Free Fly Fishing Clinic - Saturday, May 11 Learn the basics, or advanced skills, from local experts

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1 The Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited The River Keeper: May 2013 In This Issue The Next Generation Mianus Park Plan Chapter Calendar Fixing The River Mianus TU Online Chapter Trips Page 2 Page 3 Pages 4-5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Streamside Companions Our annual Fly Fishing Clinic - this year on Saturday, May 11 - is a great way to fine-tune your casting skills or introduce a friend, child or spouse to the art of fly fishing. - Lawrence Frank photos Free Fly Fishing Clinic - Saturday, May 11 Learn the basics, or advanced skills, from local experts Join fellow Mianus Chapter members and bring your friends, colleagues, children and spouses to a free Fly Fishing Clinic located at Merwin Meadows Park in Wilton on Saturday, May 11. Running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a complimentary barbecue lunch, the Fly Fishing Clinic is the perfect way to learn the sport, improve your skills and meet area anglers who share your passion for fishing and conservation. Last year, nearly 150 friends and guests joined the Mianus Chapter for this great event. The clinic includes basic and advanced casting instruction, a knot tying seminar, a workshop on insect identification and matching the hatch and an on-the-river demonstration on how to read the water to locate trout. After the clinic, feel free to head to the Norwalk River - which runs through the park - to try out the skills you ve learned on some of the local trout! Drop in for an hour, or stay for the day - all are welcome. Full details and information online at Mink: The Other Angler As anglers, we re often out on the water for more reasons than simply catching a trout or two. One of the true pleasures of fishing local streams is witnessing the hidden world that most in Fairfield County don t know exists. In recent years, we have seen a resurgence of many streamside companions that make fishing that much more enjoyable. The American Mink, one of the first anglers in our native streams, is a species on the rebound locally and a great joy to watch. Dodging in and out of rocks along the river, diving in for a crayfish - or a trout - spotting a mink is a rare treat that reminds us why we are out there in the first place. As we continue to restore and improve our rivers for trout, more of these native animals will be there to share the water with us.

2 Contact Us OFFICERS Jeff Yates - President jyates@mianustu.org (203) Dean Keister - Vice President dkeister@centerprise.com (203) Jim Bakal - Treasurer jbakal@mianustu.org (203) Tony Hill - Secretary thill@mianustu.org (203) DIRECTORS John Awdziewicz Milton Buchta Jim Glowienka Johnnie Jackson Mike Law Dick O Neill DIRECTORS AT LARGE Tom Yates About Us The Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited conserves, protects and restores the coldwater rivers and streams in lower Fairfield County. With more than 600 members living in Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Norwalk, New Canaan, Ridgefield and Wilton, the Mianus Chapter leads restoration projects and cleanup events on local rivers, promotes educational programs in the schools, hosts fishing outings for members and collaborates with local governments, state agencies and other nonprofit groups to plan and implement conservation programs across the region. Learn more at: President s Letter Combatting Nature Deficit Disorder Duncan and his grandfather David enjoy a great day together out on a local river. Fishing must be a passion that we strive to share with our children and grandchildren. As Trout Unlimited members, we work tirelessly to repair, restore and protect our rivers and streams. But we re not out there improving the rivers for trout - we re saving them for the next generation to enjoy. Particularly the local waters, where we ourselves learned to fish as a child, often hold a special place in our hearts and memories. How many lazy summer days can you remember laying on a streambank, casting for trout or other fish and soaking in the sun s rays, the smell of the grass and trees and the sound of the water? Now, when is the last time you watched two or three youngsters scrambling along a local river, laughing, splashing one another, turning over rocks, chasing bugs, tossing stones and simply exploring the outdoors? If we are to be successful as an organization, we need to do more than heal the rivers and preserve the resource we have come to love. Our true mission must be to pass on that love, that sense of ownership and stewardship, to those who will protect it into the future. This year, lets all commit together to making the Mianus Chapter the place for our local girls and boys to discover the world around them. Lets invite and urge our children and our friends and their families to head out to the water and into the wilds to learn all the lessons nature has to teach them. Lets engage our schools in outdoor education and serve as mentors in the classroom. Lets partner with the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA s to create events, activities and opportunities for our youth to experience nature. Lets start with our Fly Fishing Clinic on May 11. Bring your family, invite your neighbor or co-worker to bring their children as well, and come out to spend a fun day with like-minded anglers. We ll be surprised just how quickly and willingly the iphones and gizmos and gadgets get stowed away deep in a pocket in favor of a rod and reel. Lets make this the year we give our rivers to the next generation to enjoy and cherish. Tight Lines Jeff Yates 2 The Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited PO Box 475, Wilton, CT

3 An Ambitious Plan to Bring Back the Mianus River Park To save the Mianus River, we must address the ills of the landscape around it. The forest must be healthy to reduce sheetflow and erosion. The trails must be rebuilt in ways that do not damage the land. And the river habitat must be restored for trout. Last year, the Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the City of Stamford hired One Nature, a team of ecologists, landscape architects and wildife biologists, to help assess the Mianus River Park and develop a plan for restoring the river corridor. The Lower Mianus River Park Ecological Master Plan, represents our shared vision for a healthy park and our goal of restoring the river and land around it. It recognizes the unique value of this 400-acre oasis and the immersion in nature experienced by those who visit - whether to fish, hike, bird watch or bike. What became quickly clear is that it is precisely the Mianus River Park s appeal to a broad and diverse user group that puts it most at risk. The river has faced increased and accelerating erosion and habitat degradation, the woodlands throughout the park are a homogenous monoculture of trees and the park trails now see more traffic than could have been imagined when it first opened. In short, the Mianus River Park is being loved to death. This plan proposes a long-term, collaborative approach to restoring the ecological health of the park, improving the infrastructure and creating a newly restored riparian corridor. We will work with the City, the Friends of Mianus River Park, the Mianus River Watershed Council and other partners to bring this vision to reality. With your support, the Mianus River Park will once again be a welcomed retreat from the hustle and bustle of Fairfield County that all can enjoy. The Mianus River within the Mianus River Park in Stamford has seen significant and accelerating degradation due to the volume of user traffic. The recently released Lower Mianus River Park Ecological Master Plan proposes a long-term vision for restoring the river, repairing the park and ensuring a healthy and sustainable stream for years to come. The Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited PO Box 475, Wilton, CT

4 Mianus Chapter coming events - May to September Events at a Glance Saturday, May 11 Free Fly Fishing Clinic Saturday, May 18 Farmington River Fishing Trip Saturday, June 1 Norwalk River Fishing Trip Saturday, June 29 Pennfield Reef Fishing Trip Friday-Sunday, July Catskills Fishing Trip Friday-Sunday, July TU Northeast Regional Meeting Saturday, July 27 Norwalk River Restoration Project Saturday, August 3 Mianus River Restoration Project Farmington River Fishing Trip - Saturday, May 18 Hook into a large brown trout, feel the strength of a leaping rainbow or tackle the challenge of targeting rising fish in slow water while spending a day on the water with friends from the Mianus Chapter. Join us for our annual spring trip to the Farmington River, which will include a streamside barbecue. Enjoy the early days of spring on a scenic river with fellow anglers who share your passion for fishing and your conservation ethic. Tony Hill at thill@mianustu.org to register and for details. Norwalk River Fishing Trip - Saturday, June 1 Explore a true local gem of a trout stream during the peak of fishing season with fellow members of the Mianus Chapter. Join us on the Norwalk River for a late afternoon to early evening outing. Then re-connect and share your stories over burgers and drinks at a nearby restaurant. This trip is the perfect way to meet other local anglers and enjoy a great day of fishing together. Jeff Yates at jyates@mianustu.org to register and for details. Saturday, August 10 Norwalk River Restoration Project Saturday, August 17 Smallmouth Bass Fishing Trip Saturday, September 7 Holly Pond Fishing Trip Details Online The Mianus Chapter s events and fishing trips are free and open to the public except where otherwise noted. Members, guests, and new anglers are welcome. Full details of all activities, as well as a wealth of fishing, education and conservation resources are online at Pennfield Reef Striped Bass Fishing Trip - Saturday, June 29 Jutting more than 1 mile into the heart of Long Island Sound, Pennfield Reef in Fairfield is an incredible striped bass and bluefish destination close to home. Join us for a sunrise outing to this great location to learn how and where to fish it and meet fellow saltwater anglers eager to share their skills and knowledge with you. Tony Hill at thill@mianustu.org to register and for details. Catskills - West Branch Angler Fishing Trip - July Join us for a great weekend of fishing and camaraderie in the Catskills of New York at the West Branch Angler. The chapter has rented the 12-bed lodge on the banks of the West Branch of the Delaware River for the weekend. Cost is $150 per person on a first come basis. Jeff Yates at jyates@mianustu.org to register and for details. 4 The Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited PO Box 475, Wilton, CT

5 Full details and updates online at TU Northeast Regional Meeting - July Meet TU members from Maine to Maryland who share your passion for fishing and conservation at the Northeast Regional Meeting. Featuring TU staff and experts discussing regional conservation issues and best practices in restoration and chapter management. Enjoy a weekend in the Catskills and learn more about Trout Unlimited and the impact we are making together across the Northeast. A day of hosted fishing on Friday with local New York Trout Unlimited members is offered as an option. Jeff Yates at jyates@mianustu.org for details. Norwalk River Restoration - August 10 Help install bank stabilizing structures and remove invasive vines and plants along a great stretch of water on the Norwalk River in Wilton. This project will provide in-stream habitat for trout while protecting the river against future erosion. Spend the day helping improve a great wild trout stream that we all can enjoy fishing later in the fall. Jeff Yates at jyates@mianustu.org to register and for details. Norwalk River Restoration Project - July 27 Help remove invasive vines and plant native trees and shrubs along the Norwalk River. This project will shade the river and provide fish habitat in a badly degraded section of stream. Meet area anglers and learn more about how we are protecting our local rivers through conservation. Jeff Yates at jyates@mianustu.org to register and for details. Mianus River Restoration Project - August 3 The Mianus River Park is in need of significant habitat restoration work to improve conditions for trout and angling. The new plan for the park (see page 3) lays out a long-term strategy for restoring the river. This project is one step in bringing that vision to reality as we work together to restore and improve our namesake stream. Jeff Yates at jyates@mianustu.org to register and for details. Smallmouth Bass Fishing Trip - August 17 Smallmouth bass in the Housatonic River in New Milford offer great summer action when local rivers are too warm for trout fishing. Learn all about this great fishery and discover the other freshwater gamefish of Connecticut. After fishing, join us at a nearby Bratwurst festival. Tony Hill at thill@mianustu.org to register and for details. Holly Pond Fishing Trip - September 7 A surprising striped bass hotspot close to downtown Stamford, Holly Pond and Cove Park offer great fishing in the spring, summer and fall. Minutes off I-95, this secret spot is perfect for the beginning saltwater angler. You will meet others who share your passion for striped bass and learn where and how to fish this great location. Tony Hill at thill@mianustu.org to register and for details. The Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited PO Box 475, Wilton, CT

6 Fixing the River: Conifer Revetments Before and After When the Mianus Chapter takes on a river restoration project, we prioritize areas where our all-volunteer efforts, and members financial contributions can make the biggest impact. We also base our work on best practices in habitat conservation. Working with state Department of Environmental Protection officials, the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDA and local town officials, we spend one to two years carefully planning each project. Then we do what TU does best - marshal together the anglers who are passionate about protecting their local streams and set our manpower to the task. Last year s conifer revetment project on the Norwalk River in Wilton is a prime example. Several trees had fallen or been washed away by recent storms, leaving a badly eroded streambank with little in the way of root structure to hold it in place. More than 20 volunteers turned out for the project. We hauled cut pine trees into the river, laid them horizontally along the bank and then anchored them in with 6-foot long arborist anchors and rope. The thick limbs of the pine trees are so dense that when the river floods and flows over them, they slow the current so the fine silt and sediment settles within the tree. After one to two storms, the trees are almost entirely filled with sand and soil and the river bank has been stabilized and extended back out into the stream. The final step is to return to the site the following year and plant the restored streambank with native shrubs and trees. Over time, the roots of these new plant will grow throughout the new soil and slowly rotting pine trees to form a strong, erosion resistant streambank that will last for decades. Remember: If we take care of the fish, the fishing will take care of itself. A conifer revetment is a great habitat restoration structure for restoring severely eroded river banks (top). Pine trees are laid along the river bank in the water and anchored in place (middle). When it floods, the thick tree limbs slow the current, trap sediment and build a new, resilient streambank (bottom). 6 The Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited PO Box 475, Wilton, CT

7 Mianus TU Online - A Great Source of Fishing Resources For anglers just getting started in the sport, and for those who have more experience in this fine art of fly fishing, nothing is better than getting out to a Mianus Chapter event and learning from our chapter s in-house experts. But, the chapter website is another great tool for 24/7 learning on all aspects of fly fishing, conservation, education and more. If you haven t recently, log on and explore at What You ll Find Online First and foremost, all of our chapter s coming events are listed in the Chapter Calendar and include dates, times, details and even a handy Google Map for driving directions. The online calendar is the most up-todate source of all chapter happenings. Secondly, the Fishing Reports section will provide you with updated reports from the water - both fresh and salt - letting you know how fishing is out there, what flies are working, what bugs are hatching and more. Perhaps the most-used section of the website are our Area Fishing pages. These detailed pages offer information and descriptions of many of our local waters. Even more importantly, Google Maps on the page include blue pins marking each of the The Skill Building section of the Mianus Chapter website features great videos and tutorials on everything from casting lessons to fly tying and more. parking spots along the water. Have a smartphone? Simply open the map and you can drive right to your next fishing adventure! Finally, the Skill Building section offers a wide range of instructional videos. These are the best of the web content we have found covering everything from how to curve your cast to insect identification, fly tying and more. So what are you waiting for? Log on today and start exploring. Board Member Johnnie Jackson Shares His Love of Fishing and Conservation If you ve joined the Mianus Chapter in the past yearand-a-half, no doubt you ve picked up the phone one evening to be greeted with a distinctly southern drawl: Hi, I m Johnnie Jackson, with the Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited and I d like to welcome you as a new member... The chapter s newest Board member has already made his mark on our little group. With an infectious smile, a welcoming demeanor and more than eager to share his passion for fishing and conservation, Johnnie is a tireless volunteer. With his guidance, our membership has passed 600 and continues to grow! Consider joining us, and Johnnie, in strengthening Mianus TU with your time and skills. Johnnie Jackson, the Mianus Chapter s Membership Chair, with a spring drop-back Atlantic Salmon caught on the fabled Miramichi River in New Brunswick on April 19, The Mianus Chapter of Trout Unlimited PO Box 475, Wilton, CT

8 Mianus Chapter Trout Unlimited PO Box 475 Wilton, CT Catch More Fish, Meet More Anglers - On Mianus Chapter Trips Mianus Chapter fishing trips are a great way to learn all about our local and regional waters and discover incredible fishing just minutes from your home. What s more, they also offer the opportunity for you to meet other local anglers - there are over 600 members in the chapter - who share your passion for fishing and are dedicated to protecting and restoring our local rivers. Between now and November, there are more than 9 chapter fishing trips planned to destinations local and farther afield. Join us on the Farmington River, the Norwalk River, in the Catskills, chasing Smallmouth Bass on the Housatonic River or stalking striped bass in Long Island Sound. Whether you can make it to only one or two outings a year, or become a regular at all of our fishing trips, you re sure to meet anglers who will become lifelong fishing friends. You ll also learn new water, pick up some advice from more experienced anglers and have a great time. Chapter fishing trips are free and open to all - beginner or advanced - and perfect for those just getting started in the sport. Open this issue to find out more about the trips planned this spring and summer. We ll see you on the water. Mianus Chapter member David Turberfeld with a great Atlantic Salmon caught on the Naugatuck River during a chapter fishing trip this past November.