Tag: Nutmeg TU

Written by NutmegTrout21711Feb, 2022

Learn how to help teach youths how to fish

Justin Wiggins of the DEEP CARE program with his son, Quinn.
As Nutmeg Trout Unlimited plans an initiative for an inner-city fishing program, we will welcome Justin Wiggins from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to talk about Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education and how we can introduce the next generation to angling and conservation.
Click here to join the online discussion Tuesday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. There is no cost to attend the virtual talk.
Nutmeg TU is going try to leverage our Trout In the Classroom program as a way to start, involving nine participating schools.
This past year, the CARE program launched a brand new, completely comprehensive online “Let’s Go Fishing” course. This course is the first of its kind in the country and moving forward will be used for all Introduction To Fishing courses by CARE Instructors and also available at https://depdata.ct.gov/fishing/gofishing/story.html

Wiggins received a bachelor’s in science from the University of Connecticut majoring in Natural Resource Management and Engineering, with an emphasis on fisheries management. He has spent my entire career in the fisheries management field beginning in 2001, holding seasonal fisheries technician jobs at the Connecticut DEP, University of Connecticut, North Carolina State University, and Yellowstone National Park. He has held his current position as with the DEEP Fisheries Division – Connecticut Aquatic Resources Education (CARE) program since 2007, currently serving as Program Coordinator.

The CARE program strives to create the next generation of anglers and environmental stewards by providing fishing education opportunities and instructor lead fishing trips. The CARE program recruits, trains, and manages volunteer fishing Instructors to accomplish this goal.

“My passions in life are fishing, hunting, and hiking,” Wiggins said. “I hunt everything from CT state land squirrels to Montana elk and fish for all species from local pond sunfish to spearfishing blackfish around Block Island. I am happily married to the love of my life, Kristen, and we have 3 young children together.”

Tristan Wilgan
Written by NutmegTrout21710Feb, 2019

Spin and fly tips coming Feb. 19

Tristan WilganTristan Wilgan of Tristan’s Fishing Guide Service will share tips both spin and fly fishermen can use on local rivers at the next meeting of Nutmeg TU on Tuesday, Feb. 19, at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., Bridgeport.

The meeting will be preceded at 6 p.m. by a fly tying demonstration by Erick Peterson. (Click here for more.)

A sophomore at Western Connecticut State University, Tristan puts clients on trout on rivers around Fairfield County, as well as the Farmington and the Housatonic. He guides for Housatonic River Outfitters and also leads spin and fly fishing trips for smallmouth bass on the Housy.

Click here to watch an interview with Tristan on Yankee Fisherman on the HAN Network, which was hosted by Nutmeg TU members John Kovach. The video starts 1:22 in.

Nutmeg Chapter 217 of Trout Unlimited meets the third Tuesday of each month from September to May at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., Bridgeport, Conn. Meetings are open to all. Pizza is available and drinks may be purchased from Port 5. There is no charge for admission.

 

Fred Lord judges an entry from Tristan Wilgan (seated), winner of last year's Chopped fly tying contest at the Nutmeg TU Holiday Party. This year's contest will be held Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. at Port 5.
Written by NutmegTrout21706Dec, 2018

Prizes galore at Holiday Party Dec. 18

Rods, reels, trips and experiences can be yours at bargain prices during the Nutmeg TU Holiday Party  Tuesday, Dec. 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport.

A growing list of silent auction items include a fishing outing on the Long Island Sound, having the trip of your choice photographed or recorded on video, a 9 foot Winston 5 weight valued at $475, a fly vest and more. Watch for updates on this list

The party will again by a potluck dinner: Members with last names starting with A-K should prepare dinner, K-R dessert and S-Z an appetizer.

There will also be fly tying demos and discussions of favorite flies for use in local waters.

There is no charge for admission. But if you plan to attend, rsvp with what you will be taking to the dinner to admin@nutmegtrout.org.

Written by NutmegTrout21727Nov, 2018

Speaker showcases Alaska, concerned for Bristol Bay

Alaska fishing guide and Nutmeg TU John Jinishian expressed concerns about the threats posed by Bristol Bay amid images of big fish and beautiful scenery when he visited the general meeting of Nutmeg TU Tuesday, Nov. 20.

Jinishian is general manager of Alaska’s Wild River Guides, a small, float-based fly fishing company. He talked of the adventures on the Kanektok, or Togiak or Goodnews rivers. The company operates seasonally in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, specifically on the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. More information can be found at wildriverfish.com.

Information on efforts by TU to protect Bristol Bay can be found at savebristolbay.org.

Written by NutmegTrout21727Nov, 2018

Celebrate the holidays with us Dec. 18

Nutmeg TU will hold its annual Holiday Party on Tuesday, Dec. 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport.

A silent auction will feature such items as fishing trips guided by Nutmeg TU members and a chance to have the trip of your choice photographed and filmed.

The party will again by a potluck dinner: Members with last names starting with A-K should prepare dinner, K-R dessert and S-Z an appetizer.

There is no charge for admission.

More details will be posted in the coming weeks.

Written by NutmegTrout21708Oct, 2018

Fish with us around Connecticut

Wanna go fishing? Nutmeg TU leads trips to spots near and far all year long, where you can learn spots and tactics from members and friends.

More details on additional trips will be posted soon.

Written by NutmegTrout21708Oct, 2018

A simpler way of fishing topic Oct. 16

Looking for a new (but old), simpler way to fly fish? Learn about Tenkara from Chuck MacMath when Nutmeg TU meets Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m.

Tenkara is a method of fishing said to have originated in Japan about 400 years ago that only uses a rod, line and fly. The line is fixed and there is no reel. Rods are quite long to keep as much of the line off of the water as possible thus eliminating drag and creating a better presentation of the fly.

Chuck said he started about three years ago.

“It seemed intriguing, it was something different and no one I knew of was doing it,” MacMath said. “That’s the kind of stuff I like.

“I also like the simplicity of it,” Chuck added. “There is more of an emphasis on technique than gear. There is s saying in tenkara that the more you know the less you need.”

Chuck participates in every type of fishing available.

“I own a fleet of boats which includes a float tube, kayak and rowboat, all rigged for fishing, and a 17 1/2-foot Tracker bass boat,” Chuck said.

“Let’s not forget ice fishing also,” he added. “I’m a member of many local rod and gun clubs. I’m a certified CARE instructor for the Connecticut DEEP, and I tie my own flies and build my own rods.”

Nutmeg TU meets at Port 5, 69 Brewster St. in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, Pizza and beverage are available for purchase.

Future meetings feature John Jinishian of Alaska’s Wild River Guides on Tuesday, Nov. 20, and the annual holiday potluck party on Tuesday, Dec. 18.

Gerrald Berrafati and Tristan Wilgan of Monroe make sure last year’s Christmas trees will stay in their new home along the Mill River at the Easton-Fairfield border. — John Kovach photo
Written by NutmegTrout21708Oct, 2018

Volunteers use Christmas trees to reshape the Mill

Gerrald Berrafati and Tristan Wilgan of Monroe make sure last year’s Christmas trees will stay in their new home along the Mill River at the Easton-Fairfield border. — John Kovach photo
Gerrald Berrafati and Tristan Wilgan of Monroe make sure last year’s Christmas trees will stay in their new home along the Mill River at the Easton-Fairfield border. — John Kovach photo

Trout will soon have a better home in the Mill River thanks to a conifer revetment project.

Volunteers from Nutmeg and Mianus TU joined others in the water to anchor last year’s Christmas trees, donated by the Town of Stratford, along the banks to reshape the river.

Funds came through the Embrace A Stream program, a collaboration of Orvis and national TU, and local showings of the Fly Fishing Film Tour.

Work will continue, with continued removal of knotweed, planting of more native species, and another revetment with 2018 Christmas trees.