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Written by NutmegTrout21709Oct, 2017

Learn to catch big salmon in Connecticut

Ben Bilello, who speaks around the Northeast on salmon fishing, will talk about opportunities to catch big salmon close to home at the next meeting of the Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

The meeting will take place at Port 5, 69 Brewster St. in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17.

Pizza is available at the meeting, and beverages can be purchased from Port 5. You may RSVP here.

There will also be a presentation on the dangers presented when overheated runoff enters trout waters.

For Connecticut anglers, broodstock Atlantic salmon fishing is one most reliable ways to catch a large fish in fresh water. For anglers who fish for sea-run Atlantic salmon in Canada or Europe, the broodstock fishery is a good way to practice presentation close to home. For anglers new to Atlantic salmon fishing, this fishery is a great way to learn the techniques used to catch Atlantic salmon around the world.

Bilello is guiding Nutmeg members on two trips this fall, and information on scheduling a trip with him will be available at the meeting.

When he’s not behind a set of drums in a concert hall, jazz club, or recording studio, Ben Bilello can be found either on the water or behind the vise. While he’s an avid trout fisherman and fly tyer, Ben’s true fly fishing and tying passion is the Atlantic salmon. Ben has spent several seasons chasing sea-run Atlantic salmon in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Russia; landlocked Lake Ontario Atlantic salmon in New York and broodstock Atlantic salmon at home in Connecticut.

A collection of Ben’s classic and artistic salmon flies are featured in Michael Radencich’s book “Classic Salmon Fly Patterns: Over 1700 Patterns From the Golden Age of Tying.” Ben’s work can be seen at his website benbilello.com/salmonflies.

Written by NutmegTrout21717Sep, 2017

Nutmeg TU has fly tying group

The Nutmeg TU fly tying group will meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 7-9 pm with our host Chuck McMath.

The cost is $2 per session to cover the cost of materials.

A link to RSVP for host’s email & meetup location can be found on each fly tying date on the calendar at nutmegtrout.org. You must RSVP to each tying meetup through the link for that night’s event.

All are welcome, beginners are encouraged to attend.

Vises, tools and materials are available if needed.

Written by NutmegTrout21717Sep, 2017

Salmon fishing in Connecticut

With two salmon fishing trips slated for the fall, guide, fly tyer and salmon fishing expert Ben Bilello will speak to Nutmeg TU on Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Port 5. The meeting will also feature an update on conservation projects under way in the Nutmeg TU area.

Click here to RSVP.

Written by NutmegTrout21717Sep, 2017

Nutmeg TU plans speakers, fishing trips

The Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited begins its monthly schedule of programs in September, with speakers and hands-on events continuing through May.

Regular chapter meetings are held at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. There is no cost to attend; pizza and beverages are available for a fee. After a brief talk by a member, speakers commence at 7:45 p.m.

Information and links to RSVP for programs and fishing trips can be found at nutmegtrout.org.

A saltwater fishing trip to Penfield Reef in Fairfield, led by chapter member Ed Grzeda, will be held Saturday, Sept. 16, at 8 a.m. Park along Reef Road.

On Sept. 19, during the height of striper season, Capt. Roger Gendron of Connecticut Island Outfitters in Westport will share his tips for finding big bass on the Long Island Sound. Dave Edgeworth of Nutmeg TU will also describe the chapter’s Trout in the Classroom program, which introduces students to conservation as they raise trout from eggs, eventually releasing them into area streams.

Charles Petruccelli will lead a fishing trip to the mouth of the Housatonic River, between Stratford and Milford, on Saturday, Oct. 7. Times will be announced, based on tides and the best times to fish.

Bilello will lead two four-person trips; an Oct. 28 outing is sold out, while there is one opening on a Nov. 5 trip. Check nutmegtrout.org for details.

Greg Myerson, who holds the world record striped bass, caught in the Long Island Sound off Connecticut, and founder of World Record Striper Company, will be the featured speaker on Tuesday, Nov. 21.

A striper trip is being planned for Thanksgiving weekend.

The annual holiday party and potluck dinner will be held Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. at Port 5.

After the holidays, Nutmeg TU will collect discarded real Christmas trees for use in restoration work on the Mill River.

Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited (# 217) is based in Fairfield and comprised of the towns of Fairfield, Westport, Weston, Easton, Redding, Trumbull, Monroe, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford and Shelton.

Written by NutmegTrout21711Sep, 2017

Learn to find big stripers Sept. 19

Learn how and where to find big stripers on the Long Island Sound when Capt. Roger Gendron of Connecticut Island Outfitters visits the Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited on Tuesday, Sept. 19,at Port 5 Naval Veterans, 69 Brewster St., in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport.

Captain Roger Gendron has been guiding on the Long Island Sound since 1989, and is one of the first guides in the area to specialize in shallow water, and near coastal fly fishing in salt water. More information about Westport-based Connecticut Island Outfitters can be found at ctislandoutfitters.com, as can local fishing reports.

The meeting will also include an update on Nutmeg TU’s Trout in the Classroom program, which introduces students to conservation and ties multiple subjects together as they raise trout from eggs to their release into local streams.

There is no cost to attend Nutmeg TU meetings; pizza and beverages are available for a fee. After a brief talk by a member, speakers commence at 7:45 p.m.

Information and links to RSVP for programs and fishing trips can be found at nutmegtrout.org.

Written by NutmegTrout21711Sep, 2017

Fish Penfield Reef Sept. 16 at 10 a.m.

Fish one of the most productive and accessible salt water spots in the western Long Island Sound when Nutmeg TU visits Penfield Reef Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m.

The trip was originally scheduled for 8 a.m., but has been moved due to the tides.

Ed Grzeda will lead the trip.

Click here to RSVP.

Written by NutmegTrout21724Jul, 2017

Housatonic bass trip Aug. 12

Bass Fishing on the Housatonic River. Forget your trout fishing techniques. They are not going to help you here. Fast stripping for fly casters & speed spinning the right bait are needed to catch bass’s attention. Then watch out because Large &, especially, Smallmouth Bass fight like mad and need a totally different mind set than trout fishing teaches you. But first you need to find them. That’s where joining us for this Nutmeg TU Event comes in.

The Upper Housatonic River off Rte 7 is iconic for Bass Fishing. Nutmeg Trout Host Dave Wilgan will lead this group of fly & spin casters to some of his favorite Housie spots for great bass fishing. Join us and learn from Dave of the best places and techniques for bassing the Upper Housatonic.

Join us for a fun day of fishing for large and small mouth bass.

We meet at 10 a.m. (arrive early) at the parking lot just past the Rte 7/4 Cornwall Bridge (not the Cornwall Covered Bridge). The parking lot is on the river side of Rte 7 directly across the street from the Breadloaf Mountain Lodge (Lodge located at: 13 US-7, Sharon, CT 06069) (Google names the lodge Broadloaf) GPS Coordinates for parking lot: 41°49’29.1″N 73°22’40.4″W. The lodge is about a 1/2 mile west of the Cornwall Bridge river crossing.

Following a talk on the best flies and spin cast plastics for bassing we’ll be fishing through the Birches/ Monument, Covered Bridge, & Push’em Up spots. As time allows we’ll do the Power Plant spot later in the day. (Those who sign up will be provided with contact information for finding us.)

You can either wet wade or wear your waders. Suntan lotion, hats, and sunglasses (polarized of course) are recommended. Wading boots and a wading staff are also recommended. Bring your own lunch and plenty of water along with a hat and polarized sunglasses. We also recommend you bring your favorite bass fishing gear. If you need additional gear Housatonic River Outfitters is just on the other side of the river from where we meet.

We recommend attendees contact the Meetup Host at admin@nutmegtrout.org with your name, telephone number, & email address so we can contact you to both confirm & remind you or notify you in case on inclement weather. All information is kept confidential and only used for stated purposes here.

Want to say you “CROSSED THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL” with minimal effort? travel about 3/4 of a mile up Rte 4 from the Cornwall Bridge and you will cross over the Appalachian Trail. Much easier than doing it South to North. 🙂

Written by NutmegTrout21707Jun, 2017

Kakak fishing postponed

UPDATE: The Nutmeg TU kayak fishing trip to Squantz Pond originally scheduled for Saturday, June 24, has been postponed.

Watch the website for a new date.

ORIGINAL POST: Those who wish to go kayak fishing with Nutmeg TU on Squantz Pond on Saturday, June 24, must RSVP.

The outing is scheduled from from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The park is located at 178 Short Woods Road, New Fairfield, CT (map). Great fishing can be found throughout the lake, and kayaks will allow us to get places other boats cannot.

Kayak rentals will be available, or take your own kayak, canoe or raft, along with your fishing equipment.

Suntan lotion and hats are recommended.

Life preservers are required.

Those who wish to attend must click here to RSVP. Be sure to sign up early as we may need to limit participants.

Written by NutmegTrout21707Jun, 2017

Fish the Farmington June 11

Join Nutmeg TU for a morning of exciting fishing on one of the best rivers in Connecticut, the Farmington River, on Sunday, June 11, starting at 6 a.m. You may come earlier if you wish, I will be there setting up and getting some quick fishing in.

We will be meeting up in the Church Pool parking lot – look for the Nutmeg TU banner and a silver Subaru Forester.

Open to everyone, beginners and experienced anglers alike, this trip is a great way to learn the river. Spinning or fly fishing, all are welcome. If you are new to the river or fishing, I will show you techniques and strategies that will have you catching trout in no time. If you are more experienced, I will have maps of spots you can fish.

Following fishing, everyone is welcome to join us for a Breakfast Buffet at the Log House Restaurant. BYOB (Buy Your Own Breakfast)

Please RSVP to Davide Edgeworth so we know who to expect. Text or Email (203) 627-5817 or email – Eggsofan@hotmail.com. You can also RSVP by clicking here.

Written by NutmegTrout21709May, 2017

Housatonic, youth fishing topics May 16

Harold MacMillan of Housatonic River Outfitters will discuss late spring and summer fishing on the river in northwestern Connecticut when he visits the Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited on Tuesday, May 16, at 7 p.m.

Teen Devin Brandes will also speak about his initiative, You Can Fly, which teaches youths from Bridgeport and other areas how to fly fish.

The meeting at Port 5 Naval Veterans, 69 Brewster St., Bridgeport, is open to the public free of charge; food and a cash bar are available. Tuesday night’s meeting will also include the election of officers for Nutmeg TU.

MacMillan has more than 30 years of fly fishing experience and has traveled to Russia and Belize, but his talk will focus on spots closer to Fairfield County. Cool water refuges make for strong trout fishing in late spring and early summer, and smallmouth bass are ready to put a bend in a rod when air temperatures make it too hot to target trout.

Housatonic River Outfitters Inc. is a full-service fly shop, outfitter, and lodging and guide service at 24 Kent Road in Cornwall Bridge, at the junction of routes 44 and 7. The shop is located on the Housatonic River, famous for some of the most prolific mayfly and caddis hatches in the East. More information may be found at dryflies.com.

The Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited is sponsoring a fishing trip and barbecue at Housatonic Meadows State Park in Cornwall Bridge on Saturday, May 20, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. To register visit mianustu.org.

The Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited 217 encompasses Fairfield, Westport, Weston, Easton, Redding, Trumbull, Monroe, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and Shelton. Its mission is to conserve, protect and restore coldwater fisheries and their watersheds, particularly in local rivers such as the Saugatuck, Mill, Aspetuck, Pequonnock, and Farmill. More information may be found at nutmegtrout.org.