posted May 9, 2013, 9:24 AM by Trout Unlimited
[
updated May 9, 2013, 9:25 AM
]
Join Us Saturday, June 1
Kiap-TU-Wish Fly Fishing Clinic Kinnickinnic River, Glen Park— River Falls
Registration deadline is May 24th.
Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited to Host Fly Fishing Clinic for Ages 12 and Up, on Wisconsin’s Free Fishing Day—Saturday, June 1.
Come out for a day of fun on the Kinnickinnic River! The Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be hosting a fly fishing clinic for individuals aged 12 and above at Glen Park, on the Kinnickinnic River in River Falls. No experience necessary!
Kiap-TU-Wish members will provide a loaner rod, reel, and line if requested. There will be ten or more people from TU to train and assist. There will be approximately 20 rods and equipment available. Participants should bring their own equipment if they have it. Bring along bug repellent, hat, jacket and raingear.
This event is sponsored by the Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited and The River Falls Park and Recreation Department. Hurry, registration is limited to the first 25 people! Registration deadline is May 24th.
Pre-register at the Parks and Recreation Department of River Falls (715-425-0924).
Or visit the River Falls Recreation Department website to register: http://www.rfcity.org/assets/pdfs/parks/Parks_ActivityGuide/2013ActivityGuide.pdf
River Falls Parks and Recreation
222 Lewis St. Suite #221, River Falls, WI 54022
715-425-0924 | www.rfcity.org
Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited Fly Fishing Clinic detail and agenda:
Date: Saturday, June 1 (Registration deadline is May 24th.)
Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Lunch: 12:00, provided by Subway with pop and water all paid for by TU
Agenda:
10:00-10:15 Basic fly fishing introduction
10:15-11:00 What trout eat: a brief course in entomology:
11:00-12:00 Rods, Rigging, and Flies
12:00-1:00 Lunch and mentoring discussions
1:00-1:30 Introduction to fly casting
1:30-2:30 One-on-one fly casting instruction
2:30- 4:00 Fishing for trout on the Kinnickinnic with mentoring
posted May 9, 2013, 9:03 AM by Trout Unlimited
[
updated May 9, 2013, 9:58 AM by Greg Meyer
]
The Next Big Thing is Warmwater Flies Fly Tying Instruction Laughing Trout Fly Fishing
Please join the Laughing Trout Fly Fishing Group this May, as we learn how to tie some of the best warm-water fly patterns. Laughing Trout is an informal group of fly tying and fly fishing enthusiasts.
We meet at 6:30 pm (or earlier) every Wednesday at the American Legion Post 118 in Wayzata. Come and join a bunch of trout guys and gals and see if we really can tie up some warm-water flies.
Wednesday May 1st: Wooly Bugger Wednesday May 8th: Whistlers Wednesday May 15th: Puglisi Style Baitfish Patterns Wednesday May 22nd: Clouser Minnows Wednesday May 29th: Foam Poppers
This is a great opportunity to learn some new fly patterns and tying techniques, beyond just trout flies. Everyone, from beginners to very experienced tiers, are more than welcome to join us.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
If you would like additional information, or would like to have a complete listing of the materials required to tie these fly’s please contact:
Paul Johnson
Email: Paulfromwaconia@yahoo.com
Cell Phone: 952-334-4688
posted Apr 18, 2013, 6:55 AM by Trout Unlimited
[
updated
]
!! REMINDER: RUSH RIVER CLEAN UP RESCHEDULED FOR THIS SATURDAY, MAY 25th!!
The Rush River Clean Up has been rescheduled for Saturday My 25th at the Ellsworth Rod & Gun Club. Please RSVP to Sarah by May 20th if you will be participating.
We Need Your Help. Volunteer Today!
TU
volunteers from Minnesota and Wisconsin will make their annual
pilgrimage to clean up cans, tires and other trash from the Rush River, a
well-known Driftless Area trout stream in southwest Wisconsin.
Organized by Sarah Sanford and the Eau Galle Rush River Sportsman’s Club
with plenty of TU manpower, the clean-up effort helps keep the river
pristine and enhances the relationship between anglers and land owners.
In
2010, over 210 volunteers gathered the mountain of garbage–1,300 pounds
of trash, 1,280 pounds of tires, 460 pounds of recyclables and 440
pounds of scrap metal–from the river, which is known for running through
towering limestone cliffs and wooded farmland valleys.
This year's Rush River Clean-up has been rescheduled for Saturday, May 25th. We
will be gathering at the Ellsworth Rod and Gun Club on Hwy 72. A
meeting time of 9:00 to kick off the day and get your assignments, head
out to the river for some picking up, then heading back to the club
for lunch and camaraderie, and the day's results.
This
is your chance to help clean-up effort helps keep the river pristine
and enhances the relationship between anglers and land owners. Folks
such as yourself, young and old, boys and girls, gather to take part in
cleaning up the river for a day. It's one small way to give back to
landowners and to the trout for all of the joy and pleasure we receive
by being lucky enough to fish on this outstanding resource.
To sign up please contact Sarah Sanford by May 20th at:
For an excellent video as shown on Ron Schara's Minnesota Bound, please click here>>
Ellsworth Rod & Gun Club
Ellsworth Rod & Gun Club
Sarah Sanford discusses the Rush RIver Clean-Up
The Rush Clean Up
began in 2005 during a conversation with Kevin Biegler, then TCTU's president.
We agreed that "somebody ought to do something" about the litter
along the Rush. It took me a couple of years to figure out who "somebody"
was. With help from Duke Welter, I asked Arby Linder of the Eau Galle Rush
River Sportsman's Club and Jack Hines of the Ellsworth Rod and Gun Club if
they'd like to be involved. Since then the clubs have been hosts and food
donors for each clean up. The next group I spoke with was the Laughing Trout
Flyfishing with whom I tie flies and tell lies in Wayzata, MN. They have filled
many roles at the clean up including cooking, cleaning and logistics and
funding.
At a Kiap-TU-Wish meeting
in the winter of 2005, I rose and with a shaking voice, asked if
members fished the Rush. Many said they did. Next, I asked if they could
walk at least a quarter of a mile. Most could. Then I laid out my idea.
If I could get 100 people to walk a quarter of a mile picking up trash,
we could cover the 25 miles of fishable river along the Rush and really
give back to the river, and to the landowners along the river for some
of the enjoyment of fishing there. That first year there were 88
volunteers. I had never so much as organized a brownie troop and there I
was with so many willing hands. I will always remember "The 88". I
think of them whenever I wonder what this world is coming to and
remember that there is plenty of good that people with a purpose can do.
“The experience of being on this team is immeasurable.”
--Sarah Sanford
The 2009 Rush Clean Up
saw over 200 helpers from as far away as Milwaukee and Rochester. They
represented women's groups, youth groups, 5 TU chapters, 4 sportsmen's clubs,
Rush landowners, and people who'd never fished before. Fairmount Minerals sent
a whopping group of helpers, over 50 strong. Each of the past 5 efforts have
featured the help of Pierce County Solid Waste and Recycling as well as the
county Highway Department, who have donated bags, collected and weighed the
tangible results of our work.
When Sarah is not planning
clean ups, she keeps busy as an acupuncturist and massage therapist in private practice in
Robbinsdale, MN where she lives with her husband and two cats (two 4-legged sources
of dubbing, as she should say).
The start of the 2009 "pile"
Gary Richardson photography
Danny Her, one of the over 200
volunteers that helped out in 2009.
King of the Kitchen Award
goes to Josh Nelson in 2009.
Sarah accepting the Dr. Tom Waters Stewardship award at The Great Waters Expo for organizing the Rush River Clean-up.
Please join us for our next chapter meeting on Wednesday, April 3rd.
Dinner starts at 6:00 (your cost) meeting promptly at 7:00.
Now in a smoke-free environment!
Dry Fly Dick Tying Event
Our April 3rd meeting will feature fly tying demonstrations in honor of past chapter member "Dry Fly" Dick Frantes. The styles of flies will run the gamut from various chapter members. We have an interesting and diverse group of tiers this year, ranging from youthful to, shall we say, "experienced."
We'll also find the time to swap a few stories about our man Dry Fly Dick Frantes, the man who originated and perpetuated this particular celebration of spring.
posted Mar 14, 2013, 9:41 AM by Greg Meyer
[
updated Mar 14, 2013, 9:49 AM
]
Top 8 Midwest Spring Creek Fly Patterns Fly Tying Instruction Laughing Trout Fly Fishing
Please join the Laughing Trout Fly Fishing group as we learn how to tie the top 8 Midwest Spring Creek Trout Fly Patterns. Laughing Trout is an informal group of fly tying and fly fishing enthusiasts. We meet at 6:30 pm every Wednesday at the American Legion Post 118 in Wayzata. We will spend each Wednesday night in March and April learning a different pattern. The patterns that have been selected, were done so with a beginner / intermediate fly tyer in mind. The patterns were also selected to assist those that may have limited access to the various fly tying materials that are available.
Wednesday March 6th: Pink Squirrel Wednesday March 13th: Pheasant Tail Nymph Wednesday March 20th: Hare’s Ear Nymph Wednesday March 27th: Scuds Wednesday April 3rd: Prince Nymph Wednesday April 10th: Elk Hair Caddis Wednesday April 17th: BWO Cripple Dun Wednesday April 24th: Parachute Adams
Everyone is welcome to attend.
If you would like additional information, or would like to have a complete listing of the materials required to tie these fly’s please contact:
Paul Johnson Email: Paulfromwaconia@yahoo.com Cell Phone: 952-334-4688
posted Mar 8, 2013, 7:05 AM by Greg Meyer
[
updated Mar 8, 2013, 7:22 AM
]
The Rush River Clean Up is set for April 20th, please come out on Earth Day to support this great fishery.
Ellsworth Rod & Gun Club 9:00 a.m. Please arrive early to get your assignments Lunch provided for folks that RSVP
We Need Your Help. Volunteer Today!
TU
volunteers from Minnesota and Wisconsin will make their annual
pilgrimage to clean up cans, tires and other trash from the Rush River, a
well-known Driftless Area trout stream in southwest Wisconsin.
Organized by Sarah Sanford and the Eau Galle Rush River Sportsman’s Club
with plenty of TU manpower, the clean-up effort helps keep the river
pristine and enhances the relationship between anglers and land owners.
In
2010, over 210 volunteers gathered the mountain of garbage–1,300 pounds
of trash, 1,280 pounds of tires, 460 pounds of recyclables and 440
pounds of scrap metal–from the river, which is known for running through
towering limestone cliffs and wooded farmland valleys.
This year's Rush River Clean-up will be held on April 20, 2013. We
will be gathering at the Ellsworth Rod and Gun Club on Hwy 72. A
meeting time of 9:00 to kick off the day and get your assignments, head
out to the river for some picking up, then heading back to the club
for lunch and camaraderie, and the day's results.
This
is your chance to help clean-up effort helps keep the river pristine
and enhances the relationship between anglers and land owners. Folks
such as yourself, young and old, boys and girls, gather to take part in
cleaning up the river for a day. It's one small way to give back to
landowners and to the trout for all of the joy and pleasure we receive
by being lucky enough to fish on this outstanding resource.
To sign up please contact Sarah Sanford by April 15th at:
For an excellent video as shown on Ron Schara's Minnesota Bound, please click here>>
Ellsworth Rod & Gun Club
Ellsworth Rod & Gun Club
Sarah Sanford discusses the Rush RIver Clean-Up
The Rush Clean Up
began in 2005 during a conversation with Kevin Biegler, then TCTU's president.
We agreed that "somebody ought to do something" about the litter
along the Rush. It took me a couple of years to figure out who "somebody"
was. With help from Duke Welter, I asked Arby Linder of the Eau Galle Rush
River Sportsman's Club and Jack Hines of the Ellsworth Rod and Gun Club if
they'd like to be involved. Since then the clubs have been hosts and food
donors for each clean up. The next group I spoke with was the Laughing Trout
Flyfishing with whom I tie flies and tell lies in Wayzata, MN. They have filled
many roles at the clean up including cooking, cleaning and logistics and
funding. At a Kiap-TU-Wish meeting
in the winter of 2005, I rose and with a shaking voice, asked if
members fished the Rush. Many said they did. Next, I asked if they could
walk at least a quarter of a mile. Most could. Then I laid out my idea.
If I could get 100 people to walk a quarter of a mile picking up trash,
we could cover the 25 miles of fishable river along the Rush and really
give back to the river, and to the landowners along the river for some
of the enjoyment of fishing there. That first year there were 88
volunteers. I had never so much as organized a brownie troop and there I
was with so many willing hands. I will always remember "The 88". I
think of them whenever I wonder what this world is coming to and
remember that there is plenty of good that people with a purpose can do.
“The experience of being on this team is immeasurable.”
--Sarah Sanford
The 2009 Rush Clean Up
saw over 200 helpers from as far away as Milwaukee and Rochester. They
represented women's groups, youth groups, 5 TU chapters, 4 sportsmen's clubs,
Rush landowners, and people who'd never fished before. Fairmount Minerals sent
a whopping group of helpers, over 50 strong. Each of the past 5 efforts have
featured the help of Pierce County Solid Waste and Recycling as well as the
county Highway Department, who have donated bags, collected and weighed the
tangible results of our work.
When Sarah is not planning
clean ups, she keeps busy as an acupuncturist and massage therapist in private practice in
Robbinsdale, MN where she lives with her husband and two cats (two 4-legged sources
of dubbing, as she should say).
The start of the 2009 "pile"
Gary Richardson photography
Danny Her, one of the over 200
volunteers that helped out in 2009.
King of the Kitchen Award
goes to Josh Nelson in 2009.
Sarah accepting the Dr. Tom Waters Stewardship award at The Great Waters Expo for organizing the Rush River Clean-up.
posted Feb 22, 2013, 4:22 PM by Greg Meyer
[
updated Feb 25, 2013, 7:29 PM
]
Chapter Meeting--Wednesday, March 6th
Annual Business Meeting
and
John Sours
WI DNR Trout Crew
All are welcome!
Please join us for our next chapter meeting on Wednesday, March 6th.
Bob Smiths' Sport's club, downtown Hudson.
Dinner starts at 6:00 (your cost) meeting promptly at 7:00.
Now in a smoke-free environment!
John Sours Wl Dept. Natural Resources Habitat Biologist
John
has been working with Kiap-TU-Wish for many years on our stream
restoration projects. John has worked with us on on Pine Creek, the
Trimbelle, Parker Creek and the Kinni to mention just a few.
Chapter News
From Our President:
Thank you Mike Kilgore for your presentation on fishing for brook trout on the Sutton River, it looked like a fantastic trip.
We
will be voting in new board members at the March business meeting as
well as hearing brief statements from the project leaders. We will then
receive a talk about future stream project work from our DNR habitat
manager, John Sours.
The chapter will once again host a booth at
the Great Waters Fly fishing Expo from March 22nd - 24th. If you would
like to volunteer at the booth, contact any board member.
State Banquet
Long
time Kiap member Kent Johnson was the recipient of the Jeff Carlson
award for outstanding contribution to conservation resources. Thanks for
all of your work Kent.
National Banquet
The
national banquet will be held in Madison this year September 20-22 and
the state council is looking for volunteers, mainly for folks to set up
auction items and collect money. If you are interested,please contact a
board member for more information.
Project Activity
Board
member and stream project coordinator Randy Arnold has been scheduling
days for brushing. Please check the web site for updates and watch for
emails.
Welcome new members:
Colton
Branville (Luck), Steve Healy (River Falls), Dan Milbrath (New
Richmond), Don Schuld (Stillwater) and Gregory Smith (River Falls)
Kyle Amundson
Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter President
CALL FOR ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING. March 6th, 2013:
1. Nominations for the board:
• Submitted nominees: Gary Horvath, Randy Arnold, Bob Trevis, John Kaplan and Greg Olson
2. Treasurer’s Financial Statement - Gary Horvath
3. Grant Status Statement - Greg Meyer
4. FlyFishing Clinic Update - Bob Diesch
5. Project Planning Committee Statement- Hans Jung
6. Spring Appeal - Greg Meyer
7. Winter Habitat Projects - Randy Arnold
8. Stream Project Discussion - John Sours
Kyle Amundson
Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter President
Rush River Clean-up slated for April 20th
Earth Day should be every day, but we've got a special event this April 20th. The 2013 Rush River Clean Up takes place that day, with sign in beginning at 9a.m.
Please mark this date on your calendar. There will be more information as the date approaches. Share this information with your clubs and groups, please.
Yes, we've made the leap into Social Media. For news and information that's is more current than the old snail mail, or a new way to interact with other TUers, please check out our new Kiap-TU-Wish Facebook site. We're still looking for a few folks to get involved and help maintain our presence. So if you are interested, please let us know.
We encourage you to interact with other Kiap and TU members by posting to our page.
And don't forget to like us!
The mining legislation, Assembly Bill 1 (AB1) and Senate Bill 1 (SB1), now being considered by the state legislature affects more than just the Penokee Hills in northern Wisconsin. This mining bill sets a precedent for allowing the destruction of lakes, streams, and wetlands on a scale that has never before occurred in Wisconsin. People who care about our waters and our outdoor heritage are letting their voices be heard on this statewide issue. We’re asking you to join that effort.
We were concerned enough about this issue that we asked for additional analysis of just how much alteration or destruction of waters the mining bill could actually allow. The answer, it turns out, is a lot. We’ve attached a sample map showing how much surface water could be effected under the bill in just one region of the state as well as a letter explaining Wisconsin’s long tradition of upholding our public trust in navigable waters and how this bill violates that tradition.
If, after reading this, you share our concerns we urge you to contact your own State Senator or Assembly Representative today. AB1/SB1 will be coming up for a vote soon and your voice can make a difference. If you do not know your legislator you can check here: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/Pages/waml.aspx
Thank you in advance for all your efforts to protect our Wisconsin waters.
Fred Clark Dana Wachs
State Representative State Representative
81st Assembly District 91st Assembly District
Wisconsin Trout Unlimited 736 Meadowbrook Ct. Green Bay, WI 54313
Position of Wisconsin Trout Unlimited
IN OPPOSITION OF SB 1, THE WISCONSIN ASSEMBLY IRON MINING BILL
January 20, 2013 Position Summary
On behalf of 4,500 Trout Unlimited members in the State of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Trout Unlimited would like to express our strong opposition to SB 1, the IRON MINING BILL. Wisconsin Trout Unlimited is a member of the Trout Unlimited national organization which represents 147,000 members in 50 states, including Wisconsin. The mission of Trout Unlimited is to protect, reconnect and restore America’s coldwater resources. This Bill would severely weaken current protections for the State’s trout streams, wetlands, and other coldwater related resources, and could easily lead to significant degradation and irreparable harm to these resources. The proposed exclusions from many of the State’s mining standards and regulations, making separate accommodations for ferrous mining activities, are unnecessary and ill-advised from an environmental and economic perspective. Statement of Opposition The proposed mining bill, SB 1, would effectively move the clock back for the regulated protection of environmental resources, clean water, and the rights of the citizens of Wisconsin. The mining bill would remove important environmental protections that the citizens of the State have relied on for many years.
The bill would result in waivers and exclusions that would only be available to the ferrous mining industry. The bill allows iron mining law to supersede all other environmental regulations, unlike current law which gives deference to existing environmental laws, and unlike laws all other industry is subject to.
Wetlands serve as a filter and cooling source for waters flowing into our highly sensitive trout streams through seeps and springs. The loss of wetlands near trout streams can easily lead to resource impairments such as lower flows and warmer water, and alter the ecosystem in these watersheds to an undesirable and unnatural condition. Many of these trout streams are currently classified as Exceptional and Outstanding Resource Waters as recognized under administrative rule which prevents these streams from being degraded. The bill would significantly weaken the current law requirements for mitigation, and then requires wetland fill permits to be issued as long as mitigation under those weakened laws is offered. Wetland mitigation would not even be required to occur in the same general area as the wetland being destroyed. In the process of allowing fill material disposal, the bill would allow mining corporations to dump toxic mine waste into sensitive wetlands and floodplains.
Considering the fact that sulfide-containing rock is fairly common to find in taconite ore formations, the waste disposal would lead to acidified runoff resulting in degraded stream quality and ecosystem damage. The bill clearly alters several provisions meant to protect our watersheds from this acid mine drainage. Specifically, the bill says the mining company no longer needs to provide information to the WI DNR on the nature and depth of waste rock when submitting a mining plan.
The bill effectively removes the opportunity for the public to participate in processes that directly influence the environment and quality of life they are accustomed to. This bill would remove the citizens’ right to file litigation for illegal environmental damages resulting from mining operations, even though citizens have undeniable legal standing under the Clean Water Act. All contested case hearings would be removed, which provide the only opportunity to challenge data and question mining officials on the record. There would only be a requirement for one public hearing for the entire mining project, current law requires a minimum of three. The bill caps the amount of money a mining company must pay the State for analyzing its permit, leaving the public to pay the remainder of the expenses involved. The bill also allows mining corporations to seek an end to their long-term responsibility for a mining site by cutting the length of time to one-half of that required by current law.
Solutions or Alternatives While we certainly recognize the need for raw materials, and jobs that support local economies, we disagree that the weakening of environmental requirements and regulations is the correct manner for cultivating these goals. Creation of jobs and extraction of raw materials are not mutually exclusive of having a clean, protected environment. Conclusion Wisconsin Trout Unlimited respectfully requests and urges opposition to the ill-advised bill SB 1, Iron Mining Bill in the interest of the citizens of Wisconsin and the continued protection of our natural resources.
posted Feb 3, 2013, 6:36 PM by Greg Meyer
[
updated Feb 7, 2013, 10:28 AM
]
February 2, 2013- Wausau,WI
Kiap-TU-Wish chapter member and Hudson resident Kent Johnson was recently awarded the Wisconsin Trout Unlimited "Jeffrey Carlson Volunteer Award" at the WITU state council banquet. This is the highest individual award that is given by WITU, to honor the most outstanding TU volunteer contributor in the state.
Johnson, an environmental scientist and a former Kiap-TU-Wish board member, has been instrumental in protection and monitoring of the Kinnickinnic River as well as numerous other cold water streams in western Wisconsin and the Midwest.
Chapter president Kyle Amundson added, "This is a seldom given award and it is a highly distinguishing award for members who have given of themselves for a lifetime of work. Kent’s work concerning monitoring on the Kinnickinnic proved to be the vanguard of public input to storm water management for municipalities. Thanks goes out to Kent for all of his hard work over the years."
Here is an excerpt from the WITU banquet program:
We don't give out the Jeffrey Carlson Volunteer Award every year, but this year the honor goes to Kent Johnson of the Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter. Jeff Carlson worked for many years on coaster brook trout restoration. This award recognizes someone who, like Jeff, has taken a leadership role on a major project that either improves an entire stream, reach, or watershed, or which has preserved or restored a species in a body of water.
We are recognizing Kent for his many years of work on behalf of the Kinnickinnic River in westem Wisconsin. As urban sprawl threatened the Kinni in the late 1980s, Kent helped set up monitoring stations on the river to gauge thermal impacts. He then monitored these stations ever since 1992. The data he collected led to storm water management reform around the river. It was Kent who led the effort to produce the chapter's award-winning video, Storm on the Horizon. That video outlined the threats to trout streams from urban development. The chapter's efforts and the data generated by Kent's efforts ultimately led the City of River Falls to adopt a ground-breaking storm water management ordinance.
Sometimes people love a river so much they just won't let threats to it get the upper hand. For being a champion of the Kinnickinnic River for over 20 years, this year's winner of the Jeffrey Carlson Volunteer Award goes to Kent Johnson.
Earth Day should be every day, but we've got a special event this April 20th. The 2013 Rush River Clean Up takes place that day, with sign in beginning at 9a.m.
