December 2024 Newsletter

 

Central MA Chapter of Trout Unlimited - December Newsletter

 

 

Hello Cold Water Fisheries Advocates,

 

Time to start up the Fall meeting schedule, share some stories of fun on the water and fill some of those holes in the fly box made by donations at the stream.

 

 

December Chapter Meeting –

Date: Monday, December 2nd

 

Time: 6pm to 9pm

 

Location: Auburn Sportsman’s Club
             50 Elm St, Auburn, MA 01501
 

 

Dave Fox will lead us with some excellent instruction on the vice. Bring your own equipment, but we also have some vises and tools if this is your first time. As we move into the New Year, we will start to focus on patterns that will be the "Go To" flies for some of our planned trips in 2025. One of those patterns will be the #18 Caddis that is a killer on the Deerfield during the MA TU Councils Caddis Weekend.

 

Also, we are very interested in local event opportunities for the Chapter. We would love to hear any your ideas on events that are either fishing or community service/Cold Water related. Please send your thought and ideas to:

 

centralmatu@gmail.com

 

I am just back from an extended stay in Colorado. We have our second granddaughter and what a delight. Our daughter advised that they are moving back to MA in January. So pleased.

 

While in Colorado, I did find some time to do some fishing on some marvelous water. Set in the beautiful Rockies, these Browns and Rainbows were very active. However, there focus was on the really small stuff. Size 20 to 24 was the name of the game. Midge and BWO patterns in these small sizes were the go to. What a surprise when 20+" takes a number 22 on 6X. I made many donations, but also put a few in the net.

 

We are also interested if there is interest in a destination type fishing trip. Have you ever fished out in a Colorado, Idaho or Montana? Good discussion.

 

Project #1 - The Quinie Dam Removal

 

This project is moving forward and will make a significant positive change to this stream. There were some recent meeting with the State and this included some potential new regulations for the stream after the dam is removed. In discussion is Catch and Release, Barbless Hooks, etc. As we turn the corner into 2025, we will provide more information on the project time-line and the status of any of these regulation changes.

 

Event #1 - MA Fisheries and Wildlife Presentation

 

Sasha Dyer, MA Fisheries and Wildlife Board Member, Central Wildlife Representative, will attend our April meeting on Monday, 4/7. She will discuss the role of the MFW board, current board proposals, including the C&R area on the Quinapoxet River, and upcoming projects. Sasha is a fish biologist and works in the aquaculture industry.

 

Event #2 - The Caddis Weekend on the Deerfield - Estimate is June

 

If you like to dry fly fish, this event needs to be on your calendar. The Caddis are in full bloom and the trout get active.

 

This is a very interesting stream and conservation success story. TU worked with the state to secure the upper stretches of this stream for Native Trout. Due to the nature of the stream, the abundance of food and endless supply of cold (bottom release water), the native fish are well established. The state no longer stocks the upper stretch and the fish you catch there are natives - and those natives get big!

 

The dates should be announced early into 2025. We will include in the newsletter and discuss at the meeting. The chapter usually takes care of the nightly fees.

 

This is a great event to meet other members from local chapters and have fun enjoying some of the best fly fishing waters in the state. In addition, we will have fly tying material so you can test your skills on some of the other caddis patterns that are proven to produce. On that list are some of Lafontaine's patterns that I find to be extremely successful when I see caddis in the air around a stream, but the trout are hitting the surface, but are not taking obvious adults. A few options can turn the odds in your favor.

 

Event #3 - A weekend on the Farmington River in CT

 

The cabins are starting to fill up, but there are still some options. The Hendrickson Hatch in May is always a great time of this stream. There are epic days with blankets of #12s floating down the river. We will advise on the status as this is a wonderful fishering in New England.

 

We hope to see you at the December meeting and as always -

 

Pizza will be served!

 

 

Tight Lines,

Peter Sterndale

President, Central MA Chapter of Trout Unlimited

 

 

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