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Written by NutmegTrout21713Nov, 2015

Fishing the Housatonic River with Rob Nicholas

November 12, 2015. Nutmeg TU will hold its meeting at 7 PM on Tues, Nov 15, at Port 5.

Since 1993, Rob Nicholas (owner / head guide) has been guiding and teaching the sport of fly fishing to all skill levels from beginner to expert on both the Housatonic and Farmington rivers, as well as some lesser known, smaller streams. Rob is a full time guide on the Housatonic and has over 30 years of fly fishing knowledge and experience here in the Northeast, western states, New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina. Rob became a Federation of Fly Fishers certified casting instructor in 1993. While usually the dry fly enthusiast, Rob is also well versed in nymphing and streamer techniques during non-hatch periods. He has tied some of his own flies specifically designed for the fishing the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers.

Rob is going to share some of his knowledge about fishing the Housatonic at our general meeting at 7 PM on Tues, November 15, at Port Five, 69 Brewster St, Bridgeport, CT.

Written by NutmegTrout21718Oct, 2015

From Ron Merly’s desk, October

19 inch wild Housatonic Brown Trout

The fishing in both the fresh and salt water has been consistently in consistent. With the constant high pressure, no rain and not much barometric fluctuation, the fish and the fishing has been a bit unpredictable. Out in the salt, anglers are having great days with the false albies and the stripers…. other days, nothing in sight. Blackfishing has been a bit better. Very little consistency out there.

In the streams, the Housy, Farmington and Mill Rivers are really the only fishable streams as everything else is dried up. We are currently suffering more than a 6 inch deficit in our rainfall for the year and the Housatonic is dropping quickly. The Naugatuck River has been stocked with salmon but with no water, it’s not much of a challenge.

Hopefully, we’ll soon get the much needed rain.

Ron M.

Written by NutmegTrout21718Oct, 2015

Fly Fishing Western L.I. Sound with Capt. Gendron

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

At the general meeting on Tuesday, October 20th, Captain Roger Gendron will be talking about his experiences and sharing knowledge on fishing the western Long Island Sound. Capt. Roger has been actively “guiding” the waters of Western Long Island Sound since 1989. As a local who has spent his entire life in this area, he started fly fishing the coast of Fairfield County Connecticut over 30 years ago, and was one of the first guides in the area to specialize in fly fishing and light tackle fishing in shallow salt water. He will spend some time with us on Tuesday targeting the coastline of Fairfield County.

As well as teaching his clients fishing and fly casting technique over the last twenty five seasons, he has also been an instructor of advanced navigation and seamanship at the American Marine Training school formerly based in Stratford, CT.

He continues to offer piloting and navigation instruction to boat owners and mariners new to the area. He speaks to various clubs and organizations on the topic of fly fishing and light tackle techniques during the off season.

Capt. Roger’s focus is on his clients’ enjoyment and safety, offering a fun day on the water whether fly fishing, light tackle fishing, or a little of each!

One of Capt. Roger’s happy client!

Written by NutmegTrout21713Sep, 2015

From Ron Merly’s Desk, September

The saltwater action was spotty this season but when it was good, it was really good. Some very large stripers were caught in our area earlier in the season including a 65 pounder caught off of Bridgeport. Sea bass continue to be caught but mostly at night. Overall, right now the fishing in southwestern Long Island Sound is slow.

On the freshwater end of the spectrum, we are in a drought. The Housatonic River is lower than it has been in a few years which will affect the survival rates of the trout. The rest of the streams in the state remain low as we presently have a deficit of more than 1 1/2 inches of rain. We are so very fortunate to have the Farmington River in our backyard. The river has been running well and fishing well. Hatches are early in the morning through mid-day and the action has been dropping off in the evenings for the past month. The fish were keyed in on Needhami flies for the past few weeks but seem to prefer the tricos now. Terrestrials are also working well as I landed a 24.5″ brown trout on an ant. I also caught a beautiful wild brookie on an Adams at the head of Ovation Pool so sometimes it pays to think outside of the box a little bit and move away from what the fish are constantly seeing. Good luck and tight lines.

Ron Merly

Written by NutmegTrout21707Aug, 2015

Sunday evening fishing!

Panfishing

When – Sunday August 16^th, 5pm (evening)

Where – Hope Lake, Shelton parking lot on Nells Rock road in Shelton

Coordinator – David Edgeworth cell # 203 627-5817

You must RSVP if you are interested

There are 3 lakes to fish, all are accessible from shore or allow Kayaks and Canoes

Hope Lake, Silent Lake and Pine Lake

You can use bait, lures or Fly fish, whatever you are into, all is allowed at these lakes. Bring your fishing gear, and water. Bring your kayaks, canoes, and waders.

Written by NutmegTrout21707Jul, 2015

Saturday fly fishing!

Calendar of Events

Board Meeting, Tues evening, July 7, 2015, has been rescheduled to August.

Fishing Meetup, Saturday, July 11, 2015, 10 AM to 3 PM. Dave and Tristan will lead the clinic for Smallmouth Bass with river maps, and fly and spin casting instructions. The clinic will last about 30 minutes. Meet at the Housatonic Meadows State Park, across the road from the old Orvis Fly Shop. Yes, you will need your fishing gear, waders, and beverages/food. If you have more questions, Contact Dave Wilgan at his email: dave@wilganinsurance.com

Fly Tying at Chuck’s, Tues evening, July 14,, 2015, 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 cmacmath59@yahoo.com 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, July 28, 2015, 7 PM Trumbull. Contact Chuck MacMath at cmacmath59@yahoo.com .

Board Meeting, Tues evening, August 4, 2015,at the Fairfield Library, 7 PM. Please RSVP to Rich Rosen, rhrosen@aol.com .

Fishing Meetup, Aug TBD, 2015, a weekday evening, Dave Edgeworth to lead in Shelton. Bring your canoe or kayak.

Written by NutmegTrout21718Jun, 2015

Calendar of Events

Calendar of Events, fishing and tying.

A Fishing Meetup is planned for Sunday, Feb 21, 2016. Meet at the pull-off parking area near Park Ave and Buck Hill Rd, Easton, at 10 AM. Bring your small stream fishing gear, water, snacks, and dress appropriately. Contact Chuck Petrucelli for questions at chuckp@optonline.net .

Fly Tying at Chuck’s, Tues evening, Feb 23, 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, March 8, 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.

TU Nutmeg meeting, Tues, March 15, 2016, 7 PM at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., Bridgeport, CT. Our speaker will be announced before the meeting.

First Annual Long Island Fly Fishing Expo, March 19th, 2016: Long Island and Art Flick Chapters of TU, in partnership with the Long Island Fly Rodders, the Salty Fly Rodders, River Bay Outfitters and The Fisherman Magazine, are conducting the 1st Annual Long Island Fly Fishing Expo on March 19th, 2016 from 10am to 5pm at the Holiday Inn – Plainview, Long Island, 215 Sunnyside Blvd, Plainview, NY 11803. The event will include many fly tyers, guides, outfitters and manufacturers, along with presentations & films on fly fishing and fly casting. Admission is $10.00 for adults and FREE for children under 18 with a paid adult. For additional information, call Paul McCain, Expo Coordinator, at 516-415-7748.

Fly Tying at Chuck’s, Tues evening, March 22, 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.

Fishing outing by RSVP on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. The club will return to Limestone Trout Club for a full day with lunch included this year for $30. Contact Rich Rosen at RHRosen@aol.com for questions and to reserve your spot. Only 30 spots are available.

Written by NutmegTrout21718Jun, 2015

Volunteer for the Mill River work session.

Mill River Habitat Improvement Project

As a reminder this Saturday, June 20th, from 9:00 am until noon we will be working on controlling the Japanese knotweed on the Congress Street section of the Mill River in Fairfield, CT. Saturday weather prediction is perfect for this activity, sunny high of 75 F. All ages of volunteers are invited to come out and support your chapter in this effort. If you are not a chapter member, you too are invited also. For your own comfort wear long pants, long sleeve shirt, and sturdy shoes/boots; bring your work gloves. There is a lot of poison ivy indigenous on the site.

We will meet at the footbridge on Congress Street, in Fairfield, CT. This is the border between Fairfield and Easton. Congress runs parallel to the Merritt Parkway.

Our chapter is in the 3rd year of controlling the knotweed, 2nd worst invasive in the U.S., at this location. We have treated the invasive with chemical for two years. This has resulted in reducing the amount of knotweed to a point that can managed through cutting. Cutting should occur twice a year. Once in June to stress the knotweed’s rhizome and once in September before it flowers to stop seeding and to stress the rhizome.

This Saturday we will cut the knotweed with sickles for the June event. This is actually quite a satisfying exercise. This pernicious weed can sprout from the cuttings and there is no place that will take it. What we will do is wrap the cuttings in black plastic to contain the weed and leave on site to die. Once dead it can be safely mulched.

Come out, volunteer, and enjoy the camaraderie of this volunteer effort. Bring a family member or friend. As I said above cutting down this stuff is fun.

See you on Saturday!

Charles Petruccelli | President | Nutmeg Chapter Trout Unlimited

Contact Chuck Petrucelli at chuckp@optonline.net for details and RSVP.

Written by NutmegTrout21702Jun, 2015

From Ron Merly’s desk, May 24th

As I write this report, the state as well as all of New England, could use a few good rain storms. The rain deficit is currently more than 2″ and all of the smaller streams are very low. The Housatonic has just been re-stocked for the Memorial Day weekend but there is a heavy algae bloom occurring due to the water levels dropping so quickly at this time of the year. The upper Naugatuck was recently re-stocked as well but is running extremely low. The Farmington has been consistently stocked and is loaded with trout but the water is very clear and flows are down, making it difficult to catch fish during the day. Mornings and evenings are your best bet but if you are there during the day, fish nymphs unless you see fish rising.

I spent some time up in Vermont this past week and had all intentions of fishing the lower Black River in Cavendish. It was literally puddles so I did not fish. There were some very nice fish in some of the holes, and yet, if I hooked them, the fish would not have any water for them to run, which is why I decided not fish.

I also fished the Pomperaug River recently which is prone to low flows but the river is extremely low at present (I urge all of you to go and see it). The Connecticut Siting Council recently approved the construction of the Towantic Power Plant in Oxford. I can’t begin to imagine how they will be drawing more than 1 million gallons of water out of that river system annually and what condition it will be in during a drought such as this. But it now makes perfect sense to me as to why Governor Malloy merged the Department of Energy with the Department of Environmental Protection a few years back. DEEP’s hands were completely tied on this issue. I suggest writing the legislature on the subject of conflict of interest within these departments being merged as one, using the construction of a Power plant that we do not need as a perfect example. Remember, this affects the Pomperaug River, Sprain Brook, the Weekeepeemee River, the Nonewaug River, the Little River, and the Naugatuck River, the entire Housatonic River estuary as well as Long Island Sound. Power plants are notorious for attracting invasive species due to the warm water outflow.

Newtown recently appealed to Aquarion to pipe water from the Easton Reservoir over to Newtown obviously because they are aware that the power plant will make water scarce in that area. Luckily, it was denied by DEEP but watch out for more of these requests. Meanwhile, the future of the Mill in Easton (Running Brook Farm) hangs in the balance.

Poaching also remains rampant this year. If you witness poachers, call the state hotline, 800-842-4357. I know we’ve all done it with little results but if they receive hundreds of calls, maybe something might change.

Wishing I had better news for the report,

Ron Merly

Written by NutmegTrout21702Jun, 2015

Trout in the Classroom Liberate Their Fish

Trout in the Classroom Programs Liberate Their Fish

Statewide schools participating in Trout Unlimited’s Trout in the Classroom program are releasing the trout they have raised in their classroom since the eggs hatched. The Brown Trout (eggs provided by the Kensington State Fish Hatchery) are being released to local rivers and streams. Students have spent many hours caring for and learning about the needs of Brown Trout. Good luck to all of the fry raised and released by these students. Contact CT Trout Unlimited for more information about the Trout in the Classroom program. Ed Albrecht is our state wide coordinator. And Dave Edgeworth is our Nutmeg TIC coordinator.