May Streamkeepers Report

by Jim Sauter
Greetings from TCTU Streamkeepers.
Welcome to the spring season.  I know spring has arrived since we can now see the pre-dawn light at 5:00 am, and I also have my first mosquito  bite of the season.
Our 2025 stream monitoring has begun, and we already have about a dozen recorded chemical observations on area streams.  You can see our results at this link by clicking TCTU Water Quality Reading- 2025 responses:    twincitiestu.org/h2o
There seems to be a lot of interest from our TCTU Chapter in helping with our Streamkeeper monitoring effort.  In the spring of 2021, we started with 9 volunteers on three streams and, now we have 45 Streamkeeper volunteers that are helping monitor eight area streams.   
Are we making a difference?  According to Kent Johnson, a retired water biologist from Wisconsin who helped us get started with the program, the answer is "yes". ​

  Kent recently stated, " More and more, we're finding that these volunteer TU monitoring efforts are critical for expanding our trout stream knowledge, identifying problems, and engaging conservation stewards.  It's great to have TCTU so actively involved."  
Thank you to our volunteers and our TCTU Chapter for continuing to support these efforts.

ON STREAM TRAINING
On Saturday, April 26, we held our on stream training of Streamkeeper volunteers at Eagle Creek.  I have included some pictures.  We had 15 volunteers learn about taking the following measurements:  chloride (Salt), alkalinity, hardness, pH, and other observations.  We even managed to do some graffiti art work on the 126th St. bridge.  Just kidding...


GRAPHIC MAP OF DRIFTLESS REGION
I discovered an amazing Glacial Map of Wisconsin that clearly shows the driftless area.  I have included the map in the photo section.  Enjoy!

PROOF BALL
When visiting with other anglers on streams, I often am asked, "What are they biting on?"  Many times the next questions are:  "How many did you catch?  Any size to them?" 
Recently I came across a nifty device, called a Proof Ball, for measuring the size of fish that can help answer one of those questions.  The first time I saw it demonstrated was this past March at the River Run Outfitter Fly Shop in Branson, Missouri.  
For many of us, judging trout size is more of an art than science.  The Proof Ball adds a bit of accuracy to our estimates.  In addition to length, the Proof Ball gives an estimate in weight and girth.  You can add details such as the type and size of the fly that was used, location details, weather details, water details, and add notes.  The app also allows you to adjust privacy settings so that you can keep the information completely private, or you can share it with the world.  The App that goes with the Proof Ball is called:  Fishtechy.
I did an experiment with the device to test accuracy using my "lovely" rainbow trout slipper (i.e., please note that I have no idea why my niece would give this to me for Christmas).  I found the accuracy to be within about one half inch of the actual size.  I am looking forward to giving this a try on some real trout.
The Good:  The Proof Ball takes some of the mystery out of figuring out the size of the fish. 
The Bad:  The ball is ugly.  When taking pictures, you may want to take some with and without the orange ball.  Taking the mystery out of figuring out the size of the fish may also be considered by some to be a negative factor.
How does the Proof Ball work?
1. Purchase Proof Ball.  They cost about $35.
2. Download Fishtechy App, Set up an account
3. Take picture with cell phone and proof ball, crop the image
4. Open App, hit plus button at bottom of screen
5. Upload the photo, identify fish, hit "measure fish".  Please note that the app takes a while to process the information
6. The App will give you approximate length, girth, and weight of your fish and additional details

That's all for now.  Tight lines.
Jim Sauter
TCTU Streamkeeper Coordinator