May 25th, 2026 Meeting
President Dennis Pratt called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM at Kro Bar in Brule.
Officers and Directors: Present – Ed Chaplinski, Glen Hill, Courtney Johnson, Ken Lundberg, Dennis Pratt, Mike Sierszen, Den Smet, Jeff Stollenwerk, Walt Swanson, Jim Waletzko, Mike Zicus and Ken Zivic.
Minutes of the April Meeting: The minutes as written in the April newsletter were approved following a motion by Ken Lundberg, second by Mike Sierszen and unanimous approval by voice vote.
Treasurer’s and Financial Secretary’s Reports: Treasurer Jeff Stollenwerk reported that April’s beginning balance was $11,815.84, and the ending balance was $11,649.87 with the following expenses: Katie Thompson (April Newsletter) $200.00; ProPrint (April Newsletter) $137.27; WI Dept of Financial Inst. (Form 5 Non-Stock Corp) $50.00; JM Screen Printing (25 Men’s caps) $362.50; Computing Done Right (Professional email Annual) $180.00. The Treasurer’s report was approved following a motion by Mike Zicus, second by Courtney Johnson and unanimous approval by voice vote. President Dennis Pratt reported Financial Secretary Dean Wellman that there was $515.00 in total deposits into the general fund since the last meeting and that the Club had 2 new members and 2 renewals. The Financial Secretary’s report was approved following a motion by Jim Waletzko and a second by Ken Zivic.
Committee Reports
Legislative: Ken Lundberg – Tom Johnson from Friends of the Wisconsin Fisheries spearheaded the effort to keep the Brule River Hatchery open. Ken Lundberg made a motion for funding help if needed to support this type of effort, seconded by Mike Sierszen and unanimous approval by voice vote.
Audit, Education, Social Media and Membership: Nothing to report.
Habitat: Dennis Pratt – We will be assisting Paul Piszczek with a brush cutting project below the Brule Hatchery on August 8th. Tree planting project on the Little Brule went very well.
Scholarship: Mike Sierszen/Paul Helbach – Sierszen presented the 2026 College Scholarship nominee Wyatt Hiltner for board approval. Wyatt is a grad student at the U of M Duluth. Mike Zicus made a motion to approve, followed by a second from Ken Lundberg with unanimous approval by voice vote from the Board. Breena Kroll, Northwestern High School Counselor announced Anthony Butkus for the High School Scholarship this year. He will be attending Michigan Tech for chemical engineering.
Other Business
Status of the Family Fun Day Event – Dennis Pratt reported that no decision has been made yet on if this event with be held.
Brule Preservation Board – Ken Lundberg attended their annual board meeting, the Club will receive $500.00 for each scholarship, plus another $500.00 for the Family Fun Day if it happens. Ken also said that Brule Preservation will again fund “host” positions through the DNR at a couple canoe accesses. Hosts will remind visitors of the regulation governing containers etc. and about respectful use of the river.
June Fly of the Month – Dean Wellman has selected the Prime Mouradain.
Nebagamon Grade Removal Celebration – Dean Wellman has suggested that we should hold a celebration for everything that went into getting this project finally completed. Dennis mentioned that Brule Preservation thought it was a good idea too. Mike Zicus made a motion to have Dean assemble a team to plan a celebration. This was followed by a second from Walt Swanson with unanimous approval by voice vote from the Board.
Raffle status – Tickets are being printed.
Little Brule and Sandy Run Culverts – Dennis Pratt discussed these projects that are coming with no firm dates or plans yet.
Rainbow Trout / Salmon Identification Cards – Dennis Pratt mentioned that the inventory was running low. Ken Lundberg made a motion to order an additional 500, followed by a second from Tim Spangenberg with unanimous approval by voice vote from the Board.
Next In-person Meeting is Scheduled for June 22nd
Upcoming Events – Please check our Club calendar at https://bruleriversportsmensclub.com/category/club-calendar/ for the latest events.
The business meeting adjourned at 7:08 PM.