August 25th, 2025 Meeting
President Dennis Pratt called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM at Kro Bar.
Officers and Directors: Present – Ed Chaplinski, Paul Helbach, Glen Hill, Courtney Johnson, Mick Killoren, Ken Lundberg, Dennis Pratt, Mike Sierszen, Den Smet, Walt Swanson, Jim Waletzko, Dean Wellman, Mike Zicus and Ken Zivic.
Minutes of the July Meeting: The minutes as written in the August newsletter were approved following a motion by Mike Zicus, second by Ken Zivic and unanimous approval by voice vote.
Treasurer’s and Financial Secretary’s Reports: President Dennis Pratt reported for Treasurer Jeff Stollenwerk that July’s beginning balance was $8,807.77, and the ending balance was $8,584.95 with the following expenses: ProPrint (July Newsletter) $35.73; Katie Thompson (July Newsletter) $200.00; Angelica reimbursement (Family Fun Day Supplies) $419.40; transfer to savings (May donations) $200.00; transfer to savings (Brule River Preservation, Inc. donation of $500 to each scholarship) $1,000.00. The Treasurer’s report was approved following a motion by Courtney Johnson, second by Paul Helbach and unanimous approval by voice vote. Financial Secretary Dean Wellman reported $1,230.00 in deposits into the general fund since the last meeting and that the Club had 3 new members and 4 membership renewals. The Financial Secretary’s report was approved following a motion by Walt Swanson and a second by Ken Lundberg.
Committee Reports
Legislative, Audit, Membership, Scholarship and Education Committees – Nothing to report.
Habitat: Dennis Pratt – August 2nd habitat project drew 14 volunteers. One non-member was awarded a year’s Club membership. All went well. Paul Piszczek split the group into two and each group worked one side of the stream. Project was completed within the three-hour time span. Paul sent us an email today thanking all who volunteered. We will send a copy of Paul’s email to all habitat volunteers.
Social Media: Mike Zicus/Dennis Pratt – Discussions on future topics.
Other Business
Fly of the Month – Dean Wellman. Beauly Snow Fly.
Raffle Drawing – Mike Sierszen asked Mary Chaplinski to pull the tickets. Winners were Wyatt Wellman – fly rod; Dan Perchinsky – Rapala knife; Tom Hrabik – handmade quilt.
Family Fun Day Discussion – Rain kept attendance low. Ken has some photos to share from the event.
Paper Newsletter Printing Delay – ProPrint lost their Superior location lease, so printing had to go to their Duluth office. Still waiting for the newsletter and the price increased 4-fold. Hopefully we can go back to Superior soon. Discussions followed about the need in the future of printed copies. The focus was on the number of members that do not have an email account.
Great Waters Flyfishing Discussion – To be held March 13 – 15. A short discussion followed about how to staff this event to reduce overnight stay costs. Will continue discussion next month.
Lake Superior Steelhead Association Spey Day – September 6th, 11AM to 4PM at McNeil House. Board Members shared comments about past events.
Vets on the Lake – Mick Killoren made a motion to make an annual donation of $500.00 to this event, followed by a second from Paul Helbach and unanimous approval by voice vote.
Upcoming Events – Please check our Club Calendar at https://bruleriversportsmensclub.com/category/club-calendar/ for the latest events.
The business meeting adjourned at 6:56 PM.
Recorded by Walt Swanson