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Written by NutmegTrout21709May, 2016

Calendar of Events for June 2016

Stream Cleanup and Planting of new plants Meetup Saturday, June 4,2016, 8 AM on the Mill River, Congress St area.

Join the Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited on Saturday, June 4 at 8 AM for the next phase in our Mill River restoration efforts. Thanks to grants from Orvis and Patagonia, Nutmeg TU has the funds to proceed with the planting of indigenous plant species along the Congress Street section of the Mill River in Fairfield. This is a culmination of 3 years of invasive species removal to prepare the site.

Those who attend should dress appropriately — long sleeves, long pants, boots, work gloves, hats, insect repellent, etc. There is poison ivy, biting insects, and ticks on the site. To ensure there enough tools, volunteers are also asked to bring their own shovels, mattocks, etc. if possible. (no axes or hatchets please). The chapter will also provide some tools.

We plan to serve a basic grill lunch – hot dogs, water, etc.

Everyone welcome – TU members, potential members, kids, scouts or anyone interested in helping restore one of our lower Fairfield County treasures – the Mill River.

Planning to attend? RSVP on Meetup.com. Use this link: Meetup.com RSVP. Contact Ed Grzeda at eegrzeda@gmail.com for questions or info. Parking is along Congress St. just west of Exit 46 on the Merritt Pkwy (Route 59 – Easton Tpke/Sport Hill Rd). A map can be found here.

Cleanup & Planting 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Stay as long or as little as you can. Late arrivals are welcome.

Please be careful while parking and walking on Congress Street.

Fishing outing is planned for Saturday, June 11, 2016, on the Farmington River. Kris Mancini will be our contact. You may reach him for questions or RSVP at oldglorylandscpng@sbcglobal.net

Fly Tying at Chuck’s, Tues evening, June 14, 2016, 7 PM Trumbull. Contact Chuck MacMath at cmacmath59@yahoo.com . The fly tying group will meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 7-9 pm. The cost is $2.00 per session to cover the cost of materials. Email Chuck with questions or additional information. All are welcome, beginners are encouraged to attend. Vises, tools and materials are available if needed.

Fly Tying at Chuck’s, Tues evening, June 28, 2016, 7 PM Trumbull. Contact Chuck MacMath at cmacmath59@yahoo.com . The fly tying group will meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 7-9 pm. The cost is $2.00 per session to cover the cost of materials. Email Chuck with questions or additional information. All are welcome, beginners are encouraged to attend. Vises, tools and materials are available if needed.

Written by NutmegTrout21726Apr, 2016

Election of new officers on Sept 20th

Nutmeg’s annual election of chapter officers will be held at the membership meeting in September which is Tuesday, Sept 20th, 2016 at 7 p.m. at Marissa’s Restaurant in Trumbull. Here are our current candidates for the 2016-2017 year:

President –
Vice President – Charles Petrucelli
Secretary – Rich Rosen
Treasurer – Phil Jacques
Membership – Ed Grzeda
Newsletter and Web – Cheryl Groesbeck
Social media – Jerry Goldstein
TIC – Dave Edgeworth
Events and Programs – John Kovach
Conservation Open
Fund Raising – Open
Co-Treasurer – Open

Additional nominations are invited and must be received in writing no later than September 19th. 2016, by sending an email to Rich Rosen, rhrosen@aol.com, Nutmeg members are welcome to attend any or all the board meetings.

The DEEP found healthy populations of trout and smallmouth during electrofishing surveys of the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers (DEEP Photo)

Written by NutmegTrout21702Apr, 2016

Make the Most of Your Fishing Season with Patrick Fowler on April 19th

On Tuesday, April 19, 2016, Nutmeg TU will hold its monthly meeting at 7 PM at Marissa’s Ristorante, 6540 Main St, Trumbull, CT, just South of where I-25 crosses Route 111.

Patrick Fowler will be breaking down the 3 types of streams in CT and the best time of year to fish them. We will look at specific techniques for each location and the best patterns for each. Patrick will go over gear specifics as well. The presentation will focus on CT streams that are accessible to every angler. After the presentation members will have a much more comprehensive understanding of how to fish CT to make the most out of a season.

Making the most out of your fishing season will cover stocked streams, wild streams, and tail-waters. The three fundamental types of streams each offer their own unique challenges. Patrick will focus on when, where and how to fish each stream effectively using a strategy developed specifically for the state of Connecticut. In addition, he will cover the varying conditions to be expected on Connecticut’s trout streams and how to adjust angling approaches for the day to day fluctuations in trout behavior.

The focus of this presentation is to enable the audience to maximize time on the water. By knowing what streams to hit when, and knowing how to fish them when you get there, you will cut down on the learning curve and you will have much more productive time on the water.

Patrick has worked for Orvis for over two years and was recently voted onto the Nutmeg TU board as Conservation chair. He has a Bachelors degree in environmental science with emphasis on wildlife policy and fish biology. He attended the University of Tasmania Australian Maritime College graduate school in their Aquaculture program with emphasis on salmonid biology and behavior. A New England native, Patrick has been fly fishing since the age of 12 and has fished extensively throughout the state and beyond.

Published April 2, 2016.

Written by NutmegTrout21713Mar, 2016

Tuesday Meeting Features Tony Ritter from the Upper Delaware River Area

On Tuesday, March 15, 2016, Nutmeg TU will hold its monthly meeting at 7PM. We have a new location at Marissa’s Ristorante, 6540 Main St, Trumbull, CT, just South of where I-25 crosses Route 111. Tony Ritter is going to share some history on the Upper Delaware River that contributed to the creation of the great tailwater fishery. And he will tell us some of his tips, and techniques to improve our success for fishing this water. Along the way we will learn some of the best locations and suggested flies that work well.

Tony has operated a driftboat fishing guide service on the Upper Delaware River and West Branch Delaware for twenty-two years. He specializes in wild trout on one of the best tailwater rivers in the United States located in the Catskill / Pocono Regions of New York and Pennsylvania. He is licensed by the National Park Service, the NYS DEC and the Pennsylvania FBC. Between his days on the river teaching new clients casting, and making their day one to remember, Tony is also an elected town councilman for the Town of Tusten in Narrowsburg, NY and has chaired the Upper Delaware Council’s Water Use Resource Management Committee since 2011.

The Upper Delaware River is one of the few rivers in the eastern United States that supports a wild trout fishery with both rainbows and browns. It also has an American Shad run in the spring since there are no dams on this river and is free flowing to the ocean for 270 miles. Besides wild trout and shad, Field and Stream magazine has stated that this river also has one of the five best smallmouth rivers in the United States as well as holding an ample supply of walleye.

The Delaware River is located in a beautiful valley located between the Catskills and Poconos and is two hours northwest of New York City. Deer, turkey, bald eagles, bear, mink, red tail hawks, beavers, and osprey are not uncommon sights while fishing on a river charter throughout the season which runs from April through November. There is no industry in the river valley thus the water is clean and well oxygenated, resulting in varied hatches of caddis, mayflies and stoneflies for trout to feed on, as well as many more insects and minnows.

His fly patterns, articles, blog and real time river data can be found at:

www.delawareriverfishing.com

www.catskillmountainflies.com

www.gonefishingguideservice.com

Written by NutmegTrout21712Mar, 2016

Calendar of Events April and May 2016

A Fishing and Stream Clean Meetup Saturday, April 30,2016, 9:30AM in Trumbull on the Pequonnock. We will meet at Old Mine Park off Route 111, for the stream cleanup and then Chuck MacMath will lead the fishing after. Wear boots and work gloves for the cleanup. You will need your waders and fishing gear for stream fishing. Yes, bring your water, snacks, and dress appropriately… Kids and scouts are welcome to accompany us! Contacts are cmacmath59@yahoo.com and cherylgroesbeck@gmail.com for questions or information.

TU Nutmeg Board Mtg on Tues, May 3, 2016, 7 PM at Fairfield Library. Elections will be held for June 2016 – May 2017. All TU Nutmeg members are welcome.

Fly Tying at Chuck’s, Tues evening, May 10, 2016, 7 PM Trumbull. Contact Chuck MacMath at cmacmath59@yahoo.com . The fly tying group will meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 7-9 pm. The cost is $2.00 per session to cover the cost of materials. Email Chuck with questions or additional information. All are welcome, beginners are encouraged to attend. Vises, tools and materials are available if needed.

A Fishing and Stream Clean Meetup Saturday, May 14,2016, 9:30AM is changed to the Mill River. Wear boots and work gloves for the cleanup. You will need your waders and fishing gear for stream fishing after. Yes, bring your water, snacks, and dress appropriately. Contact Ed Grzeda at eegrzeda@gmail.com for questions or information. The meeting place will be announced. Kids and scouts are welcome to accompany us!

TU Nutmeg meeting, Tues, May 17, 2016, 7 PM at Marissa’s Ristorante, 6540 Main St, Trumbull, CT. The speaker is TBD. More information available later.

Fishing outing by RSVP on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. We are taking reservations for the 2^nd annual Nutmeg Trout Unlimited trip to the Limestone Trout Club located in Canaan, Connecticut. Reservations close at 6 PM on May 16. This is a fly fishing only outing. You will be fishing primarily from shore, with a few boats available, so your waders are optional. This is a rain or shine event so bring extra clothes and rain gear. Please arrive between 8:30 and 9:00 AM (orientation will start at 8:45) and plan to stay as long as you want (until dusk). The $30 fee includes lunch. All of the money is paid to the club by cash or a check payable to Nutmeg Chapter TU when you arrive.

http://limestonetroutclub.com/Limestone%20Trout%20Club/Limestone%20Trout%20Club.html

There are 3 deep (70+ feet) quarry ponds and 3 shallow ponds providing a variety of venues and conditions. While most members practice catch and release, catch and kill is allowed. Lessons learned from last year: bring some egg patterns, and bring bug spray for the ticks.

Please RSVP to Rich Rosen rhrosen@aol.com for questions and to reserve your spot before 6 PM on May 16. Only 15 spots remain.

Directions – Take route 8 north to Winsted and turn left onto rte. 44 west.

Drive through Norfolk and past the Blackberry River Inn and Freunds Farm Market in North Canaan.

After passing the marker for East Canaan turn right onto Casey Hill Rd. (there is a sign on the right at the corner, set back from the road for O’Connor Sand & Gravel).

Drive a short distance to a stop sign, where Casey Hill Rd. becomes Allyndale Rd.

Continue straight on Allyndale Rd. about 100 yards. The unmarked driveway is on the left, across from a driving range.

The clubhouse phone is 860 249 9996.

Fishing outing is planned for Saturday, May 21, 2016, on the Farmington River. Kris Mancini and Dave Edgeworth to be our leaders. More information will be announced.

Fly Tying at Chuck’s, Tues evening, May 24, 2016, 7 PM Trumbull. Contact Chuck MacMath at cmacmath59@yahoo.com . The fly tying group will meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 7-9 pm. The cost is $2.00 per session to cover the cost of materials. Email Chuck with questions or additional information. All are welcome, beginners are encouraged to attend. Vises, tools and materials are available if needed.

Written by NutmegTrout21714Feb, 2016

How to Catch 500 Fish in the Mill River

February 13, 2016

Kris Mancini, our new Vice President for our chapter, brings decades of trout fishing experience in the Mill River and more. Kris considers the Mill river as his home water, and over many years, he has managed to fish the Mill over a hundred days a year and rarely gets skunked. He has quite an impressive photo collection of trout caught in the Mill, including a 22″ Brown caught this fall. Kris fly fishes, and yet, much of the catching success has to do with tactics that will benefit spin fishers, as well as fly fishers. Kris will discuss tackle, flies, and tactics for successfully fishing the Mill. Come join us and up your game on the Mill. The meeting will be at 7 PM, in Port 5, 69 Brewster Ave, Bridgeport, CT.

Written by NutmegTrout21709Feb, 2016

Join Our Meetup Group!

Hi Nutmeg Trout members,

We’ve joined Meetup.com to make it easier for Nutmeg Trout members and prospective members to find out what’s happening in Nutmeg Trout’s calendar and to streamline how to RSVP.

Please help us to make our Meetup.com page the place to go for those interested in fishing. If you register for a free membership at Meetup.com you can join our page and add yourself to the list of registered attendees. By RSVPing to Nutmeg Trout meetings and programs you help us to show how popular we are and generate interest from those looking to be a part of our group.

To help new people find us our Meetup.com page is named Eastern Fairfield County Fishing & Conservation Meetup. You can find our page here: http://www.meetup.com/EASTERN-FAIRFIELD-COUNTY-FISHING-CONSERVATION-Meetup/ Please sign up and RSVP to our meetings. Help us grow.

If you have any questions on how to use Meetup.com for Nutmeg trout contact me at jerryg@attygoldstein.com.

Thanks for helping.

Regards,
Jerry Goldstein
Nutmeg Trout Social Media Board Chair

February 5, 2016

Written by NutmegTrout21727Jan, 2016

HELP SAVE THE MILL RIVER IN EASTON, CT

Help Save The Mill River in Easton, CT – By Scott Garland, January 7, 2016 Connecticut Local Fishing News and By Ron Merly of Ron Merly’s Fishing Guide Services

The upper Mill River in Easton, Connecticut is one of the most significant wild trout streams in all of New England. It is exceptionally unique in its characteristic. There is nowhere else in all of New England where you can find a tailwater release Class 1 WTMA (Wild Trout Management Area, containing abundant wild trout and not stocked in more than 5 years) that runs for a few short miles and empties into almost 40 ft. deep thermal refuge. Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) has realized the streams significance and are in the process of changing the regulations from Rte. 59 down to Lake Mohegan to catch and release only, making the entire upper stretch of the stream from the Easton Reservoir all the way to Lake Mohegan one continuous WTMA.

Just below the reservoir is a 30 acre parcel of land that has been the subject of much debate over the years. The land is presently owned by the Town of Easton who bought the property to save it from a large scale development a few years back. Easton is now looking to recoup the money and allow a smaller scale development. The problem is that there is no city sewer in that area and all of the waste, run-off etc. from any development would need to go into the ground which will eventually pollute the river and kill off a population of brook trout that have thrived in that river since the last glacier.

Please show your support in helping keep the Mill River and the natural habitat that thrive in its’ waters by signing this petition and not allowing any type of development by the State of Connecticut or the Town of Easton.

How you can take become involved and take action:

Follow this link http://www.fishingnortheast.net/connecticut-local-fishing-news/help-save-mill-river-in-easton-connecticut/ to sign the online petition and leave a comment.
Email cfe@citizensforeaston.org to receive updates.
Attend Board of Selectmen meetings (bi-monthy; agendas posted on Town of Easton website)

4. Write the Easton Selectmen: First Selectman Adam Dunsby, adunsby@eastonct.gov; Selectman Scott Centrella, carriecolangelo@optonline.net, Selectman Robert Lessler, rlessler@eastonct.gov and BCC cfe@citizensforeaston.org

Written by NutmegTrout21714Jan, 2016

Ice Fishing with Tom Bourret, January 19

Meeting at Port 5, 69 Brewster St, Bridgeport CT, 7 PM, and the pizza will be hot.

Our speaker for January will be Tom Bourret, a Sr Fisheries Biologist at CT DEEP. Tom is going to share lots of information on Ice Fishing, a program that he has helped to coordinate for the last 25 years in the C.A.R.E. Family Workshops (CT Aquatic Resources Education). He will cover ice fishing safety techniques, proper clothing and the gear that you will need. And his tips will get you ready to set up on the ice. There are 2 ice fishing events approaching: CARE Family Ice Fishing Derby, January 30^th, on Coventry Lake; and No Child Left Inside Winter Festival, February 6, on Black Rock Pond.

Tom is a native of CT and has worked for DEEP since 1984. He has been involved in many of the projects such as Bantam Lake pike capture and spawning, Kokanee Salmon capture and spawning, electrofishing on the rivers, streams and in lakes, creel surveys on the Farmington, Housatonic, and 4 Northwestern lakes to name a few of his many projects.

Bring your questions on gear and techniques! Bring the kids too, if you want them to learn the right way to think about Ice Fishing!

Written by NutmegTrout21705Dec, 2015

Spey casting for large fish over longer distances

December 5, 2015

On December 15, 2015, Nutmeg TU will have a general meeting with speakers and the Annual Pot Luck dinner. Please RSVP to Jerry Goldstein so that he can reduce the duplicates, know how many tables to set up, and answer any questions, contact jerryg@attygoldstein.com. Your dish to share needs to feed 8 to 10 and last names beginning with A-J are asked to bring a side dish, K-Q are asked to bring a main dish, R-Z are asked to bring a dessert.

Spey casting has grown in popularity over the last 25 years to better target large fish over large rivers and salt water. The available equipment and gear have grown expansively. Our speakers, Lisa Weiner and Jerry Jahn of Spey Casting North East, www.speycastingnortheast.com, are going to share some of their knowledge on casting techniques and equipment.

Jerry Jahn and Fred Krowchenko are two of the old timers in the New England fly fishing community who began a joint venture about 6 years ago to teach Spey casting to others interested in the techniques. Their classes are limited to 4 students maximum, with two or three instructors. This gives time to work with each student and understand their needs as individuals. Their main objective is to pass on the fishing knowledge to younger people in the sport they have enjoyed for so many years.

Lisa is fairly new to SCNE and joined with Jerry and Fred this past year as one of their teachers after many lessons. She has been Spey casting for over 4 years and represents Mystic fly rods at Spey Nation and the Fly Fishing Show in NJ.

Jerry has been fishing for Atlantic Salmon for over 30 years and 25 of them have been with the two handed spey rod. He has fished the Penobscot River in Maine and the Miramichi River in New Brunswick. The rods were very long and slow in action in comparison to today’s equipment. Jerry is an excellent caster of single hand and two hand rods, his enthusiasm is infectious and very well received by all of their students. He is focused on getting the student to understand and to be successful in Spey casting techniques.

Fred enjoys the details of rod design and line tapers and will explore any new equipment on the market. He began experimenting with Spey rods over 20 years ago and really began to understand the casting in a 3-day class in 1998 with Jim Vincent and Simon Gawesworth of Rio Products. Simon and Fred have remained friends and Rio Products is one of the supporters of SCNE.

There is lots more information on their website, so check it out.