MeatEater’s Das Boat Video, Bill Weege, Stream Improvement Project Contribution and Some More Great Fish Pictures

In MeatEater’s second season of Das Boat it recently released the third episode which features smallmouth bass fishing on the Menominee River.  In the video Tim Landwehr the owner of Tight Lines Fly Fishing Co. guides MeatEater’s Joe Cermele for a day of fishing and fun on the Menominee River.  Prior to the fishing trip Tim also helps to overhaul a 1973 14′ Starcraft Bassmaster boat that will be used as a drift boat to float down the river.  The video can be found on YouTube at this link and it currently has over 250,000 views.  In addition to the many laughs, the video also informs viewers that the river and Lake Michigan are being threatened by a proposed metallic sulfide mine very close to the Menominee River.  It asks viewers to join in opposition to the mine by supporting the work of the Coalition to Save the Menominee River.  Over the past few years the Badger Fly Fishers have made contributions to this organization.

A good friend to the Badger Fly Fishers, Bill Weege, passed away on November 2, 2020.  Bill’s numerous and very generous donations to our annual Badger Fly Fishers Spring Opener helped raise money for a number of habitat improvement projects in Richland, Grant and Dane counties.  His legacy as a steadfast activist in preserving and enhancing our cold water resources will long be remembered by those who knew him and his many efforts will be enjoyed by those new generations of anglers in years to come. Thanks to Bill for all his many contributions to our wonderful sport.  Here is a link to Bill’s obituary.

The Board of Directors’ recommendation for a $1,000 contribution to the Black Earth Creek and Halfway Prairie Creek project was approved by the membership.  Construction for this project is planned to take place in late Spring or in the Summer of 2021 and will be led by Curt Diehl, Conservation Specialist with the Dane County Land & Water Resources Department.  In total almost 2,900 feet of streambank restoration will be completed which will improve the fish habitat in both streams making for a better public fishing resource.  Thanks for everyone’s support of this worthwhile project.

The Buzz received numerous additional great fish pictures since the last announcement that you can find below.  Please keep the pictures coming to this email address (badgerflyfishers@gmail.com) and the Buzz will periodically post the pictures on our website that will surely brighten everyone’s day over this Winter.  Enjoy!

Continue to keep safe and healthy!

Cordially,

Buzz McFly

John Tweddale – stalking enormous trout at night.

Dave Graczyk’s Son-in-Law and Grandsons – Bighorn River, Montana – first fly fishing trip.  As Dave said in his email to the Buzz, the trip was all smiles and they are “hooked” for life!!!

Don Wolf – spectacular rainbow trout – Wind River Range in Wyoming.

Gene Knutson – beautiful smallmouth bass – Menominee River.

Gene Knutson and Bart Landwehr – magnificent pike – Menominee River.