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www.cjtu.org |
November 2020 |
General MeetingVirtual Meeting
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President’s Letter
This situation highlights a problem that many TU chapters are facing in the current climate. We desperately need more people to get involved with the day to day activities of the chapter. That includes everything from volunteering for an activity like a stream cleanup, event, or class to serving on a committee or becoming a board member. You can participate in any or all of these activities. I think many folks are nervous or feel intimidated when it comes to getting more involved. I want to dedicate my final communication to chapter members as president to talk about what it takes to make that next step. I also will attempt to alleviate some of the concerns people may have about becoming a more active chapter member. The simplest way to get involved is to participate in a chapter event. We host a variety of events throughout the year. Some examples include outreach events like shows and festivals. We typically have a table staffed by volunteers at these events. We highlight past and current projects and participate in fundraising activities like selling flies or raffle tickets. Our primary focus at these events is to talk to folks about Trout Unlimited and the excellent conservation work we do. You don't have to worry about being a spokesperson (unless you want to!); you will be working with others who gladly fill that role. There is always work to be done, and you can assist at any level your comfortable with. One of the most critical areas where we need your assistance is our hands-on projects like cleanups, restoration work, and stocking programs. Many people may hesitate to jump in and lend a hand because they have never done this type of work before. For 99% of the volunteer work we do, no prior experience is necessary! We always have experienced volunteers on hand to answer questions and guide you. Finally, the most important place where we need your help is to manage chapter activities and affairs. These crucial tasks are typically done through the work of various committees and the board of directors. We are always looking for folks that want to take that extra step and get more involved. Let me stress again that no prior experience serving on a committee or a board is required. We will provide hands-on training/assistance for any position. If you do have previous experience, all the better. As I mentioned at the beginning of this letter, I am stepping down as CJTU's President. Unfortunately, we do not have an individual who can immediately replace me. Our current board of directors has shrunken in size over the years, and we would love to increase our numbers. Joining our board of directors will help existing directors free up some of their responsibilities and perhaps allow someone to take on the president's role. Although I am stepping down as president, I plan on remaining on the board in another capacity. Effective immediately, I will be taking over as the membership chair and being responsible for growing and interacting with the chapter's members. It has been an honor and a privilege serving as President of CJTU for all these many years. I look forward to continuing to serve the chapter in other capacities. Let us give Marsha all of the support and encouragement we can muster as she takes over as interim president. Please consider joining our ranks so we can focus on finding someone to take on the role permanently. Election Roster
Officers:
Directors:
Two Year Directors:
One Year Directors:
Stay Safe, |
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News & EventsHelp CJTU when you shop at Amazon!
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7355313 Use the link above to access amazon.com and help support CJTUCJTU is now part of the Amazon Smile program. By clicking through to Amazon with the above link, CJTU will receive a small percentage based on your purchase. Fly of the MonthOlive Fullback NymphTied by Bill Ninke It’s November and both the pro and college football seasons are in high gear. So what would be more appropriate for the fly of the month than the Fullback nymph? Yes, there also are Quarterback and Halfback nymphs. But they either just fade back or dance around. The Fullback powers ahead to hook fish in many situations. So of these options it’s the one you want to tie and try. Notice I said fish, which includes trout, bass, panfish and maybe even a carp, not just trout alone. As I’ve mentioned previously, two years ago my wife developed health problems which prevent me from taking any overnight trips away from home. So I’ve been doing 3 to 5 hour day trips to local rivers for trout but mostly to local ponds for bass and panfish. Fly patterns that work well in both moving and still waters have thus become of great interest to me and this is one of these. This pattern is most popular in the Northwest where it is used extensively in the lakes of British Columbia and the rivers of the northern Rockies. It is one of the oldest nymph patterns around using a shell back to create a fly with a contrasting colors on the top and bottom. The Fullback is a suggestive pattern. Like the Michigan Wiggler (February 2019 FOTM), it is a crossover fly that imitates lots of food items – mayfly nymphs (particularly Callibaetis), stonefly nymphs, dragonfly nymphs and damselfly nymphs. The Wiggler and the Fullback are the only two shellback patterns that I carry in my fly box. For larger items, (hook sizes 6-10), I like the Wiggler. But for smaller items (hook sizes 12-16), I go with the Fullback. In still water, fish this nymph alone with a hand twist retrieve. In a river, add it as a dropper above a weighted nymph in an indicator or Czech nymph rig. If you do a search on videos for this pattern, you’ll find several suggested tying variations. The variation I present here is my own. Instead of using just peacock herl to form the body, I wrap multiple strands of peacock herl together with one strand of colored ostrich herl to form the body. I think this brings a little more action to the nymph when slowly retrieved than just peacock herl alone. You could palmer a hackle over the peacock as in the Wiggler, but I think this creates a bulkier silhouette than I prefer for smaller nymphs. A soft hackle at the head adds a little further action in the retrieve or drift. The photos and instructions are for an olive toned Fullback. If you use undyed pheasant tail and a tan ostrich herl strand, you can get a brown toned version. I tie both. Most instructions tell you to start the pattern by tying in some Pheasant Tail (PT) fibers for a tail, then a separate bunch of PT fibers for the shellback. I do the tail and shellback in the style advocated by Skip Morris in his Skip’s Nymph. Ribbing wire is the first material tied in, then the body is formed. Next, the spiraled ribbing wire holds down one bunch of PT fibers forming the tail and shellback in a single step. This is a technique you might want to apply to other patterns with a shellback since it speeds tying the pattern. Finally, a strand of mylar over the thorax adds a bit of sparkle. If fluorescent thread (orange, chartreuse, pink) is used instead of plain olive or brown, you end up with a small “hot spot” when finishing the head. I tie this pattern both plain or with a “spot” and am fondest of fire orange. Click here for the recipe! |
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Central Jersey Trout Unlimited’s Supporters
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At the end of this month, I am stepping down as President of CJTU. I have reached the end of my term limit and can no longer serve, so I must pass the torch. At this time, we do not have someone willing to step up and fill the role. But fortunately for us, our current Vice President, Marsha Benovengo, has agreed to assume the role on an interim basis while we search for someone to take on the position. As you may know, Marsha is also holding the State Council Chair's post, a full-time job in itself, so we must fill this position as soon as possible!
