Category: News

Written by NutmegTrout21711Oct, 2012

Orvis, TU National working to open 1,000 miles of water

Orvis and Trout Unlimited have announced the first two streams that will be improved to allow better passage for wild and native trout as part of the new Orvis / Trout Unlimited “1,000 Miles Campaign.”

Murphy Brook in Vermont and Tabor Brook in New Hampshire—both tributaries of the Connecticut River system—will be the first beneficiaries of funding raised by Orvis and its customers, and TU will oversee construction and reconnection projects on both streams. Migration-halting culverts will be replaced, and dozens of new miles of habitat will be available to brook trout and brown trout that need intact coldwater habitat to spawn and to escape the worst of summer’s heat.

Thanks in part to an Orvis grant and matching funds from the company’s customers, the two entities hope to open up 1,000 miles of new coldwater habitat to trout and salmon all over America. Many streams with spawning and rearing potential—and fishing potential—are now blocked by faulty culverts and other man-made barriers. The campaign’s goals include not only increasing overall trout habitat from coast to coast, but improving fishing opportunity resulting from stream improvements.

“Opening up 1,000 miles of new habitat for trout and salmon over the next 10 years is an ambitious goal, but we think we can do it,” said Elizabeth Maclin, TU’s vice president for eastern conservation. “We’re lucky to have dedicated partners like the people at Orvis—they’ve always been very supportive of the work we do, and their commitment to this project means the world to us.”

By opening up habitat in Murphy Brook and Tabor Brook to migrating fish, anglers will likely see improved fish numbers in downstream stretches of water, and enjoy more fishable water in the coming years. Two culverts will be replaced on Tabor Brook this fall, and work to remove a culvert that blocks upstream migration on Murphy Brook will begin later in the year.

The 1,000 Miles Campaign will help fund culvert removal projects on several other trout streams located all over America. These streams are:

  • Kinne Brook, a tributary to the Westfield River in Massachusetts
  • Coyner Springs, a tributary to the South River near Waynesboro, Va.
  • Crazy Creek, a tributary to the Crooked River in the Upper Deshutes River drainage in Oregon
  • Aldrich Brook, a tributary to Azizchos Lake and the Magalloway River in Maine
  • Yellow Creek, a tributary to the Bear River in southwest Wyoming
  • Big Slough Creek, a Driftless Areas stream in Jackson County, Wisc.

“Culverts are significant impediments to fish passage and survival — just as significant as a major dam — but the solution is dramatically simpler, costs less, and the overall benefits to many watersheds is profound,” said Dave Perkins, Vice Chairman of Orvis. “By removing these impediments, we not only add vital habitat for fish, but we also open many miles of fishable waters for anglers. We’re proud to partner with TU in this effort to engage the fly-fishing community in support of this often overlooked opportunity to dramatically improve fish habitat across the country.”

Derrick Kirkpatrick
Written by NutmegTrout21711Oct, 2012

Landing big steelheads and browns

Derrick Kirkpatrick

Derrick Kirkpatrick of CTFishguides will give a presentation on fly fishing for large brown trout and steelhead in New York and Pennsylvania at the next regular meeting of Nutmeg TU Chapter 217 on Tuesday, Octt. 16.

The talk will cover proper dress and equipment, as well as the techniques needed to have a successful lake tributary outing.

The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Fayerweather Yacht Club, 51 Brewster St. in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. Free pizza.

Derrick’s background includes working for the Orvis Company and Cabelas.

He is pro-staffed by Hatch, Sage, Reddington, Rio, Hardy/Greys, St. Croix and Simms.

He attended Colorado guide school at the number one endorsed guide school in the country.  He also writes bi-weekly columns for The Fisherman magazine and has appeared in other magazines.

Broodstock salmon at the Kensington State Fish Hatchery are spawned to provide eggs for the Connecticut River Atlantic salmon Restoration Program. The surplus broodstock DEEP is stocking in 2012 range in size from 2 to 15 pounds each.
Written by NutmegTrout21710Oct, 2012

State stocks brookstock salmon

The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) has begun its 2012  autumn stockings of broodstock Atlantic salmon.

DEEP’s Inland Fisheries Division  recently released 700 salmon into the Naugatuck River, Mount Tom Pond and Crystal Lake  (Ellington). Another 300 salmon were released into the Shetucket River.

Broodstock salmon at the Kensington State Fish Hatchery are spawned to provide eggs for the Connecticut River Atlantic salmon Restoration Program. The surplus broodstock DEEP is stocking in 2012 range in size from 2 to 15 pounds each.The broodstock Atlantic salmon stocked in Connecticut were raised in state hatcheries to  provide eggs for the Connecticut River Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program and are the progeny of sea-run fish that returned to the Connecticut River.  Beginning in 1992, surplus and spawned fish have  been made available to provide a recreational fishery for Connecticut anglers.

Atlantic salmon are renowned for their size, beauty and fighting ability.

“The broodstock Atlantic salmon program has become quite popular, and catching one of these large leapers provides a  thrilling experience for anglers” said Peter Aarrestad, Director of DEP’s Inland Fisheries Division.

Crystal Lake was stocked Thursday, Sept. 27, with 200 salmon.

On Friday, Sept. 28, Mount Tom Pond was stocked with 100 salmon and the upper Naugatuck River was stocked with 200 salmon.

DEEP planned to stock the Shetucket River with 300 salmon on Monday, Oct. 9, following completion of repairs to the Scotland Dam by FirstLight Power Resources.

This first group of broodstock Atlantic salmon being released range in weight from 2 to 6 pounds  each. Later in October, several hundred additional fish may also be available for stocking. These fish will range from 2 to 15 pounds each. Following spawning later this fall, DEEP expects an additional 800 to 1,000 salmon from the Kensington Hatchery will be available for stocking in November. These fish will range in weight from 4 to 15 pounds each.

Atlantic salmon broodstock stocked in the Shetucket and Naugatuck rivers are typically released into three designated Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas: 1) between Scotland Dam (Scotland) and Occum Dam (Norwich) on the Shetucket River; 2) the “Campville Section” of the upper Naugatuck River from Route 118 downstream to the Thomaston Flood Control Dam (Litchfield-
Thomaston); and 3) the “Beacon Falls Section” of the lower Naugatuck from Prospect Street (Naugatuck) downstream to Pines Bridge Road (Route 42 bridge, Beacon Falls).

Anglers are allowed to fish for salmon in the Naugatuck River from the confluence of the East and West Branches (Torrington) downstream to the Housatonic River (Derby). Anglers may also fish for Atlantic salmon in the Housatonic River downstream of Derby Dam.

On the Shetucket River, anglers can fish for salmon downstream from the Scotland Dam (Windham) to the Water Street Bridge
in Norwich (the first bridge upstream of Norwich Harbor). In the Naugatuck, Housatonic and Shetucket Rivers, angling for Atlantic salmon is restricted to catch-and-release only from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30. From Dec. 1, 2012, through March 31, 2013, the daily creel limit for Atlantic salmon will be one.

During the open season in the rivers, the legal method for taking Atlantic salmon is limited to angling using a single fly, or an  artificial lure with a single free swinging hook. No additional weight can be added to the line above the fly or lure.

Also, from October 1st through March 31st, fishing for other species in the designated Atlantic Salmon Broodstock Areas is restricted to the gear legal for Atlantic salmon.

In 2007 DEEP began stocking selected lakes with broodstock Atlantic salmon. This fall, Mount Tom Pond and Crystal Lake are again being stocked. This past spring, 600 smaller (1- to 2-pound fish) were stocked into Long Pond (Ledyard/North Stonington) Crystal Lake, Mount Tom Pond and Nells Rock Reservoir (Shelton). Anglers may also occasionally catch salmon that have held over from
previous stockings of Beach Pond and Mashapaug Lake.

The regulations for broodstock Atlantic salmon released into lakes and ponds are different from the regulations for salmon in the Naugatuck, Housatonic and Shetucket rivers. In each lake, the regulations for methods, seasons and minimum lengths for salmon are the same as for trout in that specific water body but the daily creel limit is one salmon per day. The specific regulations for  salmon fishing in lakes that have been stocked with Atlantic salmon can be found in the 2012 Connecticut Angler’s Guide and below.

The regulations for broodstock Atlantic salmon stocked into lakes and ponds will also be posted at each body of water. Anglers can also contact DEEP’s Inland Fisheries Division (860-424-FISH) for more information.

All other regulations, including those for broodstock salmon in the Naugatuck, Housatonic and Shetucket rivers, can also be found in the 2012 Connecticut Angler’s Guide, found at www.ct.gov/deep/anglersguide. Print versions of the guides are available from many Town Clerks and bait and tackle stores, or by contacting DEEP’s Inland Fisheries Division (860-424-FISH).

Additional fishing and fisheries related information, including the Weekly Fishing Report, can be found on the DEEP web site at: ct.gov/deep/fishing.

Fisheries and Wildlife can now be found directly on Facebook at .facebook.com/CTFishandWildlife. The page features a variety of information on fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching in Connecticut.

This fall, anglers can find updates on DEEP’s broodstock Atlantic salmon stockings and news fall trout stockings in both the Weekly Fishing Reports and on the Fisheries and Wildlife Facebook page.

Lakes
Regulations for Atlantic salmon fishing in Crystal Lake (stocked this fall), Mount Tom Pond (stocked this fall), Long Pond (last stocked-April, 2012) Nells Rock Reservoir (last stocked-April, 2012), Beach Pond (last stocked- 2009) and Mashapaug Lake (last stocked-2009) are as follows:
Crystal Lake
Legal Methods: Angling and Ice Fishing – Fishing with hook and line. May include fishing with bait, flies or lures.
Open Season: Third Saturday in April through last day in March.
Minimum Length: Salmon must be greater than or equal to 16 inches to keep.
Daily creel limit: 1 Atlantic salmon

Mount Tom Pond, Beach Pond*, Long Pond**, Mashapaug Lake*, Nells Rock Reservoir**
Legal Methods: Angling and Ice Fishing – Fishing with hook and line.  May include fishing with bait, flies
or lures.
Open Season: Third Saturday in April through last day in February.
Minimum Length: None
Daily creel limit: 1 Atlantic salmon

*Beach Pond and Mashapaug Lake are not being stocked with broodstock salmon this fall. Both lakes have been stocked previously, most recently in April, 2009.

**Long Pond and Nells Rock Reservoir are not being stocked with broodstock salmon this fall. Both lakes were stocked in April, 2012 with small (1-2 pound) surplus Atlantic salmon.

Ross Ogden moves a couch found near the Mill River along Congress Street April 28. Not far from there a TV satellite dish added was found. (John Kovach photo)
Written by NutmegTrout21707Oct, 2012

Nutmeg takes it to the streams for spring cleanup

Ross Ogden moves a couch found near the Mill River along Congress Street April 28. Not far from there a TV satellite dish added was found. (John Kovach photo)

By Ron Merly

Our multi-stream clean-up was a great success thanks to outside members of the chapter.

Ross Ogden was the point person on the Mill and reported that only Ross, Bill Field and Dave Budds showed up on the Mill River. They worked hard for the three hours and removed a lot of trash.

Gian Morresi reported that he was the only member at the Saugatuck River. Three non-members showed up to help him at Devil’s Den and then they went to the fly-area on Ford Rd. to finish up.
Chuck Macmath was at the Pequonnock. He is on our Board of Directors as well as being a Boy Scout leader. He was able to get thirty scouts and twelve parents at the Pequonnock to remove an entire pick-up truck full of trash from the northern end of Beardsley Park beneath Rte. 8. Local fishermen also put their rods down and helped out with the clean-up. Only 2 chapter members were present.

On the Far Mill River in Shelton, chapter member and point person David Edgeworth reported that 15 people came out and they made a big difference on that stream, removing many bags of trash. Only David and our Treasurer Alan Boyd were members of the chapter out of those 15 volunteers.

It gets more and more difficult for me to donate over 20 hours of my time each week to an organization that has no interest in involvement. Paying your yearly dues goes to the National organization and does not benefit Nutmeg in any way, shape or form. Nutmeg needs volunteers. Was I asking too much for three hours of the memberships time to clean our local streams?

There are members who religiously attend our monthly meetings and benefit from the knowledge of a free speaker as well as eating free pizza (both of which the chapter has to pay for) but those same members never show up for our events. In case you are unaware, this is a VOLUNTEER organization and we don’t ask for much.

When most people join  T.U., they do so with the idea of making improvements on our local streams. How can we do this when only the Board of Directors and a handful of members are the only ones involved ? The BOD constantly has their hands full just trying to keep the chapter running. I am stepping down as President of the chapter this year after three years and out of 370 members, there is no one willing to take this position on. How sad is that?

I would like to gratefully thank all of the members and non-members who came out to make a big difference on our local streams. Clean, healthy water is what T.U. is all about and our local streams are better places thanks to you.

Written by NutmegTrout21707Oct, 2012

It’s up to anglers to stop ‘rock snot’

From the Connecticut DEEP

Your help is needed to prevent the spread of didymo (Didymosphenia geminata). This highly invasive freshwater form of algae (also called “rock snot”) has now been found in popular trout streams located in a number of northeastern states (New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia).

Didymo has the potential to alter food webs and degrade habitat in many Connecticut trout streams.

Didymo is typically found in shallow streams with rocky substrate.

Thought to be native to northern regions of Europe, Asia and North America, didymo originally was found only in cold, clear, low-nutrient waters. Didymo’s geographical and ecological ranges have been expanding, and now also include warmer and more nutrient-rich waters.

The occurrence and intensity of blooms are also increasing. It is currently unclear why.

The microscopic didymo cell produces a stalk to attach to the substrate. During blooms, didymo can produce large amounts of this stalk material, forming thick mats of cottony material that feels like wet wool on the bottoms of rivers and streams. These mats can potentially smother aquatic plants, mollusks, destroy invertebrate and fish habitat, and impact existing food webs.

Anglers are considered an important vector responsible for the recent spread of didymo. The microscopic cells can cling to fishing gear, waders (felt soles can be especially problematic), boots and boats, and remain viable for months under even slightly moist conditions.

What you can do to prevent the spread of didymo:

• CHECK: Before leaving a river, stream or lake, remove all obvious clumps of algae and plant material from fishing gear, waders, clothing and footwear, canoes and kayaks, and anything else that has been in the water and look for hidden clumps. Leave them at the site. If you find any later; treat and dispose of all material in the trash.

• CLEAN: Soak/spray & scrub boats and all other “hard” items for at least one minute in either very hot (140°F) water, a 2% bleach solution, or a 5% dishwashing detergent solution. Absorbent materials such as clothing and felt soles on waders should be soaked for at least 40 minutes in very hot water (140°F), or 30 minutes in hot water (115°F) with 5% dishwashing detergent. Freezing solid will also kill didymo.

• DRY: Drying will also kill didymo, but items must remain completely dry (inside and out) for at least 48 hours.
For more information on didymo:

• US EPA Region 8 website: http://www.epa.gov/region8/water/didymosphenia.

• Biosecurity New Zealand website: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/didymo

Scouts and volunteers, organized by Eagle Scout Eric Rasmussen, remove refuse from the Halfway River during spring of 2012
Written by NutmegTrout21707Oct, 2012

Scout gets tons of trash out of Halfway River

Scouts and volunteers, organized by Eagle Scout Eric Rasmussen, remove refuse from the Halfway River during spring of 2012

Eric Rasmussen orchestrated the removal of 6 tons of trash from the banks of the Halfway River just downstream of the Bagburn Hill Road. Bridge on the Newtown side Saturday, March 24, 2012.

The effort was Rasmussen’s Eagle Scout project.

Among the items removed by Rasmussen and his volunteers were two car chassis, a transmission, batteries and two old cast iron water heaters came out of the stream and a huge pile of debris consisting of car doors, hoods, car parts and carpets and whole lot of other junk.

Nutmeg TU President Ron Merly helped roll a cast iron heater out of the stream and cut it in half with a Sawzall.

“This kid went way above and beyond,” Merly said. “He spent over 100 hours attending town meetings in Monroe and Newtown as the river splits the border of those two towns. He then spent every day after school down at the site with his uncle and a battery-powered Sawzall cutting up debris so that it could be dragged up a hill and into a Dumpster. He secured the dumpster from the company for free and got them to donate the money for the scrap to the Boy Scouts.”