Written by NutmegTrout21722May, 2018

Fish the lower Housy Saturday

Start your Memorial Day weekend, and the summer, casting in the saltwater with Nutmeg TU.

Ed Grzeda will lead a fishing outing in the Long Island Sound Saturday, May 26, open to both fly anglers and conventional fishermen. There is no charge and TU membership is not required.

The group will meet at 11 a.m. in the parking lot at Milford Audubon, 1 Milford Point Road, Milford. Click here to RSVP.

We will be fishing the outgoing tide; high tide is 9:45 a.m. Saturday.

The lower Housy has been fishing very well with both quantity and the occasional quality striper over 26 inches, Ed reports.

For fly fishing, Ed recommends an 8- to 10-weight rod with an intermediate and/or sink-tip line. Clousers and Deceiver-type patterns in almost any color — Chartruese/white, Blue/white, tan or olive/white will work on 12-20# tippet.

The water remains very cold, so waders are necessary. Also have sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.

Anyone who arrives late, has trouble finding the group or needs information can contact Ed at (224) 234-3381.

 

Written by NutmegTrout21718May, 2018

Volunteers needed at Monroe derby

Nutmeg TU needs your help to demonstrate fly casting at the 15th Monroe Fishing Derby at Great Hollow Lake in Wolfe Park Saturday, May 19, from 6 to 9 a.m.

Nutmeg TU demonstration will be about 8:30 a.m., immediately following when everyone gathers for the measuring of the fish caught and distribution of prizes.  This takes place under the pavilion awning by the beach in Wolfe Park at the lake.  Access to the lake is from the lower park entrance.  Follow the road to the pavilion parking and meet under the awning.

Anyone who can volunteer should email Jerry Goldstein.  Please provide your name, email, and cell phone number so we can best contact you.

The more Nutmeg TU volunteers we have the more we can interact with the people there. This is a great opportunity for our Chapter to reach out to families who like to fish.  Your help is needed to help Nutmeg TU reach out to this key audience.  We plan to do either a single large or multiple fly fishing demonstrations off the beach. Following the Nutmeg TU demonstration we will be doing a separate drawing for a Fly Rod & Reel Starter Combo set from the Chapter.

Volunteers should bring their fishing vests to show the gear we use. If one of us brings waders and boots to go out into the water (if needed) that should be enough. Our part of the Fishing Derby should be between 20 minutes to an hour. Everyone is then invited to stay and fish Lake Hollow, which is filled with trout, bass, and much more. Volunteers will also be given the secret fishing spots of Lake Hollow.

The Fishing Derby itself is open for children ages 3 to 15 years old and is co-sponsored by the Monroe Police Union, Monroe Police Department, North American Sportsman and Monroe Parks & Recreation Department. Prizes will be awarded for the largest fish of any kind by weight in five different age groups — 5 and younger, 6 & 7, 8 & 9, 10 & 11, and 12 through 15. The fishing derby will proceed rain or shine.  Everyone has a great time and leaves knowing more about fishing.

To enter the Fishing Derby, bring your own fishing gear including fishing pole, tackle and bucket to transport fish to the weigh station. Worms for bait will also be available while supplies last. To register for the fishing derby, visit www.MonroeRec.org to download the registration form. Complete the registration form and bring with you to Great Hollow Lake the morning of the fishing derby.

Written by NutmegTrout21714May, 2018

Sign up now for May 23 Limestone Club trip – SORRY, SOLD OUT

WE HAD A LIMITED NUMBER OF OPENINGS & THEY HAVE BEEN FILLED.  SORRY.

Please join us on one of our many other Nutmeg Trout trips.

Nutmeg TU has reserved the Limestone Trout Club in Canaan for Wednesday, May 23, 2018.

The fee is $50. Those who wish to attend should RSVP to Rich Rosen at rhrosen@aol.com.

Those wanting to car pool will meet at the Park and Ride near Rt. 8 and Hawley Lane;  be there before 7 a.m. to carpool. Bring your gear, lunch,  and beverages.

This event is rain or shine.

Ponds to Challenge All Levels

Limestone Trout Club offers six ponds from which anglers may choose. Two man-made ponds, Home Pools, are located near the clubhouse providing easy access well suited for the novice fly fisher. Another man-made pond, Spruce Pond, also located near the clubhouse, provides exciting dry-fly fishing when the trout are rising.

Three other large ponds were once limestone quarries. They are spring fed and quite deep, providing trout with yearlong refuge and fly fishers with sport throughout the season, both on top and sub-surface. Two of the ponds, Birch and Pine, may be fished from rowboats provided by the club. Cedar pond, the most challenging, has a number of ideal casting sites that add an exciting dimension to the Limestone experience.

The ponds are regularly stocked with rainbow, brown, and brook trout. An occasional stocking of tiger trout may surprise the angler with an unexpected fierce strike. Golden trout also may contribute to an environment unique to Limestone.

Guest anglers (and other visitors) can arrive at the club from 8 a.m. The gate will be unlocked so they should drive up to the Clubhouse. A club member will greet Nutmeg anglers.

• The insurance carrier requires all guests to sign a waiver which will be available at sign-in.

• There will be a still water orientation about 8:30 or 9:00.

• Fly Fishing only.

• Most of the fishing is from the shore. There are two lakes each with two row boats. No other watercraft are allowed. You cannot use your personal watercraft. You do not need waders but I suggest sturdy, preferably water proof shoes because of some marshy areas and the early morning dew.

• They have 3 deep (70+ feet) quarry ponds and 3 shallow ponds providing a variety of venues and conditions.

• While most members practice catch and release, catch and kill is allowed. We can cover the details at the briefing.

• They have a stove, refrigerator, and microwave in the Clubhouse. Also, grills with both propane and charcoal for your use (we have the fuel).

If others attend but do not fish, there are plenty of trails to walk, a comfortable club house to sit and read, and some antique stores within driving distance.

Written by NutmegTrout21713May, 2018

IF4 benefits veterans Wednesday

The International Fly Fishing Film Festival will come to Stony Creek Brewery in Branford Wednesday, May 16, to benefit four organizations that help veterans through fishing.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The film begins at 6:30 p.m.

Hosted by Take a Vet Fishing, the screening also benefits Rivers of Recovery, Veteran Angler Charters and The Fishing Outreach Program.

Tickets are $15 in advance, available here. If tickets remain, they can be purchased at the door for $18.

Click here to watch organizers Sean Callinan and Ray Luhn discuss the event on Yankee Fisherman on the HAN Network, hosted by John Kovach of Nutmeg TU.

For more information, please contact event organizer at info@flyfilmfest.com.

Sonny Yu will explain catching shad with a fly rod at the next meeting of Nutmeg TU Tuesday, May 15, at 7 p.m. at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., Briidgeport.
Written by NutmegTrout21704May, 2018

Learn to fly fish for shad May 15

Sonny Yu will explain catching shad with a fly rod at the next meeting of Nutmeg TU Tuesday, May 15, at 7 p.m. at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., Briidgeport.
Sonny Yu will explain catching shad with a fly rod at the next meeting of Nutmeg TU Tuesday, May 15, at 7 p.m. at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., Briidgeport.

Sonny Yu will share his passion for Fly Fishing for American Shad at the next open meeting of the Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited, 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., Bridgeport.

The talk is open to anglers of all styles, spin or fly, and one need not be a Trout Unlimited member to attend.

The annual American Shad run is historic in Connecticut and many anglers look forward to it each spring. The shad swim up the Connecticut River and its tributaries and anglers await opportunities to hook into these aggressive fish which would test their backing.

Sonny grew up fishing, and his love for the sport brought him to the Chicopee River in Western Massachusetts, where he encountered fly fishing and American shad. He purchased a fly rod combo, slowly learned the essentials of fly fishing, and never looked back.

Sonny has written an ebook to share his passion to chase American Shad with the fly rod. His ebook contains all the essential information which includes detailed instructions and maps to successfully catch shad with a single-handed or two-handed fly rod. In addition to his ebook, Sonny also offer shad flies and guide service during the shad run, and enjoys introducing others to the fishery.

At the end of the presentation, Sonny will hold a free drawing and one lucky angler will have a chance to win a copy of his ebook and a half dozen shad flies.

More information about Sonny Yu and his fishing adventures can be found through his website, http://www.flyfishingshad.blogspot.com./

 

Easton teens and Joel Barlow High School seniors Stephan Dow and Michael Waugh recently organized an led a cleanup of the Mill River. — Easton Courier
Written by NutmegTrout21704May, 2018

Easton teens clean Mill River

Easton teens and Joel Barlow High School seniors Stephan Dow and Michael Waugh recently organized an led a cleanup of the Mill River. — Easton Courier
Easton teens and Joel Barlow High School seniors Stephan Dow and Michael Waugh recently organized an led a cleanup of the Mill River. — Easton Courier

Two teenagers from Easton, both fly anglers and members of the Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited, recently organized a cleanup of the Mill River.

Stephan Dow and Michael Waugh, with volunteers the recruited and led, removed some 360 pounds to trash from the river.

Click here to read a story from The Easton Courier.

Nutmeg TU thanks Stephan and Michael for their efforts.

 

 

Families gather at a Milford Children's Trout Derby. — Milford Mirror Photo
Written by NutmegTrout21704May, 2018

50th Milford Trout Derby Saturday

Families gather at a Milford Children's Trout Derby. — Milford Mirror Photo
Families gather at a Milford Children’s Trout Derby. — Milford Mirror Photo

The 50th Milford Children’s Trout Derby will be held Saturday, May 5, but the future of the event could be in jeopardy, the Milford Mirror reports.

A major sponsor may not return, and the Milford Striped Bass Club will need money to stage the 51st event.

Saturday’s derby is dedicated to Bob Mahoney, a founder, who passed away April 28. Donations in his memory may be made to the Milford Striped Bass Club to support the Children’s Trout Derby.