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Click Facebook ICON in upper right hand corner of any website page New 2/12 - Mop Fly (variation) See Fly Tying page
New 2/11 - Beginner Fly Tying Class starts 2/23. See this page New 2/7 - Preston Library Fly Tying Class - See below. New 1/31 - Flies, Pies & More. We need volunteers for next month's event (See this page) New 1/17 - January Chapter Meeting Slideshow (See Below) New 1/11 - Posted January Stream Lines Newsletter See Newsletter page New 12/12 - Broodstock Salmon Stocking Slideshow - See Below. 
TVTU Beginner Fly Tying Classes Start February 23, 2019
Thames Valley TU will be conducting a Beginners Fly Tying classes again this winter. Bob Walsh and John Preston will be teaching the course. The classes will be held 9:30 - 11:30 am Saturdays at the Fish Connection, 127 RT12, Preston, CT. Class dates are February 23, March 2, 9 & 16th. Classes are open to members (young & old) and to the public. Why learn to tie flies? Fly tying is great way to learn some of the finer points of fly fishing; something to do off-season and keep focused on fishing; because you like being creative & working with your hands; and, you want to spend many hours alone or with friends doing a fun hobby. Also, there is great satisfaction catching a fish on your own fly. Tools and materials will be available if you don't have any. There are no fees for the classes and materials. This way you can determine if this hobby is for you before you commit money to buy the necessary equipment and materials to get started. There is nothing better than learning by personal instruction. Learning from a book can be hard but not impossible. Nowadays, I would suggest using online videos might be a good alternative. So, if you think you would like to give it a try. Enroll in our fly tying class. It’s fun and you will meet some great people and future friends… and have something to give you pleasure for a lifetime! Contact John Preston or Jack Balint (860) 885-1739 at Fish Connection to enroll and for questions or information. February 5th, 2019 Preston Library Intro to Fly Tying Class - Slideshow
Thames Valley members Bob Walsh, Ken Burrows & John Preston conducted a 2 hour Intro to Fly Tying class to eight students at the request of the Preston Library on 5 FEB. After a brief description of essential tools, threading a bobbin. and a few fundamental methods of attaching material, thread and finishing the fly... each student tied a Woolley Worm and Wooley Buggar. A majority of the students wanted to pursue the "Art of the Angler" and we are planning to start another Beginners class at The Fish Connection after FEB 16th. More details to follow. January 15th Chapter Meeting Slideshow - John Shaner
A great turnout and even better fly tying demonstration and presentation by John Shaner on "Spiders and Soft Hackles" John tied several spiders and offered many tips and insights on tying and fishing soft hackled flies. 
Thames Valley TU 2019 Fundraiser Raffle
TU “Embrace-A- Stream” Fly Rod & Orvis Reel Outfit plus an Eastern CT Guided Half Day Trip (1- 2 Anglers) w/ Steve Babbitt Package Value $764- Only 60 tickets are to be sold. Donation: Only $15 per ticket (All proceeds will be earmarked for our Education and Conservation efforts only) TU “Embrace-A-Stream” (St Croix Legend Ultra 8'6”) Fly Rod
5wt, 4 pc, 3.4oz: This rod includes the following features: High-modulus / high-strain SCIV graphite, slim profile ferrules, Fuji Alconite stripper guides with chrome frames, REC nickel silver reel seat with a stabilized bird's eye maple insert, Super-grade cork handle, includes a rugged rod case with a handle strap and a divided polypropylene liner. Made in the USA. Original MSRP $330.00 Orvis Battenkill Disc III for line weights 5-7, 4.9 oz., 3¼" dia: Underneath that mid arbor is the same sealed drag system found in the Hydros SL incorporating six interacting carbon and stainless drag surfaces. Positive click drag is simple and easy to adjust. The reel is built of 6061-T6 aircraft aluminum with an ergonomic Delrin handle and changing from left to right hand retrieve is simple. Finish is black nickel. MSRP $169.00 Sage Performance Taper II WF5F: Sage’s Balanced Loading System to create a smooth-handling, high-floating line that provides enhanced line feel through your cast for greater distance, accuracy and consistency. Original MSRP $65.00 A Guided Half Day Trip for 1 or 2 Anglers (Eastern CT Waters) with Steve Babbitt: Please schedule trip ahead of time with Steve any time from April to June- September to December 1st. Value $200. Steve Babbitt is JT's Fly Shop in Union, CT resident guide and available for individual or group fly fishing trips and instruction. Steve has over 35 years of fly fishing experience and started guiding in the 90’s and hasn't stopped. Steve has been tying for 30 years and many of those years were spent as a commercial tier. If you are looking to get started or already have experience and looking to learn new techniques, Steve, will have the experience and knowledge necessary to make the most out of your time on the water. |
Annual Flies, Pies & More...
February 19th, Tues., 6 to 9pm We'll be featuring demonstrations by chapter members with different skills including fly tying, rod construction, artwork, woodworking and an "Iron Fly" Tying Contest! As in the past, the board will be providing pizza and a variety of food for the night. Because a number of members have asked, we invite anyone who would like to contribute to the food to bring a dish, snack or dessert of their choice. We will be having our normal table raffles and door prizes as well as some additional special bucket raffles and expanded selection of fishing items and lots of fly tying material at bargain prices. As always, all our meetings and this annual event is open to the public. Bring the family, friends and fellow anglers. It should be another fun & terrific night!! Sign-up for the "Iron Fly" Tying:Contest starts 7:30pm The TVTU Flies & Pie "Iron Fly" contest is a really fun and fast paced event. The fly tiers will be pitted against a grab bag of materials from nuts and bolts to tiny feathers and anything outrageous enough to make a tier scratch their head. Can you tie from a mystery bag of goodies chosen by the judges? How about blindfolded? You get the idea, big fun for a good cause! Join us as you tie or just watch and cheer as the tiers try to tie the "best" fly for prizes and bragging rights. No contest is complete without a reward for the competitors; TVTU BOD is ready to hand out some great prizes. (Note: There are no fees for competing.) Please contact John Preston to Register for the contest and for questions/info. See attached Iron Fly Contest Rules Below: 
Demonstrations Scheduled:
Bob Walsh - Bamboo Rod Making, Graphite Rod Building and Net Making Jack Balint of The Fish Connection - Saltwater FlyTying Duke Preston - Furled Leader Making Charles McCaughtry - Artwork. Charley has donated two lithographs worth $85 each to the special raffle. John Preston - Dubbing Brush Making 3 Brothers Fly Tying (McMahon brothers) - Fly Tying Don Avery - Net Making and Wood Working Steve Gerling - Wood Carving Phil Sheffield - Fly Tying Merril "Doc" Katz - Fly Tying Steve Babbitt - Fly Tying John Jascot - Fly Tying 
How about you? Do you have some skill or technique that you could share with the chapter? If so, please contact Gary Lussier (860-861-9344) or email so we can reserve a spot for you.
Lisbon Middle School Trout In the Classroom (TIC) - Trout Release
The looks on these kid's faces says it all! This is why we do this!
Free Family Membership Upgrade Extended
We are pleased to launch a new Free Family Membership Upgrade offer to any existing Trout Unlimited member -- for a limited time only! By signing up and adding the names and information for the family members living in your household at www.tu.org/familymembership, you will enjoy the benefits of a TU family membership for the duration of your regular membership for free. These benefits include: • Ensuring your family members feel that great sense of belonging to the nation’s leading trout and salmon conservation organization. • Additional family members can expect to receive communications and invitations to local, statewide and national events and activities, like for example one of our dozens of chapter-hosted women's specific fly fishing seminars or youth fishing days. • A complimentary copy of Stream Explorers magazine for any youth under age 12. All members of your household will be able to create a unique member profile on www.tu.org to engage in our online community, join discussion groups, access member-only content such as the digital version of Trout Magazine and more… Farmington Valley TU Banquet
March 23rd 2019 6-9pm Help support one our fellow CT TU chapters. Featuring many wonderful auction & raffle items and a great dinner! Tickets are available online (see below) or by calling Don LaChance at 860-930-0184. 
Don't be like these guys!
Join Thames Valley TU Chapter for a special introductory rate of $17.50... half the normal membership price! Click - Join TVTU Be sure to select the "Thames Valley" Chapter 282 when signing up online. | ||
Welcome!
Thames Valley TU Chapter's Mission: To conserve, protect and restore Eastern Connecticut's trout and salmon and their watersheds.
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