September 2017Central Wisconsin Trout UnlimitedConserving, Protecting and Restoring Coldwater Fisheries

2002 Wisconsin Trout StampBy Bill Millonig

The River Keepers continues to grow, coordinated by Bob Jozwowski. Volunteers are busy monitoring Wisconsin streams for water quality. The streams have been monitored monthly by crews from May through September each year and Bob has added 2 new teams to monitor Roy Creek and Spring Creek near Brillion. The River Keepers consists of 70 hardworking volunteers. The final meeting and appreciation banquet will be held Monday, Nov. 13, at the Fin & Feather, Winneconne. Great work, River Keepers with a coordinated effort!

Dennis Drazkowski is doing a fantastic job of organizing the CWTU work days, which are held monthly May through September. The last work day was held on Saturday, Sept. 16. Thirty one volunteers assisted the DNR fisheries unit constructing bank covers, log work and fishability, brushing and continuing the work on the Pine River. Once again there was great attendance. Many thanks to the Fox Valley chapter for their attendance and hard work. Dennis served a tasty lunch of pulled pork, fresh fruit salad and potato salad with cookies for dessert. Lots of fishing stories and ideas were exchanged.

Along those lines, Dennis always considers safety a priority. An additional five first aid kits have been purchased to be taken to the stream sites. These will hold basic supplies, water, fruit juice and glucose tablets. Information will be on every kit as to GPS site location should emergency services be needed. A contact number for the worksite coordinator is also on the emergency kit. Nice work, Dennis!

We had exceptional attendance at the Habitat Work Days this year this year. CWTU could not accomplish the work without the volunteer help. Thank you!

It is not too late to get your tickets for the Conservation Banquet Oct. 14, which is sponsored by CWTU.

The banquet will be held at the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel in Oshkosh and runs from 4:30 to 9: 30 p.m. Jerry Strom will be entertaining us on the piano.

Just a few of the raffle items include a signed and framed Jordy Nelson Packer Jersey, Russell moccasins, an upper end drone, a Go Pro camera, a convection counter top oven, fishing rods, a switch rod, art, a hot air balloon ride, log cabin weekend raffle, Montana guided fishing trips, a kayak and much more! Don’t miss it!

Streaming from the PineBy President Laura Tucker

UPCOMING EVENTS

CWTU 46TH CONSERVATION BANQUET Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel - Oshkosh

RIVER KEEPERS BANQUET Monday, Nov. 13, 2017Fin N Feather22 W Main St., Winneconne

CWTU BOARD MEETING STEELHEAD TELEMETRY REPORTBY ERIC WEGLEITNER Tuesday, Nov. 14, 20176:15 Board Meeting 7:15 ProgramFin N Feather22 W Main St., Winneconne

CWTU BOARD MEETING THE WHITE RIVER IN ARKANSASBY IRA GIESE Tuesday, Dec. 12, 20176:15 Board Meeting 7:15 ProgramFin N Feather22 W Main St., Winneconne

Workday volunteers in action.

Laura Tucker taking some time to fish while her husband John looks on,

maybe offering a tip or two.

Brookie News | Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited | Conserving, Protecting and Restoring Coldwater Fisheries

On the morning of July 15, the sun shone brightly, beautifully highlighting the natural wonders of central Wisconsin. My wife, Mary Jo, and I made our way on winding roads to our first TU workday of 2017, to be held on the Pine River, east of Wild Rose. Feelings of nostalgia arose as we approached the general vicinity of the place that first endeared Wisconsin to me in the late 1950s, Camp Shin-Go-Beek Boy Scout Camp. Turning at the TU sign, we passed through thick woods, and then, rounding the curve, we were shocked by the scene of a savanna-like area with trees sheared off 12 to 20 feet above ground. This scene would prove to be a harbinger of our task for the day.

After enjoying coffee, a donut and good conversation with friends old and new, we split into four groups. The group leaders were as follows: Supervisor Steve De Vitt, Kyle Kossel, Wes Robl and Doug Weber. Mary Jo and I joined the members of group four and headed to the river, charged with removing storm-toppled trees that were restricting stream flow and accumulating debris. Our task, at first, appeared daunting. A huge old oak had been uprooted by the June storms, its root ball standing 12-15 feet vertically, and its crown laying in and across the stream. We first tackled those branches on land. Wes displayed impressive chain saw skills limbing out the big oak, while we minions formed a branch brigade and moved cut pieces inland. Large logs, cut in the water, were utilized as erosion control. The logs were rolled up on the bank and held in place by stakes driven into the stream bottom. We didn’t take down the entire crown, but full flow was restored under the arching branches. Always ready to provide some levity, I fell in shoulder deep, filling one leg of my waders with startlingly cold water.

Working downstream, a similar plan was enacted on a few smaller trees. Satisfied with our work, we headed back for hot pork and beef sandwiches. Other groups reported similarly fine accomplishments, and lively conversations reinforced everything good about our organization. Twenty-one CWTU members were joined by 11 Fox Valley chapter members for the event. The DNR crew was great to work

Service Yields SatisfactionBy Bill Vance

with, demonstrating skill, patience and enthusiasm for the work, while Dennis Drazkowski’s organizational skills and friendly manner helped everything run smoothly.

Mary Jo and I left that day, feeling what I imagine most of the participants felt, namely a feeling of accomplishment, pride in our organization, satisfaction with a morning spent combining service and friendship and an eagerness to continue the good work.

So, on the morning of Aug. 19, we were on the road to the Pine River again. This workday began with a presentation on invasive species given by Amanda Perdzock, the DNR’s AIS program director. Greeted, informed and fed, we split into four groups again and headed for the river with our DNR leaders. On this trip, Mary Jo and I were part of a crew that worked on building a fish shelter out of logs that the DNR had cut last year. Pilings made from 6-8 inch diameter logs were already in place in pairs set at 4-foot intervals. Full cut 2x8’s and 10’s were measured and cut, then placed across each pair of pilings and nailed in place. These were the stringers. Six inch ring shank nails were used, and since the nailing was done under water, a clever but simple nailing device composed of a pipe barrel, a perpendicular rod handle and a

solid ramrod was supplied to each nailing duo. Once the stringers were in place, shore workers handed down more planks, which were measured and marked, under water, then cut and nailed over the stringers as the planking. Our morning speaker, Amanda, stuck around and assisted with the marking. By lunchtime, our crew had completed over 50 feet of the planned 85-foot-long shelter. Other crews continued clearing windfalls from the stream, and one crew constructed a log spillway that created some nice riffles.

After another great lunch, storytelling and friendly conversations, we all went our separate ways, once again carrying with us the pride and satisfaction that comes from well planned community efforts. As we looked forward to one more workday on the Pine River in September, we know that all of our members, and hopefully some

Summer 2017 work on the Pine River

Dennis enthusiastically

reported an increase in

the number of volunteers,

resulting in an increase

of 270 man hours.

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Sept. 16 stream habitat workday on the Pine River

non-members too, appreciate these efforts to assist nature, our streams and the trout we love.

While family obligations prevented Mary Jo and I from participating in the September workday on the Pine River, I saw this as an opportunity to present the views of two principal project coordinators, our own Dennis Drazkowski, and DNR team leader, Steve DeVitt. I happened to catch Dennis just as he was putting together his annual report on the workdays, so he had a wealth of information to share. The third workday on the Pine River was as productive as those that came before it. Six additional cross-log structures were completed, buckthorn brush and storm damaged trees were cleared and a prime fishing pool on a bend was enhanced. The logs and brush that were cleared became the materials for the projects. For example, the brush, an invasive species, was used to build up banks, narrowing the stream. The narrowing causes the flow velocity to increase, keeping water cooler and scouring accumulated silt from the streambed.

Dennis enthusiastically reported an increase in the number of volunteers, resulting in an increase of 270 man hours. Also, members from the Fox Valley, Elliot Donnelly, Green Bay, Marinette and Oconto River chapters joined in workdays this season. Clearly, these chapters see that CWTU is doing great work and they want to continue being a part of that work.

New to the program this season are Dennis’s additions of “work crew bags” containing water, first aid kits, power bars and instructions on emergency procedures. Also, at the suggestion of Amanda Perdzock, our August speaker, Dennis put together tools and materials to clean boots after being in a stream.

Dennis, when asked to summarize the success of the program, was quick to

extend kudos to the DNR team. He proudly described the whole effort as “… a public/private partnership, working with mutual interest to advance the CWTU mission which states that we are dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring Wisconsin’s cold-water fisheries.” Although Dennis modestly responds to praise by touting the team effort, I think that it’s clear that Dennis is a big reason for the success of the workday program.

I was lucky to catch Steve DeVitt in his office as well. He described how the team dropped damaged trees that would perhaps be future problems onto the bank of the nice pool that Dennis had mentioned, thus creating overhead cover for fish. Then, using logs from trees damaged further inland, underwater cover was created by strategic log placement. Steve called this process “…managing to optimize natural recruitment.” Basically, it’s a way to hold fish in a great fishing spot.

When asked about cross-log structures, he pointed out several reasons for their value. These structures create an easily fishable scour pool above the log, while creating

riffles below. The riffles create “broken water” which serves to hide fishermen from the fish’s view, at the same time dispersing CO2 from the water and oxygenating it.

While Steve is far from verbose, his knowledge and his enthusiasm for the workday project comes through clearly. In his words, “It was the best year we’ve had!”

For all of us, the time that we spend in nature has great value, buoying our spirits, quieting our minds and, perhaps, restoring our souls somewhat. To be involved in such a great program, rendering service to nature and to our fellow outdoor enthusiasts, yields tremendous satisfaction. Come join us! You’ll be glad you did.

“It was the best year we’ve had!”

– Steve DeVitt DNR Team Leader

CWTU Board of Directors Minutes 9/12/17President Laura Tucker commenced the meeting at 6:24 p.m.

Minutes of the Aug. 12 meeting were approved.

Treasurer Report: Will br report at the next meeting.

River Keeper update: Bob Jozwowki reported that 2 new teams were added to monitor Roy Creek and Spring Creek near Brillion. Thirty-seven sites will be measured by 25 teams and 70 volunteers. The final meeting and banquet will be held at the Fin & Feather on Monday, Nov. 13. Chemical kits will be re-furbished for next year.

Work Day update: Dennis Drazkowski reported that he purchased a first aid kit and 5 bags to hold smaller first aid kits, water and food as approved at the last meeting. Equipment to clear boots and waders to prevent the spreading of harmful parasites, etc. will be available on the trailer at workdays. The DNR gave our chapter metal signs to post at streams where we do work to warn others to clean equipment after fishing. The final workday this year was held Saturday, Sept. 16, on the Pine River at Aniwa Road. As of the Aug. 30 work day, we have put in over 101 more hours this year than the previous year.

Banquet Committee update: Laura Tucker reported that invitations were sent out before Labor Day and posters were available at the meeting for distribution. Special raffles are available to those bringing a friend and for early registration. Jerry Strom will again provide piano music on a baby grand donated by Heid Music. Wayne Yoder will be our auctioneer. The next Banquet Committee meeting will be at Scott Grady’s office on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m.

Committee Reports: Program – Jeff Treu would like someone to help with and eventually take over this position. The next year is pretty well set up until March and April. He also asked us to think about possibly changing the 7:30 p.m. Tuesday time to try to attract more people.

River Keepers – Bob Jozwowski reported that 5 sites have been added on the West Branch of the White River. We again were awarded a $2,000 grant to help with expenses.

Membership – Laura presented statistics from Mike Sandretto. We currently have 326 members; 7 youth and a few family memberships.

Brookie News – Wayne Parmley reported that Jeff Wiegand has asked him to increase help with this in the future. Wayne has also been thinking of ways to expand and update our chapter website and Facebook.

Fly-Fishing School – Dan Harmon reported that this year’s school, with 21 students, went very well.

Awards – Dan Harmon reported that awards to be given at our October Banquet will be finalized in the next few weeks.

Education – Dan Harmon distributed a sheet detailing our current support, through the money we earn at our annual fly-fishing school, of UW-Stevens Point graduate student Eric Wegleitner. He is set to speak to us at our November meeting.

Old Business: Laura Tucker mentioned several board and program positions we are currently seeking to fill. Wayne Parmley offered to be our new secretary.

New Business: Jim Murphy made us aware of mining legislation being considered right now in our state legislature and asked us to contact our state senators with any concerns we may have.

Bill Vance of Friends of Central Sands asked us to back their efforts concerning CAFO operations expanding in Wisconsin. This was discussed, with no action taken at this time.

Stan Cichowski informed us of accidental injury coverage, available to us at a very modest cost, from National TU. Dan Harmon suggested we need to look at coverage we already have to be sure there will not be duplication or conflicts. Stan will look into this with our treasurer, Joe Peikert, and get back to the board. Those at the meeting were very positive about adding this coverage.

Bob Burke explained that our TU chapter had obtained river access for fishing in the past, usually tied to stream improvement efforts. Jeff Treu noted that the DNR access points may or may not be mapped, and people can contact local DNR staff to locate potential stream access points which are unmarked.

Shawn Sullivan requested an additional $600 from us to fund a week of salary for one person to assist with brushing streams. This will be in the form of a donation to the DNR, but the money will go to Shawn for the stated purpose of adding a person to his crew. Jerry Strom moved to provide the funding as requested, with a second from Wayne Parmley. The motion passed without further discussion.

Laura Tucker put out a last call for donations to the October Chapter Banquet.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

(Minutes respectfully submitted by Sue Bouck)

To list your conservation non-profit event in this newsletter, please email Jeff Wegand at jeffwegand@hotmail.com.

CENTRAL WISCONSIN CHAPTERTROUT UNLIMITED

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