Project Healing Waters Milwaukee holds its second successful Fishing Outing

Bluegill fishing puts veterans’ skills to the test.

Milwaukee, WI - Veterans participating in the Project Healing Waters Program in Milwaukee enjoyed a morning of fly fishing on Thursday, October 1. The event took place at the Wern Valley Sportsmen’s Club, located in Waukesha County. Eight veterans were partnered up with volunteers from the Southeastern Wisconsin and Aldo Leopold Chapters of Trout Unlimited. The volunteers served as fly-fishing mentors for the veterans, who are learning the skills of fly fishing as part of their recreational therapy.

Wern Valley is the setting of several spring fed ponds which hold good numbers of bluegill and bass. The vets and their mentors soon spread out around two of the ponds and began casting beetles, wet flies, and nymphs. Fishing was slow for the first hour with a several hits and a few small bluegills landed. With a warm front forecast to roll in later in the afternoon, hopes remained high that the fishing would turn on. It wasn’t like someone flipped a switch, but as time went on more and more bluegills were being caught. It’s possible to attribute this to the rise in temperature but more likely due to the fact that the vets were putting it all together. With confidence building, casts became longer. Red turned out to be the hot color, making fly selection easier. Anglers were setting the hook just at the right time, resulting in more hook ups.

A strong camaraderie has developed between the participants in the program and the volunteers. Everyone cheers for the others around them, creating a great support network. A picnic style lunch was provided shore side by VA staff who accompanied the veterans. Many took a quick break to eat and tell some stories, then head right back out to the ponds to get a little more fishing in. No one caught any of the large bass that are said to be lurking in the ponds but a fair number of bluegills were caught. As rods were being packed up, one of the vets asked “can we do this on the ice?” Several volunteers replied “you could but you’d need to get a lot better at casting to get the fly through a hole in the ice!” All shared a good laugh and started thinking of the next trip.

Project Healing Waters would like to thank the Wern Valley Sportsmen’s Club for providing access to the ponds for the participants in this program. Thank you to all of the mentors for volunteering their time, equipment, knowledge, and patience. The program would not be the success that it is without the efforts of these volunteers. SEWTU will continue “healing those who serve” through the implementation of the Project Healing Waters Program in Milwaukee.

Upcoming September Events

Van Slyke Creek Workday, in Fontana, WI

WhenSaturday, Sep 19, 2009

Where300 S Main St, Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, Walworth, Wisconsin 53125 (map)

DescriptionOn Satuday, Septemeber 19, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, SEWTU will once again join forces with the Blackhawk and Gary Borger Chapters of TU to complete our work at Van Slyke Creek. As most know, Van Slyke Creek is a coldwater stream located in Fonatana, Wisconsin, which runs in to Geneva Lake. This stream is within SEWTU's Chapter area, and one of our rare coldwater gems. Last summer, we aided the Village of Fontana, and leader Wes Milner and Jill Wegner in restoring a huge stretch of river -- removing impoundment, obstructions, downed timber, encroaching vegetation -- which ultimately led to the replacement of a culvert that had been an absolute barrier to fish passage. This year, we'll complete our work, and work downstream, through the Abbey Resort, which has generously agreed to partner with us on this project. Workers should bring adequate eye protection, hats, protective clothing to guard against scratches, etc., and hand tools sufficient to cut and remove encroaching vegetation. Waders are encouraged. We'll park in the gradeschool parking lot, off of Spring Street, and shuttle to the worksite (at the Abbey Resort, across Highway 67). We'll start at 9:00 a.m. and work for one-half day, as always, and finish with a free lunch. This is a wonderful chance to help the resource, partner with some incredible chapters, and continue the work that we started last summer. Let's keep it going! Volunteers are asked to RSVP to Henry Koltz at hek@sdelaw.com, or by calling 414-258-4300.

September All Chapter Meeting

WhenTuesday, Sep 22, 2009

WhereN14w24130 Tower Pl, Pewaukee, WI‎ (map)

DescriptionSeptember will mark the return of SEWTU's regular monthly meetings, after our summer break. Our meetings are at the Thunder Bay Grille, which is located at N14w24130 Tower Place, in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. (Immediatley behind the Mobile station, just north of County Highway J's intersection with I-94). Members gather at 6:00 for dinner and refreshments, and our meeting and speaker start at 7:30 p.m. There are raffles, great stories, and a slew of b.s. fishing stories and jokes. It's a great time, so stop on out and have fun with the gang.‎

Project Healing Waters Milwaukee holds its first Fishing Outing

Milwaukee, WI - Veterans participating in the Project Healing Waters Program in Milwaukee enjoyed a morning of fly fishing on Thursday, August 20. The event took place at the newly renovated Lakeshore State Park, located east of the Summerfest grounds on Milwaukee’s lakefront. Ten veterans were partnered up with volunteers from the Southeast Wisconsin and Aldo Leopold Chapters of Trout Unlimited. The volunteers served as fly-fishing mentors for the veterans, many of whom had never fly-fished before.

Inclement weather created a hectic start to the day. Morning rain showers sent everyone scurrying for raingear before anyone had a chance to make a cast. The veterans quickly adjusted and were soon casting crayfish and streamer patterns into the lagoon with the hopes of enticing a largemouth bass, carp, brown or rainbow trout. Then the weather changed in typical Wisconsin fashion. An hour after heading out to fish in steady rains, winds shifted and the skies cleared in a matter of minutes. The bright sunshine quickly dried out the wet raingear but blue skies seemed to push the fish deeper into the water column, just out of reach of the fly lines.

Despite the lack of fish activity, all of the veterans had an enjoyable experience. Many had a chance to see the flies that they had tied just weeks earlier in the water on the end of their lines. Lunch was provided after the event by VA staff who accompanied the veterans. A high level of camaraderie quickly developed between veterans and mentors. Many are already talking of the “next time we go fishing”. The veterans were appreciative of the efforts made by the mentors. Likewise, mentors from Trout Unlimited came away humbled by the opportunity to give back to those who have served our Country. While the volunteer efforts may seem trivial when compared to the sacrifices made by these men and women, they know that nothing else provides healing quite like time on the water.

Project Healing Waters would like to thank all of the mentors for volunteering their time, equipment, knowledge, and patience. The program would not be the success that it is without the efforts of these volunteers. SEWTU will continue “healing those who serve” through the implementation of the Project Healing Waters Program in Milwaukee. For more information about this program, please contact Mike Kuhr by email (mikek.trout@yahoo.com)

Scuppernong Work Day - 8.29.09

THIS SATURDAY, August 29, 2009, SEWTU will return to Scuppernong Creek, in order to build another 50 or so mini-LUNKER structures, along with the Gary Borger Chapter of Trout Unlimited, out of Illinois.

As most know, we've worked on a tremendous number of projects with the Gary Borger Chapter, including a large ongoing project at Scuppernong Creek. In July, along with GBTU and the WDNR, SEWTU helped install 57 structures.

On August 29, we'll build another set of structures, so that they can be installed this year, and complete this project.

To get to the service center, get to Eagle, WI. Take Highway 59 west out of Eagle, towards Palmyra. The service center is a few miles outside of town, on the south side of Highway 59. There is a large DNR sign, and Henry's Jeep (it's Silver now, not white!) will likely be at the entrance, waiving you in.

We'll work from 9:00 a.m. until noonish (when we should be done with the structures), and conclude with a free lunch. Come one, come all!

Please visit our website at www.sewtu.org for more details and to contact us.

Tight lines and screaming reels!

Project Healing Waters Summer Update

PRESS RELEASE: July 9, 2009

Project Healing Waters making a difference at the V.A.

Fly tying classes and fly casting instructions aid veterans’ recovery.

Milwaukee, WI - The Project Healing Waters Program has been showing positive results this summer. Al Dalphonso, Glen Winston, and Royce Dam continue to provide excellent tying instructions to participants during the Thursday morning classes. Royce has been kind enough to donate several of his tying books and his series of DVD’s to the V.A. Now participants can check out the material and learn tying skills outside of the scheduled class hours. Due to increased demand, we’ve started another tying class Thursday afternoons. This tying class is lead by Zoan Kulinski and Mike Kuhr.

On Thursday, July 9^th, Pat Ehlers of the Fly-Fishers Fly Shop came to the V.A. and led fly casting instructions for both the morning and afternoon classes. The weather rewarded the efforts by providing plenty of sunshine and very little wind. More experienced anglers had the chance to tighten up their casting stroke, while many participants had the opportunity to cast a fly rod for the first time. Project Healing Waters would like to thank Pat for donating his time, knowledge, and equipment. His professionalism was on full display while working with individual participants and adjusting to their abilities.

SEWTU will continue to lead the fly tying instruction classes through the summer. A fishing outing is being planned for the participants in late August. This outing will provide participants an opportunity to put their newly acquired fly fishing skills to the test. SEWTU continues to “serve those who have served” through the implementation of the Project Healing Waters Program in Milwaukee.

Project Healing Waters Milwaukee is dependent on tax-deductible financial donations and the help of numerous volunteers to meet the educational, training, equipment, transportation, and outing needs of the participants. If you would like to contribute financially to this Project, please send a check made payable to “SEWTU” to “5590 S. 45th Street, Greenfield, WI 53220”. Please write “Project Healing Waters” on the description line. If you are interested in volunteering at the V.A. Hospital, please contact Mike Kuhr. Thank You.

Upcoming Events

Here are some upcoming events for SEWTU. Visit the chapter's main website for a full calendar or for contact info if you have any questions. Tight lines and screaming reels!

JUNE 27, 2009 - Saturday

Scuppernong River and Paradise Springs, 8am - 12noon

We’ll be helping out our good friends at Gary Borger TU, on one of their largest recent projects.

Volunteers should bring old waders to work in, sun screen, bug spray, gloves, eye protection, and tools appropriate for setting mini-LUNKER structures.

Volunteers are asked to RSVP to Henry Koltz, by e-mail at hek@sdelaw.co

AUGUST 15, 2009 - Saturday

Project RED (Riverine Early Detectors) Training at the Wauwatosa Library, 9am - 1pm

Learn about invasive species that threaten our waterways and learn what you can do to detect, properly identify and report invasive species before they spread and overtake our precious resources.

SEWTU launches Wisconsin’s first Project Healing Waters Program

Project Healing Waters Kick-Off Meeting a Success

Milwaukee, WI -   SEWTU formally launched the Project Healing Waters Milwaukee Program with a Kick-Off Meeting yesterday at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center.  Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty military personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education.  SEWTU has partnered with PHWFF in an effort to provide this service to veterans in Milwaukee.  SEWTU volunteers, working with hospital staff, will donate their time to teach the various skills involved in the sport of fly fishing to Project participants.

            The Kick-Off Meeting served as a forum to present the Program to interested veterans and V.A. staff.  Mike Kuhr gave a presentation outlining the history of Project Healing Waters, the benefits of fly-fishing, and the future of the Program in Milwaukee.  Volunteers Glen Winston, Al Dalphonso, Joe Valkoun, and Zoan Kulinski demonstrated fly tying techniques and answered questions related to the art of fly tying.  Volunteers Todd Durian, John Knitter, and Ray Weiss were on hand to demonstrate fly casting.  For many of the interested participants, this was their first exposure to the sport of fly fishing.  Many left with a new fly in their pocket after having made their first cast with a fly rod!

The Project Healing Waters Program in Milwaukee will build on the momentum created by volunteers Glen, Al, Joe, and others who have been teaching fly tying at the V.A. for the last 2 years.  Their heroic efforts have laid the groundwork for the future success of Project Healing Waters in Milwaukee.  They have developed a relationship with several veterans at the V.A. and have earned the respect of hospital staff.  SEWTU would like to thank Pat Ehlers, owner of The Fly Fishers Fly Shop, for his continued support of these efforts to teach fly tying at the V.A. Medical Center.  SEWTU will continue to “serve those who have served” with the introduction of Project Healing Waters Program.  For more information about this program, please contact Mike Kuhr by email (mikek.trout@yahoo.com) or phone (414) 588-4281.       

Project Healing Waters Milwaukee is dependent on tax-deductible financial donations and the help of numerous volunteers to meet the educational, training, equipment, transportation, and outing needs of the participants.  If you would like to contribute to this Project, please send a check made payable to “SEWTU” to “5590 S. 45th Street, Greenfield, WI  53220”.  Please write “Project Healing Waters” on the description line.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Mike Kuhr.