The DEEP found healthy populations of trout and smallmouth during electrofishing surveys of the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers (DEEP Photo)
Written by NutmegTrout21717Sep, 2014

Electrofishing surveys on Farmington, Housatonic

The DEEP found healthy populations of trout and smallmouth during electrofishing surveys of the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers (DEEP Photo)

The DEEP Inland Fisheries Division recently completed annual electrofishing surveys on the Housatonic and Farmington Rivers.

The trout and smallmouth are doing well, with some very impressive fish sampled, according to the DEEP.

Electrofishing is a non-lethal method to efficiently collect fish from a waterbody. In large rivers like the Farmington and the Housatonic, the sampling crew walk slowly upstream with 2 probes powered by a generator towed behind in a canoe. The stunned fish are netted and quickly transferred into “live cars”, large wood and wire containment boxes, which are kept downstream of the electrical field so the fish can recover.

Click here to see some photos on the DEEP Facebook page.

Easton officials are discussing what to do with the Prayer Center, which abuts the Mill River. (Easton Courier Photo)
Written by NutmegTrout21717Sep, 2014

Easton deliberates future of Prayer Center site

Easton officials are discussing what to do with the Prayer Center, which abuts the Mill River. (Easton Courier Photo)
Easton could make creative use of the South Park property, abutting the Mill River, by leasing it to farmers, one of about 50 residents who attended an informational session members of the Board of Selectmen.

The property is in the news because the New England Prayer Center has until Oct. 8 to exercise an option to buy the property for $5.8 million. If the group does not buy the property, the town is looking for ideas on what to do with it.

The town bought the property to protect it against dense housing development. It is zoned for three-acre single family homes.

To read The Easton Courier story, click here.

Written by NutmegTrout21716Jun, 2014

Nutmeg barbeque canceled

The Nutmeg TU Barbeque scheduled for June 28 has been canceled.

The following letter is being emailed to members:

Hi TU Nutmeggers,

Because of low signup and because this was supposed to be our annual fund raiser, your Nutmeg board of directors, after giving this a lot of thought, has decided it’s best to cancel the barbecue. In scheduling this event, we tried to hit the sweet spot between end of school, youth athletic leagues, and summer vacations. Seems we missed, however, the board looks ahead to future ways for us all to share our common interests as Nutmeg Chapter members, and to raise funds in support of our monthly meetings, and our conservation and youth education missions.

The cancellation is disappointing to all of us, and at the same time your board of directors is already brainstorming possibilities for fun, free or inexpensive, local events to have, so we can connect with each other and celebrate what the Chapter’s accomplishing; for example what Nutmeg volunteers are doing with school kids in Trout in the Classroom, and our stream preservation efforts like our current work to rid the Mill River of invasive plants

And you’ll soon receive a very short survey asking for your opinions about our chapter’s local mission, and events, where we can come together, that you would like to see. — We need your good thinking!

So though our obligation to use Nutmeg Chapter funds prudently meant that canceling the barbecue was the right decision for now, it won’t slow us down! Look for that survey coming soon.

Thanks for now, and I hope to hear from you!
Best Regards,

Charles Petruccelli | President | Nutmeg Chapter Trout Unlimited

Flick Ford
Written by NutmegTrout21729May, 2014

Flick Ford visits Redding May 31

Flick FordFlick Ford, an award-winning watercolorist who has been dubbed the “aquatic version of John James Audubon” will discuss his new book Wild: 75 Freshwater Tropical Fish of the World, a celebration of the world’s most beautiful freshwater fish, on Saturday, May 31, at 5 at the Mark Twain Library.

Ford will appear on Yankee Fisherman, hosted by Nutmeg TU member John Kovach, on hanradio.com Friday, May 30, at 2 p.m. The show will be replayed over the weekend.

A reception and book sale and signing will follow Ford’s program. Register online at marktwainlibrary.org, at the library or call 203 938-2545.

Click here to read more.

Jim O of Jimmy-O's Bait & Tackle.
Written by NutmegTrout21715May, 2014

Jimmy O to talk rigging May 20

Jim Orifice of Jimmy-O's Bait will discuss rigging gear for salt water fishing with Nutmeg TU Tuesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. at Port 5 Naval Veterans.

Jimmy O of Jimmy O’s Bait & Tackle talk about rigging gear for salt water fishing final general meeting of the season for the Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited Tuesday, May 20, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., Bridgeport. The meeting will include hands-on demonstrations.

Pizza and raffle tickets will be sold at the meeting.

Jimmy O talked about striper fishing at the April 15 meeting. The May 20 meeting is not a continuation, and you need not have attended April’s talk to enjoy and learn on May 20

James Orifice, sole proprietor of Jimmy O’s Bait and Tackle in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport has been serving the marine industry for over 20 years. Since its inception in 2001, Jimmy O’s Bait and Tackle has grown to become a resource for year round fishing needs by offering an assortment of competitively priced fresh and saltwater bait and tackle. Our inventory includes a variety of fresh, frozen, and offshore bait, saltwater and freshwater rods from different manufacturers, reels, rod and reel combos, line and leader products, a large selection of lures and jigs, terminal tackle, lure bags/tackle boxes, accessories such as cutters, pliers and knives, nets, and traps. Jimmy O’s Bait and Tackle also operates as an official weigh station along with fishing license registration services.

As a longtime Fairfield native, Mr. Orifice possesses an in-depth knowledge of the area and is often referred to for his expert advice. Over the years, Jimmy O’s Bait and Tackle has fostered strong ties to the community and has been involved in numerous youth fishing derbies in the town of Fairfield. Additionally, Mr. Orifice has held many position titles such as past President of the Westport Striped Bass Club, past Commander of the Bridgeport Boat Owners Association, affiliation with the Fairfield Boat Owners Association as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Recreation from Southern Connecticut State University.

The success of Jimmy O’s Bait and Tackle is attributed to a fundamental business philosophy that is customer oriented. Jimmy O’s Bait and Tackle continuously expands its inventory to appeal to a broad base of customers and strives to provide the latest fishing equipment and accessories.

Jimmy O’s Bait & Tackle recently moved to 3295 Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport.

More information can be found at the store’s Facebook page.

Ron Merly shows the size of the fish that can be caught on the annual Nutmeg TU camping trip along the Housatonic.
Written by NutmegTrout21709Apr, 2014

Camp with Nutmeg on the Housy

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

The Nutmeg Chapter will host its 8th annual Housatonic River Fly fishing and Camping weekend on May 30-June 1 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 $17.00 per night and a $9.00 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 NutmegTrout21707Apr, 2014

Cleanup along the Mill River April 12

Knotweed cutting along Congress Street in Fairfield is ahead of schedule after a major turnout Saturday, April 5.

That effort will allow the pickup of trash along the Mill River Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those who can volunteer should leave a comment indicating what time on this story.

“Saturday’s cutting of the standing dead Japanese Knotweed stalks was a smashing success,” Nutmeg TU President Chuck Petrucceli said. “With the help of 9 members of the chapter and 4 members of the Beardley Zoo Conservation Corps, all the knotweed stalks were cut down.  There was also some river clean up and several bags of garbage collected. We over achieved.”

Nutmeg members Dave Edgeworth, Bill Field, Phil Jacques, Gary Anderson, Chris Smith and his son Nick, Ed Grzedna, and Chuck MacMath and his son Jeromy, were joined by Thomas J. Altieri, Chavious Hall, Savannah Lewis, and Jamie Castro of the Beardley Zoo Conservation Corps.

“To the youths who joined us Saturday, Jeromy, Chavious, Savannah, and Jamie, it was a pleasure to meet you,” Petruccelli said. “It is good to see you feel strongly enough about conservation to get involved. Now and in the future we need conservationist minded people like you to continue the stewardship of what we preserve, protect and restore today.”