Proper water temperature is critical to the survival of trout. In general, the optimal maximum temperature for trout is less than 68 degrees F (20 degrees C), with brook trout getting stressed at 66 degrees F .Anything above 75 degrees F (23 degrees C) can be lethal to trout. We all love holdover and wild fish, but low flows, warm water runoff and reduced canopy all contribute to poor trout habitat.

In order to obtain a baseline for trout survivability, your Nutmeg chapter of Trout Unlimited has expanded its temperature logging program. Using this data we can a) identify areas in distress and b) verify that our conservation work to improve water quality is making a difference.

Last year we placed three temperature loggers in the Mill River along Congress Street and Park Avenue, and two loggers in the Pequonnock near both ends of the Trumbull basin.

Sadly, the results were not promising.

• The Mill River along Park Ave., below Buck Hill reached more than 25 degrees C (deadly)
• The Mill River along Congress Street by Rt. 59 exceeded 22 degrees C (marginal)
• The Mill River along Congress downstream near Heritage Drive exceeded 23 degrees (very marginal)
• The Pequonnock River in Parlor Rock reached 27 degrees C (deadly)
• The Pequonnock River by Tait Road exceeded 25 degrees C (deadly)

Fish in the Mill and Pequonnock Rivers need summer refuges to survive. Since the Mill is a wild trout river, clearly this is the case. We have identified nesting Redds and the trout are thriving in the upper Mill, thanks to the cold-water releases from the Easton dam. The work planned for the Mill River along Congress should help long term as we deepen the river and add (planned) 19 pools and structure. In the Pequonnock you can find some holdovers, so there must be springs or deep holes within the waterway. With more loggers we may find them.

This year, with the help of DEEP loaned equipment, we have expanded our focus to include the following rivers:

• Sasco Creek (1)
• Means Brook (1)
• Upper Aspetuck (2)
• Little River (2)

The temperature loggers are placed in the river in May and retrieved in September, at which point we can download and review the data.

Having this data will provide valuable insight for future projects and healthier trout populations.

If you are interested in participating in this important effort, please let us know. Contact: Gian Morresi, Nutmeg TU Conservation Chair at gamorresi@protonmail.com.

Enjoy some great fishing on the state’s best tailwater stream (we’re expecting to see the Army Corps drop flows to fishable levels on Friday) and then spend the evening under the stars enjoying the best fishing films from around the globe as we bring the Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) to Parrott Delaney Tavern.

Located at 37 Greenwoods Road and steps away from the famous Ovation Pool, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a drink and some nibbles from a select menu from the restaurant and watch the F3T on a giant outdoor screen!

Best of all, proceeds from the night support Trout Unlimited! Tickets are $25

The Connecticut Council of TU will hold its quarterly meeting at at Parrott Delaney Tavern from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday.

So round up your friends and fishing buddies and be sure not to miss this fun night!

Tickets & Details Online at: https://tu.myeventscenter.com/event/Farmingtonf3t-51942 

Nutmeg TU is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021, and plans are in the works for an event to celebrate the occasion.

COVID put a pause on all TU gatherings, including any sort of gala to celebrate the event, but we are working to put together a celebration in November.

We are also looking for longtime members and board members who would like to be interviewed for a video about the history of Nutmeg TU.

To volunteer to help with the celebration in any way, or to be interviewed for the video, contact John Kovach at jkiii62@yahoo.com.

If you like to teach children and improve habitat for trout, please consider becoming the Trout in the Classroom coordinator for Nutmeg TU.

Trout in the Classroom, offered nationally by TU, teaches children how to monitor water quality, protect the ecosystem and instills conservationism as they raise trout in a tank from eggs to fingerlings, then release the young into a river near their homes and schools. Information on the program and requirements  an be found at troutintheclassroom.org.

Invasive Chinese Mitten Crabs are spreading in Connecticut, and have been reported in the lower Housatonic River estuary and, most recently, in the Mill River in Hamden, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Those who find a crab they suspect to be a Chinese mitten crab should NOT release it.

If you find a Mitten Crab, note the date and location, preserve the crab by freezing it or placing it in alcohol, and contact Dave Molnar in the CT DEEP Marine Fisheries Program (David.Molnar@ct.gov or 860-447-4334) ASAP.

Volunteers are encouraged to report their findings within 48 hours whenever possible.

For more information, please see the adjacent flyer and photo. (Click on the flyer for a larger version.

Chinese Mitten Crabs are native to the Pacific coast of China and Korea and are considered an exotic and potentially invasive species here in Connecticut.   If you paddle or fish along Connecticut’s coastline and lower rivers please keep an eye out for these potential invaders which can be identified using the following distinctive characteristics:

• Claws are of equal size.
• “Furry” claws with whitish tips.
• Brown to green carapace, four spines (the fourth can be small) on each side.
• Notch between the eyes.

Kayak/Canoe fishing trip.

July 11 at Huntington State Park in Redding.

Rain/Weather date will be July 18th.

The trip starts at 10:30 am and goes to about 3:30.

No fees or costs. Everyone needs there own kayak (unless someone is using a 2-person kayak) and life preserver. We’ll make our way around the inter-connected lakes in the park for many different fishing opportunities.  Plenty of bass, sunfish, pickerel, catfish, and even trout.

There are no motor boats on the lake. If you have not been there before the waters the park has three interconnected lakes, each with their own style. Great lakes for all types of fishing. Orvis uses the lakes to teach fly fishing.

Bring lunch, drinks, a hat, your current freshwater fishing license, and your favorite freshwater fishing equipment. As always you’ll want to have tie downs for anything you bring and to wear a life preserver. Don’t forget the life preserver and your camera.

Sign up in advance so we know to wait for you and to let you know if it is delayed for weather.

You can either signup via Meetup.com at Eastern Fairfield Fishing & Conservation page (click Link) (you will need to sign in to Meetup first) or by emailing Jerry at admin@nutmegtrout.org.  Please include your Name, the Names of all members of your party, your Email Address, and your Phone Number.

A $188,000 state grant and a partnership among the Aspectuck Land Trust, the town of Easton and the state will help protect 19 acres along the Mill River.

The land abuts the river, a wild trout habitat, at 22 South Park Avenue. The protected land is part of a tract colloquially known as the former New England Prayer Center, which was purchased by Easton.

Click here to read more at eastoncourier.news.

Click here to read about this grants and others in the area in the Westchester and Fairfield County Business Journals.

Trout Unlimited has posted the job application for the all new CT & NY Regional Engagement Manager position. Here is the job description link: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/602018

Because of the current financial support and pledges of future support from our 14 chapters in the region, TU is able to direct an additional $50,000 in TU national funds to this position, ensuring it will be a shared effort and shared benefit for our important mission work in the region.

The goal is to transform the region into a more collaborative and cohesive team working together to grow our base of support, increase the breadth of our activities and deepen our impact on the wild and native trout streams we are working to care for and recover.

The hiring committee will be working to review application and interview candidates over the next 1-2 months and hope to have a hire in place by August.

Following that effort, one of the first orders of business of the new hire will be to spend significant time meeting with and listening to all of you to learn how your chapter is faring, what efforts you are most proud of, what challenges you face and what resources you need to grow your impact.