February - Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Newscasts
February 2015 Serving the Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Tenkara! Member survey!
Chapter Elections in April
Our February 10 Chapter Meeting
You talents and knowledge can make a difference
Tenkara is a simple style of fly fishing that is steadily
gaining popularity with American anglers. Unlike more
familiar fly fishing equipment, Tenkara rods are longer
and do not use reels to manage line. Instead, the line
is attached directly to the tip of the rod, which allows
for precise casting and drifts that are virtually drag
free.
The annual spring elections offer an opportunity for
Chapter members to serve on the Executive Board.
Are you willing to step up and lend your talents and
experience?
Officers and the State Delegate to the Wisconsin
Council of Trout Unlimited serve a one year term with a
six year term limit. Also each year, three Directors are
elected to serve a two year term. SWTU members
further the Chapter mission in many ways and have
made us one of the most active Chapters in the
Midwest.
While originally
developed in Japan by
commercial fishermen for
trout fishing on high
gradient mountain
streams, it is easily
adapted to a wide variety
of species and
environments. Tenkara is
exceptionally well suited to fishing Driftless streams,
and is also a great tool for catching bass and panfish.
A key to our continuing success is the regular change
of leadership and the willingness of members to bring
new ideas and enthusiasm to the Executive Board. If
you are interested in serving in a position you need
only contact any officer or board member, which you
can find listed at the end of this newsletter. You can
also contact Mike Burda, who is chairing our 2015
Nominating Committee.
We will be hearing from the experts at Badger
Tenkara. Their presentation will examine the origins of
the style and discuss the unique characteristics of
Tenkara Equipment. They will detail rods, lines, and
flies that are commonly used by Tenkara anglers.
Additionally, they will discuss how and why Tenkara is
an extremely personalized style, and how that
translates into a great fishing experience!
All names are forwarded to the Nominating Committee,
which assembles a slate of candidates for the April
chapter meeting (April 14, this year). If there is no
contest for a slot, the person is typically approved on a
voice vote. If a slot is contested, the election is
conducted via secret written ballot. In addition,
nominations may be made from the floor.
We’re listening
We will also spend some time on a very high level
overview of our recent member survey. What did we
learn, what are we doing with your input and what
needs further exploring? (See the President’s column
on page 3 for more on this.)
Check out the Leadership section of www.swtu.org for
specific details on election procedures and the
expectations for each position.
Read on for:
As usual, the meeting is upstairs at the Coliseum Bar
and Grill on East Olin Avenue at 7 p.m. but please join
us earlier for dinner and a few stories.
- Many great events and opportunities
- A peek at the recent member survey
You Must Be Present to Win
- A rewind of a most impressive Icebreaker
Nobody won at our January meeting, so the drawing
has grown from $60 to $80. Please join us at our
February 10 Chapter meeting for a chance to win a
$80 gift certificate to Fontana Sports Specialties. You
need only be present (and able to discern the calling
of your name) to win.
- Rusty gets all casual
- Two upcoming fly fishing events you won’t
want to miss!
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Welcome New Members
Free One-Year Memberships for Veterans
We’re pleased to announce the addition of the
following new members to our ranks.
National Trout Unlimited will pick up the membership
dues of any veteran who is involved in our veterans
program. If this is you – or you are a veteran and would
like to help with our veteran initiatives – please contact
Mike Burda.
Timothy Scott
Trevor Bellrichard
Megan Donovan
Mark Brunsell
Eric Holen
Benjamin Mezick
Ted Messerly
Richard Schlecht
Judy Borree
Jacqueline Van Dyke
Gary Bauer
Jennifer Frisinger
Christopher Brand
The Meicher Madness Auction
Register Now for the 2015 Women’s
Flyfishing Clinics
Plan ahead for our March 10 meeting You’ll want to be
there to bid, of course, but remember that we also
need items for the auction. Gear, books, flies, boots,
waders, vests, artwork, services and more! If it’s
remotely related to our sport and the outdoors,
somebody will buy it! Just bring it
along that night and we’ll find
somebody to bid. This is our
second-biggest fundraiser, so
mark it off on your calendar and
we’ll see you there!
Visit the Women’s Flyfishing
Clinic section of SWTU.ORG
to learn more and register.
What’s happening with the mudsnails?
We are honored to have you among us. Please join us
for a Chapter meeting, and we will give you FREE
raffle tickets, flies and “an offer you can’t refuse” from
some of our most experienced fisher-folk! Try to get
there at 6 p.m. for dinner and to sit with one of our
board members to learn more about us. If you will be
attending your first meeting, please contact Amy
Klusmeier so we can expect you.
The Wisconsin DNR, River
Alliance of Wisconsin,
University of Wisconsin
Extension, and Dane County
will host the second New
Zealand Mudsnail Community
Meeting at the Cross Plains
Library Monday, February 23rd
at 6:30pm. (note correction)
There are also fliers available to review, post or
share [pdf and jpg].
The Trout Bums need your questions!
Send your troutish questions to Tristan Kloss at
[email protected], and we’ll try to get it answered
in an upcoming segment of The Trout Bums Q&A.
Lend a hand at the Fishing Expo!
New Zealand mudsnails (NZMS) were discovered in
Black Earth Creek in October, 2013. This meeting will
highlight the monitoring and prevention work that has
been done since the last stakeholder meeting in 2014.
Learn about streamside clean angling tools and the
results of cutting edge environmental DNA monitoring
throughout the Driftless Area. For more information,
contact Laura at the River Alliance
at [email protected].
The Madison Fishing Expo is February 27-March1,
and we need volunteers to fill volunteer shifts at the
SWTU booth and 5-6 slots to sell tickets. The Fishing
Expo is an important way for us to “meet” new
members and also generates grants, including one we
are using to build handicap fishing piers on Black
Earth Creek! Mark Rhinerson will have volunteer
signup sheets at the chapter meeting and also can be
contacted at 333-4853 with questions.
Check out Southern Wisconsin Trout
Unlimited on Facebook to connect to
activities, discussions and friends. (You
should be able to view the page without a
Facebook account.)
2
We took a survey and it was THIIIIIIIIS big
Matt Krueger, SWTU President
We trout enthusiasts don't often think of ourselves as number crunchers. Even as
we roughly approximate 1/3 of a particular hook size to determine the right tippet
thickness. Or compare how today's United States Geological Survey "real time"
flow data of our favorite stream matches up with previous trips. Or use the latest
fisheries data to translate fish-per-mile estimates into percent chances for
success on our next fishing outing (the odds never seem to work out for me on
this one). Or even as we approach the stream, we subconsciously—and very
roughly—calculate the angle of a trout's "cone of vision" based on the depth of
the area we're about to fish…meaning, if we think the trout can see us, perhaps
we hunker down a bit.
So what exactly is this guy blathering on about, you may wonder? Numbercrunching! I thought that was clear.
In all honesty, though, the particular numbers I've been crunching lately are from
the SWTU membership survey from a couple months ago that circulated as part
of the SWTU board's strategic planning efforts. In analyzing these survey
responses, I thought some particular numbers are worth mentioning.
735 - number of SWTU members as of last month. 182 - total number of survey
respondents (25% of our membership—great response rate!). 90 - percentage of
male survey respondents (though anyone who’s been at recent meetings will tell
you our female ranks are growing). 70 - percentage of survey respondents over
50 years old.
Okay, those stats might not necessarily be earth-shattering, but there were
others of interest: 61 - percentage of survey respondents who are interested in
finding out more about SWTU volunteer opportunities; translation – we've got a
pretty engaged group! 37 - percentage of survey respondents who have been TU
members less than 5 years, versus 32% who have been longer than 11 years;
translation—there may be more fresh blood in our ranks than we think, and more
opportunities to engage newer members.
Beyond these, and all of the other numbers, we heard lots of good things from
you all, and, among other things, generally received affirmation that we’re mostly
doing things right. A few trends emerged which you’ll hear more about in the
coming months. You’ll also hear a brief summary of some of this data at our
February chapter meeting. But worry not—that's not all you'll hear about in
February, as Badger Tenkara will be there to talk about this unique style of trout
fishing they practice, which apparently has captured the interest of many
SWTUers, as evidenced by the nearly full raffle bucket at the Icebreaker for the
Tenkara rod donated by Badger Tenkara. (Thanks, guys!)
One last rhetorical anglers-as-mathematicians example in closing, that once and
for all illustrates that that we anglers are better at number crunching than we let
on or acknowledge. How many trout anglers that you know are really, really,
really good at adding (a couple inches to fish size estimates)? I’d venture to say
most of us…
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Lucky, lucky you!
Amazing Icebreaker /
Amazing Helpers
But weren’t there to get your prize …
•
•
•
A successful event takes a huge effort and we
are so thankful for all of the tremendous people
who give their time and talents to it. That
includes …
•
•
Registration:
John & Rose Schweiger
•
Raffle Tickets
Mike Grimes, Chuck Bayuk
•
•
Breakfast
John & Rose Schweiger, Keith Nelson
•
•
Lunch
Pat Hasburgh John Patterson, Jacob Gullick
•
Trout Fishing 101
Tom Thrall, Matt Krueger, Matt Sment
•
•
Stream Explorers
Tom Parker, Henry Cryns, Dan Jansen, Matt Sment,
Vincent Cryns
•
Tom Krauskopf – Net and net keeper
Bob Selk – John Gribb flies
Tom Burroughs – Brewers t-shirt, Simms hat,
Matt Kenseth autograph
Tom Krauskopf – Box o' flies
Harry Peterson – Simms neoprene socks and
hat
Jerry Gruszynski – Girdle Bugs tied by Henry
Haughley
Fritz Seybold – Jim Romberg guided trip for two
Dot Havens – Guided Trip for two anglers, Black
Earth Angling Company
Henry Cryns – "Charlie's Fly Box" book
Diane Barrett – "Field Guide to Wisconsin
Streams" book
Bob Ragotzkie – Midge Patterns from Andy
Davidson
David Flanders – Fly box w/8 bass poppers
Ihor Jakymec – Hand-tied flies w/box from Tom
Mulford
George Batcha – REI Festival Ice Box
Congrats!
Your Icebreaker prizes will be available for pickup at the
February 10 Chapter meeting. If you have questions,
please contact Tristan Kloss.
Bucket Raffle
Craig Amacker, Tristan Kloss, Carson Hinkley
Graphic Design
Pat Hasburgh
Activities Video
Sue Fey
Special Assistance
Amy Klusmeier
Fly Tying Demonstrations
Henry Haugley, Phil Anderson, Henry Nehls-Lowe,
John Gribb, Mark Rhinerson, Dave Fowler, Andy
Morton, Jim Bartelt, Rich Mlodzik, Scot Stewart,
Greg Vodak, Craig Amacker
Speaker Host
Craig Amacker
Aquatic Invertebrates
Mike Miller
Promega Coordinator
Stephanie Shea
Some key players in the big event!
From left to right: Jim Beecher (Icebreaker Chair), Matt
Krueger (SWTU President), Mike Lawson (main
speaker), Drew Kasel (MC), Amy Klusmeier (SWTU VP
and future Icebreaker Chair), Tristan Kloss (SWTU
Treasurer and Bucket Raffles), Craig Amacker (SWTU
Board, Speaker Host and Bucket Raffles).
Video Operator
Henry Nehls-Lowe
Our Conservation Partners
Many Unnamed Volunteers
4
Breaking the ice has never been so fun!
It was a wonderful day and we raised a lot of funds for our precious cold water
resource. Many thanks to Ric Genthe for providing some wonderful photos!
See more pictures in this
Facebook photo album!
5
Many thanks to the fine people and businesses below who donated items
for our Icebreaker auction! Your generosity helps make for a great event.
John Gribb
large assortment of
flies
basket with wine etc.
Nathan Register of
Blue Sky
JJ Stockard
12 furled leaders
terrestrial flies
Orvis
Silver Sonic waders
LeRoy Ebert
bluegill flies
Tristan Kloss
Orvis rod & reel, waders
Henry Haugley
hand colored
drawing, $100 and
many flies
lanyard
Tom Mulford
flies
Matt Sment of
Badger Tenkara
Milt Friend
Bad Axe tenkara rod
Todd Hanson
trout streams book
Dave Fowler
fiberglass fly rod
Ray Easley
painting
Bill Porter
Stained Glass Mayfly
Jordan Konisky
box of flies
Fiskars Americas
hedge trimmer and scissors
binocular, monocular
Chuck Bayuk
bird house
mug, flies,& glass
dome
book of Rusty Dunn
articles
Rack of ribs
Andy Davidson
24 midges
Hawkeye Chapter
TU
Dan Jansen
Guide to Steelhead Fishing
Jen Ripple of Fly
Squared Media
Marko Baxter of
Strike Foundry
Scot Stewart
Hot Guides Calendar
Kurt Osterby
4 books
Richard Petrak
fly rod, inflatable boat
John & Rose
Schweiger
Richard Mlodzik
Jim Bartelt of Spring
Creek Specialties
Steve Hanson of
Daniels Construction
Inc.
John Galligan
Paul Douglas of
Douglas Art & Frame
Ann Connor of
Driftless Studio
Drew Kasel
Pat Ehlers of The Fly
Fishers Shop
Terry Schamus of
Vortex Optics
William Flader
Jim Gentry and Phil
Anderson
Ben Lubchansky of
608 Community
Supported Kitchen
Kyle Zempel of Black
Earth Angling
Bill Hetzel of Bear
Valley Outdoor Inn
Fontana Sports
Jim Romberg guide
trip
set of books
bamboo fly rod
4 pieces of art, $86
value
turkey call
gift certificates, DVD
Guided trip
2 nite stay
Temple Fork fly rod
Ric Genthe
painting
REI
Festival ice box
2 $25 gift certificates
framed photograph
5 wt Redington rod kit
Coiled Sighter Strike
Indicators
#20 Black Beauties
A look at some of the items that were
auctioned off, including the coveted
bamboo rod (won by Greg Vodak!).
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rizes a lifetime of experiences. Rosborough's 25
"fuzzy nymphs" seem gangly and disheveled when
compared to their more manicured relatives, but his
patterns evolved as trout responded to them, not
because they fit the classic mold or pleased an opinionated angler's sense of design.
Fountains of Youth
Classic trout flies that have withstood the test of
time … flies that remain "forever young"
by Rusty Dunn
No author has ever captured the artistry and allure of
fishing with nymphs better than the most influential
nymph fisherman of all time, G.E.M. Skues:
What makes a nymph "fuzzy"? Rosborough was a
devotee of the "impressionistic" style of tying, in which
flies resemble classes of insects by their suggestive,
but not entirely imitative, profile. He also believed that
fly materials should be feathery soft, with loose hair
and fibers creating an indistinct silhouette. His flies
can look like skewered road kill, but put them in moving
water and they spring to life. The fibers pulse and
breath with every twist of current, yielding a "fuzzy"
haze that appears alive from any angle.
"The indications which tell your dry-fly angler
when to strike are clear and unmistakable, but
those which bid a wet-fly man raise his rod point
and draw in the steel are frequently so subtle, so
evanescent and impalpable to the senses, that
when the bending rod assures him that he has
divined aright, he feels an ecstasy as though he
had performed a miracle each time." --in Minor
Tactics of the Chalk Stream, 1910.
Rosborough's patterns are big, bushy, and durable.
His midge imitations were tied on #14 hooks, and his
nymph patterns on #4 to #12 2X- or 3X-long heavywire hooks. Copious amounts of waterproof cement
and at least five half-hitches went into every fly. You
may wear out your quarry, but you won’t wear out a
Polly Rosborough fly!
Many fly fishers spend their entire angling lives making presentations within an inch or two of the surface,
but dedicated nymph anglers regularly prowl the
murky depths where trout spend their leisure time. If
you’ve not probed the bottom of your favorite stream
in between hatches, it’s about time you performed a
few miracles yourself.
Many of Rosborough's fuzzy nymphs are keyed to
specific hatches, but the Muskrat Nymph, Fledermouse, and Casual Dress are generic wonders that
catch fish anytime, anywhere, from the chalk streams
of England to the turbulent coastal waters of Oregon.
The Casual Dress is an all purpose nymph for middepths and below. Rosborough describes it as "looking like a nice gob of food with the hazy outline of
several insects in various forms”. Being a nymph for
deeper water, weight added to the fly or leader helps
its presentation. Remember, the difference between a
good nymph and a great nymph is often a couple of
split shot.
Ernest "Polly" Rosborough (1902-1997) was one of
the finest nymph fishermen ever to grace the underside of a trout stream. He was a self-taught wizard of
fur and feather, one who developed effective flies from
scratch by trial and error. He tied flies, took them
fishing, altered their design, and took them fishing
again … over and over until satisfied. He was one of
the true fly tying innovators of his generation.
Rosborough spent a lifetime studying insects of his
home waters in southern Oregon, developing flies to
match those insects, and teaching others what he
learned. His book Tying and Fishing the Fuzzy
Nymphs (1965, and later expanded editions) summa-
Copyright 2015, Rusty Dunn
------------------------------------ Casual Dress -----------------------------------Spin a tight dubbing rope on thread and catch the
rope in a dubbing loop. Twist tightly and wrap the
body, which should show a distinct segmentation.
Then, roughen the surface to create a fuzzy haze.
All of Rosborough's nymphs have a prominent
"neck" behind the hook eye.
Hook: 2X-long nymph hook; #6-16
Thread: Black
Tail: Muskrat guard hairs mixed with a bit of
underfur
Body: Muskrat underfur, dubbed tightly and
then twisted in a dubbing loop
Collar: Muskrat fur
Head: Black ostrich herl
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Two GREAT
Troutish Events!
The Badger Fly Fishers will be
holding their “Spring 2015 Fly
Fishing Opener” on February 14
at the American Family
Insurance Training Center,
Building “A”, 6000 American
Parkway, Madison. (note this is a
new location for this event)
Craig Mathews – fisherman,
guide, tier and author from West
Yellowstone – will speak on:
•
•
•
Fishing Yellowstone
Hatches
Tenkara
Yellowstone!!
For more information, visit
http://badgerflyfishers.com.
See the flier at right for details on
a big event later this month in
Dubuque … just a short drive
away!
Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited Leadership:
President
Matt Krueger
(608) 852-3020
Vice President
Amy Klusmeier
Secretary
Tristan Kloss
Treasurer
Kurt Osterby
Past President
Steve Wald
(608) 318-1937
State Council Rep.
Christopher Long
Board Member
Mary Ann Doll
Board Member
Jim Hess
Board Member
Craig Amacker
Board Member
Topf Wells
Board Member
Patrick Hasburgh
Board Member
Michael J. Burda
Newscasts Editor
Drew Kasel
Conservation Committee Co-Chair Jim Hess
(608) 288-8662
Conservation Committee Co-Chair Dan Werner
Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited
P.O. Box 45555
Madison, WI 53744-5555
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