Central MA Chapter of Trout Unlimited - January Newsletter

January Chapter Meeting –
 

Date: Monday, January 6, 2020
 

Time: 6:00 PM (Pizza arrives 6:30 to 6:45 PM)
 

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

The December Meeting was canceled due to the weather. We are going to try again -

The January Meeting:

Fly Tying - The CMTU Presidents "Go To" nymph.

You need to get to the January meeting, if for no other purpose than learning how to tie the CMTU President’s "go to" nymph. Pete and Dave will supply instruction, materials and tools to tie the Green Caddis. This fly is a must have in your box. For local water, this works exceptionally well in slow to fast moving water and provides the "anchor" if using Czech techniques. My fly box is full of these and will be in many of the gifts under the Christmas tree this year.

More Flies!!

Bring you fly box as this will provide a "Big Fish" go to for your inventory. In addition, we are continuing with the "Free Flies" at our meeting. There is a good supply left over from last year that include some of of the classics - hare’s ears, spinners, etc and some of the newer patterns - sulfur emergers, and the tiny little bits of nothing that you need to have a few of. Bring your fly box and...

This year, we are very interested in your favorite patterns to both tie and to purchase. We were able to get a great deal (Thanks Joe) on several hundred flies last year and are planning to do the same this year. So far, we have the following on our shopping list:

• Adams - 14
• Blue Wing Olive - 24-26
• Clauser
• Egg
• Golden Retriever
• Green Caddis - (Tie in January Meeting)
• Griffiths Gnat - 14 - (Tie in March Meeting)
• Klink Hammer
• Pheasant Tail
• Prince Nymph
• Spinners
• Sulphur
• Wooly Bugger
• Zebra Midge - (Tie in February Meeting)

We’ve identified a few of the patterns to tie in the monthly meetings, but look to put together a large order to make sure we are ready for the start of the 2020 season. The January meeting will finalize our order and get our shipment back in plenty of time for the 2020 opener (or your first day on the water in the New Year).

In addition, we are going to look into tippet material, nippers, and the like to improve your first day on the stream in 2020.

Caddis Weekend

The Council "Caddis Weekend" (The modern day Indian Hollow)

No change on Caddis Weekend from the Council. Should be the first weekend in June.

From the Council comes news of the "Caddis Weekend" for 2020 looks to be still undecided. The MA Fish and Game has yet to pick the weekend. This is the new version of what many remember as Indian Hollow. This event is up on the Deerfield and the timing is such to align with the free (no license) weekend in MA - so bring your out-of-state friends and the weekend that has the fisherman controlling the flow rates out of the dam. Last year, the report were teaming with great caddis hatches and good action with dry flies working well.

The event is in a campground - so bring your tents. We will have discussion on a possible AirBnB option if there is interest. I’ve used this resource to book some nice spots on the Farmington and also in Colorado. May be a good option to sleeping bags and tents.

CMTU’s Farmington Weekend

We can not wait for the announcement of the 2019 Caddis Weekend as the Cabins are filling up fast on the banks of the Farmington. But do not Fear, we have our spot. This year we are going with 2 cabins. The first is from Thursday with a depart on Monday. The other is a Friday and Saturday night. This will allow us to get there early and not worry about checking out on Sunday at 11. This is June 11 to 15 (Father’s Day is the following week). With any luck, we will be able to do both the Caddis Weekend and the Farmington.

2020 Banquet

Are you getting Hungry?

Time to start putting together our Banquet for 2020. Steve and his team did a great job last year and all had a great time. Looking for another wonderful event. We will be talking with the Club to see what are open dates, their trout tournaments, etc.

We are always looking for your input as to ways to improve upon what was a big success last Spring.

One idea is linked to those who really put out the extra effort for all of us to enjoy the evening. There is a lot of work that goes into this effort. We will discuss making sure those who help get first choice on the Farmington lodging and maybe the front of the line for the CMTU Breakfast Sandwich.

Again, thanks to all of you who helped out and look forward to more fun come the Spring.

See you January 6th!

centralmasstu@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you and discussing FISH.

Tight Lines,

Peter Sterndale

President, Central MA Chapter of Trout Unlimited

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