​Latest Website Updates 
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4/19 - Volunteers Wanted for Glastonbury HS Fishing Outing!- See this page
4/10 - Support Native Brook Trout - See this page
12/23 - TVTU TIC 2025-26 Update and Natchaug Elementary TIC Release See Education Page
​12/15 - TVTU Trout In The Classroom (TIC) 2024-25 update: Fitch H.S and Hall Memorial TIC TRout Releases see Education Page

4/19 - Classifieds Update: Cheeky Preload 2.0 350 Reel, line and leader combo
4/5 - Classifieds Update: Three new items added... Fly reel, fly tying vise & fly tying storage chest.

See more CLASSIFIEDS on Classifieds tab which is a free service to members only to buy and sell used equipment. TVTU has no financial interest or any accountability as to the quality of the merchandise. All transactions are strictly between the buyer and seller. To advertise an item, simply write up the description, price and contact information that you want to see on the ad along with a picture or two. Send them to Pat Gaynor for publication.

​​See TVTU Merchandise - Sales of our merchandise helps us to sustain our organizational objectives and initiatives toward conservation, education programs, stream restoration projects and membership development. Thanks for your support!
TVTU Chapter Up Coming Events
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April 21 Chapter Meeting - Annual meeting/elections
April 22 Fly Fishing with Glastonbury HS
May 19 Chapter Meeting - Guest Speaker: Captain Ray Ramos - Topic: Shallow water strategies for saltwater

​TVTU Monthly Chapter Meetings Doors open at 6:00 PM for social hour and fly tying. Our Meetings are open to the public and gets underway at 7:00 PM.

​Directions to the Franklin Firehouse: Our meeting location is at the Franklin Firehouse on 5 Tyler Drive (just off Rt 32) in North Franklin. The meeting entrance is on the left as you enter the facility. The Franklin Firehouse is located just north of Route 2, exit 27. Go 6 miles north on Rt 32 and Tyler Drive is on your right. Google Map Link to Franklin Firehouse.
​TVTU Board of Directors Meetings

TVTU Board of Directors meet the second Tuesday of the month, August through May, at 6:00 PM via ZOOM.  The meetings are open to any TVTU members who would like to attend. To get the ZOOM link, just contact any BOD member and they can provide it to you.
TVTU Chapter Board of Directors Openings

TVTU is in need of some volunteers to help keep the chapter viable/active. We need volunteers for the following Board of Directors positions:

President – The President serves as general executive officer of the Chapter and appoints the chairs of all Chapter committees. The President oversees all activities of the chapter, presides at all membership and board meetings, and manages the business and affairs of the Chapter. The President has general supervision of all the other officers of the Chapter and sees that their duties are properly performed. The President reports to the members of the Chapter and to the Board on matters which may be of interest or concern.

Vice-President - The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President if the President is absent or unable to perform the President’s duties. The Vice President shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors and the President.

Treasurer – The Treasure is responsible for managing and controlling the financials and bank accounts for the chapter. The treasure provides monthly reports to the Board of Directors and to the membership at the Annual Meeting.

Communications Chair– Coordinates all aspects of Chapter communications including publishing of the monthly newsletter, sending communications bulletins, maintaining the chapter website, as well as any chapter social media sites.

Program Director - Coordinates monthly meetings including meeting speakers and other chapter activities.

Fly Tying Coordinator- Board of Directors membership is optional. Maintain the chapter fly tying class material and schedule fly tying classes. Also coordinates fly tyers
for monthly chapter meetings.

Please contact Gary Lussier at [email protected] or 860-861-9344 if you would like to help out the chapter and volunteer for these needed positions.
Join Thames Valley Trout Unlimited
Picture"Up the Chute" by Charles McCaughtry
​Join Trout Unlimited today at the special introductory rate of just $17.50.  Help protect and restore our nation's magnificent trout and salmon fisheries. This low rate is for new members only and $15 of your $17.50 will go to your local chapter / the chapter you select below (more if you join at a higher membership level). 

​Link -  Join TVTU -  Be sure to select the "Thames Valley" Chapter 282 when signing up online. ​
Visit Our NEW Facebook page! 
​Click the Facebook ICON in upper righthand corner of any website page...Check it out - "Thames Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited”  Hope you enjoy it!
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TVTU Annual Meeting Notice

The Chapter Annual Meeting will be held on April 21 at our regular chapter meeting. During that meeting, we will review the financial report, accomplishments and hold elections. All members are encouraged to run for any of the open positions. If you are interested in joining a great group of volunteers who have been keeping this chapter moving forward, simply contact any of the board members for what is involved. It does not take any specific skills or background, only a desire to help and the entire board is there and willing to help you get started.
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Supporting Native Brook Trout

A little over a month ago, I was contacted by a UConn PhD student who is mentoring a North Stonington High School student participating in UConn’s Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA). As part of the program, they’ve been working closely with DEEP on wild brook trout research—electro‑shocking surveys, data collection, and analysis of both historical and current trout populations.

Before long, I had the chance to speak with the student, Nolan Varas, by phone. Nolan is an avid angler—both fly and spin—and he has a genuine passion for wild brook trout. That passion is what led him to the NRCA program, and listening to him talk about his experiences, his conservation interests, and his commitment to protecting native trout was both fascinating and inspiring. I couldn’t help thinking: this is exactly the kind of young conservationist we hope to see in TU—someone who represents the future of our mission and the continuation of our vision.

And then came the surprise. Nolan has launched a fundraiser selling T‑shirts featuring a trout logo promoting the protection of native trout. He and his mentor reached out because he wanted to donate all profits from the fundraiser to Thames Valley TU. The fundraiser is already live and has already raised over $200 for the chapter.

Below is the link to Nolan’s fundraiser. Even if you don’t purchase a T‑shirt (though I encourage you to consider it), take a moment to read his story—it’s well worth it.

Protect Native Trout | Help a high school student support trout! | Bonfire

For those interested in learning more about the program that helped shape his project, here’s information on the NRCA:

Conservation Ambassador Program | Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA) | UConn

Check out the links. Support Nolan and his project - and native brook trout!
Update: Still looking for a few more volunteers and waders!!
Volunteers Wanted - Fly Fishing with Glastonbury HS Students

​On Wednesday, April 22, we will be hosting a fishing outing on the Salmon River for the Glastonbury HS students at the pavilion on Gulf Road. We will be supplying rods, reels, flies, and a few sets of waders/boots. We are looking for 10-12 volunteers so that we can provide 1:1 assistance and coaching for the students. We also do not have enough waders and boots for everyone, and we are looking for members to loan us whatever gear you can for the day, even if you can't make the event.

We will be gathering at the pavilion between 1:00 and 1:30 to check out and assemble the fly rods and reels. Students usually arrive by 2:30 and after a quick casting lesson and/or refresher, will be fishing until about 5:00.

If you are interested in participating in either event, please contact Gary to let us know and what you can lend us for waders and/or boots.