February 2014

News & Events

General Meeting - Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Captain Paul Eidman

Capt. Paul takes the bunker conversation to a whole new level. I had no clue as to how diversified a role this baitfish played in our ecosystem and our day to day lives as well. The Menhaden Defenders slogan resonates loud and clear with all anglers after this presentation. "No Bunker=No Bass" says it all."

In addition to bunker, Paul will talk about the work done with river herring (alewife and blueback) as well as American shad.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Jon Dugan
Macro Invertebrates

Jon Dugan the NJDEP/AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador will present to us how certain macro invertebrates have varying degrees of sensitivity to pollution. A macro invertebrate is a creature without a backbone that can be seen with the naked eye. The presence of many varieties of macro invertebrate indicates a healthy stream. Inversely the absence of macro invertebrates indicates poor stream health. The over-all health of a stream can be evaluated by enumerating all the species of macro invertebrates found in samples collected from a stream during a set time. Jon will also cover stream entomology & how to properly i.d. insects that are in the river.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

“Not Just Trout”
Wendell 'Ozzie' Ozefovich

Not Just Trout answers the question “Why do we love to fish?” It includes the most picturesque and unique clips of trout in their liquid environment together with other creatures, flora and fauna – both above and below the water’s surface – that were encountered over many years while fishing and filming the underwater world of trout.

Also included are the transformations that wild brook trout go through from the color change in early autumn, to the actual spawning sequence -- and I must include, lots of laughs.

Here is a video link: http://youtu.be/R3ykeeE3ECI

Tuesday, May 12, 2014

“Tuna on the Fly ”
Tom Gilmore

After almost three decades of service, Tom Gilmore retired in the spring of 2012, as President and CEO of the New Jersey Audubon Society, the oldest and largest conservation organization in the state of New Jersey. During that time, he led the conservation community through numerous extraordinary environmental achievements. It's no surprise that Tom has received numerous awards and honors, including the Conservation Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution, New Jersey Environmental Lobby's first Environmental Legacy Award, Tom was recognized by The Star Ledger newspaper (New Jersey's largest daily paper) as Winner of the Year, for his work to save the Highlands. New Jersey Monthly magazine recognized Tom as one the "101 Most Influential People in New Jersey." He was also awarded the Governors Environmental Achievement Award by both Governors Corzine and Christy.

In addition to being an accomplished environmentalist, Tom is an avid fly fisherman. He has fly fished for around the world for over 40 years. Tom is a well know fly fishing celebrity having given well over 100 programs on fishing for all most all of our North American He is an accomplished author having written numerous articles and is currently working on his fourth book, East Coast Trophy Tailwaters, which will be published in the fall of 2014.

. His first book, False Albacore, was published in 2002, his second book entitled, Tuna On The Fly, was published in the Fall of 2006. Tom's third book a Flyfisher's Guide to the Big Apple was published in 2011.

American Legion Hall
137 New Market Road
Dunellen, NJ

Meeting starts at 8 PM - Non Members are always welcome!

President’s Letter

February 2014

Cabin fever is seldom a problem with most New Jersey winters. During most winters there are plenty of opportunities to get out and wet a line. This winter season is a slightly different story. Colder than normal weather and a good snow pack(for New Jersey) is probably keeping most of us indoors these days. What's making it difficult to get out and fish will be a blessing for our cold water fisheries come the warmer weather. All this frozen precipitation will recharge our ground water systems and hopefully come the season opener we will see a return of our normal high springtime flows.

If you could not get out to fish at least you had an opportunity to attend some of the area outdoor shows last month. Central Jersey Trout Unlimited was at two area events last month, the NJ Outdoor Expo and the Fly Fishing Show. Both events were profitable for us. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who volunteered their valuable time to help out at these shows as well as those who participated in our fund raising efforts.

If you are a fly tier I hope your taking advantage of being shut in by the weather. I will be setting up in front of the vise as soon as I finish this news letter so I can tie up the midge patterns needed for next weeks fly swap. For those that may not be aware we are completing the first in a series of fly swaps. For those interested in participating each swap will focus on a different insect, pattern or type of fly. To participate all you need to do is sign up and tie the specified number of flies (based on the number of those participating). At the end of the fly swap you will receive one fly from each tier so you will leave with the same number of flies all from different tiers. All we ask is that you tie one extra fly to give to the chapter. We'll take those flies and offer that selection for purchase or as a raffle item.

If you not a fly tier but still need to re-stock those boxes you in luck. Starting with the next general meeting we will be offering flies for sale at great prices. Of course you'll have to come out to the meeting to take advantage of the savings. We will be offering for sale hundreds of dozens of flies proven to work on area waters. So if you need to stock up for the upcoming season, come on out to a meeting and check out our flies.

As expected, there will not be much going one this month. Next month we will be gearing up for the Pequest Hatchery Open House event. The Open House will be held Saturday and Sunday March 29 and 30. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, rain or shine. Speaking of the hatchery, they are still struggling with Furunculosis, a fatal disease affecting cold water species of fish such as trout. We'll have more information on this situation as it develops.

Here is a quick run down on our upcoming speakers. This month we will feature something for the salt water angler. Captain Paul Eidman will talk about the importance of bunker and the role this baitfish plays in our ecosystem as well as our day to day lives. Also he will discuss the work being done with river herring (alewife and blueback) as well as American shad.

In March we will feature Jon Dugan the NJDEP/AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador who will give a presentation on how the presence of certain macro invertebrates indicates a healthy stream. Jon will also cover stream entomology & how to properly identify insects that are in the river. In April we will be featuring our own Wendell "Ozzie" Ozefovich and his presentation “Not Just Trout”. This fantastic presentation was originally scheduled for our December meeting which was cancelled due to bad weather. Ozzie puts on a great show, this is one you will not want to miss.

Remember to check our Facebook page to keep up to date on chapter events as well as last minute notifications. We are loving the amount of activity this page is getting and we will continue to add content on a weekly basis. That is going to wrap it up for now. It's time to throw another log on the fire and slide the chair over to the tying bench and get to work on those midges!

Tight Lines
Bart Lombardo

Fly of the Month

“Cinnamon Caddis Emerger”
by Dick Turse