September 2025 Newsletter

"I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want. – Andy Warhol"

---

In Memoriam

Carol Lynn Murphy

Trout Unlimited and the conservation world lost a true leader and guiding light on August 14th with the passing of Carol Lynn Murphy, President of the Harry and Laura Nohr Chapter of TU. Carol loved to fish and was an expert fly angler. Her contributions as an extremely effective leader of one of Wisconsin's most active TU Chapters will be greatly missed, as will her warm and magnetic personality.

"Carol was a true collaborator; she always leaned in when we had a request for information or assistance. Her fish-with-a-friend donation was always a hot item at the EDTU Holiday Fundraiser, partly because she was such a knowledgeable fly fisher, but also because she was so fun to be with. Our thoughts and prayers are with Carol’s family and the Nohr Chapter."

Jim Brown, EDTU President.

Read more about Carol here.

---

Japanese Stiltgrass: Wisconsin Driftless Invasive Species Alert

Japanese Stiltgrass is a highly prolific invasive plant species spreading rapidly in southern Wisconsin. All anglers and outdoors people should be on the alert for this plant in the coming fall season. Watch the short University of Wisconsin Forestry Extension video here.

Note: If you are not on Facebook or do not wish to sign in, just close the sign-in pop up window and the video will play. Thanks to the Nohr TU Chapter for the original post.

---

August Letter from President Jim Brown: Work Days and Iowa Trip

Dear Members and Friends ,

The dog days of summer are over, and cooler temperatures have lowered Driftless stream temperatures into the high 50s and low 60s, definitely in the comfort range for trout. The terrestrial bite is on and there are reports of BWOs. Salmon are entering the streams of the northern Great Lakes, and Steelhead will soon follow. Fall is a special time for fly fishing as well as EDTU conservation and fundraising initiatives.

Work Days: Several of our partner TU chapters in Wisconsin have scheduled workdays and we plan to publish details on the EDTU Facebook and Instagram pages. The Southwest Wisconsin Chapter of TU has two workdays scheduled this month – September 13 on Garfoot Creek in Dane County and September 27 on Big Spring Branch in Iowa County. For more information contact Jeff Goad, EDTU Conservation Chair at jeffery.goad@gmail.com

EDTU Iowa Trip: We also have the EDTU Iowa Driftless Trip coming up October 23-26 in Highlandville, Iowa. There is more information in the newsletter about this trip. The late fall in Iowa is beautiful and the fishing is excellent. This trip is a great opportunity to connect with your fellow EDTU members. I always think of this movie line when I am in Iowa, “Is this heaven?” “No, this is Iowa.” Learn more here 

I look forward to seeing you September 9th.

Tight lines,

Jim Brown

President

Elliott Donnelley Trout Unlimited

---

Protect Roadless Areas from Proposed Federal Rule Change

The USDA has announced its intent to rescind protections for tens of millions of acres of public lands protected by the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. Trout Unlimited is joining with other environmental groups to oppose this change. Read more and take action at TU.org here.

---

Fall is Streamer Time

Autumn is a time when big fish are feeding aggressively to prepare for winter. Larger bait fish flies or terrestrial imitations are often effective at this time of year. In this video, Tom Rosenbauer from Orvis covers what you need to know to fish big flies for big trout. Watch the Youtube video here.

---

August Flies of the Month: Muskie Marauder Streamer and Tiktaalik Popper

by Robert Tomes, Author Muskie on the Fly with special thanks to Jon Uhlenhop, Manager, Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters