CarlB46

A call to action: Here is how you can make a difference: -------------------------- Dear fellow anglers, A vote will be taking place shortly regarding the future of the Estabrook Park Dam on the Milwaukee River by the committee of Parks, Energy and the Environment of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. Please join the Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Sierra Club Great Waters Group, Trout Unlimited-Southeast Wisconsin Chapter, and Milwaukee Steelheaders in calling for the removal of this dam. The impoundment created by the dam creates an artificial pool of stagnant water, degrades fish habitat, prevents fish migration, warms the water, lowers dissolved oxygen levels, and allows sediment accumulation. The sediments are also full of toxic PCBs. The removal of the dam would greatly improve water quality and fishing opportunities for us. Unfortunately, we are opposed by a highly organized group of homeowners along the river upstream of the dam, who are concerned with the loss of the impoundment which they refer to as “The largest inland lake in Milwaukee County.” Please help us in these efforts to advocate for the removal of the Estabrook Dam. Email, call, and or write to the members of the County committee of Parks, Energy and the Environment, and tell them you support dam removal. If you are an out of state angler, and fish our river, all the better. The parties involved need to understand that this is not a simple local issue, and that the decision they make will effect anglers, nature lovers, boaters, and others who use the river for recreation. I drafted a simple letter that follows below. Feel free to copy and paste it to form the body of your email or letter. Also feel free to add your perspectives and wording to your request to the supervisors. The few minutes it will take to send an email, call, or letter will be of enormous importance in helping to restore this vital natural resource, and improve your angling experience. Thanking you in advance, and yours in service to the river, Erik F. Helm Here is the list of County Supervisors on the committee: _____________________________________________ Parks, Energy and Environment - Committee Members Gerry Broderick, Chair 414 278-4237 Gerry.Broderick@milwcnty.com Joe Sanfelippo, Vice Chair 414 278-4247 Joe.Sanfelippo@milwcnty.com Elizabeth Coggs 414 278-4265 Elizabeth.Coggs@milwcnty.com Marina Dimitrijevic 414 278-4232 Marina.Dimitrijevic@milwcnty.com Joseph Rice 414 278-4243 Joseph.Rice@milwcnty.com Chris Larson 414 278-4252 Chris.Larson@milwcnty.com Theodore Lipscomb 414 278-4257 Theodore.Lipscomb@milwcnty.com All of the supervisors have the same mailing address at: MILWAUKEE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Milwaukee County Courthouse 901 North 9th Street, RM 201 Milwaukee, WI 53233 Phone: 414-278-4222 Fax: 414-223-1380 -------------------------------------- Sample email/letter to send: Dear Milwaukee County Supervisor: As a sports fisher of the Milwaukee River I call on the Milwaukee County Board, and the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors Standing Committee on Parks, Energy, and Environment to take the following actions: 1. Vote to NOT fund repairs of the Estabrook Park dam. 2. Do advocate for the removal of the Estabrook Park dam. 3. Do advocate for the restoration and cleanup of the Milwaukee River from the current Estabrook Park dam location to Kletch Park. I would like to see the restoration of the wild aspect of this natural river area for current and future generations, and to improve water quality, remove contaminated sediments, remove barriers to fish passage, improve fisheries, minimize flooding, and improve public access to this urban natural resource. I call for this so that all persons enjoying the river or engaging in recreational activities such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or hiking along the river’s edge will have an improved experience in this urban park environment. I believe that the ecological health restored by a free flowing river is of higher long-term value than maintaining the current impoundment created by the dam. As a fisherman, I contribute license revenue to the state of Wisconsin, and to the revenue of the county, city, and state in the form of fees, and patronizing local businesses. The Milwaukee River is a wonderful asset to the community, and the removal of the North Avenue Dam helped create a fishery that I and many others enjoy. I urge you to vote for the removal of the Estabrook Dam, which in my view would greatly contribute to our recreational experience. Signed: Name: Full Address: _________________ Get bent!.... rod that is. Here is a draft of a letter top the Milwaukee County supervisors for the removal of the Estabrook Dam . I know I am a Il. Smallmouth Alliance member , but I also fish in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana . The Milwaukee River is a very good urban fishery, I have caught Steelhead, Browns, Salmon, Smallies, Walleyes, and other fish on this River. Their will be a vote on if they will supply funds to repair dam . It would benifit the river if the dam was gone. So please send a e-mail or letter to Milwaukee County supervisors in favor of removal of the Estabrook dam. Thank you Carl Butler

I have been know to use some chap stick it seemedto work pretty good. It's notgoing to stop the icing but it does help with the ice not being able to stick to the guides . usually this time of year is when it's time to tie.

Hi Jonn I use a 6 wgt. all the time it won't really cast very large flies but handles size 2 poppers, sneaky petes and decent size streamers . It does get hairy when I'm fishing some of the rabbit strip leachs and the wind kicks up. it is my favorite wgt. to fish, but also like to fish a 4 wgt. for trout. tight lines Carl