Written by NutmegTrout21730Nov, 2020

CT stocking lake trout

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is offering a surprise “bonus fishery,” stocking close to 500 Lake Trout in select waters around the state.
Averaging between 24 and 36 inches in length, and weighing between 5 and 7 pounds, these fish are
ready to catch in the following waterbodies, stocked last week: Winchester Lake, Coventry Lake, Tyler Lake, Squantz Pond, and Bigelow Pond.
There is no expectation that these fish will holdover for an extended period of time (years) or that they will reproduce. The intent in
stocking them is strictly to provide Connecticut anglers with a specialty fishery, enhancing late season and winter fishing opportunities.
The fish come from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Berkshire National Fish Hatchery out of New Marlborough, Mass., where they raise Lake Trout for restoration efforts in the Lower Great Lakes.
Historically, Lake Trout used to be reared by the State of Connecticut and stocked into a handful of lakes around the state; stocking ceased in 1967 and was likely attributed to poor survival in the wild.
The current harvest state record dates back to 1918, for a fish caught out of Lake Wononskopomuc that weighed 29 lbs. 13 oz.
While these recently stocked fish won’t break the state record in the harvest category (the largest fish by weight), they should provide the catch of a lifetime for many, and for the possibility of filling the state record in the “Catch & Release” (the largest fish by length) category created just this year. For more information on state record fish and the Trophy Fish Award program, visit https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Fishing/General-Information/Trophy-Fish-Award-Program
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Written by NutmegTrout21725Nov, 2020

Pebble Mine permit denied

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Wednesday that the permit for the proposed Pebble Mine, which threatened irreparable harm to Bristol Bay in Alaska, had been denied.

Meghan Barker of Trout Unlimited wrote:

Citing irreversible and unacceptable impacts to wetlands and water resources, the Army Corps of Engineers’ decision follows the high standards of the Clean Water Act, longstanding science and the overwhelming opposition that Alaskans and the American people have wielded for nearly two decades.

This permit denial happened because YOU stood up, spoke out, and made sure everyone from Alaska to Washington, D.C. knows that Pebble is a bad idea. Thank you. 

Our work is not done. Now, we secure much need permanent protections for the region. If you can, please commit to this next, critical phase today with a donation. Click here. 

Trout Unlimited has always had two goals when it comes to Bristol Bay: First, prevent the proposed Pebble mine from obtaining this permit. Then, secure up-front, permanent and community supported protections against large-scale mining for the region. Today, we check number one off our list and celebrate, and commit to doubling down on number two.

To achieve permanent protections that ensure this special place, and all the communities and people who depend on it, can continue to thrive will involve more hard work and collaboration. We need your continued support. Please chip in to seeing this through today.  DONATE NOW. 

Our team would like to give each and every one of you a big ole bear hug for continuing to take action and stick with us over the years. This effort, this movement, and this win happened because people stood up and spoke up alongside the people of Bristol Bay relentlessly. Let’s keep up the effort and make sure Bristol Bay gets the protection it deserves.

We’ve shown our strategies work. If you can, please chip in to show you’re committed with us to achieving the long-term, community supported protections Bristol Bay deserves. Please donate today.  

Wishing you a warm and safe Thanksgiving with so much gratitude,

Meghan and Trout Unlimited’s Save Bristol Bay team

Written by NutmegTrout21719Nov, 2020

Help protect Bristol Bay, Alaska

While the Pebble Mine proposal that threatens to forever harm the pristine salmon waters of Bristol Bay has been sent back to the drawing board, the project is not yet dead.

According to the National TU site, “The President has an important decision to make in the next 4-8 weeks on whether the Canadian-owned, massive proposed Pebble mine will get its key permit to advance in Bristol Bay, Alaska.” Click here to learn more about the mine proposal.  

After loud and clear calls from hunters and anglers this spring and summer to stop Pebble, the Trump Administration’s Army Corps of Engineers took a closer look at the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the project and found “under section 404 of the Clean Water Act the project, as proposed would likely result in significant degradation of the environment and would likely result in significant adverse effects on the aquatic system or human environment.” They announced on August 24, 2020 that the current Pebble proposal would not be permitted.

While the announcement sends the project back to the drawing board and up against major hurdles in order to advance, Pebble is still a threat, and we still need President Trump to deny the key permit. Please use the form below to send a new letter reminding President Trump that he must stop Pebble to safeguard American jobs and unparalleled sporting opportunity.

Click here to sign the form.

Written by NutmegTrout21711Nov, 2020

Embrace A Stream challenge a success

On behalf of the Board of Directors we what to thank you for your generous support for our Mill River project.

Between the Embrace a Stream grant and the funds raised during the challenge crowd funding week, we raised all we need to move forward.

This includes a $3,500 TU Embrace a Stream grant and $3,200 from 73 individual donors! And we earned a $1,000 match from TU’s CT Council and another $1,000 in matches and prize money from Orvis.

We also want to thank our generous neighbor to the north, Candlewood Valley TU, for their contribution.

Anyone interested in working with the vendor to create the plan, please contact me at rhrosen@aol.com.

Rich Rosen

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection photo
Written by NutmegTrout21711Nov, 2020

Fish for salmon in Connecticut on Nov. 21

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection photo

Come fish the Campville section of the Naugatuck River with Nutmeg Trout Unlimited.

The Naugatuck River, Campville section is one of the places CT DEEP stocks bloodstock Atlantic Salmon in the fall.  The upper Naugatuck River winds its way through heavily wooded portions of the Mattatuck State Forest and other public lands. In the Campville section, the river is smallish with some deeper runs and pools as well as plunge pools and waterfalls below which the Atlantic Salmon tend to hold up.  This area is also stocked with Trout, so Salmon are not the only game in town.

T0 get ready, join us on Zoom at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, when Tim Flagler teaches us how to tie and fish the Undertaker, a tried and true salmon fly.

There is no cost for the trip, but please click here to register.

When:  Saturday, November 21 at 10 AM.

Where:  Campville Section of the Naugatuck River off Exit 41 of Route 8.

Directions:  From Route 8 North, take Exit 41.  Turn right onto Campville Road which becomes Northfield Road then goes over the river.  At the T intersection, turn left onto Valley Road and park at the numerous spots along the road before Campville Hill Road.  River will be on your left.

Regulations:  Must have current CT Fishing License with a Trout/Salmon Stamp.

Must use a single fly or lure with a single free-swinging hook only; no treble hooks.  Additional weight may not be added to the line.  Fishing is catch and release at this time; DEEP has extended the catch and release date for Salmon to December 15 this year.

General Information:  Salmon, particularly larger fish, are very powerful so you may want to consider scaling up your tackle.  For fly anglers:  a heavier rod, like a 7 or 8 wt. and a reel with a strong drag.  For spin/casting anglers:  a medium action rod in the 8 – 10 lb. class.  Or you can do what I do and fish a standard 5-weight trout set-up and hope for the best if you hook a Salmon!!  As there are plenty of deep spots in this section, a sink tip line can come in handy to get your fly down, particularly if the river is running high.

Water (and possibly weather) may be cold so please dress accordingly.

Hope to see you there!!

Nutmeg TU Contact:  Alex Ziemkiewicz  agz3026@gmail.com or 203-209-6689.

Tim Flagler
Written by NutmegTrout21707Nov, 2020

Tie the Undertaker with Tim Flagler

Tim Flagler

Tim Flagler of Tightline production will demonstrate how to tie the Undertaker, then teach how to fish it effectively Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

The fly could be useful on the salmon fishing trip to Campville on Saturday, Nov. 21.

If you wish to tie along with Tim during the session, click here for a list of materials.

Click here for the Zoom link for Tim’s talk, which is open to the public.

Tim Flagler is the owner of Tightline Productions, L.L.C., a video production company located in Califon, NJ. Although he produces video programs over a wide range of topics, his specialty is fly fishing. Tim is a well-known fly tying instructor. His YouTube videos are some of the best in the business and his YouTube channel, practicalpatterns.com currently has over 85,000 subscribers and 24 million views. Almost every week he produces a new fly tying or “how to” video which appear not only on his YouTube channel but on Midcurrent and the Orvis fly fishing blog as well. They’re also featured on Trout Unlimited’s national website and in the Orvis Learning Center. In addition, he has a regular column “Beginner’s Masterclass with Tim  Flagler” in Fly Tyer magazine. Many of his tying videos take the viewer well beyond just the tying of the fly and show what it looks like underwater, what natural it represents and how it can be fished.
Tim’s a fixture at the Fly Fishing Shows – giving presentations, teaching classes and often as a Featured Tier. He enjoys guiding year round for Shannon’s Fly & Tackle in Califon, NJ. and hosts annual trips to Patagonia in the spring and to the Kootenai River in MT starting summer of 2020.

 

Written by NutmegTrout21701Nov, 2020

Golf, fishing outing supports TU

Golf and fishing come together Monday, Nov. 9, to help Trout Unlimited improve its work to conserve streams in Connecticut and New York.

Bass and Birdies, a golf and fly fishing tournament, is set for 11:30 a.m. at Tradition Golf Club, 1027 Racebrook Road in Woodbridge.

Registration is $100 for a single golfer or angler, $200 for a team of two. Social distancing and masks will be required adherent to federal, state and Trout Unlimited guidelines. Click here to register.

Single golfers will be paired with a partner. Golfers may share a cart or walk the course.

In addition to shooting nine holes of golf, competitors will have fly fish in the ponds on the course, with every 12 inches of bass shaving one stroke off the golf score.

Check and warm-up start at 11:30, with lunch served outdoors. at 12:15, groups will be formed to fish a rotation through each of the three ponds on the course.

A shotgun start for the nine holes of golf is set for 1:45 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony and prize drawing.

Money raised will support the creation of a volunteer coordinator position for Connecticut and parts of New York in an effort to help groups bolster fundraising and perform more volunteer projects.

Written by NutmegTrout21701Nov, 2020

Donate Nov. 2-8 to help the Mill River

Every year Trout Unlimited, with the support of Orvis, provides funds for local projects, called the Embrace a Stream Program (EAS).  We are very happy to relay that the Nutmeg Chapter of TU has been awarded a grant under that program for the Mill River on the Fairfield/Easton border on Congress Street. Within an hour’s drive of New York City, the Mill River is one of only nine streams in Connecticut designated by Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as a Class One wild trout stream.

Click on this link to donate.

The chapter will work with Trout Scapes River Restoration LLC to develop a plan of action. Trout Scapes has worked on the Norwalk and Pootatuck with other Connecticut TU chapters. With support from volunteers and local communities, we can implement the plan to restore and reinvigorate the Mill as a cold-water fishery. The goal of this effort is to create pools and increase sinuosity which will improve the habitat for the trout, many of which travel up from Lake Mohegan to spawn.

The EAS grant is $3,500 towards a total cost of $8,700 to develop the plan. Embrace A Stream has created a fund-raising challenge for this entitled “Give Where You Fish.” Thanks to Orvis and Trout Unlimited, your donation will help unlock prizes from a $20,000 prize pool!

This coming week (November 2-8) will be a tremendous opportunity to get us that much closer to our funding goal. Please help us raise these much-needed funds. The first $1,000 in donations will be matched with $1,500 from Orvis and the Connecticut Council of Trout Unlimited.

Ben Bilello with a salmon he caught
Written by NutmegTrout21725Oct, 2020

Campville salmon trip set for Nov. 21

Come fish the Campville section of the Naugatuck River with Nutmeg Trout Unlimited.

The Naugatuck River, Campville section is one of the places CT DEEP stocks bloodstock Atlantic Salmon in the fall.  The upper Naugatuck River winds its way through heavily wooded portions of the Mattatuck State Forest and other public lands. In the Campville section, the river is smallish with some deeper runs and pools as well as plunge pools and waterfalls below which the Atlantic Salmon tend to hold up.  This area is also stocked with Trout, so Salmon are not the only game in town.

There is no cost, but please click here to register.

When:  Saturday, November 21 at 10 AM.

Where:  Campville Section of the Naugatuck River off Exit 41 of Route 8.

Directions:  From Route 8 North, take Exit 41.  Turn right onto Campville Road which becomes Northfield Road then goes over the river.  At the T intersection, turn left onto Valley Road and park at the numerous spots along the road before Campville Hill Road.  River will be on your left.

Regulations:  Must have current CT Fishing License with a Trout/Salmon Stamp.

Must use a single fly or lure with a single free-swinging hook only; no treble hooks.  Additional weight may not be added to the line.  Fishing is catch and release at this time; DEEP has extended the catch and release date for Salmon to December 15 this year.

General Information:  Salmon, particularly larger fish, are very powerful so you may want to consider scaling up your tackle.  For fly anglers:  a heavier rod, like a 7 or 8 wt. and a reel with a strong drag.  For spin/casting anglers:  a medium action rod in the 8 – 10 lb. class.  Or you can do what I do and fish a standard 5-weight trout set-up and hope for the best if you hook a Salmon!!  As there are plenty of deep spots in this section, a sink tip line can come in handy to get your fly down, particularly if the river is running high.

Water (and possibly weather) may be cold so please dress accordingly.

Hope to see you there!!

Nutmeg TU Contact:  Alex Ziemkiewicz  agz3026@gmail.com or 203-209-6689.