Natchaug River Clean Up POSTPONED
Due to the impending inclement weather, we are postponing the Natchaug River clean-up scheduled for tomorrow, April 20, 2019. High, swift water conditions make it dangerous to access many parts of the river that collect garbage.
Due to the impending inclement weather, we are postponing the Natchaug River clean-up scheduled for tomorrow, April 20, 2019. High, swift water conditions make it dangerous to access many parts of the river that collect garbage.
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Click Facebook ICON in upper right hand corner of any website page New 4/10 - Posted April Stream Lines Newsletter. See Newsletter page
New 4/10 -UPDATE - Meet Up Location Change Volunteer for Natchaug River Clean Up April 20th. See Below New 4/9 - Additional photos added to slideshow. March Meeting Slideshow. See Below. New 4/5 - How to Fix Your Gore-Tex Waders. See Fly Fishing 101 Page. New 4/4 - Lefty's Deceiver See Fly Tying page New 4/3 - Beginner Fly Tying Class Slideshow. See Below New 3/7 - Flies, Pies & More Slideshow. See this page. New 2/23 - Fly Tying Class 2019 Slide Show - See Below 
April 20th April 20th Natchaug River Cleanup, Cookout and Fishing
Come join us for a fun day of fishing and river stewardship at the Natchaug River Trout park on the Natchaug River. We will be meeting at the entrance to the Natchaug State Forest in Eastford at 9 AM on Saturday morning. Wear waders or boots and gloves. All other supplies will be provided. The day will start off with a few hours of stream cleanup then we will return to the Natchaug State Park for a Thames Valley TU sponsored cookout. After lunch, grab your rod, throw on your waders, and join us for some fishing! For questions or to discuss other river stewardship opportunities, please contact Jim Valuckas, River Cleanup Coordinator, Tel: (215) 208-3873, Email: jfvret@gmail.com Directions to Natchaug State Forest TVTU Beginner Fly Tying Class 2019
Due to demand Thames Valley TU added a 4 week Beginners Fly Tying classes this winter. Bob Walsh and John Preston taught the course. The classes were held 9 -11 am Saturdays FEB - March at the Fish Connection, 127 RT12, Preston, CT. 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 and there is great satisfaction catching a fish on your own fly. It’s fun and you will meet some great people and future friends… and have something to give you pleasure for a lifetime! For sure Bob and John did! A special Thank You to Jack Balint, owner of the Fish Connection in Preston, CT for supporting Thames Valley's fly tying classes this year. March 19th Meeting Recap and Slideshow
Our March 19th meeting featured Neal Hagstrom, CT DEP Fisheries Biologist, who presented new information out of Vermont and New Hampshire showing that adding more wood structure to streams can promote greater fish populations. Neal showed the data from the Vermont study and although the results were quite encouraging, Neal felt he would like to see more data before making any conclusions or recommendations for Connecticut.
Prior to the meetings presentation, John Preston drew a nice audience demonstrating his technique for making dubbing brushes. Also if didn't come to the meeting you missed some great bargains on fly tying materials. Fly Tying Class 2019 Slide Show
This year our 6 week fly tying course at The Fish Connection started January 12th. Bob Walsh, John Preston, Phil Sheffield and Jack Balint all contributed and shared their talents to instruct about 8 to 10 students on the Anglers Art… fly tying. After getting a couple of true novices up to speed they covered the following flies/subjects: The three primary fly tying methods and tools, Woolley Worm, Woolley Bugger, Beadhead Hare’ Ear nymph, Bird’s Nest wet fly, Beadhead Caddis Pupa , Black Nose Dace, Chubby Chernobyl, How to make your Hare’s Ear dubbing, Starling & Purple Spider, Partridge & Orange Spider, McFoam Eggs, Cream and Dun Variants, Bi-Visible, Adams dry fly, PMD Thorax dry fly, and an Epoxy Baitfish (Candy) saltwater. Before each class students were provided various video and step by step instructions and supporting information to help prepare them for the following week’s class. In addition, the students were given an information sheet and online resources to help them learn/practice on their own pace. A special shout out to Jack Balint of The Fish Connection for providing an area to conduct these classes and the use of his tools & materials when we needed it. |
TVTU 2019 Fund Raiser Drive
Its that time again... Help Thames Valley TU raise funds for our Education and Conservation efforts. Not only does it take volunteers to execute our educational and conservation programs but it takes some financial resources too. We hope to expand our Trout in the Classroom program to other local schools; We have recently lent a hand to starting the Nathan Hale MS (Coventry) Fishing Club this winter; Expanding Fly Tying and Fly Casting to some of our local schools for example. In the conservation arena we continue to conduct stream cleanups; in the planning stages of conducting stream bio-assessments and other conservation efforts with area schools and organizations. So consider making a donation via our 2019 Fundraiser Raffle (see below) to make these efforts possible and win a guided trip for two and a complete Fly Fishing outfit too. And enjoy some time on one of our beautiful Eastern CT cold-water fisheries we all care about. Tickets are only $15 each and available at our monthly meetings and through the Chapter's Board of Directors members. Or, send a check payable (with name, address & phone#) to: Thames Valley TU Chapter 282, P.O. Box 2181 Columbia, CT 06237. A ticket will be mailed back to you and recorded. 
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. Thank You For Your Support.... 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!
2019 "Flies and Pies" Slideshow
Another great Flies & Pies event this year thanks to all the volunteers, demonstrations, food, fun and our first "Iron Fly" contest... 
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… 
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. |