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Written by NutmegTrout21730May, 2013

Call, sign petition to protect Farmington

The University of Connecticut is seeking an additional water supply for a potential technology park in Storrs and increased development in the town of Mansfield, and has solicited a number of proposals. The plan submitted by MDC would draw water from a reservoir in the Farmington River watershed, west of Hartford, and pipe it to Storrs.

The Connecticut Fund for the Environment, Save the Sound, Trout Unlimited and other conservation groups are concerned that this would violate the state’s Plan of Conservation and Development by encouraging sprawl in rural areas, that it moves water from one watershed to another, and that it doesn’t conform to a regional water plan. Following these plans is one of the most important ways to make sure our waters stay healthy and adequate to support our communities and wildlife. (Read more in the groups’ blog post.)

Please join in asking UConn to find a more sustainable way to meet its water needs, and in calling for statewide planning that will protect our critical water resources.

Step 1: Call UConn

Call the office of UConn President Susan Herbst at 860-486-2337 .

Sample script:

“Hi, my name is ___, from ___. I’m calling to ask President Herbst to find a solution to UConn’s water needs that doesn’t pull water from the Farmington River Watershed. Water planning is an issue that affects all Connecticut residents. Please make UConn a leader by choosing a solution that supplies only as much water as is needed, protects the integrity of the Farmington and Thames watersheds, and conforms to the state’s Plan of Conservation and Development. Could you pass my message along? Thank you!”

Step 2: Sign the Petition

Voices for the Farmington River has created a petition asking for a smarter water solution for UConn. Please join the over 1,000 Connecticut residents who have already spoken up for sustainable water planning. Then please share it with your friends. Let’s see how many signatures we can get before June 7, when the petition will be ended and delivered to Governor Malloy and President Herbst.

Written by NutmegTrout21730May, 2013

Open house at Rainbow Dam

The annual Open House at the Rainbow Dam Fishway will be held Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

This is the largest fishway in Connecticut and there is a good chance to see migrating salmon, shad, bass, trout, sea lamprey, and other marine life, according to Stephen Gephard ,supervisor of the Diadromous Fish Program and Habitat and Conservation Enhancement Program for the Inland Fisheries Division of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

There is an underground viewing window that is normally off-limits to the public, but on this day the public is invited down to watch fish swim by.

Those using GPS to find the fishway should try 400 Rainbow Road, Windsor. You still may have to look for our sign on the south side of the road. Otherwise, take I-91 to Exit 40 and Rt. 20 toward the airport. Take the “Hamilton South” exit, turn left and proceed to the intersection at Rainbow Road. Turn right and look for our signs to the left within a ¼ mile.

“Given the river conditions and the weather forecast, I bet there is a good chance fish will be actively migrating on Saturday,” Gephard said in an email.

Written by NutmegTrout21724May, 2013

Environmental groups fight for dam inspections

Connecticut’s landscape is dotted with approximately 5,500 dams, most of them on private property. The state currently has only one full-time dam inspector — not nearly sufficient to ensure that the dams are sound, according to the Connecticut Fund for the Environment and Save the Sound.

HB 6441, An Act Concerning the Dam Safety Program, would let landowners have dams on their property inspected by qualified private sector engineers instead. The idea has wide support, but session is coming to an end and we need your help in making sure the bill gets a vote soon!

Please call one or more of these leaders today:

• Rep. Brendan Sharkey, Speaker of the House: 860-240-8500

• Rep. Joe Aresimowicz, House Majority Leader: 860-240-8489

• Rep. Linda Gentile, Environment Committee co-chair: 860-240-8585

Callers will reach an aide or an answering machine. Here’s a sample script you can use:

“Hi, my name is ___ from _[town]_. I’m calling to ask Representative ___ help make sure HB 6441, An Act Concerning the Dam Safety Program, comes up for a vote soon. This bill will improve public safety and encourage the removal of old and unnecessary dams, and it should not be held up any longer.”

Can you do more? Call your own representative and ask him or her to support HB 6441 in two ways: first, by asking their leadership to make sure the bill is brought up for a vote, and second, by voting yes on HB 6441 once it’s called. Call the House Democrats switchboard at 800-842-8267 or the House Republicans switchboard at 800-842-1423 and ask to be connected to your representative by name. If you don’t know who your state representative is, you can look them up and find their phone number on the CGA website or at www.votesmart.org.

The policy change in HB 6441 is a simple measure that will have multiple benefits:

• Protecting the public from the hazards of dam failure

• Protecting landowners from liability

• Creating steady jobs for private sector engineers

• Encouraging the removal of unnecessary dams, which restores natural flow to rivers, prevents the buildup of toxic sediments, and allows fish access to their upstream spawning grounds

Chart identifies tagged fish in the Housy

Mike Humphreys, a fishery biologist for the state DEEP, provided the Housatonic Fly Fisherman’s with the attached chart at a recent meeting.

Humphreys spoke of this chart at the HFFA’s April membership meeting. This will help anglers identify the types of stocked fish they catch and release up on the Housy.

Mike is always looking for angler feedback, which helps to assess holdover rates, by species and length stocked. This helps the CTDEEP determine the best types, sizes and periods to stock trout, Dan Keney of the HFFA said.

The chart covers data from 2011 to the pending stocking this fall.

The identification tag mark feedback also helps measure trout holdover rates and the impact of the HFFA’s annual thermal refuge work and other club conservation efforts.

Written by NutmegTrout21723May, 2013

Beardsley Zoo trout release May 31

Nutmeg members are invited to the Pequannock River in Beardsley Park Friday, May 31, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. for the second annual trout release by Trout in the Classroom students at Interdistrict Discovery Magnet School.

Interdistrict Discovery Magnet School sixth graders have hooked up with Trout in the Classroom, an environmental education program, to connect students with Connecticut’s watersheds. The students raised trout from eggs to fingerlings, monitored and controlled tank water quality, engaged in stream habitat study and ecosystem understanding, learned to appreciate water resources, and have begun to foster a conservation ethic.

The program includes the trout release; macroinvertebrate collection and identification (if weather permits); and a celebration at Beardsley Zoo.

Ron Merly shows the size of the fish that can be caught on the annual Nutmeg TU camping trip along the Housatonic.

Written by NutmegTrout21715May, 2013

Nutmeg camping trip May 31-June 2

The Nutmeg Chapter will host our 7th annual Housatonic River Fly fishing and Camping weekend on May 31-June 2 at Housatonic Meadows State Park in Sharon. Members are invited to come for the weekend, a day, or just to fish the evening hatch and enjoy the beauty of the river and its surroundings. Typically there are all sorts of bugs hatching at this time and several members have caught large trout at past events.

If you wish to camp, please go to either the Houastonic Meadows website or to ReserveAmerica to reserve a campsite. Camping fees are $17 per night and a $9 reservation charge. We have already reserved Site #43 for the weekend so if you want to be near other Nutmeg TUers, please reserve a nearby site.

Written by NutmegTrout21724Apr, 2013

Compleat Angler offers Fly Fishing 101

The Compleat Angler in Darien has announced it will offer fly fishing classes for free in “Fly Fishing 101.”

Lessons include lessons on fly casting and outfit rigging.

Classes will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturdays, April 27, May 4 and May at The Compleat Angler, 541 Post Road, Darien.

Upon completion of Fly Fishing 101, anglers will receive a Free Trout Unlimited Membership, a $35 value, and a free one-year IFFF (International Federation of Fly Fishers) electronic membership,

Space is limited to six people per class and are first come, first served. Reserve a spt by calling 203-655-9400.

Lou Tabory and Westport Outfitters are joining forces on fly-casting classes this spring.

Written by NutmegTrout21724Apr, 2013

Westport Outfitters, Lou Tabory teach fly-casting

During the spring of 2013, Westport Outfitters, in conjunction with legendary angler, product developer and author, Lou Tabory, will continue our quest to introduce the wonderful world of Fly Fishing to beginners, as well as refine those skills of more advanced fisherman and women.

Intro/Intermediate Classes will meet:

• May 11 at 6 a.m. at Compo Beach, Westport

• June 8 at 6 a.m. at Compo Beach, Westport

This intro/intermediate course will begin promptly at 6 a.m. in the water, in your waders. Lou and the crew from W.O. will work with you in learning the general casting stroke for fly fishing; teach you how to read the water to identify bait movement, current, structure and feeding fish patterns and lanes. You will have the opportunity to cast some additional rods with varying types of lines for saltwater fly fishing. After the fishing, we will return to the shop where Lou will go over several formal slide presentations, that will reiterate what was learned on the water, including gear selection, knot tying, fly presentation and much, much more! After lunch, we will have an extended Q&A and then finally return to the park to wrap things up with more hands on casting. The day will end at approximately 3 p.m.

Cost is $150.00, which includes a light breakfast, full lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

Advanced Class

• TBD-Fall 2011 Compo Beach, Westport

The advanced class with Lou & the crew from W.O. will begin with a similar agenda as the intro/intermediate. Focus will be given to more technical casting skills such as mastering the double haul, increasing your distance, carrying more line in the air, accuracy of casts, improving fly presentation and tips on fishing/casting with heavier sinking lines and bigger flies. When we return to the shop after the fishing, more advanced knot tying will be discussed/demonstrated as well as a much closer look at reading the water and more effective wading tips to increase your catch. After lunch, we will return to the lawn for more hands on casting and demonstrations. The day will end at approximately 3:00 P.M. Cost is $150.00, which includes a light breakfast, full lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

To reserve your spot for any of the above events, call 203.341.9490 or email (ejohnson@westportoutfitters.com) the shop. Class size will be limited to insure an effective student to teacher ratio.

James Prosek signs copies of his book "Ocean Fishes" at Nutmeg TU's holiday party last December. A documentary on eels by the local resident will premiere on the PBS series "Nature" Wednesday, April 17.

Written by NutmegTrout21715Apr, 2013

PBS to air Prosek on eels

“The Mystery of Eels,” a documentary about freshwater eels by James Prosek of Easton, premieres on the PBS series “Nature” Wednesday, April 17, at 8 p.m.

According to Prosek, who wrote and narrates the program, his introduction to the slimy, muscular fish occurred when fishing as a boy in the ponds and rivers of Connecticut. He would catch the beady-eyed eels by accident when fishing for something else. But when an old game warden explained that they were born thousands of miles away in the Sargasso Sea, somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle, Prosek became hooked and determined to learn as much he could about the mysterious creatures.

Prosek’s quest, documented in his book Eels: An Exploration, from New Zealand to the Sargasso, of the World’s Most Mysterious Fish.

Information about the show can be found here.

The show will also be available for viewing online at pbs.org.

Click here to view video of Prosek making prints of eels in the studio.

Written by NutmegTrout21708Apr, 2013

Election of Nutmeg TU officers May 9

In accordance with chapter bylaws, Nutmeg’s annual election of chapter officers is by the chapter’s Board of Directors at its May meeting, which is May 9, 2013.

For the 2013-14 year, the following are nominated as candidates:

President: Charles Petruccelli

Vice President: Bob Campbell

Treasurer: Phil Jacques

Secretary: Rich Rosen.

Additional nominations are invited and must be made in person at the April chapter meeting (April 16 ) or received by me in writing no later than April 30, 2013, by sending an email to me at prosit67@gmail.com or by US Mail at 12 Charcoal Hill Road, Westport, CT 06880.

Bill Blaufuss

Chairman

Nominating Committee

March 28, 2013