BrookieFebruary 2019

Fond du LacGreen LakeMarquetteWaushara

Winnebago

CWTU

Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited

By President Laura TuckerStreaming from the Pine

TroutFest Saturday, Feb. 23, 20199:00 am - 4:00 pm Fin ‘N’ Feather22 W. Main St., Winneconne

Board Meeting & Program: Fly Fishing forSteelhead Fishing by: Jeff TreuTuesday, March 12 , 20196:15 - Board Meeting 7:15 - ProgramFin ‘N’ Feather22 W. Main St., Winneconne

Board Meeting & Program: WI Hatches - The Bugs & the Flies to Imitate Them by: Tom LagerTuesday, April 9, 20196:15 - Board Meeting 7:15 - ProgramFin ‘N’ Feather22 W. Main St., Winneconne

Board Meeting & Program: Bob Hunt ScienceProgram “A Nightwith Linn Beck” Interviewer: John GremmerTuesday, May 14, 20196:15 - Board Meeting 7:15 - ProgramFin ‘N’ Feather22 W. Main St., Winneconne

UPCOMINGEVENTS As I write this, the river is almost frozen over. Saw an otter on

the ice and an ermine today and yesterday an eagle �ew along the river. What sights you see in the winter when there is little foliage. Each season brings new �ndings.

It is also the season for Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited’s annual TroutFest. �e event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Fin ‘N’ Feather, 22 W. Main St., Winneconne. It is free and open to the public. �e TroutFest team has prepared a number of angling presentations, adult and youth �y tying demonstrations, informational booths and vendors, and much more.

“TroutFest o�ers something for everyone, whether you’re just getting started �y tying or you’re an experienced angler looking to deepen your knowledge base,” says Wayne Parmley, event co-chair. “With our ra�es and used gear sale, it’s also a great opportunity to round out your supplies and just spend time with like-minded folks equally excited for the upcoming �shing season.”

New and used gear neededfor prizes and sale.

(Consignment arrangements welcome)please contact Ira Giese at:

iragiese@gmail.com

TroutFest19

CWTU has a new Facebook page. The previous page was tied to a private account and the new one will be easier to maintain. Please visit https://www.facebook.com/CentralWisconsinTU and "like" it. You'll get current news events posted in your feed regularly. Please feel free to share posts to the page as well!

March 12th Program:Fly Fishing for Steelhead Fishing by: Jeff Treu

At TroutFest19, Je� will also be putting on a presentation on the basics of spey �shing. Je� has a lot of experience to share on this old but also new technique of 2-handed �y �shing. And also watch for his upcoming article in the next Brookie, “A New Season . . .Wisconsin Tributary Waters.”

In January, Jim Bartlet gave a great program on Spring Creeks Trout Secrets of the Dri�less Area.We learned many interesting details about his “moving �y” techniques.

�e beginner �y tying school is 11 students strong. �e teacher to student ratio is 1:2 with plenty of time to get questions answered and to practice. All supplies are included. �e class, which is organized by Dave and Grace Pable, is a no-stress way to learn, meet people and have some fun.

�e Masters Fly Tying program was held in January. Tom Meyers coordinated the program which was full once again. A good time was had by all. Dave Ehrenberg is making the �y tying display boards.

CWTU is in the beginning stages of creating a calendar to be used as a fundraiser/giveaway. We will need photos represent-ing all 12 months and every season. �ose who submit photos will be entered into a gi� card drawing to Tight Lines Fly Shop. Show your creativity and submit your photos to John Gremmer at Jgremmer@charter.net. Keep in mind that images will need to have a high resolution and a minimum size of 8"x10" at 300 dpi.

David Pable talking about all the various �y tying tools and their basic uses in this year’s beginning �y tying course.

The Tiger Tale

Programs12 Facets of Spring Ponds (Time: 9:30 am) – Wayne Parmley

Morning Afternoon

Wayne Parmley explores an often-overlooked trout habitat that offers season long fishing opportunities and more. Wayne will touch on a wide range of aspects about spring ponds from the more than 20 years he has been visiting them.

Spey Fishing Basics (Time: 10:30 am) – Jeff Treu

Jeff Treu discusses the two-handed spey rod, its application and all that is related to this traditional yet new era of spey fly fishing including the new trout/mi-cro spey movement. Jeff is an avid fly fisherman for 45+ years, the last 15 of which he has spent learning about all things related to spey fishing.

Double Your Catch with Double the Flies? (Time: 10:00 am) – Ira Giese

A lifelong fly fisherman, Ira Giese will discuss the many advantages of using multiple flies, and how to cast and rig those flies without getting tangles.

20 Reasons to Attend CWTU’s Dan Harmon III Fly Fishing School (Time: 11:00 am) – John Gremmer

Although there are more than 20 total, John Gremmer highlights the top reasons to attend this highly successful fly fishing school. John has been teaching fly fishing and fly tying for 20 years and is a member of the Dan Harmon III Fly Fishing School sta�. Brochures about the camp with registration materials will be available.

Bug Hints to Improve Trout Fishing (Time: 1:00 pm) – Tom Lager

Tom Lager offers a few observations that may help fishers sharpen their game or at least increase their appreciation for the bugs of our region. Tom has had a lifelong interest in bugs, starting with observing caddisflies and mayflies in a stream that flowed through the family farm in northern Minnesota. He holds a Master’s Degree in Aquatic Ecology and worked with the Minnesota DNR and consulted for the pulp and paper industry.

Exploring Chilean Patagonia(Time: 1:30 pm) – Kyle Zempel

Kyle Zempel of Black Earth Angling Co. will share his story of angling big brown trout in the Patagonia region with a photo-heavy presentation. Kyle guides full time for Driftless trout and the diverse warm water opportunities of the Wisconsin River. Kyle has become well known for his guide work on the Wisconsin River, specifically “The Crash,” and his work with a camera in the field as a fly fishing photographer. His photo work has appeared in The Flyfish Journal, Eastern Fly Fishing, The Drake, aTight-loop.com, Midcurrent.com & Hatch.com.

Fly Fishing in Fernie, British Columbia (Time: 2:00 pm) – Tom Meyer

Tom Meyer discusses how to fish for wild, native west slope cutthroats in one of the most beautiful pristine areas of the world. A lifetime trout fisherman, he has fished rivers and streams all around the country but counts the Elk River in Fernie, B.C. as one of his all-time favorites. In addition to talking about native cutthroat, he will also share travel info and local customs and legends learned along the way.

All About Hexagenia Limbata (Time: 2:30 pm) – John Gremmer

John Gremmer will present a program on understanding and fishing the Hex hatch in central Wisconsin. The program will include information on the Hex’s life cycle, times to fish the hatch, flies to use, and equipment needed. The program includes many of the photographs that John has taken during the Hex hatch. Gremmer is a past CWTU President and has been a fly fishing and fly tying instructor for the last 20 years.

While gathering photos to use in the program “�e Founders and Legends of CWTU,” I started to notice that many of the guys were wearing cowboy-type hats with sheepskin bands hooked with numerous �ies.

�at reminded me of my dad’s straw �shing hat that I still treasure and have hanging in my bunkhouse, a room attached to my garage that I call the “Dry Fly Clubhouse.” (I call it that because I have a sign hanging there which says, you guessed it, “Dry Fly Clubhouse.”)

I eventually asked Doc Poullette about those hats. He said that on one of the early western �shing trips, the guys decided that it would be fun if they all bought cowboy hats. �e practical reasons were to keep the sun and mosquitos o� their heads, show o� and dry their �ies, but another was because they were out west and it’s cool to wear a cowboy hat. �ey went to one of the local western wear stores and each bought a hat.

Doc says he made the mistake of buying a white hat and a�er a couple of years the hat showed a lot of dirt and grime. Not only was it full of dirt from touching it with �shy hands and sweat, but also from dozens of mosquito repellant treatments. He went back to the store on a later trip and bought a brown one.

By Tom MeyerHATS

“. . . because, hey they’re out west and it’s cool to wear a cowboy hat.”

�at night they were sitting around the camp�re with a bottle of Jack Daniels, discussing the day of �shing, their favorite holes, the one that got away and the one that didn’t. He got the idea to burn his old white hat in the �re as sort of a ritual. He said a few profound words and threw it in the �re and it ignited with a �ash that was surprising and stunned everyone nearby.

It seems that a Stetson hat with layer upon layer of mosquito repellant becomes quite �ammable.

The story behind the founders and legends’ cowboy hats

Get to Know CWTU Members

CWTU Board of DirectorsPresident: Laura Tucker, 920-622-5401Vice President: Stan Cichowski, 708-362-9001 Secretary: Wayne Parmley, 920-540-2315Treasurer: Joe Peikert, 920-779-5270 Past President: Mike San Dretto, 920-722-8478

Jeff Treu, 920-410-1250Dennis Drazkowski, 262-409-0558 Jack Talin, 920-420-0577John Tucker, 920-475-2271Bob Haase, 920-922-8003Scott Bahn, 920-886-9651

Steve Fisher, 920-921-7336Bob Jozwowski, 920-765-1887 Dan Harmon III, 920-235-1761David Pable, 920-233-2939Two Seats Open

To get conservation events listed or to submit articles please contact: Wayne Parmley at wparmley@gmail or call 920-540-2315

Bob Jozwowski

How long have you been a TU member? 12 years. I started membership with SEWTU in Milwaukee and transferred to CWTU after retirement when we moved up to Mt. Morris full time.

Are you a chapter board member and/or officer?I have been a board member for the last 5 years and coordinator for CWTU River Keepers since 2014. I am also our chapter’s financial reviewer.

What drew you to joining TU? I took the CWTU Fly Fishing Course in 1998 and fell in love with the sport. Joining TU was a no brainer.

Favorite lure or fly? I have had the most luck with Russ Bouck’s Green Soft Hackle, a Pink Squirrel, and a Wooly Bugger in the fall. I tie the last two patterns myself but I usually sneak a few soft hackles out of Russ’s box at TroutFest when he’s not looking.

Favorite place to fish? I know the streams in Waushara County are tough to fish, but who cares? I love the streams here and have no desire to fish anywhere else.

Most enjoyable TU activity to attend or participate in? I love WAV stream monitoring. I also get a lot of satisfaction participating in work days and seeing the results of our efforts.

Where do you call home? I’m from Milwaukee. My wife Deb is from Ohio. This makes for interesting family dynamics during the Badger/Buckeye football games.

Other activities you enjoy? Golf. I’ll play as long as they have the pins in the ground. I also play pickleball in the winter to stay active.

Who are the people close to you, family? Deb and I have 2 grown sons and 4 wonderful grandchildren.

Recent book read or favorite? History. I couldn’t stand the subject in school. Now I can’t get enough of it.

Most Proud? I am extremely proud to be the recipient of the Brookie Award at the 2018 banquet.

Gary Herlache

How long have you been a TU member? I joined CWTU in 2000, one of the best moves I made in my life!

Are you a chapter board member and/or officer?I served on the board for about 13 yearsuntil needing to step down for family health concerns.

What drew you to joining TU? Taking John Gremmer’s first fly tying, fly fishing class got me hooked (yes, I said that on purpose), I upped my fly fishing skills and the love for fly fishinggrew rapidly.

First fishing catch and/or memory? In my youth, my dad would take my brothers and myself brook trout fishing in Oconto County. I loved fishing for brookies and still consider them the prettiest of the various species I now chase after.

Favorite lure or fly? I have done so well using the Purple Haze, size 18, over the past few years so, that is my current favorite.

Favorite fish species to chase? I find rainbows to be the most exciting trout to chase after. The excitement after hookup is just exhilarating! Browns during the hex hatch has to be a close second.

Favorite place to fish? No second thoughts here, the North Branch of the Tongue River near Burgess Junction, Wyoming! Been there past 13 of 14 years and will be there again this year!

Dream trip? Start on the North Branch of the Tongue, then off to the Bighorn using the Kayak, and finishing with chasing rainbows on the Missouri near Craig Montana!

Most enjoyable TU activity to attend or participate in? I have always enjoyed helping with the stream restoration efforts, so informative and you feel good about what you have done. There are still a number of streams I worked on more than I fished! Need to correct that!

Where do you call home? I live on 20 acres near Winneconne, enjoy the deer, turkeys, and the smaller critters chasing around the property.

Do you have a pet, if so name and what? Falon is my cat, 18 pounds of a feisty little friend that still wants to play at 14 years of age.

Other activities you enjoy? I enjoy pan fishing, bow deer hunting (bagged a 216 Lb 8 pointer this past season!), gun hunting small game and deer hunting. Looking forward to extending my big hunting to out west this fall.

Who are the people close to you, family? My wife of 40 years now suffers from Alzheimers but, is still close in my heart, my son Jon is a video game designer in California and my daughter Dr. Anne resides in Washington DC.

Recent book read or favorite? Two actually I just completed: TheSouth’s Best Butts (a book on Barbeque) and Grandma’s GermanCookbook (trying to get back to my roots!)

Favorite movie? The Star Trek movies are on the top of my list!

Favorite food? Lasagna, to me, is the perfect food and combination of flavors.

A hidden talent you have? If I had to, I could probably build a house from scratch, including plumbing, electrical, and masonry work. Although, I hate plumbing, but I have done a lot of it.

Guilty pleasure? I like a good smooth whiskey on the rocks!

Conserving, Protecting and Restoring Coldwater Fisheries

Special thanks to our supporters.

CWTU Board of Directors Minutes 1-8-2019Meeting Location: Fin ‘N’ Feather, Winneconne, Wis.

President Laura Tucker called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.

Minutes of 12/11/2018 Board Meeting: The minutes were reviewed and approved.

Treasurer’s Report: Joe Peikert reported on the monthly activity and balances. An independent review of CWTU finances was conducted by Bob Jozwowski. His findings reported were a match to the current treasurer’s report. Treasurer’s report was approved.

Old Business:

TroutFest Committee Report: Wayne Parmley reported all was on track, promotions plan, posters, vendors, tiers, etc.We still are looking for new and used items for prizes and the rummage/consignment sale, so contact Ira Giese. Several fly rods and reels were donated by Russ Bouck.

Beginning Fly Tying Class Update: Dave Pable reported that the first class Monday and there were 10 students with 1 more starting the second class. Dave and Grace thanked Jim Murphy, John Gremmer, Dave Johnson and Wayne Parmley for assisting as teachers.

Masters Fly Tying Class Update: Tom Meyer reported that the class was full, as executed and things were all ready for Thursday’s kickoff.

Project Funding Committee Report: Committee Chair Stan Cichowiski didn’t have anything new to report. But due to the upcoming Central Region Planning Meeting on Jan. 12 the board discussed the DNR’s request for funds 2019. The need is for a new chipper ($15,000) and a 3 person crew for May-Sept. to work on the Mecan, West Branch of the White and a bit more on the Pine ($31,000). The costs histori-cally are shared with all the area chapters (which make up TU-CARES). Last year we contributed $6,500. A motion was made to contribute up to $10,000 if needed, based on what all the other chapters were willing to give. Motion was approved. A second item was also requested by the DNR to do some work on Bird Creek in Watoma, mainly planting trees. John Tucker and Stan Cichowiski were going to talk to Shawn Sullivan to get a better understanding of the project. The board felt that this project was more suited to be financially supported from a different or more specific CWTU fund.

Dan Harmon III Fly Fishing School: Jeff Treu reported things are in place. Wayne Parmley handed out brochures and noted new graphics were coming for our table top display in time to be used at Cabin Fever Day and TroutFest19. Press releases will be going out in Jan/Feb. as well as an ad in the current issue of Wisconsin Trout.

Membership Report: Mike SanDretto reported that our chapter has 345 adult members and 5 youth members. For 2018 we had 32 new members and 4 transfers from other chapters. Overall we have gained more members than lost over the past few years, which results in about a 5% increase. The board also decided to approve the purchase of 24 more CWTU hats.

New Business:

State Banquet Tickets: Laura Tucker had tickets for sale for the State TU Banquet on Feb. 2, 2019, at the Best Western Convention Center Oshkosh. Several tickets were sold.

River Keepers Update: Bob Jozwowski reported he met with Dave Bottla, stream biologist in Oshkosh on December 12th along with Frank Druecke and Ilana Haines (DNR-WAV Program Coordinator). There are 9 new monitoring sites targeted for 2019. There will be a booth at both Cabin Fever Day and TroutFest. Waushara County (western): Mecan River (hwy GG) & Little Pine (Czech Ave.)Waushara County (central): Pine River (Poi Sippi), Willow Creek (hwy G - Wild Rose) & Carpenter Creek (cth NN - Pine River) Marquette County: Cave Creek (5th Ave.), Chaffee Creek (11th/Z) & Klawitter Creek (cth J)Portage County: Radley Creek (hwy ZZ/Dalton)

Workday Info Board for TroutFest: Dennis Drazkowski will be gone during TroutFest and is asking for someone to help set it up at TroutFest as well as be available if needed to answer any questions. This has been passed onto the TroutFest committee.

Board and officers: A nomination for a new board member was made for Mike Salas. Mike has offered to put together a fly tying and brewery event. The board voted yes on welcoming him to the board. Note we still have 1 spot open on the board. With Stan Cichowiski moving from vice president to president in March, Wayne Parmley will then take on the vice president role as well as remaining secretary.

CWTU Banquet 2019: Saturday, October 26 is the 2019 banquet date.

Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. - Recorded by Wayne Parmley