Category: News

Written by NutmegTrout21709Dec, 2024

Nutmeg TU Holiday Gathering @ Elicit Brewing in Fairfield

Join us for the TU Nutmeg’s Holiday Gathering
Tuesday December 17 at 7:00
At Elicit Brewing

Let’s close out our 2024 with a little Nutmeg social. Everyone is welcome: members,
guests, and prospective members. This is a social event to get to know one another,
exchange ideas and fishing tips, even a little networking is ok!
We’ll meet at Elicit Brewing at 111 Blackrock Turnpike in Fairfield. The chapter will
provide hors d’oeuvres. Drinks are up to you. Every attendee will get a goodie bag of
fishing stuff which will prove worth quite a bit more than the recommended cash
donation of $20.

Do note this is a new approach for us. We certainly have a lot of events such as our
chapter’s trips, Mill River revetments, classes for kids and adults, stream clean-ups, and
the like. However, this party is meant for us to get to know each other. Don’t be
surprised if one of the board members asks you what you want from the chapter – ideas
for speakers, secret locations, upgraded raffle items for starters. And don’t hesitate to
simply have a good time and share fishing stories.

Please RSVP to richr@nutmegtrout.org as soon as possible so we can get a headcount
and have enough goodie bags.

Written by NutmegTrout21720Sep, 2024

Volunteer Opportunity – Mill River Revetment

 

Volunteer Opportunity – Mill River Revetment
The Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Aspetuck Land Trust have joined forces to anchor the trees in the Mill River.

Help us restore the banks of the Mill River and improve the fish habitat with repurposed Christmas Trees. We will anchor trees in the river to collect sediment and provide habitat for juvenile trout.

When: Saturday September 21st at 9:30

Where: Park on Riverside Lane in Easton by the middle bridge along Park Avenue, north of the Merritt

Wear waders or shorts and water shoes, we will be in the river.

Trees for Trout’ Uses Christmas Trees for Fish Habitat, River Restoration – ecoRI News

Please RSVP that you will be participating to Rich at RichR@nutmegtrout.org

Written by NutmegTrout21704Sep, 2024

September Gathering @ Orvis!

 

Catch More Trout: An Evening with Bob Strassel Jr. at Orvis Darien
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming gathering, where we’ll dive into the secrets of one of Connecticut’s premier fly fishing destinations!

Date & Time:
Tuesday, September 17th
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location:
Orvis in Darien
432 Boston Post Rd
Darien, CT

Event Highlights:

The West Branch of the Farmington River in Barkhamsted, Connecticut is a crown jewel of fly fishing! Cold flows, great access, with heavily stocked trout, holdovers, and wild fish—truly something for everyone! But it can be a technically challenging and difficult stream to fish. It is also one of the most pressured streams in Connecticut, if not the Northeast.

Bob Strassel Jr., the Fishing Manager of Orvis Darien, enjoys fishing the Farmington River. It’s one of his favorite streams, both technically challenging and rewarding. He will share his presentation, “10 Ways to Catch More Trout on the Farmington River” at our next gathering. This presentation has tips and strategies to catch more fish and have fun fishing the Farmington.

Food:
Pizza will be served during the gathering!

Open to the Public:
Feel free to bring friends and family who might be interested. The more, the merrier!

We look forward to seeing you there for an evening of fishing insights and great company.

Tight lines!

Written by NutmegTrout21709May, 2024

Fish the Norwalk River in downtown Wilton – Saturday May 25th

Fish the Norwalk River in downtown Wilton – Saturday May 25th – We will start at Shenks Island in Wilton, CT

The parking is right there, the wading is easy and sometimes the fish are cooperative.
This area is open to fly and spin fishers.

If enough people show, we will split the group and also fish Merwin Meadows.

These two areas have been greatly improved by the Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited
and we hope to emulate the great work done there on the Mill River in Fairfield/Easton.

RSVP to your host at richr@nutmegtrout.org

Written by NutmegTrout21707May, 2024

Free Fishing Day! May 11, 2024

Join us along Brookside Drive in Fairfield on Saturday May 11th for a day of fishing fun!

  • Free Fishing: No license required! Enjoy a day of fishing without any hassle.
  • Kids Trout Stocking: Let the little ones get involved as they help stock the river with trout. Don’t forget to bring a bucket if you have one!
  • Games & Activities: We have a full slate of games, environmental education activities, and more to keep everyone entertained.
  • Fly Casting & Tying: Learn how to cast a fly rod and tie your own flies like a pro.
  • Stream-Walking: Explore the beauty of nature with a guided stream-walk.
  • Bug Study: Dive into the fascinating world of aquatic insects with our bug study activity.
  • Corn Hole: Challenge your friends and family to a game of corn hole and see who comes out on top.

If you are interested in lending a hand and volunteering for the afternoon, please reach out to Richard Mackessy at rjmackessy@gmail.com

Written by NutmegTrout21701May, 2023

The Housatonic, from trout to stripers, topic May 16

Jeff Yates — guide, Trout Unlimited leader and author of Fly Fishing Fairfield County — will lead a virtual tour of the Housatonic River, from the trout water in the north, south to the stripers at the Long Island Sound in Stratford, on Tuesday, May 16, at Elks Lodge 36, 725 Old Town Road in Bridgeport.

Click, here to register for the free event: Pizza will be available. Drinks can be purchased from the Elks Lodge.

The Housy is known for trout, smallmouth bass, pike, stripers and other species. It ends in Nutmeg TU’s area, and has been designated a priority water by national Trout Unlimited.

Jeff, director of engagement for TU National, will share lessons learned during his years guiding and coordinating conservation projects on the river.

He will also have information about TU’s Northeast Regional, set to be held in Stamford June 2-3.

 

Written by NutmegTrout21730Apr, 2023

Fish the Pequonnock May 20

Come fish the Pequonnock River Trophy Trout Area with Nutmeg Trout Unlimited.  The river is well stocked with rainbows, brookies, and browns throughout the year. The Pequonnock is a winding stream from Monroe to Bridgeport. The portion that we will fish on this trip follows the historic railroad beds that line the river, providing us easy access.

Click here to register. Event is open to the public.  You do not have to be a Trout Unlimited member to participate.

When:  Saturday, May 20 at 10 AM.

Where:  Meet at the Park & Ride of Route 25 on Park St, Trumbull, CT 06611.

Directions:  To get to the Park & Ride, take Exit 9 off the Henry Mucci Hwy (Route 25). If northbound, take a left onto Daniels Farm Road, then take your first right onto Park Street, and the parking lot should be on your left. If southbound, take Exit 9, take a right onto Park Street, and the parking lot will be your first left. There is plenty of parking available.

Regulations:  Must have current CT Fishing License with Trout/Salmon Stamp.

The Pequonnock River Valley Park follows the southern bank of the river. It is a well maintained gravel/dirt trail, along which there are various outcroppings along the trail that will bring you closer to the water’s edge.

General Information:  For fly fisherman, a fairly short rod, 8-foot in 3- or 4-weight is ideal.  My 8.5 foot 4-weight rod works just fine. The river stays fairly thin so roll casts will be your friend.

A wide array of patterns will prove productive at this time of year. I would advise you to have some small stonefly, BWO, and caddis flies on hand. As well as an assortment of different colored woolly buggers, leeches, and other streamers.

For spin fisherman, an ultra-light or light action rod in the 4- or 6-pound class will work fine.  In addition to the usual trout lures, you can try drifting nymphs with a split shot about a foot above it for weight.  

Hope to see you there!