Port 5pagesepsitename%%

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.

Written by NutmegTrout21713Sep, 2018

Learn local fishing trips Sept. 18

Nutmeg TU resumes monthly meetings Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport.

In addition to an update on recent programs and upcoming activities, Jimmy O of Jimmy’s O’s Bait & Tackle in Bridgeport is scheduled to share fall fishing tips for the Long Island Sound. Jimmy’s visit last spring drew one of the largest crowds of the year for Nutmeg TU.

Nutmeg TU holds regular meetings on the third Tuesday of each month from September through May, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Port 5.

Board meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Fairfield Library. Watch our calendar for updates.

Tim Barry, supervising fisheries biologist for the Connecticut DEEP

Written by NutmegTrout21727Feb, 2018

The lives of trout in CT March 20 topic

Learn about trout in Connecticut and how they are kept healthy and available for anglers on Tuesday, March 20, at 7 p.m. at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., Bridgeport.

With new regulations including a salmon and trout stamp, plus changes to designations on the Mill River just approved, Nutmeg TU will welcome Tim Barry of the DEEP.

The meeting is open to the public free of charge.

Barry will deliver an update on the pending rewrite of the 20-year-old Statewide Trout Management Plan and how TU figures into the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s R3 (Recruitment, Retention, and Re-activation) licensing efforts.

Barry earned a bachelor’s degree in natural resource conservation from the University of Connecticut in 1978 and a master’s degree in fisheries science from the University of Massachusetts in 1983.

From 1978-80 he was a volunteer fish technician for the Peace Corps in Honduras.

After working as an aquatic scientist for Ecosystem Consulting Service in Coventry from 1982 to 1984, Barry joined the DEEP (then the Department of Environmental Protection). He was a fisheries biologist I from 1984-87, a fisheries biologist II from 1987-2012, and in 2012 became a supervising fisheries biologist for the DEEP Fisheries Division.

Barry has worked extensively with species such as trout, northern pike, walleye and largemouth and smallmouth bass on projects throughout the state.

Pizza and beverages are available for purchase.

Written by NutmegTrout21714Dec, 2017

Chopped style tying contest at party

The second annual Chopped-style fly tying contest will be held during Nutmeg TU’s holiday party on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport.

Contestants use their own tools and thread.

Each of the materials provided for each must be used in that fly.

Contestants will have 10 minutes to complete each fly

There will be three rounds: Nymph, Streamer and Dry.

The winners of each round proceed to the next round.

Award criteria are totally subjective, based on:

• Fishiness

• Creativity

• Cleanliness of Construction

Click here to read more about the holiday pot-luck, and RSVP by leaving a comment on that story.

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, 2017

Holiday pot luck, Chopped tying Dec. 19

Celebrate the season, share food with us and if you want to answer the challenge compete in a fly tying contest when Nutmeg TU holds its annual holiday party Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. at Port 5, 69 Brewster St., in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport.

Dinner is pot luck. Your dish to share needs to feed 6 to 8 and last names beginning with A-H are asked to bring an Appetizer, I-P are asked to bring a main dish, Q-Z are asked to bring a dessert. Comment on this article to let us know how many people will attend and what you are bringing.

The Port 5 cash bar is available for beverages.

Jerry Goldstein will provide an update on Nutmeg TU activities and plans for 2018. The event will also raise funds for Nutmeg TU’s operating expenses.

A fly tying contest based on the Food Network show Chopped is open to all. Contestants will be given identical materials and a fixed amount of time to tie a fly. There will be eliminations after each of three rounds, and a prize for the winner.

Flies to be tied are a nymph in the first round, a streamer in the second and a dry fly in the third and final round. Contestants will need to bring their tools and thread. All the materials for each fly will be provided. When you RSVP, let us know if you want to enter the fly tie contest.

A silent auction will be held to raise funds to support conservation and education initiatives by Nutmeg TU. Fishing adventures, led by a Nutmeg TU member, up for bid include boat fishing on the Long Island Sound; fly fishing the Mill, Saugatuck and Farmington rivers; a trip to Michigan that can include room and breakfast; a trip to southwest Maine; a kayak fishing outing; smallmouth fishing on the Housatonic River; and a having a fishing outing video recorded and photographed.

Other items in the silent auction include a print by artist James Prosek; a tenkara rod, and a 9-foot Winston 5 weight rod.

Scroll to the bottom of this page to where it says leave a comment, then post a comment to RSVP and let us know what dish you will be bringing. Comments will not immediately appear but will as soon as they are approved.

Written by NutmegTrout21713Feb, 2017

Conservation, fly tying topics of next Nutmeg TU meeting Feb 21st

Anglers and conservationists will get an update on local conservation efforts and learn an early-season fly they can tie at the next regular meeting of the Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. at Port 5, 69 Brewster Street, Bridgeport.

Immediate Nutmeg TU past President Charles Petruccelli will demonstrate how to tie hackle-less flies that have proven effective in the early spring on local streams, such as elk hair caddis, comparaduns and “The Usual.” This will tie into another presentation that will soon be announced.

The chapter will also meet Brian Carey, conservation director for the town of Fairfield, and Lynn Shavinsky, president of the Mill River Wetland Committee.

Carey, appointed May 1, 2015, replaced retired Conservation Director Tom Steinke, who had served the town for about 43 years.

Carey had previously served as conservation superintendent for the town of Stratford for seven years. He was instrumental in the 35-acre Long Beach West Barrier Beach Restoration Project, which was awarded the Coastal America Partnership Award by President Obama in May 2012.

Carey is a lifelong resident of Fairfield, where he currently lives with his wife, Maura Brennan Carey, and their two children. Carey is a graduate of Fairfield College Preparatory School and Virginia Tech, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in natural resource management.

The Mill River Wetland Committee, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016, has promoted protection of open space along the Mill River in Fairfield, mainly through use of the Perry’s Mill Pond River Laboratory Area on Sturges Road for guided science education about watersheds.

Concern for the environmental future prompted the launching of River-Lab, a hands-on program of environmental science study that includes all students in grades three through six with the Fairfield public and parochial schools as an established part of their curriculum. More than 100,000 students have participated in this volunteer-led program through the years.

MRWC and River-Lab have utilized volunteers to educate and engage the community about environmental education for generations. The River-Lab program, just last year, trained 400 adults to lead study trips. Several those guides had gone through the program themselves as students.

Nutmeg TU meetings are open to the public free of charge; pizza and a cash bar are available.

The Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited 217 encompasses Fairfield, Westport, Weston, Easton, Redding, Trumbull, Monroe, Bridgeport, Stratford, Milford, and Shelton. Its mission is to conserve, protect and restore coldwater fisheries and their watersheds, particularly in local rivers such as the Saugatuck, Mill, Aspetuck, Pequonnock, and Farmill. More information may be found at nutmegtrout.org.

Written by NutmegTrout21731Dec, 2016

Calendar of Events for January and February 2017

The general meeting will be Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 7 PM at Port 5 Naval Veterans, 69 Brewster St., Bridgeport, CT. Dick Fincher will discuss the wooden, handmade plugs he creates and sells through Westport-based Phase II Lures when he visits Nutmeg Trout Unlimited Chapter 217.

Fly Tying at Chuck’s, Tues evening, January 24, 2017, 7 PM Trumbull. Contact Chuck MacMath at cmacmath59@yahoo.com . The fly tying group will meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 7-9 pm. The cost is $2.00 per session to cover the cost of materials. Email Chuck with questions or additional information. Everyone is welcome, beginners are encouraged to attend. Vises, tools and materials are available if needed.

A Trip Meetup is planned to The Fly Fishing Show in Somerset, NJ, for Sunday January 29, 2017. This is the largest all fly-fishing show in the world – Shop and demo all the newest tackle, research your next dream trip, watch tying and casting demos and talk to industry-leading manufacturers and guides. This is a great way to shake off some cabin fever. The show is held at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, NJ – approximately a 2 hour drive from Fairfield. Meet at the Fairfield Train Station Commuter Lot (Unquowa Rd) at 10 AM to carpool or just meet at the show. Admission is $18, parking is free. Show hours for Sunday are 9:00 A – 4:30 P. For more information go to www.flyfishingshow.com. Contact Ed Grzeda at eegrzeda@gmail.com with any questions.

Fly Tying at Chuck’s, Tues evening, February 14 and 28, 2017, 7 PM Trumbull. Contact Chuck MacMath at cmacmath59@yahoo.com . The fly tying group will meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month from 7-9 pm. The cost is $2.00 per session to cover the cost of materials. Email Chuck with questions or additional information. Everyone is welcome, beginners are encouraged to attend. Vises, tools and materials are available if needed.

The general meeting will be Tuesday, February 21, 2017 7 PM at Port 5 Naval Veterans, 69 Brewster St., Bridgeport, CT. The Speaker will be announced later.

Fly Fishing Film Tour, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, Bow Tie Marquis 16, Trumbull, CT. Join friends and fellow anglers and conservationists from the Candlewood, Mianus and Nutmeg Chapters of Trout Unlimited for a fun night of fishing films and camaraderie! The Film Tour will be held at the Bow Tie Marquis 16 in Trumbull with doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 each online or $30 at the door with all proceeds benefitting the conservation and education work of our local Trout Unlimited chapters here in Fairfield County! Buy Your Tickets Online (The last two years have sold out).

Last year’s Fly Fishing Film Tour event sold out faster than we could have imagined and this year’s screening will be even bigger and better! Be sure to buy your tickets online in advance to guarantee your seat. If you’ve never been to an “F3T” showing, you’re in for a treat. You will watch dozens of incredibly shot, exciting fishing and conservation films while enjoying a few cold drinks and fun raffles and door prizes.

Be sure to round up your friends and fishing buddies for a fun night out. While tickets may be available at the door the night of the screening, we can’t guarantee anything. Last year we had to turn away dozens of people.

Some films include graphic language and situations which may be inappropriate for younger viewers. Parents are advised to decide whether to bring their fishing-fanatic children to the event.

To get a sense of what you’re in for, click here to watch movie trailers from the tour!

The February Fishing Meetup will be on the Mill river, weather permitting. More Details to follow.The general meeting will be Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 7 PM at Port 5 Naval Veterans, 69 Brewster St., Bridgeport, CT. The Speaker will be announced later.

Written by NutmegTrout21708Dec, 2016

Dec 20, 2016, Annual Potluck Dinner at Port 5.

On December 20, 2016, Nutmeg TU will have the Annual Pot Luck dinner and a Fly Tying Contest! The doors open at 6:45 PM at the Port 5 Naval Veterans, 69 Brewster St, Bridgeport, CT. Your dish to share needs to feed 6 to 8 and last names beginning with A-F are asked to bring an Appetizer, G-L are asked to bring a Salad, M-R are asked to bring a main dish, S-Z are asked to bring a dessert. Please RSVP to https://www.nutmegtrout.org/event/december-potluck-dinner-raffles-contests/ so we know how many tables to set up, and how much fly tie materials to provide. If you have any questions, contact jerryg@attygoldstein.com. Yes, the cash bar is available for beverages.

Contest Contestants will need to bring their tools and thread. All the materials for each fly will be provided. There will be a specific fly for each round of the contest. And there will be prizes for each round of tying. When you RSVP, let us know if you want to enter the fly tie contest.

There will be silent auctions for various prizes from Orvis, Patagonia, and Complete Angler that include gift cards, Tenkara fishing rod, Winston rod, a local fishing trip with Rich and more. And there will be bucket raffles for gift cards, a fishing vest, Orvis rods, DVDs on fly tying, nymphing techniques, books, flies, and more. So, bring your cash or check book to take advantage of these great prizes. Or, mail in your check to our treasurer at Nutmeg Chapter Trout Unlimited, P.O. Box 1594, Fairfield, CT 06825

Written by NutmegTrout21714Feb, 2016

How to Catch 500 Fish in the Mill River

February 13, 2016

Kris Mancini, our new Vice President for our chapter, brings decades of trout fishing experience in the Mill River and more. Kris considers the Mill river as his home water, and over many years, he has managed to fish the Mill over a hundred days a year and rarely gets skunked. He has quite an impressive photo collection of trout caught in the Mill, including a 22″ Brown caught this fall. Kris fly fishes, and yet, much of the catching success has to do with tactics that will benefit spin fishers, as well as fly fishers. Kris will discuss tackle, flies, and tactics for successfully fishing the Mill. Come join us and up your game on the Mill. The meeting will be at 7 PM, in Port 5, 69 Brewster Ave, Bridgeport, CT.

Written by NutmegTrout21713Sep, 2015

Fall Striper Fishing Tips with Jimmie O

Jimmy O of Jimmy O’s Bait & Tackle talk about fishing the Fall Striper run at the general meeting for the Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited Tuesday, September 15, 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.

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. The 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 shop may be found at 3295 Fairfield Ave. in Bridgeport.