If you were unable to attend our March Chapter Meeting at Edmond Town Hall, you can view the meeting on our YouTube here.
Paul Shafer presents “In Pursuit of New Orleans Redfish”
February Chapter Meeting - Recording Available
Here is the recording of Wednesday’s chapter meeting featuring Torrey Collins of Upcountry Sportfishing.
Torrey gave us a detailed look at the Housatonic and Farmington rivers, as well as some expert tips on Euro Nymphing, streamer fishing, and other methods for targeting highly pressured trout.
Take some time to view the video on CVTU’s YouTube channel.
And don’t forget to order your “Sweets” from Maple Craft Foods and support our chapter fundraising efforts. Go to https://maplecraftfoods.com/pages/cvtu and be sure to enter code “CVTU” at checkout to have 30% of your order go to CVTU.
"Ode to a Grove"
Here is CVTU Board Member Randy Walker’s poem about the fate of decades old trees in Housatonic Meadows State Park. Randy and many others have fished this section of the “Housy” for many years enjoying the shade provided by the many pines, oaks and maples.
Ode to a Grove
DEEP says hazardous trees must go
For tall trees land a powerful blow
Yet all trees in a grove rely
On their neighbors growing close by
Together against strong winds they strove
That is how they became a grove
Now take away part of its canopy and shield
Within its heart trees now yield
For roots never having the stress
Are now exposed to the winds’ duress
So DEEP you now see
Is in the business of creating hazardous trees
Both in their economic driven fantasy, and sadly in reality
United they will stand
Divided they all will fall
Chapter Meeting Survey Results
Click on Charts to zoom image
Included here is an overview of the results of our Chapter Meeting Survey. We had 38 respondents to the survey. We wish to thank all of you who answered the survey questions. Your input is valuable to us as we plan the future of CVTU. We closed the survey on Monday the 16th.
The results of the survey indicate that the majority respondents would like the meetings to restart with the option of broadcasting the meeting live via Zoom. This would accommodate members that wish not to attend in-person (21% of respondents).
The best weekday for holding the in-person meetings is Tuesday, based on a convincing 60.5% majority. Tuesday would allow us to meet at the Reverie Brewery in private. Brewery ownership has offered to open the Brewery, one Tuesday per month and provide a bartender for our meeting. We would have the Tasting Room to ourselves for our meetings which will keep noise and crowds to a minimum. We’ll still be able to bring in Pizza and soft drinks, but beer would be for purchase. Additionally, the brewery has the necessary infrastructure to allow for presentation projection and a Zoom broadcast.
There was no clear majority on minimum COVID19 requirements. However 52% of respondents selected either masks optional or no precautions. Restarting our in-person will require us to follow TU, local, and CDC COVID guidelines, and we will keep abreast of those guidelines and any changes that may come with restrictions to public gatherings. Our goal is to reenergize our chapter happenings while keeping all members safe.
Stay tuned for an official announcement for our December meeting after Thanksgiving.
Enjoy the holiday!
Let's Re-Start our Chapter Meetings!
Chapter Meeting Survey
As we look to reenergize the chapter following the challenges of COVID-19, we would like the input of our membership. To that end we have created an anonymous survey with questions pertinent to future chapter meetings. I should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. The survey will be active until this Sunday, November 14th.
Your opinions on the structure, location and time for future meetings is extremely important. This is your chapter and your participation is what helps the chapter meet its goals. Over the past 18 months we have experienced challenges in maintaining member engagement and your Board is committed to restarting the monthly meetings in a way that satisfies all member wants and needs, in a safe environment.
The Survey is now closed
Pootatuck Cleanup, Conifer Revetment and CVTU Kiosk Update
Clear, cold water conservation starts with passion and commitment. In honor of celebrating “Trout Week”, October 25th through September 1st, Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited Chapter volunteers, gathered on the banks of the Pootatuck River in Newtown, Connecticut to remove invasive weeds in and around critical riparian buffer plantings installed in the spring of 2020. In addition to the removal of invasive plants the group installed approximately 30 yards of conifer revetments. Conifer revetment work is the installation of discarded Christmas trees which trap sediment, leaves and other natural debris that over time create new banks which helps to keep erosion to a minimum. It’s this sort of chapter involvement that not only helps to restore key cold water habitat and critical spawning areas but strengthens our community.
In addition to the steam bank work on the Pootatuck, we were also able to update our two Kiosks on Al’s trail, at Commerce Street and behind the Newtown United Methodist Church. These Kiosks serve to inform visiters to the river and trail, about CVTU, our mission, how to contact us, and how to become involved in the chapter and TU national.
Thank you to all who participated in this event, and enjoy the pictures and videos.
CVTU September Chapter Meeting - YouTube Video
If you missed our Chapter Meeting last night, we’ve uploaded the Zoom Video to the CVTU YouTube channel. The video is about 2 hours in length and covers a lot of ground with regards to our upcoming chapter conservation work and fishing trips.
John Forlenzo with an Alaskan Dolly Varden Char
The central content of our meeting was John Forlenzo’s presentation on his recent trip to Alaska and the Bristol Bay region. He floated with Wild River Guides who presented to our chapter back in November 2018. His presentation focuses on the Northfolk Goodnews River.
We encourage you to find some time to view this video and enjoy John’s presentation. It may even inspire you to make the trip for yourself.
Link to Chapter Meeting Video
Stay tuned to cvtu.org for more news on upcoming events and meetings.
We Need Your Help!
Pootatuck River Stream Walk Surveys
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
HVA is looking for 1-2 volunteers who can provide support in the field during stream walk surveys. Stream surveys will occur in the Pootatuck River and its tributaries in the Town of Newtown. The surveys will provide key information to help identify stream restoration opportunities within the Pootatuck River watershed. HVA will train volunteers in the field and provide waders if necessary.
WE PREFER VOLUNTEERSWHO ARE:
Available during regular work hours(Monday-Friday, 9-5, actual survey hours will vary)
Comfortable working in inclement conditions
Capable of wading and walking in streams and rivers, especially among uneven terrain and slippery surfaces
Able to transport themselves to and from field sites
Able to commit to helping with multiple stream walks
VOLUNTEERS WILL:
Help carry gear
Assist with measurements
Assist with data collection and entry, using iPads and Trimble GPS devices
Learn about in-stream assessment protocol AND share their knowledge of the Pootatuck Watershed!
If you are interested or have any questions, please email Erik Hazelton at ehazelton.hva@gmail.com. Fieldwork will take place from late September to early December.
Penfield Reef 2021 Lives up to Promise
The annual summer trip to Penfield Reef in Fairfield certainly lived up to its promise. The weather couldn’t have been any better making the night a perfect one for wading the reef in search of Stripers and Blues.
Approximately 20 fisherpersons from both CVTU and Mianus TU made the trip. Between them 30 to 40 stripers were caught. Spin fishing was the choice for most but some fish were caught on the fly.
This is a trip that we may repeat in the fall as long as the weather cooperates, the tides are right and the fish are still prevalent. Look for additional information on future events at cvtu.org and via our regular emails.
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Abbie Schuster Inspires All on March Chapter Meeting
Our March chapter meeting this past Wednesday was one of our best virtual meetings to date. Abbie Schuster of Kismet Outfitters on Martha’s Vineyard, gave a passionate presentation on fly fishing the waters around the “Vineyard”. The Zoom meeting was co-sponsored by the Naugatuck-Pomperaug TU chapter and topped out at almost 40 attendees.
Abbie graduated from University of Montana and is a certified guide in Montana and has guided in Alaska and Wyoming as well. Her small business, Kismet Outfitters, offers world class trips globally, teaching fly fishing and the life experiences that come with it. It is hard to imagine how much she has packed into her young career as a guide, captain, and even Yoga instructor. She’ll have you fishing from shore, fishing the flats or the rips, and chasing Stripers, Blues, Bonita and Albies. She inspired all meeting attendees to put Martha’s Vineyard and her guide service on their bucket lists.
CVTU gives special thanks to Beth Barber Peterson, President of Naugatuck-Pomperaug chapter, for co-hosting the meeting with CVTU.
For those that missed the meeting, it was recorded and can be found on CVTU’s YouTube channel here.
For more information on Kismet Outfitters or to book a guided trip visit Abbie on the web and social media at…