom- as a legacy? You parked across a of us. A jerk angler’s action can sour Seven mph is plenty, and doesn’t fortable putting their name on that farmer’s field road so he couldn’t a landowner’s attitude toward all raise dust. And, as I said before, sign. “I don’t want to let somebody get the combine in, and now it’s anglers, for years to come. they don’t like anglers who park in a think there’s a lone woman fishing posted? Good work, bucko. He’ll “I came along with my tractor place that blocks their field or road up there,” one said. She had a good mention you to lots of his neighbors. and corn planter and there was this access for their trucks or farm point. Leave off your name, if you One courtesy Bob often showed guy’s SUV parked where I need to equipment. There are no better wish. to landowners when they gave him get into my field,” one farmer told ways to have “No Trespassing” signs What about fishing a piece of permission was to ask if they’d like me. “The guy was in the water near- put up than to violate a farmer’s water that was shown you by a to have a couple of fish for dinner. by, and I asked him to please come good hospitality with these mis- friend? Yes, it’s all public water Often they’d smile and say, “Sure.” and move his car. He wouldn’t. So takes. around here. But I stick to a rule He’d catch and clean a couple, put now my land is posted.” I remember fishing some years that if I ever desire to go back to them in a clean bread bag he carried Basics: Abide by the fishing reg- back with a couple of very experi- that water, alone or with someone in his vest, and drop them off after ulations. If you don’t understand enced anglers who said a particular else, I’ll ask the person who showed fishing. These days I ask the same them, get a 12-year- pasture was OK to it to me first. I don’t abuse the gift question when I’m fishing a stream old to help you. fish. It wasn’t posted they gave me, but they most often with plenty of trout to spare. Don’t jump into a “Whenever and wasn't eased. But say sure, go ahead. Still, exploring is No, we don’t go out there intend- hole being fished by no gate presented it- something we all ought to be doing, ing to breed conflict or upset other another angler. possible, if you self, and we finally and it removes that complication if people. Let’s make sure we don’t do When you encoun- see a car parked crawled under the we find our own spots. it unintentionally, either. ter another fisher, fence. I found later Competing for numbers with don’t shout but greet along a stream or that this landowner them quietly and stay access site, drive liked to have people Support Wisconsin TU and get away from the on past and find stop by and get their your Wisconsin TU license plate stream they’re fish- OK to fish. Turned out ing. They got there another place we crawled through a now. Go to www.dot.state.wi.us/ first, and only a boor with no car.” patch of poison ivy un- drivers/vehicles/personal/ would challenge der that fence. Per- special/trout.htm them or disturb the haps that was just hole. Don’t litter, punishment for our and pick up litter you find. Obey oversight. those regulations, and report those Maybe you’ve encountered a who don’t. gastric emergency while out on the Here in the Driftless Area some stream. If you do, follow the “Leave unofficial rules are starting to assert No Trace” rules. For solid human themselves. They reflect the kind of waste, get back as far from the wa- streams and the relationships be- ter as possible (200 feet suggested), tween landowners and anglers, as dig a cathole 6-8 inches deep, do well as anglers to anglers. your job, and then bury the hole and Our streams are pretty small, cover it with a soil and/or rock. usually less than 20 feet in width. Bring a plastic bag to carry out toi- Almost all of our 6,000 miles of let paper and hygiene products. streams flow through private lands, What about etiquette among an- most often these are working agri- glers? We talked about avoiding cultural lands. With all this trout crowding, which is an easy thing to water, we don’t really need to see do. But if you’re on the stream and other anglers very often. That another angler comes in view, stop brings me to one rule I’ve devel- and talk with them. If they’re fishing oped: Whenever possible, if you see upstream, give them the right of a car parked along a stream or ac- way if you are fishing downstream. cess site, drive on past and find an- Don’t rush down to the water and other place with no car. Now, that jump into a hole above them, as a might not work on a stream like the couple of guys did to me last season. Rush River, where bridges can be a Disgusted, I asked one why they’d couple miles apart and you can lose done that. “We just wanted to fish a lot of anglers. But on Bohemian these holes,” he said. Valley or the Blue River, there’s no If you must pass a slow-moving need to crowd. Look and drive a lit- angler, step back from the stream at tle farther. least 50 feet, ask them if it’s OK you Landowners have their likes and move on above them and how far up dislikes. Many like to have anglers they plan to fish. Above some land- stop by and ask for permission to mark you can both see, go on back Page 16 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018 Wisconsin’s Fly Tyers John Gribb: Unique dry fly designs Wisconsin's Fly Tyers is a new series that will highlight some of Wisconsin’s great fly tyers. Most people do not realize how many great fly tyers we have in Wiscon- sin. Some are well known and others are less known, but some are the best fly ty- ers in the United States. Bob Haase interviews a different tyer for each issue of Wisconsin Trout to talk about their favorite flies, how they tie them, and how they fish them. It will provide an opportunity for us to learn about these amazing people, along with tying tips and information that will make us better tyers and fly fishers. The question-and-answer article will be followed by step-by-step instruc- tions on how tie one of their favorite flies.

John Gribb may be best known tie so many flies that I give away for his use of old seatbelt fibers for more than I could ever fish with. It’s dry flies, but his creativity does not my way of hooking kids into a life- stop there. He is always searching time of enjoyment. Since I only fish for new tying materials, new tying dry flies, each fish fooled by one of methods, and even new ways to dis- my flies is a triumph. There are days pense his flies. John is a dry fly fish- that I catch 30 fish, and other days erman and what he learns fishing I'm lucky to catch one fish. I rarely dries on the stream usually comes get skunked more than one or two back to the tying bench and results days during a fishing season. in new patterns, new materials and flies that catch fish. Do you think that the time you spend on the stream fishing helps John … how did you get started you design and tie more effective fly fishing and fly tying? flies? I started shortly after retiring There is no question that certain from veterinary practice in the Mt. flies catch more fish consistently. Horeb area in the early 1980s. I took Another one of my more effective a fly-tying class offered locally, and patterns is a simple foam pattern then purchased a vise and materials. called a “Skidding Caddis.” It seems I enjoyed the sport so much from to bring up fish at will. As to pat- the very start, both fly fishing and fly terns, most of the flies that I fish re- tying. semble existing patterns in name only. My materials and design usual- You have developed a reputation ly make them quite different. for creativity in your tying by your use of different kinds of tying mate- Having fished with you, I can at- You give away a lot of your flies over as shown and staple in a piece rials and tying methods. How do test to your skill at designing and at sport show and you have a very of foam to hook your flies on. Let you come up with these creative catching fish on dry flies. How did creative way of putting your flies in the foam extend a little beyond the ideas such as using seat belts from you decide on making dry fly fishing match-book-style holders. How did paper so that you can hook the fly. old cars? your method of choice? you come up with that idea? If you are tying at a show and want It’s sort of in my DNA. My father I only fish dries because I’d rath- I smoked 30 years ago and used to share your favorite patterns with was very creative, and like the saying er get skunked than fish nymphs. I’ll paper matches to light up. It oc- someone else, this is a great way to goes, the apple doesn’t fall far from cast 40 feet over and over instead of curred to me that matchbooks do it. the tree. I always try to do things watching an indicator and standing would be a good style of container easier and faster, and hopefully bet- in the same spot any day. for protecting the flies that I give ter. No matter how good a fly is, it away, and I've used them ever since. can always be improved. Most tyers Can you share with us some of improve flies in some way or anoth- the techniques you use fishing dries Do you have any advice for er every time they sit down at their that might help us become better someone who is just starting out ty- vise. dry-fly anglers? ing flies? It was my dog that gave me the Other than being able to cast a Tie simple flies and lots of them! idea to use seat belt fibers. Back in fair distance, the leader design is the the day I had one of those cab-and- most important factor in dry fly fish- a-half Fords and while I wasn’t pay- ing. I make my own two-part, 13 ing attention, my dog in the back foot leaders using Trilene XL. The John’s matchbook fly box seat chewed up a seatbelt. I looked first part of the leader is made of 16 John uses this to give away many at the frayed fibers and thought that inches of 25-pound mono, 20 inches of the flies that he ties at the many maybe it would work for my fly ty- of 20-pound mono, 20 inches of 14- shows he attends. Just print your ing. That was the start of the “Seat- pound mono, 20 inches of 12-pound contact information on a piece of belt Caddis.” Now I find that mono, and a loop. The second part card stock and trim to size. Fold it macramé rope fibers are much bet- is made of 16 inches of 10 pound ter and they are waterproof and eas- mono, 13 inches of 8-pound mono ier to work with. and 19 inches of 6-pound mono, with a perfection loop to which a 25- CWTU hosting 41st fly You seem to have an understand- inch tippet (4lb P-Line fluorocarbon ing of the characteristics of the vari- coated spinning line) is attached. ous materials you use. How do you The leader is a Harvey-style soft fishing school go about selecting the materials you leader. use to tie flies? Some other tips I have are to The Central Wisconsin Trout easy-to-learn way via an interactive I believe that you have to experi- practice casting, using soft leaders Unlimited (CWTU) chapter will classroom setting, on-stream in- ment. You just try things out until as explained above, and tie your hold its 41st annual Fly Fishing struction and a one-on-one guided your fly achieves the look that you own flies if possible. School June 2-3, 2018, at Riverside fishing experience on the final are going for, and then test the fly Bible Camp near Amherst. Estab- morning of the school. out on the stream. You have to As we get older we seem to have a lished in 1976, the CWTU school is The cost of the school is $195 per make sure that it fools the fish, too. more difficult time seeing where our the first and longest running in- person, which includes meals and dry fly is in the water. Do you need structional program of its kind in instructional materials. Because the You are tying a lot with polypro- to see the fly to be effective fishing the area. course is offered over the state’s pylene yarn now. How did you end dries? “The school offers something for free fishing weekend, a valid license up using this material for most of Most times I see the fly on the everyone, whether you’re just begin- and trout stamp are not needed. the flies you tie today? What are the water or at least know about where ning your fly fishing journey or The registration confirmation pack- characteristics that makes you like it is. If I see a rise, I pick up the fly, you’ve have a few years of experi- age contains a list of items partici- it so well? and if I don’t come up with a fish, I ence, but want to hone your skills,” pants will need, but fly rods and Poly is versatile. It is waterproof, lay it back down where the fish rose. says organizer Jeff Treu. “Our in- reels are available to use for the colorfast, cheap, very life like, and I never make a false cast … never! structors, who have nearly 500 years course. Enrollment is limited to 24 most importantly, it is very easy to of combined experience, provide students to ensure low student-in- work with. What are some of your favorite both group and individual instruc- structor ratios. The course is offered fly patterns and how do you fish tion.” to adults ages 18 and older. There are lot of fly anglers who them? Topics covered include fly-cast- For more information or to en- don’t tie their own flies. In your I fish mostly poly flies and poly ing techniques, stream entomology, roll contact Scott Grady at 920-687- opinion, what are some of the ad- extended body flies and some foam tackle and fly pattern selection, knot 0987 or [email protected] or visit vantages of tying your own flies? flies, and never under the surface! tying and, most importantly, how to CWTU.org. The registration form is Tying flies is my way of relaxing. I play, land and safely release a trout. under the Activities tab: CWTU Fly These topics are presented in a fun, Fishing School. Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 17 John Gribb’s Poly Caddis Bob’s Fly Tying Tips & Techniques Book Explained by John Gribb Over 125 tips and information to help make your fly tying easier MATERIALS LIST and more fun! Gribb’s Poly Caddis Hook: Any standard dry fly $25 plus $5 Shipping & hook. Handling Thread: Various caddis colors (Sales Tax Included in the Price) tan to brown. Body: Bare hook shank. Can Please send check in the amount dub as desired. of $30 with your name and John Gribb's Poly Caddis is a Wings: Poly macrame’ yarn address to: Robert Haase, simple, easy-to-tie caddis pattern Legs: Dry fly hackle W7949 Treptow Ln. that floats nice and catches fish. Eldorado, WI 54932 What more would you want in a fly? and stop about an eighth inch from You can dub a body, or get more the hook eye. Use proper thread Step 4 - Tie in an appropriate-size elaborate if you want, but this is a great fly for new fly tyers. You don’t tension to obtain a secure thread dry-fly hackle between the head and need many materials, it’s inexpen- base to avoid putting too much the wing and make a few wraps of sive to tie and it catches fish. You thread on the hook shank. Then tie in the hackle to form legs. Tie off the may want to consider this as a pat- a piece of macramé yarn, as shown, hackle and then tie off your thread tern for beginning fly-tying classes, youth-tying programs, veteran’s pro- in your desired color. with a whip finish or series of half grams and for anyone who enjoys hitches. You can fine tune it by catching fish on dry flies. making last-minute cuts to shape the Step 3 - Take a scissors, and while wings, and by trimming some of the holding the yarn, come up under the hackle off under the hook, using a v- yarn and cut off the yarn at an angle, shaped cut, to help it float upright. as shown. Step 5 – Go catch Step 2 - Grasp the yarn protruding some fish, and forward with your thumb and forefinger and fold it back as shown. please use Step 1 - Start the thread and wrap Wrap your thread over it to form a the thread down the shank about a head, as shown. Make just enough barbless hooks. quarter of an inch, then wrap back wraps to secure it down tightly. Dane County secures important Sugar River easement By Topf Wells the Sugar River that is open to the public for a wide variety of outdoor Access to the Sugar River and recreation. Those of us lucky other natural resources will improve enough to fish, paddle or hike these thanks to recent Dane County ac- lands and waters have been grateful tions. The county has agreed with for those opportunities. TU has had the Ziegler family to purchase 60 several work days on these lands acres along the river off State High- and recently completed a major way 69 between Verona and stream restoration on one section. Paoli. Within the 60 acres are about The County Board approved the 2/3 of a mile of river and its two purchase on February 15. Many stream banks, an intact wetland, a members of the Southern Wisconsin farm bridge (good for hikers), safe Chapter of TU contacted board and easily reached access for pad- members and asked that they sup- dlers, two Native American Indian port the acquisition. Several board mounds, and a 19th-century stone members replied that they were house that served as one of the first pleased to do so and the measure stage coach stops in Dane County. passed easily. County Executive Pa- The river is lined with mature risi will soon sign the final authori- hard woods, including some grand zation for the purchase and the oak trees. The purchase also in- Land and Water Resources Depart- cludes public hunting rights on an- ment will arrange the closing with other 120 acres. the Ziegler family. We hope the The combination of valuable nat- property will be available to the ural resources and unique cultural public sometime this spring. resources made this a complex Our TU Chapter continues to be transaction, taking several years of grateful for the great work of county negotiation, dozens of hours of staff and elected officials for their county staff time and the strong sup- efforts to conserve the Sugar River port of County Executive Joe Parisi and allow the public to enjoy it. and his staff. Laura Hicklin, Jan Zimmerman, and Sara Rigelman of Topf Wells is a long time member Dane County’s Land and Water Re- of the Southern Wisconsin Chapter of sources Department deserve thanks Trout Unlimited and currently serves for their combined efforts. We also on its board. He worked for Dane owe the Ziegler family our appreci- County for 15 years and was one of ation. the Dane County staff who created This purchase continues the the county trout stream restoration county’s strong effort to protect the and easement programs. He has been Sugar River’s natural resources and one of the most active SWTU volun- make them available to the teers on various Sugar River projects public. This property will be within as well as other efforts relating to three miles of almost 500 acres of streambank easements in Dane land and more than four miles of County. Page 18 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018 Consider being a volunteer monitor Get to know your local stream as a Water Action Volunteer (WAV) Imagine joining a network of as an individual or part of a 2-3 per- more than 500 citizen scientist vol- son team. Volunteers monitor wade- unteers across the state, learning able streams and rivers, often about water quality and aquatic life located near their home or of per- in your local streams and collecting sonal interest to them. Some pro- valuable scientific data to inform grams work with local and state stream management decisions. No agencies to coordinate monitoring need to imagine. You can do it now, locations. as a WAV volunteer. What happens to collected What do WAV volunteers data? do? The data you collect is entered As a WAV volunteer you’ll learn into the DNR’s Surface Water Inte- how to measure six important ele- grated Monitoring System ments of stream health using scien- (SWIMS) online database. Anyone tific tools and techniques. You’ll with web access can view the data in monitor dissolved oxygen, tempera- the database, which is searchable by ture, transparency and flow once a county, stream or site name. month from May-October, or as weather permits. You’ll also moni- How can I get involved? tor habitat once a year and macroin- vertebrates each spring and fall. The Water Action Volunteers Your local WAV program may offer program relies on local groups to training and materials to monitor coordinate efforts and enhance the additional variables or may monitor reach of volunteer stream monitor- on a different schedule, based on ing. goals of the program. The Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited Chapter is an exceptional partner organization with more How much time is than two dozen sites monitored by required? small teams of citizens. Not much. Before you begin If your TU chapter would like to monitoring, WAV will teach you get started in WAV stream monitor- about the scientific tools and tech- ing, contact Peggy Compton, UW- niques that you’ll use. After the ini- Extension Water Action Volunteers tial six-hour training, you can expect Coordinator. Peggy.compton@ces. to spend 6-10 hours per year moni- uwex.edu. Learn more about WAV toring your local stream. at http://watermonitoring.uwex.edu/ wav/index.html Where will I monitor?

You’ll monitor one or more sites Peggy Compton

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MADISON MILWAUKEE GREENWAY STATION BAYSHORE TOWN CENTER 1650 DEMING WAY, MIDDLETON, WI 585 W. GLEN BAY AVE, GLENDALE, WI 608-831-3181 414-963-8709 Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 19 Chapter News Phil Kirker Phil

BLACKHAWK BUSY TEACHING FLY TYING Harley Whitt (left) and Don Studt examine a prince nymph.

TYING THAT FIRST FLY IS CHALLENGING We will be looking to set up our and a good excuse to get some vol- Sally Gawle assists Brodie Ruff as he ties a fly at the ALCTU Fly Tying Class in first workday, weather permitting, at unteers together for pizza. Baraboo. the end of April. We'll walk down Then we’ll start planning our an- stream on the east branch of the nual Kids Fishing Day on June 2. Aldo Leopold Chapter Eau Claire river to check on the half Have a great spring. We look for- logs Antigo placed there about 30 ward to the smell of green grass. years ago. It should be a good time —Scott Henricks The Aldo Leopold Chapter re- director of the Riverland Conser- cently wrapped up its 2018 Beginner vancy of Merrimac in Sauk County. Fly Tying Class, held at the Baraboo Linda has carefully guided the man- Blackhawk Chapter Public Library, on March 31 after agement of the conservancy’s prop- five weekly sessions. Although at- erty through which flows Manley The Blackhawk chapter wel- Janesville with Dave Brethauer on tendance was down, the group in- Creek, a small brook trout stream comed a new leadership team to hand to help answer questions. The cluded several young tyers, always a which has been the site of several start 2018. Dave Brethauer assumed group produced many fine-looking good thing, and we anticipate pick- chapter workdays over the years. the duties of president, Anita flies and can’t wait to try them out ing up a few new members from We thank Linda for her dedica- Vaughan is our new treasurer and on the fish in our local waters. among the attendees. tion in the rehabilitation and pro- Phil Kirker our new secretary. Ron In addition to the beginner class, A highlight of the tying class was tection of Manley Creek and the Machajewski continues as vice pres- chapter members participated in having a reporter from the Baraboo conservancy's long-time partner- ident. Dave represented the Black- several fly-tying demonstrations. News Republic at one of the ses- ship with TU. We wish Linda many hawk Chapter at the state council Dave Brethauer and Dave Patrick sions, which resulted in a feature ar- happy years in retirement. We also meeting in February. held a fly-tying demonstration at the ticle in the newspaper the following welcome Jessica Renley, who re- The chapter committed $5,000 Madison Orvis store in February. day. That’s great publicity for ALC- cently assumed the position of exec- for the next phase of the Weister Chapter members Joel Vaughn, TU, and a great day for some young utive director. Creek stream restoration project. Dave Patrick, Don Studt, Harley tiers who saw themselves pictured in Aldo chapter members are re- The chapter also awarded $750 to Whitt and Ron Machajewski partici- the newspaper. minded to mark their calendars for Shabazz High School’s Project pated in the Cabela’s Outdoor Days Thanks to chapter members Tom Tuesday, June 12, which will be the Green Teen. The award will help in late March. They demonstrated and Sally Gawle, Jim Peters, Dave date for our annual fundraiser pic- with the cost of the group's trip to fly-tying techniques and answered Murphy, Jared Sagal, Rene Sagal, nic, once again to be held at Haber- the Driftless Area May 11-18. In ad- questions about rod selection, rig- Bob Asam and Mike Stapleton for man Park in Lodi. Great food, fish dition to the grant, chapter mem- ging and basic casting. These are volunteering their time demonstrat- tales, bucket raffles and silent auc- bers will help the students build great opportunities to share our ing the tying techniques and assist- tions for great fishing gear and oth- LUNKER structures. passion for the sport of fly fishing ing the students with their tying er items. Our grand prize this year For the past 10 weeks, Ron and emphasize the importance of efforts. will be a custom-built Paul Douglass Machajewski and Don Studt ran the protecting our coldwater habitat. Two fifth-grade classes from bamboo rod, two-piece, 6’-8”, 4 wt., chapter’s beginner fly-tying class in —Phil Kirker Reedsburg visited the Nevin Fish in a wood and glass display case. Hatchery in Fitchburg in February More info on the picnic and prize Central Wisconsin Chapter as part of a TIC project, and had re- list will be included in the next ceived rainbow trout fry for their chapter newsletter and by email. The CWTU Masters Fly Tying More than 200 attended Trout classroom aquarium two weeks ear- Chapter elections will be Course was well attended, with 25 Fest, which was coordinated once lier. The release of the fish into Dell Wednesday, April 12 at our quarter- participants meeting weekly at the again by Bob Smaglik. It was held in Creek is expected in late May. ly meeting at Suzy’s Steakhouse in Fin and Feather for five weeks of February at the Fin and Feather in Thanks to Scott Allen once again Portage. learning the art of tying flies. This is Winneconne. This community event for overseeing this activity for us. —Mike Stapleton coordinated by Tom Meyer. featured more than 20 fly tyers and We recently learned of the re- Fly Tying - A New Experience is many educational sessions, includ- tirement of Linda Lynch, executive a course presented by CWTU and ing presentations from Henry Koltz, coordinated by Dave Pables. This Ira Giese, Bob Haase and many Antigo Chapter year’s course was held throughout more. New members joined and January at the Fin and Feather in new acquaintances were made. It’s time to start thinking of We have been in contact with our Winneconne. Dave Pables is the Youth fly tying sessions were on- spring. We hope all is well with ev- two TIC schools, one in Antigo lead instructor. Many of CWTU's going throughout the day. The Riv- eryone. We all just turned our High School and the second in Wit- volunteers helped with instruction, er Keepers, represented by Bob clocks forward, so the snow should tenberg-Birnamwood High School. providing a successful event. Jozwowski, discussed water moni- be melting soon. The fry are doing well. We stopped Many thanks to Grace Pable, toring. River Keepers do not have Our annual fundraising banquet the other day to see the fish and Mike SanDretto, Jim Murphy, to be CWTU members. Anyone is was Saturday, March 24 at the they looked great. We can’t say Frank Jarvenpaa, Dave Johnson and welcome to join. Mike SanDretto Northstar Banquet Center. Prepar- thanks enough to the great teachers John Gremmer for their assistance. represented TU CARES, a new res- ing for this event took a lot of our who work with the kids and teach The brochure has a new face thanks toration program sponsored by the time since the start of the year. the program with TU. to Wayne Parmley. Central Wisconsin TU region, made Page 20 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018 Chapter News

up of the Central Wisconsin, Fox le selection, know tying, fly-tying There will be an optional dinner and nalized, we will share them at cou- Valley, Shaw-paca and Frank Horn- demonstrations and much more. drinks from 6-7 p.m. and then we'll leeregiontu.org and our Facebook berg chapters. For information contact Scott hear from Kirk at approximately page. Education is very important to Grady at 920-687-0987 or 7:15 p.m. Checking in with our two new CWTU. Educational seminars are [email protected]. We will join with our friends Trout In the Classroom projects at presented from September through The 2018 CWTU River Restora- from SEWTU for a work day on La Crosse Central High School and May and are well attended. This tion work days will soon be upon us. Warner Creek on June 9. Details are Longfellow Middle School, we year the coordinators are John This year’s planned work days will still being worked out, but we will learned that the brook trout fry Gremmer, Ira Giese, Jeff Treu, Bob be held on: likely be building LUNKER struc- were received in early March and so Haase and others. Jeff Treu has • June 16, West Branch of the tures in the morning, enjoying a brat far all of them have survived the been the coordinator and has done White River lunch at noon, and then fishing in first few weeks in the TIC tanks. an outstanding job providing semi- • July 21, West Branch of the the afternoon. Once details are fi- —Curt Rees nars that are informative and keep White River the membership interacting. He is • August 18, Pine River Fox Valley Chapter now going to direct the CWTU Fly • September 15, Pine River Fishing School. Thanks you, Jeff. CWTU has a great Fly Fishing Everyone is welcome at our The winter months of January students from the Culinary Arts School. The 2018 Fly Fishing School workdays. Just bring your waders and February have been a very busy program at FVTC and chefs John, will have a new look. Jeff Treu is the and gloves. It is a great way to view time for the Fox Valley TU chapter. Jeff and Aaron have been present- new Fly Fishing School Director, re- mother nature from a different and We had our chapter fundraiser in ing a culinary program to the chap- placing Dan Harmon, who has been close-up perspective. You will meet January and attended the state ter for many years. the Fly Fishing School director for new people from all walks of life. council meeting and banquet in While we were enjoying the more than 40 years. Coordinator Dennis Drazkowski February. We’re planning for an meal, Roger Genske and Tom Lager He decided to retire. CWTU is does a wonderful job of making sure April chapter fishing weekend, the made presentations, thanking mem- grateful for his relentless energy the days go smoothly, providing cof- May 19 Special Needs and Handi- bers for their support of chapter ac- providing a premier school. We fee, fruit and rolls in the morning capped/Disabilities Fishing Day and tivities. They included Jim Oates, think it one of the best schools in and a free “riverside” lunch for all this year’s Habitat Days. Bob Kinderman, Jim Jenkin, Steve the Midwest. volunteers. There are lots of great We participate in these events so Heuser and Bill and Linda Walters, The 41st Annual CWTU Fly stories told at lunch. we can continue to fulfill our prom- owners of Optima Graphics. Fishing School is June 2-3 and res- Plans are being made for CW- ise to conserve, protect and restore Several chapter members attend- ervations are still being accepted. It TU’s summer picnics in June, July our coldwater resources, fisheries ed the state council meeting and will be held at the Riverside Bible and August. Watch our website for and their watersheds here in Wis- banquet in Oshkosh in February. Camp in Amherst. For more infor- details. consin. Tom Lager presented an over- mation visit the CWTU website at —Laura Tucker In January we held our 17th an- view of the TU CARES project, cwtu.org. It covers fly casting, read- nual chapter fundraiser, Cabin Fe- which is gaining momentum and will ing the water, understanding fly ver Day’ at the Grand Meridian in be a priority habitat project in the hatches, selecting fly patterns, tack- Appleton. The chapter thanks all of Central Sands area of Wisconsin. the vendors, fly tyers and present- Our March chapter meeting fea- ers, including Mike Kuhr, Ray Ri- tured a presentation entitled Fish- vard and Randy Berndt. Thanks to ing the Adirondacks by chapter Scott Grady for donating a hand- member Keith Bassage. Keith spent made cane rod, to chapter volun- 20 years working as a forest ranger teers, and most importantly to those for the state of New York in Adiron- individuals who attended the event. dack Park. The March meeting also Attendees came from Michigan, included elections for officer and Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin. board positions. Norm Christnacht, Al Johnson, Roger Genske, Dan Geddes and Tom Lager, Joe Bach, Chuck Don Clouthier are planning our Knoeck, Steve Heuser, Roger Gen- fourth annual fishing trip to south- ske and Optima Graphics did a fan- west Wisconsin April 26-29. Fish, tastic job making sure that the event dine, fish, learn, fish and camp for was successful. Thanks to all of one or all four days. This event is these individuals, we raised more open to all who want to fish or just than $10,000 for the coldwater fish- enjoy southwest Wisconsin. You do eries and their watersheds in Wis- not need to be a chapter member to COULEE CHAPTER’S TIC TANK consin. Next year’s event will be participate. Details about the trip January 19, 2019 at the Grand Me- are online and on our Facebook Coulee Region Chapter ridian in Appleton. page. Our February chapter meeting Our chapter habitat days begin in We had a successful banquet in veterans outreach and youth out- featured a presentation by Chef April. As we have done for years, we February, with more than 100 at- door activities. John Balistri and several students at plan to meet with Elward Engle on tendees joining us for dinner and a Our March chapter meeting fea- Fox Valley Technical College. The Davies Creek. Davies Creek feeds chance at some great prizes. Sought- tured DNR wardens Shawna String- after prizes were a 3-weight rod ham, Greg Koelker, and Dave built by Rick Kyte, an Orvis Helios Mathes. They shared stories from rod provided by The Driftless An- their time in the field and then we gler and guided trout trips from also heard about topics to be consid- Duke Welter and Mark Kowaliw. ered at the upcoming Conservation Duke Welter was our guest Congress hearings. speaker and highlighted all the great April 18 will be our last chapter work happening in our streams and meeting of the year and we will hear classrooms on behalf of TU. We all from DNR fisheries biologist Kirk had a good time and raised funds to Olson. This meeting will be at the support our work with conservation, West View Inn in West Salem.

JIM JENKIN RECOGNIZED Long-time FVTU member Jim Jenkin is recognized by Roger Genske (right) for COULEE CHAPTER’S POPULAR FLY-TYING CLUB many years of service in all of the key chapter leadership positons, as he and The fly tying club that Scott Linssen and Paul Halter lead at Central High School Debbie relocate back home to Michigan’s upper peninsula. We will miss his has been very successful. leadership intuition and critical thinking. Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 21 Chapter News the Pine River, and this location is ing their Camp Shioc Pond. Look one of our first habitat projects from for information and a map on our years ago. Our May-September hab- website and Facebook page. Please itat days will be joint efforts with contact a chapter board member if several TU chapters. All of these you know of a disabled or handi- habitat days will be the third Satur- capped individual who would enjoy day of the month, and we may add a couple of hours of fishing, conver- some days. Watch our website and sation and a picnic lunch on a mid- Facebook page for dates, times and May morning. event locations. The chapter will be involved in May 19 is our 40th annual Fish- other activities throughout the ing Day for People with Disabilities, spring and summer months so again at the same pond that we used last please check our website at foxval- year. We have partnered with the leytu.org and our Facebook page. Appleton YMCA and we will be us- —Rich Erickson Frank Hornberg Chapter Brian Larson

During the month of February on the banks of the Tomorrow Riv- HARRY AND LAURA NOHR CHAPTER HELP TEACH YOUTH the Hornberg Chapter concentrated er. Lunch and equipment will be Norh members helped out at the Grant County Sports Alliance Outdoor Skills on fly tying. We had a fly-tying eve- provided. We welcome applications ning social event at Clancey’s Stone from fly fishers at any level of Day, teaching tying and casting. Casting mentors are (from left) Bryan Trapper Lion in Custer. We had two fly tying knowledge and skill. For more infor- Voldahl, Michael Stallsmith and Gary Kruse. workshops for the Boy Scout troop mation contact Ken at Frankhorn- watchful eye of John Gribb. meeting that will include a report by sponsored by the Methodist Church [email protected]. The chapter recently finished a our UW-Platteville student intern in Stevens Point. The scouts earn We expect to have several work CAFO policy paper, which is on our and assistant. The intern report will merit badges for their participation. days this summer. We will be mak- web site at nohrtu.org. We are for- cover various stream sections in our We were happy to assist. ing repairs to some structures in- warding the policy to our state legis- area, showing stream health, inver- One of the chapter’s main events stalled years ago. lators, county governments and city tebrate populations and fish counts. is the annual fly-fishing school, —John Vollrath governments in our area. We en- The meeting will be held in early which will be May 21 in Nelsonville courage other chapters to create a April at UW-Platteville. policy paper on CAFOs and for- We are also starting to work on ward to their various government our annual banquet scheduled for entities. May 4. We are preparing for our annual —Brian Larson Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter

We recently elected new officers. brush from the Klingman easement Scott Wagner is now president; on Wilson Creek, just east of Gary Horvath is vice president; Su- Knapp. zanne Constantini is the treasurer; The volunteer groups ranged and Allison Jacobs is our secretary. from one to 32 people and cleared Tom Schnadt is now an ex officio. approximately 2,000 unwanted trees For more than three years, the from the property to prep it for Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter has been in- bank restoration work this summer volved in discussions and study re- by the DNR’s Nate Anderson and garding the potential relicensing crew. Workdays began around 8 and/or removal of hydropower a.m., with a lunch break of hot dogs John Vollrath John dams on the Kinnickinnic River in and cookies or doughnuts in the FRANK HORNBERG CHAPTER HOSTS FLY TYING NIGHT River Falls. early afternoon. Long-time chapter leader Matt Salchert helps out attendees at the Frank On February 28, the city council Temps on our coldest workday approved a resolution that supports started at 15 degrees below zero, Hornberg Chapter’s recent fly tying night at Clancey’s. a long-term vision of a free-flowing but when a bonfire was burning and Kinnickinnic River, but also ap- volunteers were piling cut limbs on Green Bay Chapter proves the relicensing of the hydro- the flames, nobody seemed to care. electric project for the final time. Layers of clothing were shed and Green Bay Trout Unlimited had toration Initiative program. The resolution as passed calls on hung on nearby tree branches. another successful fundraising ban- This funding would not be possi- the city to complete the necessary In February we shifted our focus quet this February with several hun- ble without the great work at our steps to remove the Powell Dam and began clearing box elder trees dred in attendance and tens of fundraising banquet every year by and complete river restoration with from the Ruenger easement on Hay thousands raised for the coldwater chapter members, and the generosi- a target date of 2026 and take steps Creek, about 2-1/2 miles south of resource. This is Green Bay's main ty for the resource that’s shown at to remove the Junction Falls Dam the Wilson Creek site and within fundraiser. Thank you to all GBTU the event. GBTU is excited to an- and achieve river restoration some spitting distance of Knapp. As of members who participated on the nounce a new Veteran’s Services time between 2035 and 2040. March 3, we had worked three con- banquet committee and made the Program in Green Bay and we have The acknowledgement and com- secutive weekends at Hay Creek event happen. already had a couple of successful mitment by the City of River Falls and had amassed 240 volunteer We also made a $15,000 commit- events. The chapter will hold its an- to remove a currently licensed hy- hours. We’ll work there for as long ment to the northeast region fund- nual meeting April 5 and is excited droelectric facility is a big win for as there are box elders left to fell ing project in 2018 and a $4,000 to kick off the work project schedule the Kinnickinnic River. and a layer of snow to accommo- commitment to a culvert removal this summer. In other chapter news, volun- date bonfires for burning slash. project on Colburn Creek in Forest —Staush Gruszynski teers continue winter brushing ef- When not working streamside, County with TU's Great Lakes Res- forts, enjoy progress of our TIC Kiap-TU-Wish members can learn projects and have plans to partici- about progress of our four TIC pro- pate in upcoming local school grams going this year, including two Harry & Laura Nohr Chapter events. in Amery and two in River Falls. In The main focus of this winter’s all classrooms, the eggs have The Grant County Sports Alli- hands-on experience with fly tying, stream work was intended to take hatched, the fry have consumed ance Outdoor Skills Day was held in knots, gear and casting. place on the Trimbelle River’s Gut- their egg sacs and they now are February in Fennimore at South- They commented, “We would ting easement just outside of swimming freely about the tank. west Wisconsin Technical College. like to thank the Harry and Laura Beldenville. However, due to hold- The kids are doing a great job of More than 300 participants learned Nohr Chapter of Trout Unlimited ups in securing funding, we were monitoring pH, nitrates, and ammo- fly tying and casting from eight of for lending rods for casting and the unable to begin work. Instead, we nia and adjusting the water chemis- our members. We discovered three scout leaders that hooked us up to spent our winter working days on try as necessary. The survival rate of prospective campers for this year’s be a part of an awesome event. We two Dunn County sites just outside this year’s eggs and fry has been WITU Youth Fishing Camp. look forward to next year!” of Knapp. phenomenal. The Fly Fishers of UW-Platte- Our February board meeting in- Starting on the second Saturday The Rocky Branch Elementary ville, a TU Costa 5 Rivers college cluded a “Lie and Tie” session. We in December and continuing each (River Falls) fifth graders have been club, successfully partook in the on- had eight tyers and visitors from the Saturday through February 10, in- teaching the entire school about campus Boy Scout Merit Badge Bold Betties women’s outdoor cluding a couple of mid-week days, trout. The trout tank attracts so Midway in February. They taught group. They were very inquisitive Kiap-TU-Wish volunteers contribut- much attention that it has become a younger people the details and pro- about fly tying, with a couple of ed 1,004 hours removing box elder, bottleneck in the hallway. The cess of the sport, and gave them them tying their first fly under the buckthorn and other unwanted Greenwood Elementary (River Page 22 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018 Chapter News

Fishing Camp to be held in July. reach event which will include a Chapter members and area youth family fishing day, picnic and youth will join to clean boat landings along contests. The program will be de- the main Oconto River in south- signed as a fun day, while sharing western Oconto County about two what TU is about and how we sup- weeks before the fishing season port our coldwater resources. The opens. dates and locations will be published We are planning to participate in in our newsletter. DNR and U.S. Forest Service work Our chapter meetings are at 7 days in our area. Members will work p.m. monthly (excluding May & No- with members from other Wisconsin vember) on the first Wednesday of chapters to place brush bundles, each month at the Lone Oak Gun rocks and logs to improve habitat. club just North of Gillett. We are also planning a summer out- —Tom Klatt Shaw-Paca Chapter

The ShawPaca Chapter has been and funding event, so come out and busy at work planning its 35th An- support our chapter and all the work nual Banquet April 5 at Northwinds we do in the Shawano and Waupaca Banquet Hall in Marion. Doors county area. open at 5:30 p.m., followed by a cash Some of the chapter members bar, raffle ticket sales and a social have been taking advantage of the LAKESHORE CHAPTER MEMBERS WORK ON NICHOLS CREEK hour. Once again, there will be sev- unseasonably warm February and At a workday last fall, Lakeshore Chapter members worked on brushing and eral dozen bucket raffle items, silent March temperatures for some early debris removal on Nichols Creek, near Cascade. auctions and lots of great door priz- trout fishing. Reports of successful es. fishing with sub-surface flies have Falls) and Amery kids have really will display its stream restoration di- Get there early and get your tick- been common, and there have been been enjoying feeding time. Next orama and offer a beginners fishing ets in. Tickets will be available at the some reports of trout taking dry year we hope to have the Hudson seminar. The chapter will also be door the night of the event. Artist flies. The early trout season is great program going again and a new pro- working with Jeremy Carlson at Virgil Beck will once again be at the opportunity to get out and knock off gram started at St. Croix Central El- Meyer Middle School in River Falls event doing a live painting, which the cabin fever blues on one of our ementary. Our chapter looks on their May 11 Service Day. Chap- will be offered through a special raf- many trout streams. forward to assisting with Bugs in the ter member Dan Wilcox and the Bu- fle with limited tickets available. —Nate Sipple Classroom and the trout releases in- reau of Fisheries and Wildlife This is the chapter’s sole banquet to the Willow River toward the end biologist Caitlin Smith are sourcing of the school year. pollinator seeds to plant on one of Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter On April 27 Kiap is going to par- the chapter’s recently completed ticipate in Rocky Branch Elementa- projects. The Southeast Wisconsin Chap- Driftless Area. He has spent more ry School’s Eco Day. The chapter —Maria Manion ter of Trout Unlimited (SEWTU) than 17 years in the industry, run- holds chapter membership meet- ning the former Laacke and Joys Lakeshore Chapter ings the fourth Tuesday of each Flyshop and the Milwaukee Orvis month at Thunder Bay Grille in store. He has taught thousands of There’s a lot of fun and exciting tures that have collapsed, some Pewaukee. The meetings begin at 7 people of all ages and skill levels to stuff coming this spring and summer bank stabilization and seeding is p.m., but many members arrive for cast a fly rod and catch a fish. He al- for the Lakeshore TU chapter. needed. Hopefully, we will be able an optional dinner and socializing so is a writer of fly-fishing essays and We are most excited about our to address some of this work period that begins around 6 p.m. stories, and produces fine fly-fishing new DNR Fisheries Biologist, Ade- throughout the year. The meetings are open to the public crafts. line Dutton (Addie) who joined the All the excitement generated by and include chapter committee up- His presentation, entitled “Whis- DNR Plymouth office in January. our work has attracted new mem- dates and news, as well as guest pers from the Driftless,” attracted We are already working with her on bers. In the last six months we have speakers. Please feel free to stop by more than 70 members who did not developing some long-range plans seen about one new member a and join us. want to miss the set of observations to address some coldwater needs, month start coming to our meetings, We’ve had great speakers at our and tips to make their next trip to starting with some work days to thanks to Myk Hranicka’s steady recent meetings. In January, our the bluff lands, hills and valleys of brush out and clear some of the lo- Facebook postings. Once folks see guest was Bill Engber who has southwest Wisconsin more fruitful cal streams. She also has some trout the work that we are doing, they fished in Canada, Mexico, Alaska, and enjoyable. stamp money lined up for some show up and ask how they can help. Nunavut, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, At our March meeting chapter brush bundling on our jewel, the There’s nothing better than a few Tierra del Fuego and Iceland. Bill members Andy Avgoulas and Todd Onion River. pictures and a regularly planned spoke to us about fly fishing for At- Durian presented on steelhead fish- This project will take place in Ju- work day to get people involved. lantic salmon and sea-run brown ing, combined with a presentation ly and will require “all hands on Myk and I attended our first trout in Iceland. He shared the story from the DNR fisheries biologist, deck” to help Addie get the work state meeting as chapter officers. about this tiny island nation and its with information and insights on the done in a timely manner. What a gas! We met a lot of great fascinating history, while taking us stocking and health of the Wisconsin We continue to hold our monthly people who all offered us help and on visits to some of its famous sites. steelhead fishery. work days brushing out Nichols guidance as we continue to feel our He then shared the wonderful an- SEWTU continues to be active in Creek, while we work with Addie on way through managing and growing gling opportunities, techniques, outreach programs, particularly fly- developing a long term plan for per- our chapter. equipment, flies, and pictures of ma- tying opportunities. The Oak Creek mitting so we can give this little gem —Stephen Girardi ny “big” fish. Fly Tying group, led by Greg Schick, some long-needed attention. In ad- Erik Helm spoke at our February continues to meet on the first and dition to some old LUNKER struc- meeting. He is the proprietor of The third Tuesdays of each month. Classical Angler, where he’s a fly- SEWTU members also organized Northwoods Chapter fishing guide and instructor in the and participated in six fly-tying ses-

We’ve been planning for our up- be a buffet dinner at the Quality Inn coming banquet on April 28. This in Rhinelander, and it will feature year we’re having a grand prize raf- our customary wide array of bucket fle leading up to the banquet. One raffles. See our ad on page 13 in this doesn’t need to attend the banquet edition of Wisconsin Trout for de- to participate in the raffle for some tails on the raffle and banquet. truly great prizes. Our banquet will —Terry Cummings Oconto River Chapter

The banquet committee is pre- tionists from the Oconto River area paring for our annual fundraising to attend the environmental camps banquet April 26 at Romy’s Holiday offered by UW-Stevens Point. Vari- Inn at Kelly Lake. Banquet Chair ous camps are available for youth Dan Sumnicht is gathering prizes from 7-15. For an application con- and we’ll be sending invitation let- tact Moni Brunner at 920-855-6669. ters soon. For tickets call Dan at Campers will be announced at the SEWTU AT THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINAL SPORTS SHOW 715-853-2463. chapter banquet April 26. Youth can SEWTU Habitat Committee co-chair Andy Avgoulas teaching youth to tie flies We are seeking young conserva- also apply for the WITU Youth at the Milwaukee Sport Show. Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 23 Chapter News sions at Cabela’s in Richfield. April 2019 event. It’s tentatively set for family fruit orchard. Volunteers got Thanks go out to organizer Al Dal- 14 - Kid’s Fishing Clinic, West Saturday, January 26. Mark your a lesson in how to prune and set out phonso and all of the SEWTU vol- Bend calendars! to snip, lop and cut at the orchard. unteers who helped make these 18 - International Fly Fishing Our first wokday of the year was We are always excited to partner sessions successful. Film Festival at the Bavarian Bier- along, but not on, a stream. The with others to foster a more holistic John Graba continues to orga- haus, 7 p.m.; hosted by the Fly Fish- Neperud family was generous in approach to the land. nize and lead weekly fly-tying op- ers working to ensure their land would We have a variety of “Stream portunities for TU Veteran’s 21 - Menomonee River cleanup be accessible to all, including a gor- Team” workdays set for spring. Services Partnership. Many other near Miller Park with Milwaukee geous stretch of the Sugar River. Learn about them and everything SEWTU members visit the Milwau- Rivekeepers While we have worked along the else we’re doing at swtu.org. kee VA Hospital’s Spinal Cord Inju- 24 - April chapter meeting, guest stream, this workday was in the old —Drew Kasel ry Unit two times a month to speaker TBD provide lessons and opportunities Wild Rivers Chapter for tying flies. Jim Folda deserves a great May amount of credit for coordinating, 12 - Rosenow Creek workday, We’ve had a good old fashioned Our annual expo was March 31 setting up and running the SEWTU Oconomowoc northern winter this year, and the at Northland College. This expo is booth at the Milwaukee Journal 19 - Onion River or Nichols snow is still beyond knee deep in our major fundraiser each year. The Sentinel Sport Show in March. It's a Creek Workday with Lakeshore Wild Rivers chapter territory. event included a live auction and great opportunity to share the mis- Chapter, Sheboygan While we’ve been enjoying winter's bucket raffles. sion and goals of SEWTU to a larg- 22 - May chapter meeting, guest dormant torpor, we’ve been gather- Funds raised help us support our er audience. The following SEWTU speaker TBD ing for tying events on occasion and partners who are working hard to members volunteered to help at the June readying ourselves for the coming conserve, protect and restore the Sport Show: Al Dalphonso, Stan season for habitat work and for get- coldwater fisheries and their water- 9 - Driftless Area workday/annu- ting our feet wet in local streams. sheds in northwest Wisconsin. Strelka, Rick Carr, Tom Albrecht, al fishing outing Chuck Urban, Andy Avgoulas, John We are excited to support part- In addition to the auction activi- Rennpferd, Dave Wunrow, Dave nerships for habitat improvement ties, each year our expo offers a Baumann, Bob Estland, Jay Zawer- July this summer. place for our partners to have dis- schnick, Herb Oechler, Rick Larkin, Early July - Annual Mid-Sum- We will be supporting the U.S. play tables showing off their conser- Ben Cheesman, Kent Heppe, John mer Casting Clinic, Greenfield Park Forest Service for a dam removal in vation efforts in our area. Koivisto, Robbie Crozier and Todd the Nicolet National Forest, lending Fishing guide Weston Thier dis- Durian. Thanks, everyone. SEWTU efforts don’t go unno- manpower and financial support cussed angling and cultural experi- Now that spring is arriving, ticed. Recently we were congratulat- with the DNR in beaver abatement ences from his recent winter fishing SEWTU activities, such as workdays ed by Luke Roffler, senior fisheries work on a small spring-fed brook adventures in South America. A and outreach programs, will in- biologist for Racine, Kenosha and trout stream in Sawyer County, second presentation was from one crease. Our habitat committee has Walworth Counties, for winning an We’ll partner with multiple con- of our partners on conservation worked hard to prepare the follow- external cooperator award. This was servation groups in northwest Wis- work being done in the area. ing list of opportunities for our announced at the DNR Statewide consin to enable the DNR to do a Our chapter received the Silver members to participate, and we in- Fisheries Management meeting major hydrological restoration proj- Trout Award for chapter excellence vite you to come join in the fun. held at the end of February. Luke ect on a tributary to the Brule River by WITU at the Council banquet in SEWTU 2018 Calendar of nominated SEWTU based on the to alleviate massive sediment intro- Oshkosh. We are grateful for the events: fantastic support we have provided ductions in the Bois Brule River, recognition and love being able to March to the ongoing restoration effort at We’ll also partner with Laura do what we do with so many other Bluff Creek, including the recent MacFarland in her work to restore people in the Wisconsin who are Now through May - Fly Tying adoption agreement for the Bluff/ fish passage on trout streams in the committed to the mission of TU. Workshops @ the Oak Creek Com- Whitewater Fishery Area. Chequamegon-Nicolet National —Bob Rice munity Center Justine Hasz, the director of the Forest and adjacent properties. 7-11 - Milwaukee Journal/Senti- Fisheries Management Bureau, will nel Sport Show present the award at our April 24 Wisconsin Clear Waters 27 - March chapter meeting, membership meeting. guest speaker TBD We recently held our annual ing this process. We’ll start by banquet. Jim Erickson, as usual, working on streams that have has done yeoman’s work organiz- been worked on in the past, but ing and producing this event. need some TLC. We are creating Treasurer Dave Zoellick and a list of volunteers who would be board member Joe Knight were available to help with these ef- honored for their outstanding as- forts to make fishing more enjoy- sistance to the chapter. able. Our board will soon review re- If you’re interested in learning quests for funding stream proj- how to safely operate a chain saw, ects and make decisions as to we are seeking members to par- grant support. Projects request- ticipate in a one-day course in ing funding assistance this year chainsaw safety, which is required are in Dunn, Trempealeau and by the DNR to operate chainsaws Buffalo Counties on DNR easements. It is a great Jim Erickson has also been re- course and worth attending for Jim Beecher sponsible for finding great speak- anyone who uses a chain saw. ers for our meetings. Our final At our work days we concen- SWTU VOLUNTEERS CREATE YET ANOTHER AMAZING ICEBREAKER chapter meeting for the Spring trate on clearing smaller brush Working hard while also enjoying themselves at the SWTU Icebreaker are season is April 12. Chapter mem- and debris, as opposed to large SWTU Chapter President Matt Sment, event Chair Amy Klusmeier, Jacquie and bers Dale Dahlke and Jeff Bar- trees and deadfalls. Tucker Nelson and Drew Kasel. tynski will present the “Night of We also need people to help the Blue Wing Olive.” haul cut brush to burn piles. This Other upcoming chapter can be done by anyone, young or SEWTU members are commit- water resources because, we believe, events include free fly-casting les- old. ted to providing outreach opportu- that our children deserve it. sons to the general public, at lo- A special thanks to the Kiap- nities to help educate others about It is a pleasure working with such our mission, and are committed to dedicated volunteers. cations in Eau Claire. Watch for Tu-Wish work crews for their conserve, protect and restore cold- —Todd Durian dates to be announced. We’re do- amazing efforts on Wilson Creek. ing an Introduction to Fly Fishing Finally, 2018 will be a year of in conjunction with Beaver Creek change for our chapter. Treasurer Southern Wisconsin Chapter Reserve on June 9. Dave Zoellick and Banquet Chair We’ll be working on Sand Jim Erickson are stepping down SWTU was excited to raise more panelists included Tim Landwehr, Creek with the DNR, working on from their positions. This is great than $5,000 for coldwater resources Kyle Zempel and the Wisconsin various youth activities, planning opportunity for someone to get at our January Icebreaker event. It Smallmouth Alliance. for our annual camping trip to active (or get re-active) in TU. was a wonderful day. Jacquie and We thank all who attended and the Driftless Area May 17-19 and You will find it rewarding and Tucker Nelson provided informative helped create a successful fundrais- continuing brushing opportuni- make many new friends and fish- keynotes, prizes were won, friend- er. In particular, we want to express ties on local streams. ing buddies. Please volunteer. ships rekindled and plans laid for our deep appreciation to Amy Klus- We invested in new brushing Just contact any officer or board fishing trips near and far. meier, who has gone above and be- equipment and we are setting up members. We also had a fun smallmouth yond in chairing the event for the a crew of volunteers to do brush- —Dick Duplessie bass fishing panel with great discus- past several years. ing work and clean up on local sion of the intersection of cold- and She has turned the reigns over to streams. Gary Welch is oversee- warm-water interests. The local bass Ben Lubchansky, who will chair our Page 24 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018 Chapter News

Wisconsin River Valley Chapter

We have had a productive winter partnership with WRVTU, the U.S. with various presentations and plan- Forest Service and the Trout and ning for our summer events. In Jan- Salmon Foundation to work on a uary, we met our new DNR fisheries brook trout stream in Price County. biologist from the DNR, Tim Wa- Laura was instrumental in securing a ters, as well as the new regional su- $2,000 grant from the Trout and pervisor, Al Nieber. Both are Salmon Foundation for assisting in stationed in Wausau. Tim gave an in- the work. teresting presentation on Lake Trout Our future presentations include and Cisco relationships. Tim and Al “Tie, Fly and Lie Night” April 24. are both excited for the future of We will be tying flies and teaching working on our coldwater resources those who are interested in learning and fostering their relationship with how. We will also be spinning tales our chapter. of fish that got away. At our February meeting Abe In May Carmen Hardin will give Dows from Great Northern Flyfish- a presentation on planning and go- ing in Plover gave an excellent pre- ing solo for various trips across the sentation on chasing smallies and country. Her last expedition was to musky, primarily the Wisconsin Riv- Montana, Alberta and British Co- er. He also highlighted other lumbia. streams in northern and central Wis- June 23 is our chapter picnic and consin to pursue these game fish. fundraiser. Watch for details. Our March meeting featured We hope you all had a good win- Laura MacFarland of National TU. ter and enjoy the upcoming fishing She gave an excellent presentation season. on a variety of issues and discussed a —Doug Brown WOLF RIVER CHAPTER MEMBERS ENJOY COLD-WEATHER FLY TYING Wolf River Chapter Zach Buchanan, Clayton Bahrke, Travis Stuck, Andy Killoren and Brad Anderson share fishing stories while tying flies on a cold January day. Our Wolf River Chapter Fly Ty- board member elections. Tim Wa- cial support that has been leveraged We were also proud to accept ing Consortium was in January at ters spoke about fishing the Wolf with local government funds. Wisconsin TU's Reel Partner Award the Bear Paw Outdoor Adventure River while we waited for our pizza This year, we will continue in recognition of the Oak Brook TU Resort. It was a success, thanks to lunch. stream restoration on Beaver Creek chapter's financial and volunteer Zach Buchanan. Many people The Wolf River Meet & Greet is near Sparta. A work day to build support of Wisconsin stream resto- stopped in to tie and to watch the ty- May 19. Join Wolf River Chapter LUNKER structures is scheduled ration projects over the years. This ers. We tied dry flies, nymphs, hop- members fly and spin casting on the for Saturday, June 23, and includes took place at the Wisconsin TU an- pers and streamers. We'll be having Wolf River. For more information an opportunity for volunteers to do nual banquet in February. it again next year around the same contact Travis Stuck at 920-202- some fishing in the Driftless Area —Jim Schmiedeskamp time. 0689. before and after our project work. In late March we held our annual —Laurie Zen Netzow spring membership meeting and Oak Brook Chapter

The Oak Brook (Chicago) Chap- Scott W. Grady ter (OBTU) has announced its 2018 Rodmaker conservation activities, which in- clude financial and volunteer sup- port for projects in Wisconsin and Michigan. Split Bamboo Rods Wisconsin financial commitments New, repairs, restoration, appraisals this year include TUDARE, Weis- Rodmaking Tools and Advice ter Creek restoration in Vernon County and continued stream resto- Call or email Scott for details at ration work in Sparta. “We plan to continue the impor- 920/687-0987 or [email protected] tant conservation work on our chap- ter's priority projects in support of the Wisconsin’s Driftless Area,” said Conservation Committee Chair Dave Carlson. “Several work days are planned, which provide an opportunity for fun and friendship along with mak- ing a valuable contribution to stream conservation. Weister Creek is a great example of a stream restoration in the Drift- less Area. For the past several years OBTU and other organizations have provided financial support for this project within the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. It is a big project with a total length of 2.6 miles. In addition to stream improvement, it provides habitat for hunting and is a demon- stration site for many non-game wildlife habitat practices. Work on the phase 4 section is well under way, with in-stream work to be com- Elevate your fly fishing to a new pleted this summer. Fundraising has begun for the level. The Original BlueSky phase 5 final section, which is ex- Furled Leader. Sizes for all fish & pected to be completed next year. fishing conditions. BlueSky - the Other stream restoration projects TM in the Driftless Area encompass leader in furled leaders. work to reduce soil erosion and FurledLeaders.com phosphorus discharge near Sparta. [email protected] • Ph/Fax 920-822-5396 Since 2014, OBTU has provided both volunteer manpower and finan- 1237 Yurek Rd., Pulaski WI 54162 USA Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 25 Trout love trees By Jamie Rupple, Project planted as seedlings, and the site Coordinator, DNR Trout Stream will bounce back to its natural dy- Habitat Management namic a bit sooner than allowing natural regeneration. Trees have been a significant fac- Trout habitat management isn’t tor in human development since the just in-stream work. Managing inva- dawn of man. We use trees for lum- sive species adjacent to trout ber to build structures, as a source streams is an important factor when of heat in the winter and find com- considering an ecologically integrat- fort in their shade during hot sum- ed habitat management plan. Some mer days. of the fisheries properties in the The benefits of trees in urban ar- Central Sands region of Wisconsin eas have been researched at length, are inundated with glossy buck- and include many economic, socio- thorn, common buckthorn, Eur- logical and environmental benefits asian honeysuckles, barberries, wild 15 PEOPLE, 2,500 TREES PLANTED to cities and towns across this won- parsnip and many more. In the Spring of 2017, 15 people, including TU and Rawhide volunteers, along derful world we live in. After a crew goes in and me- with DNR crews, planted 2,500 trees along the Pine River. People, trout, birds, deer and all chanically removes these species, types of wildlife are just plain happi- the site can be relatively devoid of wise man once said,” The best time unteers from TU and four from er when they live in an area with a desirable species in the understory. to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The Rawhide, along with our crew of higher density of canopy cover. My Planting a mix of desirable native second best time is today.” Trees five. That’s 2,500 trees planted in own extensive research has found trees and shrubs is the last step in take a significant investment of time about six hours with 15 people. that trout fishing makes people just trying to fill these niches to prevent to establish, grow and mature, but, it That, to me, is a huge success. plain happier too. You know what reinvasion of invasive plant species. is relatively easy to plant a tree, and The planting design was based on else makes people happier? Trout Often, here in the Central Sands re- then it is just a matter of enjoying angler access, future equipment ac- fishing in beautiful places. gion, after work is completed, a watching it grow. cess, and maintaining the fishability Trout are very specialized fish monoculture of reed canary grass We decided in 2016 to try our of the river. species that require clean, cold wa- takes over. This removes the inter- first tree planting on a couple of the The edge of the river was planted ter to thrive. They are highly sensi- stitial spaces where native species streams around Waushara and Mar- primarily with native wetland tive to land use changes, and thus would establish. By planting native quette counties. We ordered a mix shrubs, staying back about six feet or are an indicator species of environ- trees and shrubs, when these plants of species from red osier dogwood so from the top of the bank, and mental degradation. develop any sort of a canopy, it to white oak. Our crew then part- placing a few trees that will grow The presence of brook trout, the pushes back the reed canary grass, nered with the Rawhide About Face and later become large woody de- only native trout (actually, char) and allows a niche for native species Program, which mentors youth with bris recruitment. species in Wisconsin streams, indi- to establish. the goal of building character, mind Then a 25-foot buffer was main- cates that a watershed is healthy Land use changes near trout and body. tained for angler and equipment ac- enough to support them. Brook streams have also been an issue We ordered a bunch of trees, got cess, and a mix of tree species were trout co-evolved under the comfort since European settlers began farm- some volunteers, went to the White planted well back to, and into the of a canopy of trees for longer than ing the land around streams, rivers River and Chaffee Creek and plant- woodland edge. I care to speculate, and have had and lakes. Working with farmers ed about 1,500 trees and shrubs. It The canopies of the closest trees that cover to help keep them cool and private landowners to place ri- was a fun day for the volunteers and will provide thermal cover when ma- and happy. parian buffer strips consisting of our crew. The great part is that from ture, and keep the river edge clean I personally love trees. I love shrubs, grasses and scattered trees that one day of work, many genera- enough to dunk some nightcrawlers, them to the point that I have started provides sediment traps, thermal tions of outdoorsmen, trout and while the streamside shrubs will a small nursery of native trees and buffers and erosion control mea- multitudes of other wildlife, will be eventually drape into the edge of the shrubs in my yard. Having said that, sures that benefit landowners, trout able to enjoy these trees, regardless water and provide a place for all I think trout love trees even more and trout fishermen at the same of the reason they are visiting that sorts of wildlife. than I do, and I’m not sure they time. public land. I probably won’t get to enjoy the even know what trees are. Trees and shrubs also provide Last spring, we decided to go a full extent of this planting within my Trout love trees for a variety of habitat and food for a wide range of bit bigger. We invited the Fox Valley lifetime, but many generations of reasons. Trees near streams and riv- birds, mammals, insects, arachnids and Central Wisconsin TU chapters, trout and people will enjoy it, and ers provide shade for trout. Tree and reptiles. If you plant them, they as well as the Rawhide Boys Ranch that’s the thought process I believe canopies buffer the temperature of will come, and increase the diversity About Face program. We scheduled we need right now. So, go and plant the water, keeping it cooler, and of any site. This benefits all user our planting day for the third Tues- a tree with your children, grandchil- slowing the rate at which the water groups that visit public land, regard- day in April. April is the ideal time dren, siblings and friends, and enjoy changes temperatures on a daily ba- less of why they are venturing into of year to plant in the Central Sands watching them grow. sis. the woods, meadows or streams. because spring rains keep root sys- We just ordered our trees for our This thermal buffering can, and When planting trees or shrubs, tems moist while they are establish- spring 2018 planting. We will be does, reduce heat stress to trout in you should always consider what ing on the site. planting on April 21. Our site for marginal waters during the hot later you are planting, why you are plant- We met at our planting site next next spring is located on the Pine summer months. Less stress equals ing it, and where you are planting it. to the 19th Ave bridge on the Pine River near Wild Rose, and all are healthier fish, which equals better Some species will work well in one River with a huge stack of trees welcome to attend. fishing. Canopy cover also provides area, and others will not. In the gla- (roughly 5,000 trees) and planting Thanks again goes out to TU, the a refuge from birds of prey, and of- ciated portions of Wisconsin, much bars (sometimes called a dibble), Rawhide Boys Ranch About Face ten, trout anglers. of the flowing water is surrounded went over our goals for the day, and Program and the Wisconsin State Trees that end up in streams and by wetland-dominated riparian ar- started planting. We had six TU vol- Reforestation Program. rivers also provide holding cover eas. Streams and rivers in this area and feeding cover for trout of all are low gradient, and the sand-dom- age classes. Large woody debris pro- inated soils in Central Wisconsin al- vides niches for larger fish to find a low rain events to percolate down, feeding lie, and the smaller brush slowly infiltrating, and upwelling in- Our Choice provides a niche for young trout. to adjoining wetlands. Complexes of wood in the water will In contrast, The Driftless region Life requires also give trout a refuge from otters, of Wisconsin has higher gradient Making choices. mink, heron, kingfishers and the oc- streams, finer soils and limestone- We of TU casional muskrat, as well as creating and sandstone-dominated bedrock. Chose habitat for macro invertebrates Stream corridors are also not typi- To spend our time which are a major food source for cally surrounded by wetland areas, Seeking to protect trout throughout the year. I think and thus the vegetative communi- Our coldwater it’s safe to say, trees in the water ties are strikingly different. Resources, make trout happy. In the beautiful bluff country of And the lovely southwestern Wisconsin, favoring Trout that swim Why plant trees near trout grasses to stabilize banks during Therein. streams? run-off events is desirable to pre- vent erosion. Looking back, Often, managing trout habitat This doesn’t mean that there We could not requires the removal of trees for the would be no benefit to these com- Have made a better work to be completed. Whether it is munity types from planting scat- Choice. for equipment access, site prepara- tered trees and shrubs that provide tion for the installation of a habitat shade to creeks and streams, forage 2018 project, overhead bank cover, an- for wildlife and increasing biodiver- gler access trails or improving park- sity of the site. Again, it’s all about ing areas, it is frequently necessary where and why you are planting A poem for the WITU 2018 Banquet, by Dan Holland to remove trees and shrubs. woody species on any given site. Once the work has been com- Lastly, why not plant trees? A pleted, trees and shrubs can be Page 26 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018 Spring 2018 Update: Friends of Wisconsin Trout Unlimited The 2017 fundraising campaign came to an grants. The next grant application period is cur- end and once again, the continued support for rently open, and grants will be voted on at the this program is wonderful. Through your gen- next State Council meeting in Viroqua May 12. eration donations, we have raised more than All across the state, many of streams have $20,000. directly benefited from the Friends of Wiscon- An enormous amount of in-stream work will sin TU program. be accomplished because of this. A particular I hope you all had a wonderful winter and huge thank you to the SEWTU Chapter for its enjoy the upcoming season and get out to see very generous $5,000 contribution to this fund. the magnificent work we’ve done on our cold- In February at the State Council meeting in water resources. Oshkosh, WITU announced the awards of three Friends Grants. Fox Valley, Antigo and Doug Brown, Chairman Wild Rivers chapters will each receive $2,000 Friends of Wisconsin TU Friends grants support DNR LTE crews like this one with Doug Weber, Kyle Siebers, DJ Loken.

Providing habitat improvement grants since 1991.

The latest projects are... $2,000 to CWTU for Wild Rose DNR habitat crews in 2017 $2,000 to Wild Rivers for dam re- moval project in 2018 $1,000 to Marinette and $2,000 to Wolf River for $2,000 to Antigo Chapter for DNR crews in 2017 habitat crew for Antigo DNR in 2018

$2,000 to the Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter for Parker Creek culvert in 2017 $2,000 to Fox Valley Chapter for DNR habitat crew in 2018.

$2,000 to Wis. Clearwaters Chapter for stream maintenance, 2017

$2,000 to ALTU for Little Wil- $2,000 to Nohr Chapter for Grant low Creek in Richland County County stream work, 2017 in 2017

Here are our Bob Martini Rhinelander WI Ken Voight Sugar Grove IL Friends of Wisconsin TU Kim McCarthy Green Bay WI Don Wagner GillettWI David Menke Bristol WI David Wahl Sterling IL Jason Anderson Mukwonago WI Cris Meyer Middleton WI Donald Welhouse Kaukauna WI Edwin Barnes MiddletonWI Robert Moser Milwaukee WI Paul Williams Madison WI Charles Barnhill Madison WI William Nielsen Eau Claire WI Donald Williams MD Madison WI Jim Bayorgeon AppletonWI Herb Oechler Wauwatosa WI Dan Wisniewski Middleton WI Jolene Berg Chippewa Falls WI Cheryl and Winston Ostrow De PereWI Nancy and Roland Woodruff OshkoshWI John and Susan Bleimehl VeronaWI Donald Persons Janesville WI Norb Wozniak Stevens Point WI Stephen Born MadisonWI Ray D. Piehl Wautoma WI Robert Wyman Beaver Dam WI Allon Bostwick Port Washington WI Michael Polelle Madison WI Frederic Young Roscoe IL Ed Chiera Beloit WI Dr. Scott Quandt Green Bay WI Russel Ciscon Phillips WI Ron Rellatz Merton WI Andrew Cook II Sister Bay WI Bob Retko Cedarburg WI TROUT UNLIMITED CHAPTERS Ed Eggers Genoa WI Steve Robertson Verona WI Antigo Chapter Chuck Egle Amhurst Junction WI Michael San Dretto Neenah WI Harry & Laura Nohr Chapter Richard Ela Madison WI Mary & Jeff Schmoeger Lake Mills WI Marinette County Chapter John Ewen Neenah WI To m S c h n a d t S t . Pa u l M N SEWTU Chapter Richard Farrenkopf Men. Falls WI James School KaukaunaWI Alan Finesilver Depere WI Robert Selk Madison WI In Memory of Chuck Wineland. Dona- Joel Fisher Birnamwood WI John Shillinglaw Madison WI tion from Paul Neuman of McFarland William Flader MD Madison WI George Shinners Antigo WI Richard Galling Hartland WI Art Sonneland Depere WI In Memory of Charles Jacobson, dona- Lyn & Scott Geboy Fox Point WI Michael Staggs Poynette WI tion from Ardis Jacobson, Madison. Dan Geddes Appleton WI Michael Stapleton Pardeeville WI Jack Gribble Gordon WI Gary Stoychoff Green Bay WI Gordon Grieshaber Mineral Point WI Rick Szymialis Waupaca WI Carl Hash Wausau WI Robert Tabbert Lafayette LA Scott Hathaway Shawano WI Julie & Todd Templen Dubuque IA Ashton Hawk Denver CO Dennis, Becky Vanden Bloomen E.Claire Stephen Hawk Madison WI Greg Vodak Stoughton WI William Heart Ashland WI Wally Heil De PereWI Bob Hellyer Boulder JunctionWI Charles Hodulik Madison WI Yes, I want to join the “Friends” of Wisconsin TU. Gareth Horvath River Falls WI Enclosed is my check, payable to Wisconsin Trout Unlimited. Jeff Jackson Oconto FallsWI MAIL TO: Friends of Wisconsin TU Charles Jorgenson Oconomowoc WI % Doug Brown Jeff Keller Burlington WI R4800 Timber Lane John Kenealy III Waukesha WI Ringle, WI 54471 Lane Kistler MilwaukeeWI Barb and Joe Kruse LaCrosse WI Thomas Lukas Manitowoc WI Name Douglas MacFarland DousmanWI Brian Madsen Ellsworth WI Address Anna Magnin MarshfieldWI Kevin Mahaney Middleton WI Jim & Billie March LaCrosse WI City, State Zip Phone # Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 27 Gas station flies A recollection of “North Woods” flies and fly shops of years past. Words and photo By Erik Helm were ‘Gas-station flies.’ They were fly-box, knew that you had the hatch was and is the perfect tool for the not perfect by any standard, yet all figured out because you trusted rivers it was born on. It was designed A number of years ago I drove to some of them were. Tails were often an authentic local expert. for brushy rivers with big trout and the Brule river in far northern Wis- too long or short, wings too bulky, sweepers and log hazards. Throw- consin, passing through towns on materials set off-kilter, and heads Authentic ing big size 2 hex nymphs on the Bi- the way that held memories of too obese. They would never make bon marsh at night and catching That word summons so many im- youthful vacations. I had not seen the quality test of a modern over- alligators of brown trout as long as this landscape in almost 40 years. seas fly company today. ages and feelings in me as I close my your arm while keeping them out of eyes…because I was there. I may Back in the day, the mid-1970s to be Maybe that is a good thing. To- the rushes and cattails? Here is your just have been a little punter, but lit- exact, our little family of three and day flies are tied in an almost clini- rod. This wasn’t the Missouri river, our defective Volvo would take an cal perfection in Asia and Africa by tle punters have big eyes. What I and not all rods had to be 9 foot 5 saw and experienced as I walked annual vacation by driving to see people who have never seen a trout weights. This was a specialty rod. through these local ‘sporting-goods’ relatives “Up North.” stream. That kind of perfection can When we look at the history of be flawed in economy of scale. How stores was real, authentic, rural, fly-fishing, we see as we descend the honest, local. I didn’t know it at the many hundred dozen do you want? map a growing myopia of fishing A catch-all phrase time, but I was breathing in history Regional patterns and local ties like culture, equipment and tactics. “Up North” was a catch-all I held in my hand slowly disap- along with the dust. Yes…dust. These were grown locally and fed on Much of the shelving was covered phrase for going somewhere rural peared or became scarce in that long studies and days a field. with a fine powdering of dust. It lay where men went when they wanted economy. These were unique and The Letort and her micro-terres- to re-visit what it meant to be a like a mirror in time. They held a on the boxes of muck-boots, the bar- trials and the rods to match. The Au rel of nets, and on the tackle that man: away from the city, a place of place on a map… Sable and the midge rod and long muskies and trout, deer and cabins. was timeless. boat. The Wolf and her huge trout To a 10-year old boy it was some- I have grown to like dust. Dust is and deep rocky runs grew the large thing exotic fed and conjured by el- weighted stoneflies that made the ders in tales punctuated by beer and rod in front of me a necessity. smoke with the spreading of hands Each local fishery grew in myopia and arms in measurement. then, there was no internet, thank My “reality” of Up North was ab- god, for if there was, Marinaro, Fox, sorbed and simmered gently during Flick, and the other local experts the timeless hours of childhood would all be told that they were do- summers reading Outdoor Life and ing it wrong. Instead, the local tack- listening to dad. When I closed my le and flies grew in a vacuum of eyes I saw rivers, smelled pipe sorts. The river grew the fish, which smoke, heard winds through pine grew the fishermen, who grew the trees, and imagined groups of men fly patterns and tackle, which be- wearing red and black checked wool came part of our history and culture. hunting jackets. Yankee ingenuity at its best. For my mother, Up North meant When we hold one of these flies time to spend painting landscapes in our hands, we must be aware that and visiting local art and craft shops. there was experimentation here and For my father, it was a time to re- serendipity. They were purpose- visit his dreams. He was an armchair built by a tier who lived in a small fisherman and outdoorsman, so cabin and traded them for gas and most of his dreams would be unful- cigarette money. That kind of small filled. Much later in life, I came to economy and craft is what made learn that perhaps a man with America rich…not monetarily, but dreams is already fulfilled. culturally. These flies are a time ma- In those summers sitting and lis- Local fly shops abounded chine, with rusty hooks, faded col- tening to him talk of the north the most authentic thing of all, for ors, and hackle chewed by bugs and woods, names began to be whis- Back when these flies were creat- all life is made of it. To a modern re- fish alike, small pieces of gut and ny- pered: Brule, Namekagon, Wolf, ed, every great river had a local tailer, these places would need a lon attesting to memories made on and Peshtigo. These were rivers of shop. I am not talking about a mod- massive cleaning and refit. the rivers. The rivers grew all of this. legend, and I can still hear Dad’s ern fly-shop in any sense. These There were no merchandising We are all children of rivers. voice as we peeked through the shops were often places that sold standards other than “The hip wad- A fly is an artificial deception to birches and pines in our first and gas, bottles of cold pop, flasks of ers are in the back aisle under the the trout, but also a word that means only glance at the rushing holy wa- brandy and bourbon, and sporting shotgun shells.” Fish mounts and to travel through the air. This ters of the Wolf River. tackle. They were small operations old bowling trophies sat or hung spring, a few of these that are in bet- Maybe just attending this church run by locals. In a rural economy crookedly. ter condition will do just that at the by visiting was as good as participat- back then, they could exist on a There was no product rotation, end of my rod, a fresh leader, and a ing in the worship or fishing. I never shoestring, or maybe by selling a few so as a kid, I could always find an fresh perspective into local history. will know for sure, but Dad lowered shoestrings. old Daredevil spoon or cap-pistol The honesty of knowledge that his voice to a whisper when pointing When one left the city and drove that was priced sometime in the past led to their creation in less compli- out a rising trout to a wide-eyed and Up North, one always stopped at decade, and would be cheap enough cated times will still deceive the fish, eared ten-year old. We never fished, the local shop to fill up the Buick, for a pestered parent to buy. If you but my memories from those child- but what I caught that day will be add a quart of oil, pick up a needed asked for something, the owner hood travels through the gas station with me always. item forgotten or worn-out, and to would furrow his brows, ask his wife, sporting-goods stores will never de- As I drove through the towns find out the local forecast for the and she would root through an old ceive me or fade. The hooks on again, I was out of place in time. My fishing conditions and see what box and find it. It was like a kind of these old flies may need sharpening snapshot of Up North was decades ‘They were biting on.’ magic. Muskie plugs and bucktail a bit, but my memories are as sharp old. I couldn’t believe how much it The guy you went to talk to al- streamers appearing out of the pri- as ever. I can still smell the pipe- had changed. Most of those small ways knew your name as you knew mordial lost spaces of dust. The clut- smoke and the dust. I can still see hardware stores, and mom and pop his. Norm or Stumpy would be be- ter was beautiful. the Wolf River through the pines places had been replaced for the hind the counter. The flies that were The fly-fisher never used all and hear dad’s voice… whispering. most part with a plastic sameness as working would be in a cardboard those local flies, but it was always a Dedicated to my father and all Kwik e Marts grew like cancers on tray on the counter. They were tied part of consideration and good con- the other dreamers back in the day, my memories. by guys that fished the river every duct that one made a purchase of a To the moms and pops that ran Back home some time later, I day. They knew exactly what was few things to support the local store. these small shops, the flies and tyers, was going through old fly-boxes working, and the patterns were The excess flies got stored away and and to Joe Balestrieri, and Bob Bl- owned by a Wisconsin fisherman. made up on the spot. now sit in front of me along with a umreich who remember Up North. Many of the flies were patterns I “The Woodcock Special’ may be fiberglass fly rod made locally for Erik Helm is the proprietor of didn’t recognize, and with my pen- a great stone-fly imitation, but it fishing the northern Wisconsin riv- Classical Angler, a fly-fishing guide chant for history and old-things, that could also be because somebody’s ers. It is an odd rod by today’s stan- and instructional service based in the takes a bit of doing. When I say brother shot three woodcock last dards. Driftless area of Wisconsin. He also is ‘Old’ it is rather relative, for most of week. These people hunted. Other a writer of fly-fishing essays and sto- these flies were purchased and than a few materials such as the Standards ries, and produces fine fly-fishing fished during my lifetime, in fact in hooks, floss, and hackle, the materi- Standards that have in time made crafts. Erik has been in the fly-fishing the very period of those youthful va- als used most likely saw the front industry for 17 years, formerly with cations. Old is relative, but I was these purpose-made rods look ob- porch of a hunting cabin, and spent scure…but they weren’t. Laacke and Joys and with Orvis in alarmed by the amount of gray in a few weeks in borax and salt. The This rod is a seven footer for a Milwaukee. He now lives in Soldiers my beard this morning when I flies smelled like wood-smoke and Grove Wisconsin, in the heart of the shaved; like rust on those hooks of seven-weight fly line. Short and with deer hair. authority. It was designed and built driftless. those flies… You purchased a half-dozen of off a Fisher glass blank by a man He can be found at Classicalan- These flies were not commercial each and clipping them into the tin gler.com patterns in the strict sense; they who owned a local shop like this. It Page 28 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout’s Todd Westby Workshop April 7-8 Franklin to receive award Learn chapter building, project planning and more. There’s still time to sign up for techniques, learn how to organize from the Wisconsin the ninth Westby Workshop, where your own project from experts, and new and veteran TU leaders and in- tour a nearby trout stream restora- terested members can learn about tion project. Wildlife Federation ways chapters can invite more peo- This workshop will be of interest ple to get involved with TU’s mis- for TU folks and other conserva- The Wisconsin Wildlife sion, plus learning how to plan tionists from across the Midwest. Federation selected projects from start to finish. More than 500 volunteers have been On April 7-8, Living Waters Bi- trained at past workshops. Wisconsin Trout Editor ble Camp outside Westby will be a On top of all that, there’s a dan- Todd Franklin as its beehive of activity as experienced dy grilled chicken dinner Saturday speakers share the lessons they’ve night with “soon to be world fa- Conservation Com- learned. Want to encourage women mous” chicken, at the Viroqua municator of the Year. and young people to get involved American Legion Hall, and abun- with protecting our streams? A Na- dant fishing opportunities. Who tional TU trainer, Leadership De- could ask for more? The WWF will present velopment Manager Lisa Beranek, Many chapters help pay the ex- the award at its Annual and leaders from other conservation penses of participants. It never hurts groups, will have ideas to share. Is to ask your board for their support. Award Banquet your chapter located far from trout For registration information, go Saturday, April 21 at resources but willing to travel? De- to darestoration.com. Questions? The Hotel Mead in veloping a “TU traveling team” will Contact Jeff Hastings at jhast- be the subject of another session. [email protected] or Duke Welter at Wisconsin Rapids. You’ll also have the chance to [email protected]. discuss past and future restoration

BANQUET, from page 1 the evening. Wisconsin TU has become a on each of the tables. Whether arranging prizes, staff- We’d like to thank Henry Koltz force in the conservation communi- Darrell Toliver brought and dis- ing entry tables, selling raffle tickets for being our Master of Ceremonies ty because of the efforts of many of played an entire collection of or demonstrating how to tie some for the evening. Hank did a great our members, conservation profes- framed Wisconsin trout stamp cool-looking flies, we had an enthu- job of entertaining the crowd, tout- sionals, corporate sponsors and oth- prints. It was awe-inspiring. siastic group willing to donate their ing our successes and keeping the ers. We honored many of these We’d also like to thank our part- time. event moving along. efforts during the awards ceremony. ners, including The River Alliance This group consisted of Stan We also have a very generous The Council thanks our Awards MC of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Wetlands Strelka, Scott Allen, Taylor Ridder- group of donors that provided live Steve Born for sharing his wit, wis- Association and Project Green busch, Gary Stoychoff, Kim McCar- auction prizes. Guided trips and dom and humor while presenting Teen, for their presence at the ban- thy, Jen Kuhr, John and Laura “fish-alongs” with Charlie Piette the various awards. Wayne Parmley quet. Tucker, Boyd Roessler, Rick Frye, (Tight Lines Fly Fishing Co.), Erik did a masterful job of putting to- If you missed the 2018 State Ed Koscik, Jason Freund, Nate Helm (Classical Angler), Duke Wel- gether our colorful printed banquet Council Banquet, please make plans Ratliff, the Hodson family, Brian ter and Patrick Hager really got the program. to join us on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 Oberstadt, Bob Haase, Mark Rhin- bids coming in. There was plenty to see, too. Lo- in Oshkosh. It’s sure to be another erson and Clay Parmley, among oth- The 50/50 raffle was popular and cal artist Adam Zins (azcre- fun evening. If you’d like to get in- ers. The Council would also like to all the proceeds support our Annual ativeart.com) had a masterpiece on volved with banquet planning or thank the numerous volunteers who Youth Camp. We raised more than display: A 3-foot by 5-foot brook banquet awards, contact Mike Kuhr tied flies with the Women’s Fly Fish- $375 for the camp this year, and the trout painting. Pictures don’t do it at [email protected]. ing Clinic and those who assisted lucky winner ended up with a pock- justice. He also brought postcards with prize distribution at the end of et full of cash. of his other works that were set out Kent Johnson receives Ford Award Honored for his lifetime of accomplishments of improving water quality. Last October Kent Johnson re- ing the Mississippi River Research 2006 and was a KRLT board mem- ceived Minnesota’s most distin- Consortium (President and Execu- ber from 2006 to 2012. guished award for protecting clean tive Board), the Midwest Chapter of He has been a long-time member water. At the annual Minnesota Wa- the Society of Environmental Toxi- of the Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of ter Resources conference, Johnson cology and Chemistry (Executive Trout Unlimited, serving on the received the Dave Ford Award, Board and Membership Commit- chapter’s executive board from 1990 which is bestowed by the confer- tee), and the Upper Mississippi Riv- to 2010. ence’s planning committee to recog- er Conservation Committee. His TU volunteer work has fo- nize individuals whose lifetime cused on the protection, restoration accomplishments have contributed Academic background and monitoring of coldwater to improving Minnesota’s water streams in western Wisconsin, quality. Johnson earned his Bachelor of where he has been evaluating the Arts degree in biology at St. Olaf impacts of stormwater, hydropower College (1974). While at St. Olaf, he Professional experience and climate change, as well as the was advised and mentored by James success of stream restoration proj- Until his retirement in June Zischke (Biology Department), who ects. 2017, Kent Johnson worked for the spurred Johnson’s life-long interest To honor his TU volunteer work Metropolitan Council Environmen- in water. Since graduation, he has as a steward of the Kinnickinnic tal Services (MCES) in St. Paul. In returned to Northfield to speak to River, Wisconsin Trout Unlimited 1979 he was hired as an aquatic biol- St. Olaf classes about water quality presented him with the “Jeffrey ogist to cultivate a biological moni- and advise a community group Carlson Volunteer Award” in Feb- toring program for Twin Cities working to restore Rice Creek, the ruary 2013. This is the highest indi- rivers. For much of his 38-year ten- only trout stream in Rice County. vidual award given by Wisconsin ure with MCES, Johnson managed In 1980 Johnson obtained a Mas- remained a life-long student of Trout Unlimited, to honor the most the Environmental Monitoring and ter of Science Degree in aquatic bi- aquatic insects. He even has a met- outstanding TU volunteer contribu- Assessment Section that operates ology at Michigan Technological ric named after him (Johnson May- tor in the state. and oversees, with the help of vol- University (MTU), where his thesis fly Emergence Scale). The Dave Ford Award honors unteers and partners, a large net- work focused on the ecological rela- the longtime Minnesota Depart- work of river, stream and lake tionships of aquatic invertebrates in Volunteer efforts ment of Natural Resources Water monitoring stations in the Twin Cit- an Isle Royale river. While at MTU, Division engineer who passed away ies Metropolitan Area. Under his he was advised and mentored by Beyond his professional contri- in 2003. Ford is remembered for his leadership and passion for good sci- Kenneth Kraft (Biology Depart- butions to water resources at the excellent theoretical understanding ence and clean water, the MCES ment). Johnson continues his aca- Metropolitan Council, Johnson has and practical knowledge to effec- network has grown to become one demic connections as a visiting devoted countless hours as a volun- tively use models to address a vari- of the most comprehensive surface lecturer in landscape architecture, teer to protect and restore his favor- ety of water resource management water monitoring programs for a water resources management, and ite aquatic ecosystems: trout issues. He was first and foremost a metropolitan area in the nation. river ecology at the University of streams. teacher, a mentor, a cooperator and Throughout his career, Johnson Minnesota-Twin Cities and Univer- He has served on the conserva- a friend to many in the water re- has been involved in a number of sity of Wisconsin-River Falls. As a tion committee of the Kinnickinnic sources community. professional organizations, includ- biologist and trout angler, Kent has River Land Trust (KRLT) since Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 29 Update on Great Lakes health Challenges include climate change, invasive species, pollution.

By Jim Schmiedeskamp, Current status of invasive line of defense before the lake. The measures to block the migration of Oak Brook Trout Unlimited species threats for the finding triggered a two-week inten- Asian Carp to Lake Michigan via Great Lakes sive monitoring effort coordinated the Chicago Area Waterway Sys- Joel Brammeier, president and There more than 180 invasive by the Asian Carp Regional Coordi- tem. The report can be viewed at: CEO of the Alliance for the Great species in the Great Lakes and be- nating Committee (ACRCC), and http://glmris.anl.gov/brandon-rd/ Lakes, oversees a staff of more than cause each lake has unique charac- no additional Asian carp were During the comment period en- 25 professionals and 15,000 volun- teristics, the status and impact found. However, agency officials vironmental and conservation teers dedicated to protecting and re- varies greatly. The U.S. Environ- confirmed the fish spent the majori- groups, representing hundreds of storing the Great Lakes. Joel has a mental Protection Agency (EPA) ty of its life below the electric barri- thousands of residents of the Great strong track record of advancing and Environment Canada recently ers. Researchers have clearly Lakes and Mississippi River re- critical conservation efforts and is evaluated these impacts on each of documented that the electric barri- gions, delivered a letter to the U.S. the author of a first-of-its-kind re- the Great Lakes. ers are not fool proof and that fish Army Corps of Engineers demand- port describing options for separat- “As a whole, all of the Great can be carried through them when ing additional protections against ing the Great Lakes and the Lakes are deteriorating based on vessels pass through. Asian carp. And, the groups deliv- Mississippi River basins to stop the the impact of aquatic invasive spe- “The announcement by the ered more than 10,000 letters from spread of invasive species. cies,” said Brammeier. “As existing ACRCC that monitoring efforts did concerned residents around the “The Alliance for the Great country to the Corps, urging swift Lakes works to protect the Great action to keep asian carp out of the Lakes for today and tomorrow,” ac- Great Lakes. cording to Brammeier. “We involve tens of thousands of people each year in advocacy, volunteering, edu- Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin cation and research to ensure the and Ontario step up. while lakes are healthy and safe for all. Illinois stalls Our funding comes from a mix of Unfortunately, the state of Illi- sources including individual donors nois has consistently stalled prog- and foundations.” ress on, and even attempted to Overall the Great Lakes remain block, efforts to build additional a high-quality drinking water source Asian carp control measures at the for many of the 40 million people Brandon Road Lock & Dam. In who live near them. Yet, the pollu- February, Michigan Governor Rick tion problems facing the Great Snyder announced a new partner- Lakes, from invasive species to nu- ship with the states of Ohio and trient pollution, often have uneven Wisconsin and the province of On- impacts around the region. tario to support efforts to keep For instance, nutrient pollution CARP THREAT LOOMS LARGE Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. does not impact many areas of the Invasive species threaten the Great Lakes such as the Asian carp, which have The states and province have Great Lakes, but in areas where it been found in the Chicago Area Waterway System nine miles from Lake pledged to help cover a portion of does, such as western Lake Erie, the the costs of the Brandon Road proj- impacts to drinking water, the local Michigan. ect. Typically, federal projects re- economy and recreation opportuni- quire a non-federal funding match ties are severe. Western Lake Erie is species continue to spread, new spe- not turn up additional Asian carp and Illinois has indicated an unwill- plagued each year by massive harm- cies are discovered, and new threats north of the electric barrier ap- ingness to serve as this match. ful algae blooms. These can turn linger at the edges of the basin. peared to be met by the State of Illi- The partnership shows that some toxic and affect drinking water. For Consequently, invasive species pres- nois and the Trump Administration jurisdictions in the region are will- instance, in 2014 the residents of To- ent a serious challenge to all five with a collective yawn,” said Bram- ing to commit resources to ensure ledo, Ohio were without safe drink- Great Lakes.” meier. “However, we are not as re- that the Brandon Road study is ing water flowing from their taps for lieved. The finding of an adult complete. Additionally, this com- more than two days due to toxic al- mitment gives the states and prov- Current Administration Asian carp north of the electric bar- gae in the city’s water supply. With- rier should be a wake-up call. De- ince an important seat at the table out urgent action by Ohio, Michigan Proposed Funding Plans spite clear evidence that the electric to represent the region, and re- and Ontario, the problem may con- Impact on the Great Lakes barrier is not a foolproof solution, moves one of the final barriers on tinue to worsen. The White House’s proposed agencies have done little to imple- the Brandon Road Lock & Dam Nutrient pollution is just one of budget released on February 12, ment best practices to reduce risk. project. many issues effecting the health of 2017 recommended significant cuts Studies have shown that barges can “Conservation organizations and the Great Lakes. The joint US EPA to the Great Lakes Restoration Ini- pull fish through the barrier, in- interested individuals will be impor- and Environment Canada study is a tiative (GLRI)—from $300 million creasing risk.” tant in ensuring the U.S. Army helpful resource for more detail on annually to $30 million—and in- Corps of Engineers moves beyond the threats to each lake. cluded major cuts to EPA and other just study and into actual construc- agencies that protect the Great Brandon Road Study tion of control measures at the Climate change impact on Lakes. However, it is important to The U.S. Army Corp of Engi- Brandon Road facility,” said Bram- the Great Lakes remember that while the Adminis- neers released its “Brandon Road meier. “You can sign up for our Study” last August, thanks to public email list to receive action alerts on There are a variety of projected tration proposes a budget, Congress ultimately holds the purse strings. pressure from members of Con- this and other Great Lakes issues. impacts on the Great Lakes, all of gress and thousands of Great Lakes https://greatlakes.org/subscribe/” which are interconnected and com- And, the outcry from many Great Lakes legislators of both parties was residents. The recommendations in- plex. To name a few: shorter, more clude actions supporting additional intense storm events that increase swift with vows to restore full fund- the amount of runoff into the lakes; ing for the program as the budget Support Wisconsin TU and get less ice coverage and higher average winds through Congress. annual water temperatures leading “The GLRI supports efforts to your Wisconsin TU license plate to lower overall lake levels; in- clean up toxic pollution, restore fish now. Go to www.dot.state.wi.us/ and wildlife habitat, combat invasive creased algae blooms due to warmer drivers/vehicles/personal/ water temperatures; and habitat species like Asian carp, and prevent more hospitable to southern inva- polluted runoff from farms and cit- special/trout.htm sive species. ies,” said Brammeier. “And we feel “At the Alliance for the Great it is equally important to fully fund Lakes, we are focused on working agencies, such as the EPA, that play with local communities to help them a critical role in safeguarding our find and develop opportunities to be nation’s water resources. To success- more resilient to these climate-re- fully implement the Great Lakes lated challenges,” said Brammeier. Restoration Initiative, protect pub- “For instance, preserving and re- lic health, and keep our water clean, storing natural shorelines like sand the EPA must receive funding com- dunes and wetlands can absorb and mensurate with its critical responsi- buffer communities against storm bilities.” surges. And green infrastructure, al- so referred to as nature-based infra- Illinois asian carp structure, with less impervious discovery update surfaces can slow down and filter Last June, a live adult silver carp runoff from storm events.” was found just nine miles from Lake Michigan in the Chicago waterways. The fish was found north of the electric barriers, which is the last Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 30 Angling for Shenanigans!

“I fished all over the world with isn’t asked for. On the other hand, a my husband, but he passed away. I woman who knows a lot or “too don’t think I know enough to go on much” can be viewed as “too for- my own.” ward.” Many competent and confi- dent women “hold back” so as to “The boat is in the driveway. I’d not “stick out” in the community in like to go fishing but my partner is what is perceived as a negative way. working, and I don’t know how to All humans desire to be accepted back it up.” and acknowledged for our skills, but for women, the social construct of “Whenever I get together with the range of acceptable knowledge, certain friends, things get creatively actions and expressions has been fun, to the point that occasionally limited by unspoken social mores. the sheriff gets called.” All of this results in fewer experi- ences in life in which we are expand- “My friends and I support one ing our knowledge base and feeling another to the point of trying new confident and competent. things that we otherwise wouldn’t do alone.” What is the focus of Shenanigans? Having had the pleasure of creat- ing the Wisconsin Women’s Fly Shenanigansflyfishing.com is de- Fishing Clinics over the years, I have signed to empower women in all ar- heard these and many other aspects eas of life through adventure would be seeing giant frogs going af- youth and women, will support me of what holds women back from ad- activities.You will see the obvious ter musky flies or catching a bass in in this new endeavor by referring venturing. fly-fishing schools, guiding and fish- a trout stream. A Shenanigan is people, using my services and shar- I began to wonder, what are the ing, but also other skills women rarely planned, adds vitality to our ing a Shenanigan with me. things that hold women back? And want to learn, such as backing-up lives and always affords good stories Tina Murray what would be needed to restart boats, kayaking and caving. I love and fond memories. Shenanigans Fly Fishing their sense of adventure and play? taking people caving and I have op- I hope my fishing community, [email protected] My thoughts won’t resound 100 per- tions that meet every ability, so any- which has watched me donate shenanigansflyfishing.com cent for every woman or man or hu- one can do it. I will also create countless hours to make fly fishing www.facebook.com/shenani- man being, but hopefully, they will custom adventures for desired opportunities available for both gansflyfishing/ hit on some fraction of truth for ev- “bucket list” items. eryone, if they think about it for a Another important aspect that minute. Shenanigans will address is that women don’t typically travel alone. Attend Spring It simply isn’t safe. Having a travel What holds women back companion removes barriers and al- from doing the things they lows more freedom to travel to de- Hearings April 9 love? sired places more confidently, which Not having buddies who play at increases enjoyment. DNR spring wildlife & fisheries proposed rule changes pertaining to the same level, not having knowl- Connect me to women you know public hearing and annual Conserva- hunting, fishing and trapping, if sup- edge or experience, not having op- who are limiting themselves because tion Congress county meeting ported. After the DNR warden is portunities, not having people who they don’t have a travel companion. On Monday, April 9, there will be finished with the DNR advisory that while teaching them will catch For those who are unfamiliar with 72 public hearings, one in each coun- questions, the Conservation Con- them doing something “right” ver- travel logistics, I will also offer con- ty starting at 7 p.m., where individu- gress chair for the county will begin sus “wrong,” not feeling confident in cierge services. It could be scuba als interested in natural resources introducing the citizen resolutions. their abilities, not being competent diving in Honduras, fishing for strip- management have an opportunity to Any citizen can introduce an idea or to the point of independence. ers off the coast of Maine, or simply provide their input by non-binding concern, called a resolution, to the It all boils down to confidence or visiting a country on a bucket list. By vote and testimony to the Depart- audience. There is a sample resolu- competence. Not having one or both contacting me at shenani- ment of Natural Resources, Natural tion and guidelines located within has the power to stop any person, [email protected] with your de- Resources Board and the Conserva- your questionnaire. The resolution particularly women, from taking sired destination and dates, we can tion Congress on proposed rule should identify the problem or con- risks, learning new skill sets, and in work out a plan to make that trip a changes and advisory questions re- cern you would like addressed. If particular, from functioning outside reality. lating to fish and wildlife manage- you would like to introduce a resolu- our comfort zones. New under- And finally, Shenanigans will of- ment in Wisconsin. County residents tion, you may contact the DNR war- standing and opportunities to utilize fer communication services to other have the option to run for a seat on den or Conservation Congress our new skills lead us to successful small businesses who would like to the Conservation Congress and to delegate for guidance. experiences where we thrive, learn become more welcoming to women elect delegates from their county to You may vote on any of the local new things about our abilities and clients. Knowing the communica- represent their county views regard- resolutions introduced. After the cit- help us be better people for our- tion intricacies that women want to ing natural resources on the Conser- izen resolutions are complete, the selves, our people and in the world. see, and the information they want vation Congress. Also, individuals county chair will begin the Conser- It uncovers parts of us we buried be- to know before committing their have the opportunity to bring forth vation Congress advisory questions. cause life got demanding. It allows time and money, can put a business new conservation issues of a state- These advisory questions ask for us to reflect and grow. on the radar of women fly fishers, wide nature to the attention of the opinions and feedback, but do not who happen to be the fastest grow- Conservation Congress through the immediately result in changes to How does this look in real ing sector of anglers. Shenanigans citizen resolution process. laws. The votes tallied from these consulting will show small business- For information about the hear- advisory questions assist the Con- life? es how to decrease barriers for ings, including a list of locations, go gress and DNR in determining if Women rarely believe they know women clients, refine communica- to https://dnr.wi.gov/about/wcc/ these questions should be moved everything they need to know about tion styles and increase profitability. springhearing.html forward into the rulemaking process. anything, including things they are Connecting women to opportuni- Please arrive by 6:45 p.m. so you This year, the WCC will be asking experts on. This is why women often ties is important to me. Through our will have time to register and receive citizens for ideas and input relating hear from male counterparts that Wisconsin Women’s Fly Fishing your materials. During the Spring to the simplification of hunting, fish- they would teach a woman over a Clinics, we have made connections Hearings, county residents elect del- ing, and trapping rules and regula- man any day. Women listen. It is be- all over the world. With a little orga- egates to represent their county’s in- tions in a town-hall forum following cause we don’t already think we nizing, we can create a wide range of terests related to conservation the advisory questions. There will al- know the answer and are open to women’s activities, anywhere, for matters. so be a page in the back of your other opinions. any reason, building confidence and The first agenda item will be the questionnaire where you can write Women often believe that be- competence, expand our connec- election of delegates. Shortly after 7 comments or ideas for simplification cause they don’t know everything tions and have a lot of fun doing it. p.m. individuals who would like to be you’d like to propose. When the they think they should, they won’t she·nan·i·gans : silly or high-spir- delegates will introduce themselves. hearing is over, or when you decide be “good enough.” So why risk be- ited behavior; mischief. Shenani- If you are a resident, you will be in- to leave (you can fill out your ballot ing humiliated? Our actions are gans start out as ordinary activities structed where to record your vote and leave at any time) please turn in judged constantly from our very be- but then seem to incorporate unique and when. your completed ballot at the door. ginnings. What we know, how we characteristics, like taking a short- After the delegate election they Contact Kari Lee-Zimmermann say it and how we do it have been cut or meeting a new landowner or will start going through the ques- (608-266-0580) if you have ques- monitored and socially-manipulat- fishing past dark. Shenanigans have tions one at a time. tions, or if you would like to share ed to fit social constructs our whole us noticing things we otherwise A DNR warden will introduce the any observations, questions or con- lives, conditioning us to be wary be- wouldn’t, and revive senses that department advisory questions. cerns regarding your experience at fore trying something new. Advice have gone stagnant. Examples These changes could lead to future the hearings. for women is plentiful, even when it Spring 2018 Wisconsin Trout Page 31

FIXING ROADS, from page 12 on if others share your concerns lo- cally and to explore what they are native fish and other aquatic organ- doing to address the issue. Your lo- isms even during summer low flow cal DNR transportation liaison can periods. Dave Seibel, who has let you know who the key stakehold- worked in Langlande and Lincoln ers are in your area. They can pro- Counties for many years, was a vide insight into which munic- strong advocate for this project and ipalities are most engaged in fish- indicated that this site was the high- friendly culvert design and where est-priority road-stream barrier and there may be a need for additional the only aquatic connectivity barrier education and outreach. on the entire Hunting River system. Next, strive to identify and en- In 2006, the Town of Elcho and gage other potential partners. Re- DNR began working together to member this issue resonates with evaluate potential options at this those who are concerned about the high-priority crossing. The town’s health of our rivers, the integrity of patience as the project progressed our roads and resilience against over a decade was key to a successful floods. outcome. That patience provided Local engagement in your munic- the time needed to work with part- ipality about the importance of mak- ners that could assist with cost share ing improvements at problem sites is and the technical design necessary also helpful. Most public road to implementing a feasible plan. stream crossings in Wisconsin are on Langlade LCD and DATCP pro- town roads, followed by county high- vided the technical assistance need- ed to estimate flood flows and develop design plans. In addition to funding from a DNR River Protec- tion Grant and the LCD and DATCP water quality protection program, TU State Council and the Marinette, Wolf River, Antigo, Green Bay and Wild River chapters all pitched in to come up with the $115,000 necessary for design and construction costs on the project. In August 2017, crews installed the new Hunting River culvert, and the river response was immediate. The new 27-foot wide by almost 8- foot tall aluminum box culvert was designed based on river characteris- tics and modeled flood flows. After installation, the surface of the river upstream dropped 6-12 inches, which narrowed the channel and ex- posed many boulders and riffle habi- tat. In addition to the conditions observed adjacent to the road cross- ing, the APHIS beaver control ex- pert that works on the Hunting River reported that approximately 2.5 miles upstream, the water level dropped about 6 inches. The newly connected river has meant that trout are now being observed in upstream TROUT ALREADY USING UPSTREAM REACHES VIA NEW BOX CULVERT reaches for the first time. In August 2017, crews installed the new Hunting River culvert, and the river response was immediate. The new 27-foot wide by almost 8-foot tall aluminum box culvert was designed based on river characteristics and modeled flood flows. How can you support The newly connected river has meant that trout are now being observed in upstream reaches for the first time. connectivity and flood resiliency efforts? ways. Attending town board and replace all road stream crossings contributions of many stakeholders. This project succeeded because county highway department meet- that are serving as barriers to fish The authors would like to acknowl- of readers like you. There are a vari- ings and having informed dialogue passage or impacting instream habi- edge and thank TU members and ety of ways we can work together to with representatives is important. tat. Therefore, thoughtful planning TU Marinette, Wolf River, Antigo, support these efforts. Maintaining transportation infra- is imperative to ensure that highest- Green Bay and Wild River chapters, Aquatic connectivity and the re- structure is a challenging and often priority crossings receive a portion along with a great project team, in- siliency of road stream crossings is of thankless task. Many times, road de- of the limited funding. Often, the cluding Jeff Mckinney of the Town concern to many beyond TU. Suc- partments only hear complaints and first step is to inventory and assess of Elcho, Molly McKay from Lan- cessful local projects include a myri- concerns about the road surface and road stream crossings within a wa- glade County LCD, Stacy Dehne of ad of partners, including other not what's underneath. Early warn- tershed. Trout Unlimited volun- DATCP, Dave Seibel from the organizations, like The Nature Con- ing is also important; it is difficult to teers and watershed organizations DNR, DNR River Protection grant servancy and local watershed put all the needed pieces into place have assisted with inventories. staff, Stibbe Excavating and Grad- groups, and representatives from when a road crossing is in dire need These efforts have directly led to the ing and Eric Strum of Contech En- agencies including DNR, U.S. For- of replacement. The earlier that allocation of state and federal fund- gineered Solutions. We encourage est Service, DATCP, Natural Re- sites are identified, the better. ing to projects. readers to build partnerships like sources Conservation Service and Unfortunately, limited funding Collaboration is key to successful the ones that supported the Hunting the Fish and Wildlife Service. and limited access to engineering . The Hunting River project would River project, collaborating to help It is important to determine early services mean that it isn’t possible to not have been possible without the fix roads to fix Wisconsin rivers. WITU invited to join the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame Foundation I was thrilled when we received a their watersheds. Also, by contribu- WCHF has inducted 91 conserva- This year’s inductees include Roy letter from Wisconsin Conservation tions of TU leaders already induct- tion leaders during its annual spring and Charlotte Lukes, George Mey- Hall of Fame (WCHF) inviting Wis- ed in the WCHF. induction ceremonies. As an organi- er, and Arlie Schorger. The 34th consin TU to become an “Organiza- The WCHF Foundation was zational member in the WCHF, WI- Annual induction ceremony will be tional Member” of the WCHF formed in 1985 as a cooperative TU responsibilities included held Saturday, April 14, starting at 9 Foundation. venture of the 16 statewide conser- selecting a representative to serve a.m. at the Sentry Theatre at Sentry Periodically, WCHF invites vation organizations to promote the on the Board of Directors, partici- Headquarters in Stevens Point Wis- statewide conservation organiza- “Conservation Idea” by recognizing pate in the WCHF induction selec- consin. There is a luncheon is $25 tions to better the diversity and suc- individuals who have contributed tion process and ceremony, and by per person and you can register on cess of conservation efforts in significantly to the advancement of paying an annual due. Linn Beck is line at http:/bit.ly/WCHF2018Regis Wisconsin. Wisconsin TU was se- conservation and the nation. Over going to be our representative on tration or you can call 715-346-4992. lected because of our success in con- the past 33 years, the WCHF has the Board of Directors, who will Please come out to support the serving, protecting and restoring grown to 31 Organizational Voting have an additional set of responsi- WCHF. Wisconsin’s coldwater fisheries and Members. During this time, the bilities. —Linn Beck, Council Chair Page 32 Wisconsin Trout Spring 2018

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