February 2025 Newsletter
Central MA Chapter of Trout Unlimited - February Newsletter
Hello Cold Water Fisheries Advocates,
We continue to provide opportunities to fill some of those holes in the fly box made by donations at the stream.
The February meeting will be held at the Auburn Sportsman’s Club.
Date: Monday, Feb 3rd
Start Time: 6:00PM
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:
Santa was very generous again this year. Not sure how he finds out, but the Holiday gifts included just what I needed. Here are some of the details:
1. We are going to need a bigger net!
This doesn't happen very often, but sometimes that nice little wooden net does not do the job. Sometimes, it does not even come close.
I remember fishing a stream in Montana and this guy showed up with a net that was almost as big as him! I thought to myself, how often do you need something that big. Well, in Colorado, I hooked into a beast and when I grabbed my net, it was very clear that this was not going to end well. Needless to say, the monster got downstream of me, opened his mouth and I waved good-bye.
On the way home, I stopped at Cabelas and found a net that was about 2 feet in diameter and about 4 feet long when I include the handle. Not only will this be critical if I hook into another one of those, but it does a great job as a wading assist. When it comes to where to store this when fishing - it slips right into my straps for my chest pack and sits nicely right behind my head. A bit of a problem when walking through the woods, but does a great job in the wind picking off those errand casts then may end up in your ear.
Have you ever been in this position - A monster, the fish of a life-time trying to pull your arm off? Well, get ready when fishing the Quinie in the Spring and Fall - you may have that opportunity!
As for airplane travel, This net was under $30. Just go to Cabela's and pick one up when I get to the destination and then donate.
2. There are Classics
I am fortunate enough to have a nice little bamboo that is just the perfect size for the Quinie. However, the white fly line just does not match up well with my "Clicker" fly reel and the bamboo.
The Cortland 444 DT in Peach. I've always looked at this fly line with envy as a youngster so many years ago. There it was, sitting right there in the fly shop I used to visit in Bristol, NH, but yet "out of reach".
Well, it is always exciting to see a present that is just the right size for something you know. Well, even better when you open it up and are staring at the Bold 444 with peach in the background.
Speaking of the Quinie
Project #1 - The Quinie Dam Removal.
There is a monsterous hole in the ground where the dam once stood. Not in quite the Dramatic fashion as Reagan with the Berlin Wall, but what a beautiful site! After so many years, this major impediment to some of those "Monsters" that lurk in the reservoir below.
The state came through on this one! A major effort, but one that has finally been completed and now we can let the Quinie flow unobstructed.
Our April meeting (4/7) will be dedicated to this Dam removal project and the path forward. We will have Sasha Dyer from the MA Fisheries and Wildlife Board Member, Central Wildlife Representative.
You do not want to miss this one. Sasha will provide us with much information and please, bring your questions.
Event #1 - 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 it in the newsletter and discuss it 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 #2 - A weekend on the Farmington River in CT
This is in the works. We are looking at a few possible dates. Hendricksons in April/May, Sulfurs in June. Like a kid in a Candy Store. More to come in future Newsletters.
We hope to see you at the February meeting and as always -
Pizza Will be served!
Tight Lines,
Peter Sterndale
President, Central MA Chapter of Trout Unlimited
© 2024 Trout Unlimited | CMTU #148 | http://centralmasstu.org
