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Celebration of Arbor Day
 
Thames Valley Trout Unlimited (TVTU) partnered with the CT DEEP and the Salmon River Watershed Partnership to celebrated Arbor Day by planting white pine seedlings along an eroded bank of the Blackledge River in Colchester, Connecticut. The event was scheduled for 10:30 on Saturday, 30 April. The site is on state land just downstream of River Road. The work site is a mix of level and moderate slope and there will be off-road parking. This was a family and kid-friendly event open to the general public. Water, coffee and donuts was provided for the volunteers.

Volunteers conducted limited brush clearing, and plant 40 white pine, a species known to thrive in the immediate vicinity. Each tree will be approximately three feet tall. Volunteers brought gloves and tools suitable for digging in gravely soil and cutting back invasive brush. Additional tools were available at the event.  

Planting trees is a great way to take action on the local level, while still contributing to the global fight to manage excess carbon. On the local level, a well-sited tree provides cover and shade for trout. The roots prevent erosion and the insects that fall from the tree provide food. On the global level trees draw excess carbon from the air and sequester it in their roots and the surrounding soil. Every new tree makes the stream – and the planet - a bit more resilient in the face of climate change.     

Arbor Day was first celebrated as a State Holiday in Nebraska exactly 150 years ago. It became a national event in 1907 when Theodore Roosevelt, a passionate conversationist, issued a Presidential proclamation. It is estimated that over the last fifty years more than 500 million trees have been planted during Arbor Day events.

​The Trout Unlimited National Organization goal is for more than 100 Chapters to organize tree planting events and is providing logistical and monetary support.
The Blackledge River is a lovely and productive tributary of the Salmon River. The work site is within sight of a historic railroad bridge that is now part of the Airline Trail.

Slideshow to follow...
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 shall serve as general executive officer of the Chapter and shall appoint the chairs of all Chapter committees. The President shall oversee all activities of the chapter, preside at all membership and board meetings, manage the business and affairs of the Chapter. The President may sign and execute in the name of the Chapter all contracts, agreements, and other obligations of the Chapter subject to approval of the Board. The President shall have general supervision of all the other officers of the Chapter and shall see that their duties are properly performed. The President shall report to the members of the Chapter and to the Board on matters which may be of interest or concern. The President shall receive and review all bank statements of Chapter accounts and shall pass them to the Treasurer after review.

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.

​Secretary - The Secretary keeps the minutes of all meetings of the Board and the membership and is the custodian of all official records of the Chapter.

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 gelconn@yahoo.com or 860-861-9344 if you would like to help out the chapter and volunteer for these needed positions.
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Latest Website Updates 
New 5/12- May Streamlines - see Newsletters
New 5/6 - Arbor Day Celebration - See this page
New 3/22 - TVTU Launches Catch & Release Program - See this page
​New 3/6 - TVTU Chapter Board of Directors Openings - See this page
​​New 11/5 - Two Generic Flymphs - See Fly Tying page​
Upcoming Events
You may have noticed that many TVTU events now have a click function to "buy a ticket". By Buying a ticket (they are free), it helps to plan on how many folks will be attending.  You do not need to print the ticket!

June 4th, 10 am to 3 pm - Cookout and fishing at Konow Fish Camp
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To "buy a ticket" click here.   By buying a ticket for TVTU events (they are free), it helps the event planners know how many people to expect.​
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​More events will be posted as known
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TVTU Launches Program Encouraging Catch & Release

You may see some colorful new signs at popular fishing access sites in the northwest part of the Quiet Corner in the next few weeks.

The Thames Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, with the support of local sportsmen’s clubs, are launching a campaign to encourage more catch and release fishing.

Gary Lussier, President of the Thames Valley Chapter of TU, offers, “The intent is not to discourage people who like to enjoy a fresh trout now and then (who doesn’t?) but to raise awareness of the benefits of catch and release with minimal harm to the fish.”
Figures from Andrew Bale of the DEEP show about 120,000 freshwater licenses and permits being issued. This includes about 80,000 trout stamps. Plus who knows how many younger kids who don’t’ need licenses. At the same time the state stocks about 500,000 catchable size trout annually.

According to Steve Gerling, coordinator of the project: “Fishing provides a truly great opportunity to enjoy the best of the outdoors But with those numbers it’s not hard to see why the lakes and streams can be quickly depleted of trout when many people keep their entire catch at every outing.”

He continues, “The main message of the campaign is that more catch and release will yield better fishing for more of the season. Especially in the case of trout, this also increases the possibility of more “holdover” fish and ups the chances for natural reproduction in our lakes and streams. The signs give tips on how to minimize injury to your catch, and will even have a small pair of pliers attached for those who wish to bend down hook barbs at waterside.”

In addition to the Thames Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the following clubs added their endorsement and support to the effort: Putnam Fish and Game Club, Pomfret Rod and Gun Club, Eastern Ct. Sportsman’s Club (Ashford), Fin, Fur, and Feather Club (Chaplin) and Stafford Fish and Game Club.

The above was take from CityBIZ.
​What's Going on in the World of Trout Unlimited
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Connect with the TU community across the country at these local in-person and online events hosted by TU staff, state councils and local chapters. You’ll find fun, engaging activities like tree plantings, trash cleanups, fishing trips, community science projects, youth education activities and veteran and first responder programs close to you. All TVTU events are scheduled on this webpage. Check it out at TU Events!

By buying a ticket for TVTU events (they are free), it helps the event planners know how many people to expect.
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Don't Be Like These Guys!
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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. ​