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Sculpin Study
Prior to meeting Evan Sirianni, my knowledge of sculpin consisted of occasionally looking at Muddler Minnows in a fly shop fly bin and wondering if they work. Sirianni, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, recently held a field demonstration day on Maple Dale Creek near Viroqua, Wisc., to introduce his master's degree…
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The Unknown Driftless—Fishing Unimproved Water
Because fishing time is so precious, I am a reluctant explorer. I know fishing is supposed to be about more than catching fish, but let’s face it, I like to catch fish. And so I tend to go to spots that have been good to me in the past. I am an especially reluctant explorer…
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Want bigger trout in the Driftless? Eat some smaller ones
When I first joined Trout Unlimited and became engaged in environmentalism in the early 90s, the catch and release ethic was so much a part of our ethos that it took on a moral, almost religious quality. Today, I believe it is still an important management tool and absolutely critical in some situations (obviously where we…
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Driftless symposium goes in-person again
Over 135 people attended the 2025 Driftless Symposium hosted by the Trout Unlimited Driftless Area Restoration Effort and the Wisconsin Wetlands Association on Tuesday February 25 in La Crosse, Wisc. Several common threads emerged among this year’s presentations, highlighting both threats to watershed health and the countermeasures being developed to face those threats. Threats to…
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Landowner “Lunch and Learn” highlights Driftless stream restoration
Without willing, conservation-minded landowners, very few stream restoration projects would happen in the Driftless Area. Over 90% of Driftless trout streams flow through private land, so building relationships and educating landowners about the benefits of stream restoration are critical first steps in assuring that stream restoration work will continue. With this reality in mind,…
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A busy restoration season for TU in the Driftless Area
The summer of 2024 has been busy for Trout Unlimited staff and volunteers in the Driftless Area. Several projects were completed this summer and many more are in the works. There was activity in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa this year, with work to remain underway until winter. The most recently completed Wisconsin project was…
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Young conservations help restore trout habitat in Traverse Valley Creek
In September, the Wisconsin Clear Waters TU Chapter and Oak Brook, Illinois TU Chapter completed a stream restoration project on Traverse Valley Creek in Trempealeau County, with a focus on educating local youth. The restored section of stream is along highway X, 5 ½ miles from the junction of X and State Highway 93.…
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