February 23rd, 2026 Meeting
President Dennis Pratt called the online meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
Officers and Directors: Present – Ken Lundberg, Dennis Pratt, Den Smet, Jeff Stollenwerk, Walt Swanson, Dean Wellman and Mike Zicus.
Minutes of the January Meeting: The minutes as written in the February newsletter were approved following a motion by Dean Wellman, second by Mike Zicus and unanimous approval by voice vote.
Treasurer’s and Financial Secretary’s Reports: Treasurer Jeff Stollenwerk reported that January’s beginning balance was $11,361.80, and the ending balance was $12,703.05 with the following expenses: Katie Thompson (January Newsletter) $200.00; Minnesota Trout Unlimited (Expo Booth) $505.00; Transfer to Savings (December Donations) $2,086.00; ProPrint (January Newsletter) $131.81.00; DP Reimbursement $427.75; WI Wildlife Federation (Affiliate Renewal) $200.00. The Treasurer’s report was approved following a motion by Dean Wellman, second by Mike Zicus and unanimous approval by voice vote. Financial Secretary Dean Wellman reported that there were $4,465.00 in total deposits into the general fund since the last meeting and that the Club had 2 new members and 50 renewals. The Financial Secretary’s report was approved following a motion by Walt Swanson and a second by Jeff Stollenwerk.
Committee Reports
Legislative: Ken Lundberg – Nothing to report.
Audit: Jeff Stollenwerk – Nothing until April.
Education: Den Smet – Trout in aquariums doing well. March dates are being set for presentations to students.
Habitat: Dennis Pratt – We will be assisting Paul Piszczek with a tree planting project May 16th on the Little Brule and we’ve temporarily set July 25th to return to the Little Brule and continue cutting alder.
Scholarship: Mike Sierszen – We have not received any scholarship applications thus far.
Membership: Jim Waletzko/Ed Chaplinski – Dennis Pratt said that another renewal reminder email will be sent out this week, and a renewal reminder was mailed with the February print newsletter. We presently have 154 paid members out of 450 news recipients (34% paid thus far).
Social Media: Mike Zicus/Dennis Pratt – Dean Wellman has written a very nice article for our March newsletter (25th anniversary of our last Steelhead stocking). Dennis Pratt believes he should have a few photos of that activity to add.
Other Business
Great Waters Flyfishing Discussion – Dean Wellman prepared a list of volunteers who will help Bill Gobin. Bill will be picking up the Expo supplies from the Brule Hatchery in a couple of days. Dennis Pratt had an extra 150 February newsletters printed and mailed on Friday to Bill for the Expo booth.
Fly of the Month – Dean Wellman – March Fly will be the ‘Unconventional Mop Fly’.
Grant Request for Family Fun Day – As we had done last year, Dennis Pratt sent a formal request to the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation for supporting funds for the Family Fun Day
International Fly-Fishing Film Festival (Clyde Iron Works) – Dennis Pratt represented BRSC at this event held in Duluth on February 1st. Resulted in adding one new member and selling $55 worth of items.
Potential Donation of Steelhead Equipment – We had a mix of rods suitable for varies types of steelhead fishing offered to us as a donation, lots of new floats and tackle. We decided to accept the donation.
Wild Rivers YouTube Video – Wild Rivers TU Chapter has released nice videos of Paul Piszczek and Sam Peterson describing last 2024 and 2025 Lake Superior tributary activities. You can find them at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a-79Qiv1ME and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shIcntydmcQ.
Upcoming Events – Please check our Club Calendar at https://bruleriversportsmensclub.com/category/club-calendar/ for the latest events.
The business meeting adjourned at 6:25 PM.
Recorded by Walt Swanson