We're Back!

And we have a lot of great news!

First off, a little note from Michael Kuhr - our Project Healing Waters Program Lead:

Project Healing Waters programs in the Upper Midwest have a new and improved website to help promote our programs. I will be keeping the WI Calender and the Milwaukee Photo Albums up to date on the site (I just added new photos from our recent Salmon Fishing Outing).

Check It Out: www.phwmw.org

I've been out to a PHW outing and have to say it is immensely rewarding. If you have an interest in helping some of our Nation's Veterans take on fly fishing, definitely contact Michael. I am not sure if there are any more trips planned for the winter months, but there are definitely fly tying classes. Check out the website above for dates/times.

There is also a Chapter Meeting Nov 16th (not the standard 4th Tuesday due to holiday/hunting) at 6pm, with the presentations starting 7:15ish. Make the trip to Thunder Bay Grille (N14w24130 Tower Place, in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Immediately behind the Mobile station, just north of County Highway J's intersection with I-94). We'll kick off this month's meeting with Captain Pat Elhers, owner of The Fly Fishers in Greenfield WI, speaking on the topic of "How To Become a Better Predator." This will be my first time attending a presentation by Pat Elhers, but I have heard they are top notch. I am looking forward to this for sure!

One last note: this meeting will be the last one at which you can order SEWTU gear and get it BEFORE the upcoming December Holidays. If you are interested, be sure to bring your checkbook. Jim Wierzba will be on hand to take orders. Click HERE to check out the goods

If you haven't been to a SEWTU meeting lately, come on out and catch up with everyone. If you want to see what SEWTU does for our local fisheries and are looking to join, come on out. We would be happy to have you!

Cheers,

Josh

Scuppernong River Workday and Healing Waters Outing

As part of our ongoing work in the Southern District of the Kettle Moraine, on Saturday, August 28, 2010, the Southeast Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited (SEWTU) will construct LUNKER structures with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Gary Borger Trout Unlimited, and Oakbrook Trout Unlimited, at the Southern District of the Kettle Moraine Fisheries Building. The wood is ordered and paid for, and we will definitely be constructing fish structures.

These structures will be full sized, and will be used as part of an exciting new project being commenced by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Specifically, this project involves approximately 2 miles of the Scuppernong River being moved from it’s current, unnatural ditch, and being replaced into its natural stream bed. Using aerial photography, and confirming inspections, the DNR has actually located the original stream bed of the Scuppernong River, and we’ll be helping to move the river back where it belongs.

These structures will be used to stabilize the newly restored stream channel’s banks, and to provide trout cover from overhead predation.

We’ll also have additional crews removing invasive in-stream vegetation, gathering native prairie seeds, and one elite crew will even perform beaver dam removal.

This will be one heck of a workday, and one that you won’t want to miss. We’ll meet up at the DNR Fisheries Building, and the workday will begin at 9:00 a.m. sharp.

To get to the location, take Highway 59 west out of Eagle, WI, until you see the DNR sign on the south side of the road. Turn by the sign, and follow the road back, across the train tracks, to the fisheries building (take the first right turn when you cross the tracks). A map to the location is available under the "Calendar of Events" at www.sewtu.org.

As always, we’ll work for ½ day, and end with a lunch provided by Gary Borger TU at noon.

Volunteers should bring eye protection, gloves, and if you’d like to work in the water please bring waders or a change of clothing.

PLEASE RSVP to Henry Koltz at hek@sdelaw.com, or by phone at 414-258-4300 (please RSVP, as we need to calculate food preparation!)

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Project Healing Waters Milwaukee will be holding our 5th fishing outing of 2010 on Monday, August 30 from 8:30 til 1:00. We will be fishing for bass and bluegills in the pond at Cabela's in Richfield. We'll probably be doing a little shopping as well. I'm looking for about 10-12 fly fishing mentors to help coach the veterans through a morning of fly fishing. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please let me know via email or phone. Thanks again and I hope all is well.

Mike Kuhr
Southeast Wisconsin Trout Unlimited

Project Healing Waters
Milwaukee Program Lead
(414) 588-4281

Project Healing Waters, 2010

Michael Kuhr's notes from the most recent PHW outing:

Project Healing Waters Milwaukee holds its fourth Fishing Outing of 2010 Veterans participating in the Project Healing Waters Program in Milwaukee enjoyed a day of fly fishing on Monday, July 26. The event was held at the Wern Valley Sportsmen’s Club, located just west of Waukesha. Eight veterans were partnered up with volunteers from SEWTU. The volunteers served as fly-fishing mentors for the veterans, who are learning the skills of fly fishing as part of their recreational therapy at the VA Medical Center in Milwaukee. The ponds at Wern Valley are home to many bass and bluegill, and veterans wasted no time in hooking several nice big bluegills early. Just as the anticipation began to swell, a yellow popper was cast out over the weeds into the pond. Two strips of the line and an explosion of water later, hoots and hollers began echoing across the small pond. “Get the camera” cried one of the vets. “We’ve got a real nice bass here” shouted one of the mentors. A few photos were snapped of the smiling vet and her 17-18” largemouth bass before it was quickly released back into the water. Many more bass and bluegill were caught throughout the day although a few managed to get off in the weeds. Wern Valley is quickly becoming a favorite fishing spot among the veterans. This is already our third trip since the program started holding outings in 2009. The ponds are well kept, easily accessible, and filled with hungry fish. Summer weed growth and bright sunshine provide a bit of a challenge as well. Thanks again to all those at Wern Valley for allowing us to access their ponds. As always, a picnic style lunch was provided by the VA staff who accompanied the veterans. Previous outings took place in April at Greenfield Park, in May at Wern Valley, and in June at Menomonee Park. Future outings are being planned for Monday, August 30 and date TBD in September.

Thank you to all of the mentors for volunteering their time, equipment, knowledge, and patience. Project Healing Waters would also like to thank the supporters who have made generous donations towards the program. This would not be the success that it is without the contributions of these folks. SEWTU will continue “healing those who serve” through the implementation of the Project Healing Waters Program in Milwaukee.

Here are some great photos of PHW in action:

For more information, please contact Mike Kuhr by email (mikek.trout@yahoo.com) or phone (414) 588-4281.

Hello SEWTU Readers!

We just had another great Project Healing Waters outing. SEWTU's very own Mike Kuhr heads this program, and shared this write up with us. Thanks Mike and all volunteers who gave some of their time to assist our veterans in a great day of fishing! And an even bigger thanks to all veterans for your service!

Project Healing Waters Milwaukee Holds its Third Fishing Outing of 2010

Veterans participating in the Project Healing Waters Program in Milwaukee enjoyed a morning of fly fishing on Monday, June 28. The event took place at the old Lannon Quarry in Menomonee Park, located in Waukesha County. Eleven veterans were partnered up with volunteers from SEWTU. The volunteers served as fly-fishing mentors for the veterans, who are learning the skills of fly fishing as part of their recreational therapy. The lake in Menomonee Park is home to many bass and bluegill, as well as rainbow trout which are stocked every spring by the DNR. The vets and their mentors quickly spread out around the lake and began casting their streamers, wet flies, terrestrials, and nymphs. Bright sunshine pushed the rainbow trout down too deep for flies, so all attention turned to the bluegills and bass lurking in the weeds. A stiff wind made casting difficult and many were forced to brush up on their roll casting skills. Numerous little bass and bluegill were caught and released but the larger bass evaded the participants. Maybe the bass were burned out from the seemingly endless wave of storms that have hit Southeast Wisconsin lately. The camaraderie between the participants and volunteers continues to develop. Awkward introductions are giving way to the “how are you doing” and “good to see you again” greetings of old fishing buddies. As always, a picnic style lunch was provided by the VA staff who accompanied the veterans. Previous outings took place in April at Greenfield Park and in May at Wern Valley Sportsmen’s Club. Future outings are being planned for July 26 and August 30. Thank you to all of the mentors for volunteering their time, equipment, knowledge, and patience. Project Healing Waters would also like to thank the supporters who have made generous donations towards the program. This would not be the success that it is without the contributions of these folks. SEWTU will continue “healing those who serve” through the implementation of the Project Healing Waters Program in Milwaukee. For more information, please contact Mike Kuhr by email (mikek.trout@yahoo.com) or phone (414) 588-4281.

also in SEWTU news:

The summer 2010 edition of "TROUT" magazine, the Journal of Coldwater Fisheries Conservation, featured our very own President, Henry Koltz. Grab a copy (or join TU and receive this awesome mag - see www.tu.org) and check it out. Pretty cool! Congrats Henry - and if you want to come out and see Henry and other TU members in action, check out the www.sewtu.org calendar for upcoming work days. Right now, the next planned work day is July 10th at Paradise Springs in the Southern Kettle Unit.

Help us restore some of Southeast Wisconsin's streams, grab a brat, and throw some lines with us!

Event Update!

Hey all

From 6pm-8pm on June 17 (this Thursday), you will be able to find SEWTU representatives bumping elbows with the fine staff at the new Orvis Milwaukee store. Orvis CEO Perk Perkins will be there, as well as Woodford Reserve who will have free tastings of their small-batch Kentucky bourbon. Some if you haven't been to the new ORvis store, this is a great reason to come out! If you want to learn more about SEWTU's presence and programs in South Eastern Wisconsin's trout streams, lakes, and other initiatives - stop by and talk to us.

And 5% of all proceeds will benefit South Eastern Wisconsin Trout Unlimited. How great is that?

Hope to see you there!

Orvis Milwaukee is located at Bayshore Town Center -

585 W. Glen Bay Avenue Space N108, Glendale, WI 53217

414-963-8709

SEWTU will hold its annual ALL CHAPTER FISHING OUTING at the West Fork Sportsman Club grounds locted in Avalanche, WI on June 18, 19, 20. This looks to bea really great event, so be sure to check the www.sewtu.org Calendar here for all pertinent info. Be sure to note that this event is 100% BYO Everything - food, beverages, tent, sleeping gear, etc.
First thing in the morning on June 19th will have some instruction available for novice anglers covering the prevailing techniques in SE Wisconsin, as well as a generic course on reading water. If you plan on making this trip, please RSVP to Henry Koltz at hek@sdlaw.com or by phone at 414. 258. 4300

Look forward to seeing folks out there!

SEWTU All- Chapter Meeting - May 25th, 2010

Hey all,

My apologies for not getting this month's meeting info up sooner. I blame getting skunked this past weekend (I never knew trout could laugh...). Without further ado, here's the latest on this month's meeting, Tuesday May 25th:

SEWTU's May Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 25, 2010. 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). Dinner starts at 6:00ish, and our meeting begins thereafter, at 7:15-7:30ish.

May's meeting will be something completely new. We're going to give members a chance to get up and talk about great trips that they've been on. Anyone tech savvy enough to create either a slide show, or a power point presentation is urged to do so. Presentations should be only about 10-15 minutes long (no need to go crazy), and should simply be about where you went, how you got there, travel tips, fishing tips, and the fish you caught (or didn't!). This is intended to be light hearted and vaguely informative (no need to give away holes or rivers, though). If you are interested in carving out 10 minutes, please contact Henry Koltz at hek@sdelaw.com. Secondly, we'll have another gear-exchange, sale, swap meet event. Bring you used equipment, and see if someone else can make it "new to them," and put it to use!

We encourage all SEWTU members to show up, and anyone interesting in learning more about SEWTU and what we do - stop on by!

See you Tuesday!