Squan-a-Tissit NEWS. Chapter Meeting Tuesday, November 27th, 7:00 Chip Detwiller-Fly Fishing. Inside:

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1 Squan-a-Tissit NEWS The newsletter for the Trout Unlimited chapter that champions sport and conservation on two northeastern Massachusetts trout rivers: The Squannacook & The Nissitissit. November 2018 Inside: Note from the President Chapter Meeting Tuesday, November 27th, 7:00 Chip Detwiller-Fly Fishing Event Calendar Chapter News The Back Page Fly of the Month Our very own Chip Detwiller will be presenting his fly fishing adventures on the Deerfield River. Follow Us On A Short Film Chapter News Nominations of Chapter Officers and Directors - 1 -

2 Squan-a-Tissit Chapter Squan-a-Tissit Chapter Officers: President Vacant Vice President Tim McDaniel Treasurer Scott Hraba Secretary Russell Schott Board of Directors Michael Rosser Newsletter editor Dave Armstrong Mike Lauritzen Chip Detwiller Web and co-editor Kirk Reynolds A Note from the Board of Directors Cold, Clean Water Needs You! So, you joined Trout Unlimited, now what? You could proudly display that TU sticker on your vehicle, attend a monthly meeting, or even donate some of your hard earned cash. Awesome! Trout Unlimited needs and greatly appreciates people like you. But, in the back of your mind you find yourself thinking I want to do a little more. Would you like to now more about the current health of your watershed? Do you have a couple of hours a month to join in on a friendly conversation? Do you have some ideas that you would like to share? Do you want to be a better fisherman? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Then we have a great opportunity for you that will not require any heavy lifting, long hours, and is virtually stress free. The Squan-a-Tissit Chapter will be conducting it s annual nominations and election of Officers and Directors of the Board through the months of November and December for the year of We look forward to meeting with you at the January Board of Directors meeting. For more information please join us at the November 27th monthly meeting or you contact us at chapter@squanatissit.org Chapter website squanatissit.org Chapter chapter@squanatissit.org Trout Unlimited - Our Vision By the next generation, Trout Unlimited will ensure that robust populations of native and wild Coldwater fish once again thrive within their North American range, so that our children can enjoy healthy fisheries in their home waters

3 Squan-a-Tissit Calendar of Events November 2018 BOD Meeting: Tuesday, November 13, 7PM Chapter Meeting: Tuesday, November 27, 7PM December 2018 BOD Meeting: Tuesday, December 11, 7PM Chapter Meeting: Tuesday, December 18, 7PM BOD Meeting: Tuesday, January, 7PM January 2019 Chapter Meeting: Tuesday, January 22, 7PM November 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat December 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Operation of ATVs is illegal in Wildlife Management Areas. To report violations of off-road recreation vehicles, environmental, or wildlife laws please contact the Environmental Police Radio Communications Center January 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sign up All Squan-a-Tissit Chapter members are asked to please sign up for the announcement list: squanatissit.org/newsletters - 3 -

4 Upcoming EVENTS December s Holiday Meeting Tuesday, December 18th 2018 Pizza Fly Tying Raffles Short Films Fish Tales Marlborough Show Hours: Friday, January 18: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday, January 19: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Sunday, January 20: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Adults: One Day Pass $15 Two Day Pass $25 Three Day Pass $35 Military with Photo ID: $10 Children 6-12: $5 Children 5 and under: Free Boy and Girl Scouts in uniform 16 and under: Free Tickets are non-refundable, processing fees will be added. Royal Plaza Trade Center 181 Boston Post Road West Marlborough, MA View Map - 4 -

5 CHAPTER NEWS 2018 River Clean Up Success November 2018 The semi-annual Nissitissit River clean up was a great success. Several members of the chapter were out Saturday morning, November 12th cleaning along various areas of the river. We started at the Millie Turner Dam site with several cups of coffee and too many donuts. The Millie Turner location is where we witnessed the most trash and unfortunately some graffiti was also discovered and reported to the Pepperell Police Dept. After filling several bags there, the team made its way to Brookline Street and eventually to North St and cleaned up around Gilman s pool. About a dozen bags of trash were taken away from the river and properly disposed of. Thanks to everyone that came out! - 5 -

6 Fly Fishing Safety Considerations Fly fishing can be accomplished from a boat; such as when drift fishing in a river boat or other big water, perhaps chasing schools of active fish busting the surface. However, the most common method of fly fishing usually involves actually entering the water. And there is when fly fishing safety concerns begins. Wading allows fly fishing anglers to reach fish and escape overhanging limbs which always seem to be lurking to snag flies on the back cast. Fly fishing safety practices involve some attention to wading technique and a few pieces of fly fishing safety gear. Polarized glasses are always a great start to fly fishing safety. Not only do they help you locate fish, but the glare removal will assist with potential stumbles due to rocks, submerged logs, or drop-offs. They also provide fishing safety as eye protection from flies on wayward back casts, hook sets, or freeing from snags. Wading boots with good grip are an important part of fly fishing safety too. This can be accomplished with various treads, studs, or if allowed, felt. If using the sock/bootie type waders, the separate wading boot allows for easier hiking and less chance of overheating than neoprene while fishing in summer, if that aspect of fly fishing health and safety is a concern. A wading belt, or two, is a good idea. Cinched high around your chest, they will help keep water from entering over the wader if you slip and go under. Borrowing a tip from kayak anglers, plan to fall in; that way you are better protected. A wading staff can be helpful when crossing current. Turn your feet sideways so the upstream foot blocks current of your downstream foot. Brace the staff downstream and take small, slow steps, crossing at a downstream angle.< Another good fly fishing safety practice is to fish with a friend. Friends can not only remind each other about fishing safety tips, but also snap pictures of each others catch before releasing! ANDY WHITCOMB 7/18/

7 6 Things You Never Knew About Brook Trout Brook trout are definitely one of our favorite species to target on the fly. They are beautiful, live in incredible places, and will not hesitate to slam a dry fly. These photos are from this past weekend fishing up in PA, most of the fish were caught stripping dry flies, or on a small nymph behind a dry. Here are some interesting facts that you may not have known about one of our favorite species: 1. Brook trout are actually not technically a Trout. They are in the Char family, although they are the most Trout Like in the Char family 2. Brook trout inhabit a wide range of habitats, from tiny mountain streams to large deep lakes. They require cold clean water, and tend to be sensitive to low oxygen levels. Most brook trout live to be about 5 years old and stay under 12 inches in size, but the larger brook trout can actually live to be over 10 years old! 3. Certain strains of brook trout have known to be Anadromous, living in salt and then running up into rivers to reproduce. These fish are referred to as Coasters or Salters the salters going from salt to river, and the Coasters going from the Great lakes to spawn in rivers. 4. The largest brook trout ever caught was John William Cook s world-record brook trout caught in July 1916 on Ontario s Nipigon River was 31.5 inches long and weighed in 14.5 pounds. 5. The Brook Trout takes first place for the most popular state fish with these states claiming it for their Official State Fish; Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. 6. Brook trout spawn in late summer or autumn in gravel beds in the shallows of headwaters of streams. Females are known to lay between eggs depending on her size, hatching days later. They have been known to eat their own eggs at spawning time and even their own young. This article was made possible by Thomas and Thomas

8 Squan-a-Tissit Back Page Destination photos and fish tales from Squan-a-Tissit members Murphy Dam Pittsburg, NH August 2018 My friend Mike and I enjoy a few days each summer up in Pittsburg, NH on the Connecticut River. The picture above is just below Murphy Dam. This year we spent 2 days with our guide Patrick from Fish Story Guide Services and we were able to each land a Grand Slam. Rainbow, Brook, Brown and Landlock Salmon all made there way to our net. Another favorite area for me is where Perry stream comes into the Connecticut. If you carefully wade upstream there are about 100 yards of ledges where you can sight cast to Brookies and Rainbows with small streamers. Two years ago I just couldn t get my cast right with the slight wind that we had and was skunked. This year a vowed to get my cast just perfect and as a result we were able to land several beautiful Rainbows and Brook trout. I had particular good luck with some spider patterns. These are incredibly easy to tie and will be subject of an upcoming tying session at a monthly meeting. We always stay at the Tall Timber Lodge where the meals and drinks are fantastic. In addition I would suggest a meal or two at the Buck Rub Pub or Happy Corner Café. us your photos and fish tales to chapter@squanatissit.org Follow us on Facebook and Instagram - 8 -

9 Fly of the Month Olive Hatching Pupa Hook: 1XL-2XL Nymph/Wet Sizes 10 thru 16 Thread: 8/0 Uni Thread - Olive Dun Tail: Lemon Wood duck Fibers Abdomen: Stripped Peacock Eye/Herl Quil Rib: XS Ultra-Wire Green Thorax: Peacock Herl Collar: Olive Dyed Hungarian Partridge Originated by local fly fishing and fly tying legend Ellis Hatch, the Hatching Pupa has proven itself among some of the most productive wet fly patterns for fooling trout. A deadly pattern from Maine to Montana, and one that no fly angler should ever be without, this spruced up soft hackle just plain hammers fish! Click on the YouTube Logo for the instructional video. Courtesy of Stone River Outfitters JOIN TROUT UNLIMITED TODAY! To join or renew your membership in Trout Unlimited, please go to: and click on the Join the Community and Become a Member tabs Fill out the name, address and credit card information. Be sure to indicate Squan-a-Tissit as your local TU Chapter! Any amount can be given above regular membership as an additional gift to help Trout Unlimited promote Coldwater conservation. Trout Unlimited is a 501c(3) organization. Membership fees and other contributions to TU and the local chapter are tax exempt to the extent allowable by law

10 Squan-a-Tissit Chapter of Trout Unlimited P.O. Box 654 Pepperell, MA Return Service Requested Please Mail To: Monthly Meeting The Squan-a-Tissit Chapter of Trout Unlimited holds monthly meetings for chapter members and guests on the fourth Tuesday of the month (Sept. through May) at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Hall, Route 113 & Leighton Street, Pepperell, MA. Meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m., however members and guests are encouraged to arrive earlier and participate in informal fly-tying. Bring your own vice and materials. Directions From Rt. 3: Take the Rt. 113 Exit (Tyngsboro, Dunstable) and proceed west on Rt. 113, 6.5 miles, through Dunstable and into Pepperell. The VFW Hall will be located on the left side of Rt. 113, opposite a small center island with a stone monument and three flagpoles. From Rt. 495: Take the Rt. 119 Exit (Littleton Common) and proceed west on Rt. 119, 9 miles, through Groton and into Pepperell. Turn right onto Rt. 111, and proceed 2.7 miles to a rotary. Turn right onto Rt. 113, and proceed 1.5 miles. The VFW hall will be located on the right side of Rt. 113, opposite a small center island with a stone monument and three flagpoles. From Rt. 2: Take the Rt. 111 Exit (Ayer, Harvard, Clinton) and proceed north on Rt. 111, approximately 12 miles (total, to the Pepperell rotary), through Ayer and Groton to Pepperell. Route 111 merges with Rt. 119 in Groton. Once in Pepperell, Rt. 111 bears to the right (off of Rt. 119). Turn right onto Rt. 111 and proceed 2.7 miles to a rotary. Turn right onto Rt. 113, and proceed 1.5 miles. The VFW hall will be located on the right side of Rt. 113, opposite a small center island with a stone monument and three flagpoles