The Drift

Welcome to “The Drift”

Every month we’ll be posting current information as it relates to our chapter from a local, regional, and national perspective. If there are items that you would like discussed or particular questions relating to our chapter, please contact me.

Regards,

Tom Schnadt

President, Kiap-TU-Wish Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Stream Restoration

We may do as many as three projects this year. Rock is already being delivered to the Trudeau property on the Trimbelle, below our 2013 and 2014 work but above the blue “God Bless America” barn. Financing is not completely secured for the entire stretch down to the highway 65 bridge.

Tree cutting, brushing, and burning is nearly complete at the site on the upper Kinni. The location is due south of the Roberts exit from I 94 at the North River Road bridge.

Finally, planning has begun for a possible replacement of a perched culvert on a creek SW of Amery in Polk county.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Randy Arnold sends out notices via e-mail when work days are scheduled.  Only those who have indicated an interest are on the list…..so let him know if you wish to be added to the list.

Last meetings:  

44 people attended on Jan 7.55 attended on Feb 4 at Junior’s in the Best Western in River Falls. 42 attended on March 4.

Education and Outreach:

The “Trout in the Classroom” activity is well under way in North Hudson.The tank, temperature control equipment, etc have been purchased.  The fish eggs have hatched. The entire student body seems excited, not just the fifth graders.

Proposed Wisconsin DNR Rule Changes: 

Trout fishing rules may change. Marty Engel talked about proposals at the May meeting, and public meetings have been held.  The proposed changes may be considered to be in two categories: seasons and limits.

Seasons:  

Early catch-and-release in Wisconsin would start January 1 and extend to the regular season opener with no 5-day gap. The regular season would also extend until October 15. Limits: very little change would occur in our counties (Pierce, St Croix, and Polk), but there would be some changes on some streams. Some of these proposed changes would recognize that there has been little or no benefit in trying to protect brook trout over browns in this area. There will be voting at the conservation congress in the spring.It is important that TU members attend and vote to express their wishes.Past congresses have been dominated by people who are more interested in hunting than trout fishing, but vote on trout issues anyway.