Serving the Northwoods Communities of Rhinelander, Eagle River, Minocqua, Phelps, Three Lakes, Florence and Forest County.

District Dialogue

September 2, 2015

Wisconsin Revenue Numbers Increase

Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch Tours Northwood's Businesses

On Friday, August 28, I invited Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch along with four Economic Development Corporations (Oneida, Vilas, Forest and Florence counties) to the 34th Assembly District to tour the Vilas County Business incubators and a logging operation in Three Lakes.  The morning started in Eagle River, as we toured both business incubators. We visited with three occupants at the incubators that are continuing to grow their businesses. 

We started our tour meeting with Chris Gaffron, who started the local embroidery business Stitch It.  Chris has been working within the Vilas County Business Incubator for several years.  During her time working with Vilas County, her business has grown enough to allow her to purchase more sewing equipment to expand her production.  Her business continues to grow and she hopes to hire additional employees in the future.

At the second tour, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and I met with local entrepreneur Brad Zdroik, who owns and operates Deep Freeze Ice Fishing.  Deep Freeze Ice Fishing has introduced products to enhance the ice fishing experience for anglers.  Brad Zdroik invented the one shot skimmer (pictured below) which cleans a fresh cut ice fishing hole in one scoop.  In addition, Brad introduced a product called "Blue Tipz" that alerts an ice fisherman via text message, when there is a fish on their tip-up.  Deep Freeze products are available in major department stores in Wisconsin such as Cabela's.

Brad Zdroik, inventor of the One Shot Skimmer, showing off his Wisconsin-made product.

Another start-up business owner is Jack Chopin, the President of E-Z Eat Enterprises LLC and creator of the E-Z Eat.  Jack suffers from a disability that hinders his ability to grasp, hold, or squeeze anything with his hands.  This has made him very dependent on his wife Diana Chopin to help him do simple tasks, such as eating meals or buttoning a shirt. 

After years of being dependent on Diana, Jack and his brother-in-law Ron Smith began to manufacture eating devices for physically challenged individuals.  This invention holds the food in place so Jack can eat without the assistance of his wife.  After a number of prototypes, Jack and Ron have created a product that will assist those suffering from arthritis, multiple sclerosis, amputated limbs, or other disabilities from relying on others to eat.  Jack and Ron are in high hopes that the E-Z Eat will be utilized in hospitals and assisted living centers to provide independence for those with disabilities.

To learn more about E-Z Eats, please visit their website.

Members of the VCEDC along with local entrepreneurs, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Rep. Swearingen.

After the Vilas County Business Incubator tours, the Lieutenant Governor and I traveled to Three Lakes for a logging operation.  Local logger and owner of Enterprise Forest Services, Denny Schoeneck, led us through the logging operation.  Along with discussing sustainable forest harvesting, Denny's crew illustrated the modern logging equipment that is used throughout Wisconsin and the Great Lakes region.  I would like to thank Denny for the opportunity for allowing us to witness such a vital Northwoods industry.

Local Forester Denny Schoeneck with Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Rep. Swearingen.

Pictured above: Enterprise Forest Products employees, local EDC executive directors, Lt. Governor Kleefisch, Denny Schoeneck and Rep. Swearingen.

On Thursday, August 27, I was invited by the president of the Lake George Association to address their group.  I wanted to brief the members on a proposal that my office has been working to promote fish habitat on Wisconsin lakes and waterways.  The goal of this legislation is to provide an incentive to improve the habitat for fish and wildlife on all Wisconsin waterways.  Over the past month, I have met personally with constituents, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and riparian owners about the benefits of course woody habitats that provide shelter, mating and feeding habitats for fish. 

Under current law, to place a fish crib or various other woody habitats into a lake, the property owner must follow all DNR permits to meet all of the appropriate specifications.  I have been contacted by the Lake George association and others indicating liability is deterring them from taking advantage of these DNR offered programs.  My proposal will keep the rules and regulations in place for all permit holders, while removing liability if and when the required specifications are met.  This proposal will continue to protect our environment through DNR permits and specifications while boosting fish habitats statewide.

Rep. Swearingen addressing the lake association in the Town of Pelican.

Got a chance to catch up with longtime friend Mark Kafka, Kafka's Resort.

Cal Ewert and Rep. Swearingen after the meeting.

Last week I attended the ribbon cutting for an Off Road Vehicle (ORV) trail that now extends from Land O' Lakes due north into the Upper Peninsula.  I celebrated the trail opening with a large crowd of off-road enthusiasts, along with the Land O' Lakes Chamber of Commerce and Michigan Trails and Recreation Alliance of Land and the Environment (MI-TRALE).  The trail, now known as the "LL Trail" will allow Wisconsin and Michigan riders to share the trails from the Ottawa National Forest down to Land O' Lakes, WI. 

Ribbon Cutting in Land O' Lakes!

Excited ORV enthusiasts after the ribbon cutting.

DNR Outdoor Report

Northern Region

Superior DNR Service Center area

Brule River State Forest - Over the past week, the area received a large amount of rain that raised river levels extensively. As of today August 26, the river was at 180 cfs, which is considerably lower than what it was a few days ago. The river is moving fast and high so canoeing should be exciting this weekend! Although it feels like the beginning of October at the moment, we expect temperatures to warm up into the 70s and 80s for the weekend with a slight chance of rain on Friday. The last two weekends both campgrounds have reached full capacity. Lake run fish should be moving into the river although we haven't been hearing positive reports from anglers. Birders are spotting large numbers of warblers traveling back through the area on their reverse migration. Northern flickers can be seen in high abundance flushing from the road sides. The forest seems to be hinting at signs that fall is on its way, although you can still see vibrant flowers throughout the forest coming into bloom.

Spooner DNR Service Center area
Washburn County - The nighthawks are migrating from Washburn County. It is one of the most visible starts to the migration of birds as they feed in bands of large flocks along several mile stretches. When I see them, I say to myself... summer is over. Nancy Christel, wildlife biologist, Spooner

Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - Variable and almost constantly changing weather, along with some windy conditions, have made for some erratic fishing success in the Northwoods in the past week. Water temperatures have cooled down a bit and this seemed to have spurred on musky activity across the area. The musky anglers have been reporting a lot of sightings and follows, as well as quite a few hook-ups and catches of fish in the 34- to 42-inch size. The mid to late afternoon hours have produced the best action, and the favorite lures have been bulldawgs, stick baits and top-water lures fished near the deep weed edges. Bass fishing has been fair and relatively consistent with some sort of action being found on most trips. Largemouth have been found near the thick weed beds and near mid-depth structure such downed logs, stumps and bog edges. Soft plastics and frog imitations have been the lures of choice and the late afternoon period has produced the best action. Smallmouth fishing has shown some consistency on the local rivers and flowages, with the best success coming on finesse plastics fished near rock and woody cover along deeper water areas. Walleye fishing has shown the most variability in the last week, with some anglers using leeches and crawlers along the weed edges and in weed pockets. Some fishermen have also found a few walleye on the deeper gravel and rock bars in 12 to 18 feet of water. Action for northern pike, an often overlooked fish in the summer, has picked up a bit in the last several weeks. The dropping water temperatures seem to have favored this species and action has been good around the near-shore weed beds. Spinner baits and small crank baits have worked the best - but a wire leader should be used to minimize the bite-offs. Panfish action also continues to be fair, with some decent catches of crappie, bluegill and rock bass being reported. - Skip Sommerfeldt, senior fisheries biologist, Park Falls

Flambeau River State Forest - Fishing has been a bit slow, but should pick up with the cooler temperatures we've been having. Both the north and south forks of the Flambeau River are good for paddling. We are starting to see just a tinge of color on a few of the trees. Bracken ferns and spreading dog bane are starting to turn. Goldenrod, asters, and yarrow are blooming. Local geese are flocking up. Wild rice enthusiasts should remember to periodically check Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission's wild rice website (exit DNR) for the status of select ceded territory rice waters to help guide their ricing efforts. Be sure to have the proper licenses for harvesting rice. ATV trails are in good condition, ATV trail between Highway 70 north to County Road EE will begin with renovations. First stage is removing trees adjacent to the trail which will involve heavy equipment. The trail is posted use caution when passing equipment; make sure you make eye contact with operator before passing. Tag Along with the Elk Biologist: Come and join us on August 29 as we monitor the Elk. Listen to telemetry of the radioed collared elk and see if you can hear a bugling elk with Laine and Diane. Meet at the New Flambeau River State Headquarters at 6:30 pm. - Judy Freeman, visitor services associate

Woodruff DNR Service Center area

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest - Fall is knocking on our door as the grasses and cattails go to seed and start to turn brown. Goldenrod and large leaf asters make up most of the color pallet along the roadsides and trails. Turkeys are starting work the ditches in search of bugs and mushrooms of all colors are starting to pop up in the woods. The deer flies have died down and the high bush cranberries are sporting their bright red berries. Crisp mornings make for very dramatic light and fog over the low spots where some of the maples are showing a tinge of maroon! Visitors are still spotting black bear (a cub this time), along the bike trail. One young camper reported seeing a black squirrel along the road. The black squirrel is a melanistic subgroup of the eastern gray squirrel. 'Melanism' means dark pigmentation. They are common in the Midwestern United States, Ontario, Quebec, parts of the Northeastern United States and Britain. Some populations of eastern grey squirrels have higher rates of albinism, which results in white fur, but this is very rare. The boat landings and canoe sites on the Northern Highland- American Legion State Forest are in good shape and ready for continued use. The moderate use season is tapering down and will continue to do so until a final peak on Labor Day weekend. There will be some fishing tournaments that may keep a few of the boat landings busy but they would occur on weekends. Mercer Chamber of Commerce has information regarding a canoe-kayak fishing tournament on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage. Availability of canoe and remote reserve sites on the NH-AL should increase as summer visitors with children will have less time for longer vacations due to school starting. Reserve sites for Labor Day may be booked but the 88 free one night only canoe sites should have good availability. Water levels are holding steady or decreasing slowly. Low water should not be a concern for boaters using landings or paddlers. There are stretches of the Manitowish and smaller streams that normally have shallow stretches this time of year and may require wading but nothing out of the ordinary for mid- August. Campground use has slowed significantly as summer is winding down. If you don't have a reservation, it should be easier to find a preferred campsite and some of the more sought after sites are likely even available. With the decrease in use, campground operations crews are beginning to shift to some of their fall project work. One of our big fall tasks is cutting hazard trees in the campgrounds and crews are getting a start on that where use is low. If you are planning to camp at Cunard Lake, Plum Lake, or South Trout Lake campgrounds this season, get your camping trip in soon! Those three campgrounds close for the season on Tuesday, September 8. All other campgrounds are open until at least mid-October, so start planning your fall camping adventures! - Kimberly Krawczyk, Visitor Services Associate

Upcoming Community Events

Please click the following links for upcoming community events!

St. Germain Flea Market:  September 7, St. Germain

Funky Junk N'More "Fall is Coming " Sale: September 3, 4 & 5, Three Lakes

Trig's Flea Market: September 3, 4, 10 & 11, Rhinelander

3rd Annual Hamburger Fly-in Drive-in: September 3, Manitowish Waters

Minocqua Farmers Market: September 4 & 11, Minocqua

Friday Farmers and Flea Market: September 4 & 11, Presque Isle

PotatoFest: September 5 & 6, Rhinelander

Rhinelander Farmers Market: September 5 & 12, Rhinelander

24th Annual Nicolet Wheel-A-Way Bike Ride: September 5, Three Lakes

Polish Bear Plunge: September 5, Eagle River

Land O' Lakes Fat Tire Bike Ride: September 5, Land O' Lakes

The New Holiday Lodge Musky Tournament: September 5 & 6, Phelps

11th Annual Pride and Joy Classic Car Show: September 5, Minocqua

Minocqua/Kawaguesaga Lakes Protection Association Annual Pig Roast: September 5, Minocqua

Chain Skimmers Last Show of the Season: September 5, Conover

Phelps Farmer's Market: September 5, Phelps

Northwoods Bad-Dash: September 5, Manitowish Waters

Potato Fest 2015 "WXPR Potato PolkaFest": September 6, Rhinelander

Sno-SkeetersSummer Fest: September 6, Manitowish Waters

Free Fishing Seminars: September 6, Boulder Junction

Labor Day Arts and Crafts Show: September 6, Eagle River

Tommy O's Playhouse - Medieval Faire: September 10, Hazelhurst

39th Annual World Championship Musky Classic: September 11-12, Manitowish Waters

Lake Tomahawk Lioness Harvest Fest & Lions Car Show: September 19, Lake Tomahawk

Please contact me at Rep.Swearingen@legis.wi.gov if you would like to UNSUBSCRIBE from my E-Updates

Office of Representative Rob Swearingen

Room 123 West

PO Box 8953, Madison WI 53708

Office: 608-266-7141

Toll Free: 888-534-0034