We’re pleased to announce that our 4th Annual Youth Education Day will be on Saturday, April 28th, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will take place at St John’s Episcopal Church in Sandy Hook, CT on the banks of the Pootatuck River.

If you’ve been looking for an opportunity to teach a child about coldwater conservation, the sport of fishing or simply the love of the outdoors this is a great way to get started.

The day will include instruction on fly tying, casting with a fly rod, and river ecosystems and ecology. We’ll also get some hands on experience with trout!

Next generation casters

Lunch will be provided as will all equipment for the day. All you have to bring is you, your child and a desire to have some fun. Additional information will be provided once we’ve accepted your reservation. Please note that parents are required to stay for the event.

There is no charge but advance reservations are required.

We limit the day to 36 children and their parents so register early to ensure you have a spot. Registrations will close on April 14th so please be sure to register by then.

To reserve your spot you can:

• Fill out the web form, or
• Email Steve Zakur: steve [dot] zakur [at] cvtu [dot] org
• Call Steve at 203.364.1336

Once your reservation is confirmed you will receive additional information about the day.

For additional information Download the Youth Education Day Flyer

Gary Whipple will be speaking at our next meeting about a trip that Joe Hovious, Mike Gilzow  (a West Virginia fishing friend) and Gary took to fish the Skeena system for steelhead last October.   During the trip they had the chance to catch large steelhead, coho salmon, sockeye salmon, and bull trout on two handed rods.

In addition to the requisite fish porn, we’ll get a photographic tour of the scenery and some wildlife.  We’ll also talk about their lodge experience,  the daily challenge of fishing for large fish in some very large water, the joy of and seeing your backing and the disappointment of losing a large fish.   While they’ll share their fish stories,  and even some stories about what might have been,  they’ll also share information about planning the trip that might be useful as you consider your next trip.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, February 14th at 7:00 pm at the Miry Brook Firehouse in Danbury, Connecticut.  Stop by to get some dinner, talk with members and see some of our member’s favorite, top producing ties.

Pizza: As has become our tradition,  pizza will be served.

Fly Tying: If you’re interested in demonstrating your best patterns, please contact Doug or Tony.

Swap Table: If you have something you’d like to sell or swap bring it to the meeting and place it on the swap table. Stop by the table to see if there are any bargains to pick up!

Meeting Agenda

• Call to Order at 7:30 pm

• Pledge of allegiance: All
• President’s report: James Belden and Dick Rothen
• Treasurer’s report: Chuck Rich
• Guest Speaker: Gary Whipple, Steelhead on the Skeena River

Tony Ballato and Doug Peterson are the co-chairs of the Program Committee and could use your suggestions and help in arranging for speakers. If you have any recommendations for speakers, please share your ideas with Tony and Doug.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting! [directions]

Bill Dunn and Steve Zakur will be speaking at our next meeting about their experience fishing the Bristol Bay area of Alaska. During the trip they both had the chance to catch the stunning array of fish that inhabit this ecosytem: Salmon (five varieties), LARGE Rainbow Trout, Grayling, Arctic Char, and Pike. They’ll talk about the lodge experience, the daily grind of fishing for LARGE fish, and the joy of screaming reels and seeing your backing.

While they’ll share tall tales about this world class Salmon and Trout fishery they’ll also share information on how to plan a trip. Bill stayed at a lodge that was high-end so he can give you an appreciation for the experience and value of that trip. Steve stayed at a lower end lodge that was right on the Kwichak River and while it was lower cost gave access to the same world class fishing. Of course, there were trade-offs; learn what they are.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 10th at 7:00 pm at the Miry Brook Firehouse in Danbury, Connecticut.  Stop by to get some dinner, talk with members and see some of our member’s favorite, top producing ties.

Pizza: As has become our tradition,  pizza will be served.

Fly Tying: If you’re interested in demonstrating your best patterns, please contact Doug or Tony.

Swap Table: If you have something you’d like to sell or swap bring it to the meeting and place it on the swap table. Stop by the table to see if there are any bargains to pick up!

Meeting Agenda

• Call to Order at 7:30 pm

• Pledge of allegiance: All
• President’s report: James Belden and Dick Rothen
• Treasurer’s report: Chuck Rich
• Guest Speaker: Bill Dunn and Steve Zakur, Fly Fishing Bristol Bay Alaska

Tony Ballato and Doug Peterson are the co-chairs of the Program Committee and could use your suggestions and help in arranging for speakers. If you have any recommendations for speakers, please share your ideas with Tony and Doug.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting! [directions]

CVTU will again sponsor a fly-tying class taught by Pete Peterson. Pete has been tying flies for decades and teaching for almost as long. Not only does he bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table but his experience as a teacher makes the learning both fun and quick.

This class is especially geared towards the beginner but we have also had advanced tiers join the class and Pete has helped them build more advanced skills. Experienced tiers from the club will also be on hand so there will be plenty of one-on-one coaching and assistance. Before each class Pete provides detailed tying instructions for the patterns that we’ll be working on. For both novices and more experienced tiers, it promises to be a most rewarding experience.

Classes will start in late January followed by a break for a couple of weeks so that new students can purchase the necessary equipment. The class works around the Marlborough, MA and Somerset, NJ fly tying shows so you can visit those shows if you want to check out equipment and materials first hand.  Of course you can also visit local shops to pick up what you need.

The classes are held at Pete Peterson’s home in Newtown, CT. They begin at 7:30 p.m. each Thursday and run for about two hours. The cost of the course is $100 and this fee is donated in its entirety to the chapter to support our Youth Education and Conservation activities.

Class 1 – We will discuss tools, equipment, and materials and suggestions about where to procure them. We will also discuss useful books and web sites.  You will also receive hand outs.  You will participate in a hands-on exercise on tying on, tying a half hitch and tying a whip finish.  Accordingly, the only thing you have to bring is material to make notes.

Class 2 – We will emphasize fly-tying principles and basic techniques such as thread handing and material use by tying three different flies.

Classes 3 though 6 – In each class we will feature a different insect.  We will tie the nymph, emerger or the wet fly, and the dun of the same insect.  The materials and instructions/directions will be provided to you by e-mail prior to each class.

You will build on the skills and techniques learned in prior classes and continue to learn new methods.  The Chapter will provide the hooks for the classes.  A couple of additional Thursdays will be reserved in case a class must be cancelled due to inclement weather.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Pete Peterson by phone at [203] 426-3004, by e-mail at cpeterson3004 [at] charter [dot] net or in person at one of the meetings.

Joe Demalderis will be speaking about the fishing the Upper Delaware River system with a specific focus on the East Branch of the Delaware River at our December meeting. The Upper Delaware River and its tributaries are surprisingly close by, only a couple hours by car, and can easily be done in a day trip. These waters provide fantastic fishing for trophy trout; even small stream enthusiasts can find places to satisfy their passion. Joe’s decades of fishing on these rivers will undoubtedly increase your knowledge of how to be successful when you get up there.

Capt. Joe Demalderis (known to most as Joe D.) was introduced to fly fishing in 1970. He has been fishing the Delaware since the mid 1970′s and has been an Orvis Endorsed Fly Fishing Guide for more than a decade. Joe has traveled throughout North America fishing for trout, Atlantic salmon and steelhead.  Recently he added South America to his itinerary, fishing for those hard fighting Patagonian trout.  From July through November, he splits his time between the Delaware and the saltwater where he guides fly fishermen and light tackle enthusiasts for striped bass, false albacore and blues from his 23′ center console.  He is also a Pro Staff member of ClackaCraft Drift Boats and has appeared in several national fishing magazines and fly fishing books. So far in his guiding career, Joe has logged tens of thousands of hours on the water. A life member in Trout Unlimited, Joe also serves on the board of directors of Friends of the Upper Delaware River.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 13th at 7:00 pm at the Miry Brook Firehouse in Danbury, Connecticut.  Stop by to get some dinner, talk with members and see some of our member’s favorite, top producing ties.

Pizza: As has become our tradition,  pizza will be served.

Fly Tying: If you’re interested in demonstrating your best patterns, please contact Doug or Tony.

Swap Table: If you have something you’d like to sell or swap bring it to the meeting and place it on the swap table. Stop by the table to see if there are any bargains to pick up!

Meeting Agenda

• Call to Order at 7:30 pm

• Pledge of allegiance: All
• President’s report: James Belden and Dick Rothen
• Treasurer’s report: Chuck Rich
• Guest Speaker: Joe Demalderis, Cross Current Guide Service, The Upper Delaware River

Tony Ballato and Doug Peterson are the co-chairs of the Program Committee and could use your suggestions and help in arranging for speakers. If you have any recommendations for speakers, please share your ideas with Tony and Doug.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting! [directions]

On Tuesday, November 8th, at 7 p.m., Tom Zarecki, of the Angler’s Den Fly Shop in Pawling, New York will present an overview of the Croton River system. The Croton River system is just over the border in Westchester County New York and covers numerous rivers that run between the various New York City Reservoirs in the area. These fisheries provide some of the best fishing in the area and are conveniently located for anglers in southern New York and south-west Connecticut.

Tom is a licensed guide and has expert knowledge of the Croton System. In addition to serving local anglers on the Croton River, the  Anglers’ Den serves the Croton, Housatonic and Delaware systems with guided wade and float trips. The Anglers’ Den is celebrating its 10th anniversary next month.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 8th at 7:00 pm at the Miry Brook Firehouse in Danbury, Connecticut.  Stop by to get some dinner, talk with members and see some of our member’s favorite, top producing ties.

Pizza: As has become our tradition,  pizza will be served.

Fly Tying: If you’re interested in demonstrating your best patterns, please contact Doug or Tony.

Swap Table: If you have something you’d like to sell or swap bring it to the meeting and place it on the swap table. Stop by the table to see if there are any bargains to pick up!

Meeting Agenda

• Call to Order at 7:30 pm

• Pledge of allegiance: All
• President’s report: James Belden and Dick Rothen
• Treasurer’s report: Chuck Rich
• Guest Speaker: Tom Zarecki, The Croton System

Tony Ballato and Doug Peterson are the co-chairs of the Program Committee and could use your suggestions and help in arranging for speakers. If you have any recommendations for speakers, please share your ideas with Tony and Doug.

Slate of Officer Candidates reviewed at September meeting:

• President: James Belden
• Co Vice President: Dick Rothen
• Co Vice President: John Queirolo
• Secretary: Bill Dunn
• Treasurer: Chuck Rich
• Director: Tony Ballato
• Director: Tony Mortimer

We look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting! [directions]

Summer is drawing to a close, air temperatures will start going down and water temperatures with them. As the Housy cools down fishing will once again shift from Smallmouth to Trout. Be prepared! Join us at our September meeting where HRO Head Guide Adam Franceschini will be speaking about fly fishing during the Fall on the Housatonic River.

Adam began guiding on the famed rivers of western Montana, where he quickly learned how to navigate a drift boat on big water. Since then, he has guided on the San Juan, where the well-known Baetis hatches helped him refine his sight nymphing skills, and the Amazon basin of Brazil, where he chased peacock bass on the fly. Adam is a year-round Professional Guide, and spends his summers guiding for Tikchik Narrows Lodge located in Bristol Bay Alaska. Over the past four years he has used his boat handling skills, as well as his excellent indicator nymphing techniques, to help him catch some of Alaska’s massive leopard rainbow trout. This winter, Adam was named Head Guide at Housatonic River Outfitters. Growing up in just 15 miles from the Housatonic, Adam has fished much of the local waters. Guiding wading trips, drift boat trips, and instructing classes,
Adam has made a home, once again guiding on the water he where learned to fish.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 11th at 7:00 pm at the Miry Brook Firehouse in Danbury, Connecticut.  Stop by to get some dinner, talk with members and see some of our member’s favorite, top producing ties.

Pizza: As has become our tradition,  pizza will be served.

Fly Tying: If you’re interested in demonstrating your best patterns, please contact Doug or Tony.

Swap Table: If you have something you’d like to sell or swap bring it to the meeting and place it on the swap table. Stop by the table to see if there are any bargains to pick up!

Meeting Agenda

• Call to Order at 7:30 pm

• Pledge of allegiance: All
• President’s report: James Belden and Dick Rothen
• Treasurer’s report: Chuck Rich
• Election of New Officers: All
• Guest Speaker: Adam Franceschini

Tony Ballato and Doug Peterson are the co-chairs of the Program Committee and could use your suggestions and help in arranging for speakers. If you have any recommendations for speakers, please share your ideas with Tony and Doug.

Slate of Officer Candidates reviewed at September meeting:

• President: James Belden
• Co Vice President: Dick Rothen
• Co Vice President: John Queirolo
• Secretary: Bill Dunn
• Treasurer: Chuck Rich
• Director: Tony Ballato
• Director: Tony Mortimer

We look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting! [directions]

Indicator Nymph Clinic with Housatonic River Outfitters guide Jim Plante
Saturday September 24th 10AM-2PM

Covering leader/tippet make up, split shot and indicator placement, gear used, flies, matching the hatch, covering the water, and nymphing/casting techniques. Clinic will be both inside & on the water, so bring your waders and gear, plus a pad & pen to take notes with. Max of 8 people total, cost will be $75 per person, paid in advance & non-refundable, clinic happens rain or shine.

Call the shop for more info and to register 860- 672-1010

www.dryflies.com

New Date for Sampling! The Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited is scheduling our riffle-dwelling benthic macroinvertebrate sampling on Saturday, October 22 with a raindate of Saturday, October 29.  No experience is necessary. If you’re new to this we’ll partner you with an experienced member. It’s a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with the bugs in the stream.

We’ll begin at 9 a.m. and should wrap up by early afternoon. The morning will begin with a light training refresher, coffee/juice/donuts, and we’ll get out on the water asap.  I’ll confirm location asap, but we hope to be at the treatment center at the end of Commerce Road (same as in previous years) in Newtown.  Please forward the date/s to friends who may be interested.  The more volunteers we have, the quicker we’ll wrap up.  Many thanks!!

Please contact Ann Astarita if you’re available to volunteer. email: astarita [at] charter [dot] net

At our final meeting before the summer break we’ll have an update on conservation activities of the chapter both past and those forthcoming. We’ve continued to hone our focus on Youth Education and now are looking at how to make best use of our resources in continuing our strong tradition of coldwater conservation efforts. We’ll share with you some thoughts on the future and get your input.

As always, we’ll be also doing the casting clinic as well as some fly tying.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, May 10th at 7:00 pm at the Miry Brook Firehouse in Danbury, Connecticut.  Stop by to get some dinner, talk with members and see some of our member’s favorite, top producing ties.

Pizza: As has become our tradition,  pizza will be served.

Fly Tying: If you’re interested in demonstrating your best patterns, please contact Doug or Tony.

Raffle: We’ll have another raffle featuring a $25 Orvis gift card, flies and a couple of special items.

Swap Table: If you have something you’d like to sell or swap bring it to the meeting and place it on the swap table. Stop by the table to see if there are any bargains to pick up!

Meeting Agenda

• Call to Order at 7:30 pm

• Pledge of allegiance: All
• President’s report: James Belden and Dick Rothen
• Treasurer’s report: Chuck Rich
• Other business: All
• Raffle drawing

Tony Ballato and Doug Peterson are the co-chairs of the Program Committee and could use your suggestions and help in arranging for speakers. If you have any recommendations for speakers, please share your ideas with Tony and Doug.

We look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting! [directions]