www.cjtu.org

February 2024

General Meeting

Tuesday, February 13th, 2024

Rick Nyles

Tactical Dry Fly Fishing

Rick has been fly fishing for over 45 years and started guiding in 1999, 24 years ago. As the business grew, Rick decided to start Sky Blue Outfitters in 2001. Sky Blue has grown to be the most comprehensive guide services in Pennsylvania. His staff of 8 guides has well over 100 years of guiding experience and over 170 years of combined fly fishing in Pennsylvania. Sky Blue Outfitters is a Endorsed Trout Unlimited Business for over 10 years. Sky Blue also offers destination trips to Pennsylvania, Montana, Saskatchewan and Idaho.

Rick is an accomplished fly tier who is known for his CDC patterns, his simple approach to fly tying, and fishing techniques. Rick placed 3rd in the ORVIS fly tying contest by entering his unique Green Drake pattern. Rick developed and started selling his own wing material called UP DN TROUT. Rick has done presentations at the regional fly-fishing shows, contributed to books and magazine articles on fishing in Pennsylvania. He is also Executive Vice President for Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited.

Meeting Location

American Legion Hall
137 New Market Road
Dunellen, NJ

Meeting starts at 8:00 PM - Non Members are always welcome!

President’s Letter

I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself, although I suspect that many of you may already know me. My name is Bart Lombardo, and I am the “new” president of Central Jersey Trout Unlimited. “New” is probably not the best way to describe my role as president as I have served in this capacity many times over many years!

I want to thank our outgoing president Masha Benovengo for the fine work she did running the chapter for the last few years. For those of you that may not be aware Marsha has been pulling double duty serving as our chapter president and the president of the New Jersey State Council of Trout Unlimited. Fortunately, Marsha is not leaving CJTU and is staying on as a board member where she will continue to support our chapter.

One of my goals as president is to try and breathe some life back into our chapter. We have been struggling since the outbreak of COVID 19. The shutdown hit us particularly hard, and we have some work to do to get us back to where we were pre-pandemic. We are looking for help on several fronts including bringing some new folks onto the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors are the individuals responsible for running day to day operations of the organization. Over the years we have lost a number of board members, and it is critical that we get a few folks to take a more active role in the organization. There are a number of open positions available, and I am happy to discuss what is involved and what is expected of someone who decides that they would be interested in helping out.

The board meets once a month (the first Tuesday) via a zoom call, so you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home to participate. Board meetings are open to all members, and I encourage you to attend one if you have any interest in helping out. Believe me when I say it is not a heavy lift. It is a role that anyone can fill if they have a desire to help Central Jersey Trout Unlimited succeed in the future.

The beginning of the year is always a busy time for us. We have several events and activities taking place over the next few months. Starting out in January is the Fly Fishing Show at the end of the month. The Fly Fishing Show takes place at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison NJ on January 26-28, 2024. CJTU will be manning a booth at this event to promote our conservation and fund raising efforts. We still have some spots available for volunteers at our table. No prior experience is required, we can bring you up to speed in a few minutes if you want to help us out at the show. Give us three or more hours at our table and we will cover the cost of your admission to the show ($20.00). If you’re interested in helping reach out to Marsha Benovengo at casabeno@msn.com .

In February we will be kicking off our fly tying school. This year we are offering two classes. The first class is our Beginners Fly Tying Class. In this class we will introduce you to the art of fly tying and by the end of the class you will have all the skills needed to tie your own flies. For the beginner’s class everything is provided including all tools and materials. The second class is the Intermediate Fly Tying Class. This class is for the fly tier who has acquired the basic skills in handling tools and materials either by previously taking a beginner’s course and/or tying flies regularly for a year or two. The cost for each class is $50.00. The classes will take place over two Saturdays, February 10 &17, 2023. The class hours are 10:00am to 3:00pm and take place at the same American Legion Hall where we have our monthly meetings. If you are interested in taking a class or would like more information, drop us a line at cjtutying@cjtu.org .

In March we kick off our Point Mountain stocking program. CJTU has adopted the Point Mountain Tract on the Musconetcong River as our “home waters”. Our chapter led the efforts on the restoration project completed there some years ago. We have also been assisting the state in stocking trout on this beautiful stretch of trout stream for many years. Our volunteers stock the length of this special regulation water ensuring that fish are evenly distributed throughout the tract opposed to being dropped off at the bridges that cross the river. If you would like to help us stock this stretch of stream reach out to the program coordinator Ed Kordyla at kordyla@aol.com .

In April is our Annual River Clean-Up. Once again this takes place at Point Mountain on the Musky. The date for the clean-up is Saturday, April 13, 2024. We meet on the river at 9:00am and work for a few hours cleaning up the area. This is a family friendly event and a great opportunity to get outdoors and do something good for the environment! Contact Masha Benovengo at casabeno@msn.com for more information or to sign up for the event.

Also, in April our chapter will be participating in Rutgers Day at Rutgers University. This one-day event is a big one for us and we are always looking for volunteers to assist us. You can contact me for additional information (my contact info is at the end of this letter). Rutgers Day is Saturday, April 27, 2024.

Our next general meeting is Tuesday January 9, 2024. We are doing something a little different for this meeting. Some of CJTU’s most talented fly tiers will be showing off some of their favorite fly patterns. They will tie the flies right there at the meeting and what’s going on behind the vise will be projected on the big screen for all to see. They will tie the flies right in front of you while discussing where, when, and how they fish them. This should be a great meeting so be sure to come out and join us. The meeting begins at 8:00pm, though folks show up earlier to set up and socialize. Meetings are held in the American Legion Hall, 137 New Market Road, Dunellen, NJ 08812.

I look forward to my “new” role for the next two years! I hope to see you at a meeting or event soon.

Tight Lines
Bart Lombardo

You can contact Bart at

News & Events

CJTU Fly Tying School 2024!

Open for Enrollment

Part 1: Saturday, February 10, 2024
Part 2: Saturday February 17, 2024

10:00 to 3:00 PM

Beginners Fly Tying Class

This is our entry-level class for the person just getting started in fly tying or who has very little experience. We will cover the basic tools, techniques and materials necessary to tie a variety of basic flies, concentrating on patterns that work well on local rivers and streams.

Learn to do things “right from the start” from our excellent instructors who are some of the best in the East. Techniques are taught in a sequence that continually builds competence. Our instructors watch you and make sure you are doing things right. Further, we will provide a quality vice, tools, hooks and all materials or you can bring your own. Finally, we provide a manual with summarized tying descriptions for each pattern plus a reference to a web video we believe is the best for that pattern.

Intermediate Class

This class is for the intermediate tier who has acquired the basic skills in handling tools and materials either by previously taking a beginners course and/or tying flies regularly for a year or two.

While our Beginners Classes are the same from year to year, our Intermediate Class constantly evolves. New patterns, techniques and materials introduced by tiers through-out the world are monitored, and the best ones that mesh with the skill set of the intermediate tier are selected. Thus the class remains interesting to past attendees and also to those who have never taken it before. Students must bring their own vise and tools, some materials will be provided.

The cost for all classes is $50.00. To register or ask questions contact us at cjtutying@cjtu.org. Please register early so CJTU can plan ahead to make your course a success.

Fly tying classes will be held in the American Legion Hall, 137 New Market Road, Dunellen, NJ 08812

This course is open to members and nonmembers. We welcome anyone who has an interest in the sport of Fly Fishing or Fly Tying.

Our courses are taught in a relaxed atmosphere of camaraderie. We feel that with the patient, guiding help of our instructors, everyone will finish the course with a good working knowledge of how to tie flies.

Please remember to bring a light for your vise, lighting conditions in the building might not be as bright as you may like.

CJTU Fly Tying School

February 10 and 17, 2024

Musky River Clean-up

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Rutgers Day

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Fly of the Month

Ramirez’s Money Midges

Tied by Bill Ninke

If you’ve followed this feature over the last five years I’m sure you’re aware that I really like tying and fishing “guide flies”. A “guide fly” is a pattern that is highly effective yet quick and easy to tie. Further it is both originated by a professional fishing guide and used extensively by that guide during the rendering of his/her services. When “hammer-handed clients” break off a bunch during the day, the guide can restock in a short time in the evening.

Since midges are productive to fish here now, I’ve chosen both a midge larva and an emerging midge pattern that fit this category. These patterns were originated for use on Colorado waters but I’ve found them to also be very effective in our local waters. They are the creation of Juan Ramirez, a highly regarded guide for the Denver area. These two patterns are very similar as you’ll note from the photo with the emerger being the larva with a small wing addition. Ramirez has created quite a number of “guide flies” that I regularly tie and use. You may recall his Kryptonite Caddis described in March 2023. More of his patterns will be presented in the future.

These two patterns are tied on the same model hook, a TMC 2488, in sizes 18 through 24. For the three larger sizes, a 1.5 mm black bead (either brass or tungsten) is added at the head. There is not much room on the shank of the size 24 so a thread bulge at the head darkened with a marker replaces the bead. Tying thread forms the body. The only downside of these patterns is the use of two unusual materials. The first is the rib and is what Ramirez calls and sells on his web site as “Thin Rib” (3 ft for $2.50) https://hopperjuan.com/slim-rib-%2F-stickers When I started tying these patterns I bought some of the ribbing directly from him and only have a little left. So I’m due for a new order as I’ve found no substitute. He also uses it on several of his other patterns that I’ll be presenting in the future so if you get some now you’ll be ready for them too.

The other material is an embroidery thread (Madeira Glamour No.8, Color 2400, Prism White). Its use was popularized by Pat Dorsey of the Blue Quill Angler Fly Shop for his Top Secret Midge and other patterns. You can buy a 110 yard spool from sewing shops for about $7. Alternatively, as I did, you can get about 6 feet of it for $0.95 directly from Blue Quill. (https://bluequillangler.com/collections/fly-tying-synthetics/products/top-secret-midge-wing-material) I don’t think I’ll live long enough to use it up. A perfect substitute is Hareline Dubbin Midge Diamond Braid in pearl. A few strands of pearl Krystal Flash will also work.

The tying of these patterns is straightforward. My only overview advice is to use plunger style hackle pliers in handling the small hooks for debarbing, mounting the bead, and inserting in the vise jaws. Instead of the usual written instructions below, I give links to two short YouTube videos of Ramirez tying these patterns.

You can watch Ramirez tie his midge larva at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNyQhXRM2Bk and his midge emerger at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt2mGcHu0nU

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