November 1st Meeting – Mike Miller on “Risks Neonicotinoid Insecticides Pose to Aquatic Insects in Wisconsin’s Streams and Rivers” and Membership Dues

Mike Miller is a stream ecologist working for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and an educator at UW Madison.  When not thinking, writing, or talking about streams, he can often be found getting out-witted by animals with pea-sized brains while fly fishing for trout in the Driftless Area.  Mike’s presentation on Wednesday, November 1st will focus on the risks neonicotinoid insecticides pose to aquatic insects in Wisconsin’s streams and rivers.  Neonicotinoids (“neonics”) are the most widely used class of insecticides globally and are implicated in widespread declines of various non-target terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates.  In the Midwest, the primary use of neonics are as seed coatings for many crops including corn, soybeans, and other grains.  While there is an increasing number of studies reporting environmental harm caused by neonics, numerous studies also report no significant improvements in crop yields associated with the use of these chemicals for seed dressing prior to planting.  If a preponderance of evidence suggests significant environmental harm caused by these chemical, and little or no benefit to ag producers, who is benefiting from their use?  This presentation will focus on the physiological effects of these chemicals, their use and environmental fate, and preliminary findings of neonic concentrations found in WI streams and rivers based on results of a 2022 survey.  The meeting on Wednesday, November 1st will be at our same meeting location, the Thirsty Goat restaurant, 3040 Cahill Main, Fitchburg.  Here is a link to the Thirsty Goat’s website.  The presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. with dinner and conversation at 5:30 p.m.  Visitors and guests are always welcome.

The Badger Fly Fishers 2024 membership dues can be paid now.  Advance dues payments made now for 2024 count towards membership through December 31, 2024.  The dues of just $20 support the great speakers we have at our meetings and the club’s on-going operating expenses.  Here is a link to the membership form for you to complete and send in by mail.  The mailing address is at the bottom of the form.  You can also pay your dues at one of our meetings.  Thank you for your continued support of the Badger Fly Fishers!

See you at the November 1st meeting!

Cordially,

Buzz McFly

The following is a list of the future bimonthly BFF meeting dates:

1. January 3, 2024 – Tom Lager on “The Giant Mayflies of Wisconsin”.
2. March 6, 2024 – Jeff Treu on “Fly Fishing for Steelhead”.
3. May 1, 2024 – TBD.

The following is a list of the future bimonthly Wisconsin Smallmouth Alliance (WSA) meeting dates:

1. December 6, 2023 – TBD.
2. February 7, 2024 – Bradd Sims on “Smallmouth Bass in Wisconsin’s Rivers and Streams”.
3. April 3, 2024 – Stu Neville from Hayward Fly Fishing Company.