Sean Murphy – Deerspring Lodge Merrill New York

Fly Fishing Speaker, Educator & Veteran Advocate

Sean Murphy is a 100% disabled U.S. Army combat veteran and lifelong angler who has transformed his passion for fly fishing into a source of healing, education, and community. Born and raised in Fall River, Massachusetts, Sean spent his summers fishing the Chateaugay Lakes and local rivers in Merrill, New York—where his love for the water first began.

Sean proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 2010 in both active duty and reserve roles. His service included deployments during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm with the First Tiger Brigade, 2nd Armored Division, and Operation Southern Watch in Kuwait, along with assignments in both Military Police and Military Intelligence. He graduated from Curry College in 1999 with a B.S. degree.

For over a decade, Sean has been deeply involved with Project Healing Waters, an organization that provides therapeutic fly fishing programs to disabled veterans. Through fly tying and custom rod building, Sean has found both personal healing and a way to give back. He now shares his knowledge by teaching and mentoring other veterans, helping them discover the peace, patience, and sense of purpose that fly fishing can provide.

In addition to his work with Project Healing Waters, Sean is an active member of the Fly Fishers International Fly Tying Group, where he teaches fly tying courses, and he continues to volunteer with Veterans Healing on the Fly. His dedication to both the sport and the veteran community reflects his belief in the restorative power of fly fishing and the importance of passing that gift on to others.

Speaking & Instruction Topics Include:

• Fly Fishing the Northern Adirondacks along the Canadian Border

• Fly Tying & Rod Building for All Levels

• Fly Fishing as a Tool for Healing & Resilience

• Veterans’ Programs and Community Building Through the Outdoors

• Reading the Water, Casting Techniques & Entomology Basics

Traditional Methods for Broodstock Atlantic Salmon

When he’s not behind a set of drums in a concert hall, jazz club, or recording studio, Ben Bilello can be found either on the water or behind the vise. While he’s an avid trout fisherman and fly tyer, Ben’s true fly fishing and tying passion is the Atlantic salmon. Ben has pursued wild Atlantic salmon in New Brunswick, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Russia; landlocked salmon in New York and Vermont, and broodstock Atlantic salmon in Connecticut.

Ben has written for The Atlantic Salmon Journal and The Fly Fishing Journal. In addition to writing, a collection of Ben’s classic and artistic salmon flies are featured in Michael Radencich’s book “Classic Salmon Fly Patterns: Over 1700 Patterns From the Golden Age of Tying,” the largest illustrated compendium of Atlantic salmon flies published to date. Ben’s work can be seen at his website www.benbilello.com/salmonflies and on his salmon fly blog

For anglers in Connecticut, broodstock Atlantic salmon fishing is one most reliable ways to catch a large fish in fresh water. For anglers who fish for sea-run Atlantic salmon in Canada or Europe, the broodstock fishery is a good way to practice presentation close to home and for a minimal investment. For anglers new to Atlantic salmon fishing, this fishery is a great way to learn the techniques used to catch Atlantic salmon around the world.

Topics covered in Ben’s presentation include:

• Locations of the fishery (Shetucket and Naugatuck Rivers)

• Regulations

• Equipment: fishing with one and two handed rods

• Identifying salmon lies and typical holding water

• Salmon behavior

• Fishing strategies: wet fly, dry fly, tube flies, and riffling hitch

• Fly selection

• Fishing in a rotation

• Fighting, landing and the safe release of salmon

Pizza and beverages will be available at 7:00 pm, followed by the 50/50 raffle, chapter business and Ben’s presentation. Don’t miss this first gathering of the new year.

Toss on your ugliest holiday sweater and join us for a fun winter tradition on the Farmington River!

A fun, and silly way to usher in the holiday season, our annual Ugly Sweater trip to the Farmington with the Candlewood Valley Chapter is always a festive affair.

We'll meet at 10 a.m. at UpCountry Sportfishing, then head out on the water to fish. A warming station with fire, hot chocolate, coffee and snacks will be open and running at the People's State Park pavilion at Matthies Grove around noon.

Whether you swing by to say hi and flaunt your ugliest outfit, stop to fish for a few hours, or stay the entire time, you're welcome to join us whether you are a TU member or not. Family, kids and beginner anglers welcome - we can even lend gear to those who need to borrow it!

Stony Hill Fire Department, 7:00 pm

We’re looking forward to our tomorrow’s monthly gathering on Wednesday, November 12 at 7:00 pm at the Stony Hill Fire Department in Bethel. Like October’s meeting, we won’t have a formal guest speaker — instead, we’d love for the evening to be all about stories, sharing and camaraderie.

What’s on the agenda:

• Swap tales from your latest fly-fishing outings; big waters, small streams, new spots, old favorites.

• A special call‐out to the recent trip to the Connetquot River Preserve on Long Island: bring your stories, photos, what made it memorable (or what you’d do differently next time).

• Connect with fellow members, grab some refreshments, and plan more outings for the season ahead.

Whether you landed the fish of a lifetime, got skunked, or simply enjoyed a peaceful morning on the water — your story matters. Bring it along. We’re here to learn from each other, laugh, and enjoy our shared love of trout and honest outdoors time.

Looking Ahead

We’ll also talk about upcoming events, including our always-fun
🧣 Ugly Sweater Farmington River Fishing Trip in December.

So we’ll see you tomorrow night, and bring a friend if you want. Pizza and beverages will be available at 7:00pm, followed by our 50/50 raffle, chapter business and casual conversations. Whether you caught a trophy or just a quiet moment on the water, your story belongs here.

Join us for some Fall Striper fishing at the Reef!

The fall run is in full swing! The tides are great and the striped bass have returned to their local haunts on their southward migration. This trip is an excellent opportunity to anyone who wants to learn more about this amazing local fishery and how and when to fish for striped bass from experienced saltwater anglers.

We'll meet at 12:00 PM at Veterans Park to rig up and walk down to the reef. If you are familiar with this spot, feel free to try and find parking closer to the beach along Reef Road and we'll see you out there!

For striper fishing, we typically run 8 or 9wt fly rods with intermediate sinking line. Floating line will work just fine as well! If you're new to saltwater fishing and don't have a rod, just reach out and we'd be more than happy to provide one for you to borrow!

If you'd like to throw a spin/surf rod, feel free! We want people to experience this amazing fishery in any way you'd like. Plus, a spin rod makes a terrific backup in case of any wind. For spin gear, an assortment of topwater lures, swimming plugs, bucktails and swimbaits will have you covered.

Chapter trips are free and open to the public. Members and guests are welcome and everyone is encouraged to bring friends, family, kids and new fishing buddies.

Join us at the Connetquot River Preserve on Long Island, NY, Saturday, November 1st. See flyer below for details and click the button below to RSVP.

Join us for a fun trip to the famed Housatonic River!

Join friends and fellow anglers from the Mianus and Candlewood Valley chapters for our annual fall fishing trip to the Housatonic River!

Fall is one of the best times to fish the Housy - the temps are cooling off, bugs like caddis and blue wing olives are hatching and the scenery cannot be beat! 

We'll meet at Housatonic Meadows State Park - Picnic Area (not the campground) at 10 am to gear up and hit the river! While there is great fishing to be had in the park, feel free to go out on your own and experience the river! 

These trips are designed for anglers of all ages and skill levels! Families are welcome, kids, new anglers and all skill levels are welcomed and encouraged. 

NOTE: This section of river is restricted to fly fishing only. If you need to borrow a fly rod and reel, no problem - just let us know! Our passionate and skilled volunteers will be more than happy to lend a hand helping you learn where to go on the river and work on your casting and fishing skills.

For our October Chapter Gathering, CVTU Members will share there tips and tricks for fishing the Housatonic River. We all know the Housy is a great fishery for both Trout and Smallmouth Bass, but what are some of the favorite methods for pursuing these fish, and where are the best spots on the river.

Mike Fatse, Randy Walker and Mark McBeth will share some of their favorite methods and locations. We’ll encourage other members and attendees to share their secrets and collaborate on an open discussion on this excellent fishery.

Recent stocking activity by the State, along with excellent weather, has resulted in some pretty good Trout fishing. We’re on the back end of Smallie season, but their are still Bass to be caught with the right techniques.

We’ll start with pizza and beverages at 7:00pm followed by the 50/50 raffle, Chapter highlights, and then our open discussion.

Don’t forget our upcoming fishing events:

• Chapter Trip to Connetquot River - Saturday, November 1

… and with our friends in the Mianus Chapter:

• Halloween on the Housatonic - Saturday, October 25

• Pennfield Reef Striped Bass Fishing, Sunday, November 2

• Ugly Sweater Farming River Fishing, Saturday, December 13

Mike Piquette - Presenting back country fishing in MonTana and Wyoming

Mike is a recently retired Analytical Chemist, and fly fisherman for 35 years. Wild trout are his passion.

Mike is a former Conservation Chairman for the Housatonic Fly Fishermen’s Association, and for the Nutmeg TU chapter.

In his retirement, his wife - an avid fly fisher - and he will be traveling to trout streams both locally and in Montana and Wyoming.

The gathering will be held at the Stony Hill Fire Dept. in Bethel, and begin with Pizza and Beverages at 7:00pm. Followed by chapter business and updates and Mike’s presentation at 7:30pm

We are pleased to announce that the next Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, August 21st at 6:00 PM. This meeting will take place at the home of our chapter President, Mike Fatse, and will include a casual BBQ gathering.

We are extending a warm invitation to all CVTU members who are interested in joining the Board or becoming more involved in shaping the future of our chapter. As we continue to grow our conservation efforts and improve the quality of our programs and gatherings, we’re seeking additional Board members with leadership experience and a passion for the mission of Trout Unlimited.

This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow members, share your ideas, and help strengthen our impact on local coldwater fisheries.

If you’d like to attend, please RSVP by clicking the button below and completing the email to secretary@cvtu.org.

We hope to see many of you there!

Tight lines,

Mike Fatse, President
Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited

Saving Smallmout

Andrew Bade supervises the warmwater and coldwater fisheries management programs for the CT DEEP Fisheries Division. Andrew's experience is mostly with warmwater fish, particularly black bass and Walleye. Andrew was born and raised in Connecticut and loves fishing for Smallmouth Bass and Tautog (especially with a spear gun).

For those of us fishing Connecticut’s waters, there’s a special place in our hearts for Smallmouth Bass. Whether it’s the thrill of the fight or their striking bronze beauty, these fish have been a cornerstone of angling in the state. Unfortunately, Smallmouth Bass have been struggling in some eastern Connecticut lakes, with their populations declining or disappearing altogether.

The reasons behind this decline are complex and interwoven—eutrophication (nutrient overload leading to poor water quality), invasive submerged aquatic vegetation taking over habitats, and shifts in fish communities have all played a role. These challenges have left some of our lakes eerily quiet where Smallmouth Bass once thrived.

In 2023, we decided it was time to take action. The Connecticut DEEP Fisheries Division launched a project aimed at restoring Smallmouth Bass fisheries, starting with Wyassup Lake in North Stonington. This lake became our pilot study site for a reason—it showed potential as a place where restoration could work, and early results have been promising.

Our approach combines reintroducing Smallmouth Bass with targeted habitat enhancements. Think of it as giving these fish a fighting chance by not just reintroducing them, but also rebuilding the underwater world they need to thrive. So far, the signs are encouraging. The bass seem to be settling in, and we’re hopeful this strategy could serve as a blueprint for other lakes facing similar challenges.

Why does this matter? For starters, Smallmouth Bass are more than just a popular game fish—they’re an integral part of our aquatic ecosystems. Their presence supports biodiversity and helps balance fish communities. Plus, for anglers, they represent memories, challenges, and stories that are worth preserving.

The road ahead won’t be easy, but with continued efforts and support, we believe we can turn the tide for Smallmouth Bass in Connecticut. Wyassup Lake is just the beginning, and Andrew is optimistic about what the future holds for these incredible fish.

May’s gathering will give CVTU members and guests an opportunity to learn more about this amazing game fish, and the work being done by DEEP to protect it.

Pizza and beverages at 7:00 followed by our 50/50, chapter news, and presentation.

Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited (CVTU) is looking for volunteers to staff our table at the Newtown Forest Association’s Springfest! This is a great opportunity to engage with the community, share our mission, and talk about conservation, fly fishing, and local river stewardship.

What You’ll Be Doing:

🎣 Talking with visitors about CVTU’s initiatives
🌱 Promoting conservation and responsible angling
📢 Encouraging new members to join
📄 Handing out informational materials

No experience necessary—just a friendly attitude and a love for the outdoors! Whether you can help for an hour or the whole event, your support is greatly appreciated.

How to Volunteer:

📩 Sign up by contacting Secretary@cvtu.org

Come be part of this fun outdoor event and help spread the word about CVTU. We’d love to have you there!

Advanced small stream fly fishing tactics

Tristan Wilgan has held a fly rod in his hand since age 7. He has been guiding for seven years on the Housatonic River for trout, smallmouth bass, and striped bass. Tristan’s fishing pursuits have brought him to the Florida keys, Puerto Rico, Maine, and a summer spent living and working in West Yellowstone, MT. His practical approach to fly fishing showcases his efficiency, and well-rounded knowledge as an angler. Tristan enjoys catching striped bass off rocky beaches, and dry fly fishing for cutthroat in streams of the northern Rockies. He holds a bachelors degree in psychology from Western Connecticut State University.

Nicholas Granito has been fly fishing since age 13, and is on the water every chance he gets. Nicholas enjoys pursuing large, wary trout in small streams, and utilizes intuitive techniques to catch them. By trade, he is a machinist and a graduate of the advanced manufacturing program at Housatonic community college. His ability to read a stream is unmatched, evident from his large trout caught here in the east and in Yellowstone national park. While not operating a CNC machine or lathe, you can find Nicholas on no-name streams throughout the northeast or fishing for finicky trout with dry flies in the Farmington River.

You won’t want to miss this presentation from Tristan and Nick. By the looks of these pictures, they know what they’re doing and will certainly help improve your trout fishing results.

Pizza and beverages at 7:00 followed by our 50/50, chapter news, and their presentation.

Got gear collecting dust in your garage? Looking for that one piece of equipment to complete your outdoor setup? Then mark your calendar for Saturday, March 15th and head over to the Stony Hill Fire Department (59 Stony Hill Road, Bethel, CT) from 9 AM to 2 PM for an epic Buy, Sell & Swap Event!

What’s Happening?

This is your chance to sell, swap, or score all kinds of outdoor gear! Whether you're into camping, hiking, fishing, boating, or water sports, you'll find a treasure trove of items ready for a second adventure.

• Have gear to sell? Rent a table for just $15 (grab more than one if needed!) and start setting up at 8:30 AM.

• On the hunt for something special? Just show up, browse the deals, and see what hidden gems you can find.

Shop for a Good Cause!

In addition to all the great deals, there will be a special table where 100% of proceeds go towards the Candlewood Valley TIC (Trout in the Classroom) program. This initiative helps educate and inspire the next generation of conservationists, supporting clean water protection, restoration, and education. Additional donations to our chapter are always welcome!

Why You Should Attend

✅ Find great deals on quality gear
✅ Make some extra cash by selling your unused equipment
✅ Support a local conservation cause
✅ Meet fellow outdoor enthusiasts

You never know what you’ll come across—so come ready to swap, shop, and strike a bargain!

See you there!

Contact Neil Baldino with questions; neil.baldino@gmail.com - (203) 400-0374

Register for a Swap Meet Table by submitting the form below

This month’s chapter gathering will feature Mike Piquette. Mike is a recently retired Analytical Chemist, and fly fisherman for 35 years. Wild trout are his passion.

Mike is a former Conservation  Chairman for the Housatonic Fly Fishermen’s Association, and led the successful angler’s effort to restore natural flows to the Housatonic as a condition of the FERC re-licensing (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) of the Housy hydro-power dams. 

As the former Conservation Chair of the Nutmeg TU chapter, he advocated for the now implemented wild trout management plan by assisting DEEP with their stream sampling, and presenting the findings to TU chapters and other groups. He also helped to stop two intensive developments proposed for the banks of the Mill River Class 1 Wild Trout Management Area. 

In his retirement, his wife - an avid fly fisher - and he will be traveling to trout streams both locally and in Montana and Wyoming. 

Please join us at 7:00pm for pizza and beverages, followed by our 50/50 raffle, chapter happenings and Mike’s presentation.

Join the Pomperaug Chapter of Trout Unlimited for Fly Tying Sessions! 🎣

Calling all fly fishing enthusiasts! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, we invite you to join us for two hands-on fly tying sessions at the Southbury Recreation Center:

📅 Saturday, February 15th & Saturday, March 15th
⏰ 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 Southbury Recreation Center

Fly tying experts James Kovach & Paul Dinice will be leading the sessions, sharing their skills and techniques.

✨ Beginners Welcome! If you or someone you know is new to fly tying, we’ve got you covered – we’ll provide tying vises and tools for you to use.

Come for the learning, stay for the camaraderie! Hope to see you there.

For more details, feel free to reach out to Ernie Ludwig - NPTU President, Ph. 203-560-2053, Email: erniejludwig@gmail.com

Do we have healthy streams?

CT DEEP relies on a network of state-wide volunteers to sample our state waters and determine whether our streams are "healthy."  This is accomplished by gathering macro-invertebrates (nymphs and larval stages of insects) that are sensitive to pollution. These "canaries in the coal mine" reveal whether dissolved oxygen, temperature, and other variables are conducive to sustaining stream life (including trout).  CVTU has been monitoring our local streams as part of Connecticut's Riffle Bioassessment by Volunteers (RBV) program for many years. The pandemic, and poor stream conditions in 2020 through 2023 forced us to scale back our efforts, but 2024 was a good year to get back out on the streams.  With the extreme flooding this past August, we weren't sure what we would find...so it was important to return to the streams!

Paul Shafer is our RBV coordinator and he will be providing an overview presentation of this important program, and CVTU's efforts and results in 2024. It promises to be an interesting and informative session for all.   You will be amazed to learn how many mayflies, caddis flies, stoneflies, and other invertebrates live in our local streams. As fly anglers, the better we understand the "bugs", the better the success we will experience!

CVTU also supports the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation's Butterfly Party in June and our involvement in that event, along with other community activities will also be discussed.

We hope you can join us!

Pizza and beverages at 7:00 pm followed by chapter business, 50/50 raffle and Paul’s presentation.

John Field is a fly-casting instructor, writer and photographer. John has spent extensive time exploring the waters of the Northwest Territories in Canada with Canadian Sportfishing Magazine and the Amazonas in Venezuela and elsewhere, while working for Larry Dahlberg Productions. He has decades of experience flats fishing the Florida Keys and striped bass fishing in the Northeast. John also makes regular trips to fish in the Balkans of Europe and the Yellowstone region. He is past-president of the New York City Chapter of Trout Unlimited and past president of the American Casting Association. John is an FFI (Fly Fishers International) Certified Master Casting Instructor and in 2019 received the FFI Jay Gammel Award. This award recognizes individuals who have developed instructional materials that have advanced fly casting instruction. John is also the author of two casting books.

John will be presenting on his extensive experience with fly fishing for Striped Bass.

His latest book “Fly Fishing for Trophy Striped Bass is available on Amazon here.

Meet at Upcountry Sportfishing in New Hartford at 10:00 am Saturday, December 14th.

Toss on your ugliest holiday sweater and join us for a fun winter tradition on the Farmington River! We have been running this holiday tradition now for the past decade. While the fishing isn’t always great, this gathering is always a great way to ring in the holidays. After the meet up at Upcountry, we’ll spread out to fish for a couple of hours, followed by a warm fire at the pavilion in People’s state park. There will be snacks and beverages so bring your appetite.

This event is always a partnership with the Mianus TU chapter. So please click the link below to register so we have an idea of how many people will be joining.

https://tu.myeventscenter.com/event/Ugly-Sweater-Farmington-River-Fishing-Trip-101260?redir=1

DEEP Encon Officer Dan Clancy patrols the South West sector of the Western District. He started as a game warden with the Utah Division of Wildlife and spent 3 years learning the ropes of conservation law enforcement before returning to his home state of Connecticut in April of 2024. Dan is an avid fisherman, both saltwater and freshwater as well as a bowhunter. Dan specializes in big game poaching enforcement and has enjoyed being back in Connecticut close to family.

Dan recently ran into Mike Fatse and Neil Baldino fishing the Housatonic, and agreed to present to our chapter gather for December. He will be a great follow-up presenter to his colleague Jordan Jacquo, who presented to our chapter last April. We always enjoy hearing from DEEP representatives to get their perspective on managing fish and game enforcement. Especially in our home waters.

Please don’t miss this last gathering for 2024. As usual we’ll begin with our pizza and beverages, followed by the 50/50 raffle and chapter business.

Blue Lines in Your Backyard – Chasing Wild Trout in Beautiful Places

There are dozens of streams within a short drive where native Brook Trout and wild Brown Trout hide in plain sight, quietly finning under the canopy of a large tree, or hiding among the boulders of a tumbling mountain stream.  Jeff Yates will lead us on a journey through some of the most scenic wild trout waters of Fairfield and Litchfield counties and share his knowledge on where, how and when to find wild fish on these small, “blue line” waters that often go unnoticed. Along the way he’ll cover the tools and resources available to help you scout out these waters in advance of an outing, and what to bring to make the most of your time on these small streams. You’ll leave knowing more about these headwater streams, and also how you can help Trout Unlimited care for and recover them to ensure these wild fish are here for generations to come.

Jeff is a guide, author and the national Director of Engagement for Trout Unlimited and has held nearly every volunteer TU position on the board of his local Mianus Chapter and the Connecticut Council. He has been fishing the waters of Connecticut for more than 30 years and has been guiding for nearly two decades. His book, Fly Fishing Fairfield County: Secrets of Suburban Streams, details the great trout fishing available in the southwest corner of the state. Learn more at www.flyfishingct.com.

Pizza and beverages will be available at 7:00 followed by our 50/50 raffle and chapter announcements.

Our September Chapter Gathering is on schedule for Wednesday, September 11th, at Stony Hill Fire House. We do not have a speaker on the schedule for this first gathering. Our agenda will include a recap of chapter activities over the summer and potential activities and projects for the future.

Updates will be provided on the temperature monitoring of Pootatuck/Deep Brook, and our chapter’s advocacy on the 296 Berkshire Road development. We will have an open discussion on future chapter activities and suggestions for fishing trips, fund raising ideas, and future conversation projects.

The chapter continues to encourage members to volunteer, when available, to assist with our ongoing projects with our home waters. We also continue to look for members that are interested in taking leadership roles with the chapter. Our Board is always looking for an infusion of enthusiastic members that want to participate in the future of Candlewood Valley TU.

As always, pizza and beverages will be provided at 7:00 pm followed by our 50/50 raffle. Don’t miss this first gathering to help us kick off the season.

CVTU member, Fred Madura, would like to lead a fishing trip to the Flat Brook River in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area. The Flat Brook is a 11.6 mile tributary of the Delaware River near Port Jervis, NY (see map below). Saturday, June 1st, is free fishing day in NJ so no license is required.

Fred has fished this river a lot, and it has always been well stocked. NJ only stocks rainbows but every year Fred says he catches a fair number of wild Brook trout . Fred Madura’s number is 201-638-7118

Directions to Flat Brook in NJ

TAKE RT 84 WEST APPROX 80 MILES TO EXIT 1 (LAST EXIT IN NY). TURN LEFT ONTO RT6 . A SHORT DISTANCE TURN LEFT ONTO RT 15. RT 15 WILL TURN INTO RT23 AND YOU WILL CROSS INTO NJ. YOU WILL PASS SOME GAS STATIONS, A McDONALDS AND A DQ. NEXT RIGHT AFTER THE DQ WILL BE CLOVE RD. TURN RT, ONTO CLOVE RD. FOLLOW CLOVE RD. ( IT MAKES SOME TWISTS AND TURNS) OUT TO RT 206. TURN LEFT ONTO RT 206. TRAVEL ABOUR 6.5 MILES AND YOU WILL SEE AN RV YARD ON YOUR RIGHT AND NONNO’S IS RIGHT PAST THE RV YARD. THE INTERSECTION WHERE NONNO’S IS LOCATED IS CALLED “TUTTLES CORNER “ ON THE MAP

TO LOCATION #1 SCHAFFER’S BRIDGE MEETING PLACE.

TURN RIGHT AFTER NONNO’S ONTO TUTTLES CORNER DINGMANS RD. RT560 GO .7 MILES , TO BRIDGE , PARKING LOT IS ON LEFT OVER BRIDGE. THERE IS A HORSE TRAIL THAT STARTS HERE AND MORE OR LESS FOLLOWS THE RIVER DOWN TO LOCATION #3 ABOUT ½ WAY THERE IS A LARGE POOL ALWAYS HAS A LOT OF FISH BUT NOT THAT EASY.

TO LOCATION #2 UPPER BRIDGE ABUTMENT.

TURN RIGHT AFTER NONNO’S ONTO TUTTLES CORNER DINGMANS RD. RT560 GO .7 MILES , TO BRIDGE ,CROSS BRIDGE TRAVEL .1MILE TAKE FIRST RIGHT ONTO FLATBROOK RD, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PULLOFFS ALONG THE ROAD, AT THE END THERE IS AN AREA FOR 3 OR 4 ? CARS. THERE IS A POOL AT THE OLD BRIDGE ABUTMENTS, FOLLOW THE RIVER UPSTREAM TO THE RT206 BRIDGE. MANY GOOD HOLDING SPOTS.

TO LOCATION #3 THE FIELD.

TURN RIGHT AFTER NONNO’S ONTO TUTTLES CORNER DINGMANS RD. RT560 GO .7 MILES , TO BRIDGE ,CROSS BRIDGE TRAVEL .2 MILES TAKE FIRST LEFT. (THERE IS A SMALL BARRIER, GO AROUND IT) GO ABOUT .5 TO .75 MILES TO SECOND FIELD ON LEFT THERE IS A DIRT ROAD ENTRY. DRIVE TO END OF FIELD. WALK AROUND GATE TAKE GRAVEL ROAD TO LONG POOL. AT RIVER TAKE HORSE TRAIL TO LEFT (UPSTREAM) LOTS OF GOOD WATER. WILL EVENTUALLY TAKE YOU TO SHAFFER’S BRIDGE

LOCATION #4 THREE BRIDGES AREA.

TURN RIGHT AFTER NONNO’S ONTO TUTTLES CORNER DINGMANS RD. RT560 GO .7 MILES , TO BRIDGE ,CROSS BRIDGE TRAVEL 4.3 MILES FROM SHAFFER’S BRIDGE ON TUTTLES CORNER DINGMANS RD. RT560 , THROUGH LAYTON TO BEVANS RD, ( GO STRAIGHT AT INTERSECTION FOR DINGMAN’S FERRY , BECOMES RT 640) GO THROUGH PETER’S VALLEY , THE ROAD WILL MAKE A 90 DEGREE TURN TO THE RIGHT BUT YOU WILL SEE A DIRT ROAD STRAIGHT AHEAD, TAKE IT ! IT CAN BE A LITTLE MESSY BUT THERE ARE AREAS TO PARK ALONG IT. NEAR THE BEGINNING THERE MAY BE A TRACTOR ROAD TO THE LEFT THAT THEY USE FOR STOCKING, IT GOES UPSTREAM TO A LARGE AREA OF FLAT WATER . WALK DOWN ROAD CROSS 3 BRIDGES TO A PARKING LOT AND A HANDYCAP AREA. ( I DON’T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE TO THE LOT , IT IS A BUNCH OF UNMARKED DIRT ROADS, }. A FEW DEEP POOLS UPSTREAM TILL YOU HIT THE FLAT WATER. DOWNSTREAM A LOT OF GOOD WATER . IF YOU WALK DIAGONALLY ACROSS THE LOT YOU WILL FIND A FIRE ROAD THAT WILL BRING YOU ALONG SIDE THE RIVER AND WILL EVENTUALLY BRING YOU TO THE OPOSITE SIDE OF THE RIVER FROM THE RIFLE RANGE AREA AND THE PORT-A-JOHN ( LOCATION #5) THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD POOLS AND RUNS ALL ALONG HERE.

LOCATION #5 RIFLE RANGE AND PORT-A-JOHN

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS TO AREA #4 BUT MAKE THE HARD RIGHT AND CONTINUE .5 MILES TO RIFLE RANGE ON RIGHT. THERE IS A PARKING AREA ON THE LEFT MIGHT BE JUST PAST THE RANGE . THE TRAIL FROM THREE BRIDGES ENDS HERE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER. THERE ARE SOME GOOD HOLES DOWNSTREAM BUT NO REAL PATH.

Please click the button below to register, so we can have a headcount and deliver additional communications.

Our guest speaker this month is Hunter Bulak (@hunterbulak). Hunter is an avid angler who has no shortage of putting time in on the water. Though he currently resides in CT, Hunter grew up in and around the Quabbin watershed in Massachusetts, targeting any and all species that inhabit its multitude of waterways. However, his true love is targeting the prized trophy Native Brook Trout and Brown Trout that inhabit the Swift River. In this presentation, he will be discussing the Swift River system, as well as theories on targeting trophy Brook and Brown Trout that dwell in its depths.

Gathering starts at 7:00 pm with Pizza and Beverages, followed by our 50/50 raffle and chapter announcements

Invasive Species Cleanup 

Conifer Revetment Staging 

Saturday, April 27nd FROM 8:30AM TO 1PM 

COME SUPPORT THE CANDLEWOOD VALLEY CHAPTER OF TROUT UNLIMITED & THE POOTATUCK WATERSHED ASSOCIATION KEEP OUR LOCAL ECOSYSTEM HEALTHY. HELPING TO CLEAN UP WASTE, PREPARE FOR STREAM BANK STABILIZATION PROJECTS, AND PROTECT OUR RIPARIAN BUFFER. WORKING TOWARDS PROVIDING A CLEAN, CLEAR AQUAFER SYSTEM, A SUSTAINABLE TROUT HABITAT AND A HAPPY MOTHER NATURE!

MEET BEHIND “COVER TWO’ IN SANDY HOOK CENTER, THE BACK OF THE PARKING LOT TO GET ASSIGNMENT WHERE SUPPORT IS NEEDED (WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING; LONG SLEEVES, LONG PANTS, GLOVES, STURDY SHOES…)

DETAILS ONLINE AT WWW.CVTU.ORG, http://pootatuckwatershed.org 

Also follow us on Facebook; 

https://www.facebook.com/candlewoodvalleyTU/ 

https://www.facebook.com/Pootatuck-Watershed-Association-387463168130862/ 

We're bringing back the International Fly Fishing Film Festival, this year hosting this fun night of fishing films on three consecutive Friday nights in three different towns in Fairfield County.

Whether you join us in Bethel on March 15, attend the screening in Stamford on March 22 or buy your tickets for the Fairfield show on March 29, you're sure to have a fun time meeting anglers and conservationists like you, catching some of the best and most exciting fly fishing videos from across the planet and enjoying a drink and a chance at some great raffle prizes.

Best of all, the $20 ticket price goes to directly support the important work of all three of our local chapters here in Fairfield County.

So be sure to grab your friends, snag your tickets and join us at one - or two or three - of the shows for a great night to celebrate and support conservation!

Our March chapter gathering will feature Chris Sullivan. Chris is currently a PhD Candidate at the University of Connecticut studying cold-water-dependent fish use of thermal refuges during heat events. Chris's research is centered around understanding the 'rules of the game' regarding how fish use these areas, and strives to transfer his research findings into practical conservation approaches. Prior to his current position, Chris conducted research on a suite of fish species in rivers and lakes throughout the Midwest, largely focusing on invasive species ecology. You can check out Chris's published work here; feel free to reach out for copies of papers of interest.

As usual we will gather at Stony Hill Fire Department in Bethel at 7:00 pm for pizza and beverages. Followed by our 50/50 raffle and monthly chapter update.

NOTE: Date Change, February’s Gathering is now Thursday the 15th

Same Time and Location

Join us for our February Chapter Gathering with Rowan Lytle of “Connecticut Fly Angler”

Connecticut Fly Angler

Rowan Lytle first picked up a fly rod at 13 years of age. It was a short bamboo rod with no reel and only one guide. With some heavy string and many hours of time in the yard he began to learn to cast, and when he got a real fly rod it didn't take long for it to become an obsession.

He went from bass fishing with conventional tackle three times a week to fishing for anything and everything every day possible. After a couple years of juggling conventional and fly fishing Rowan ditched his spinning rods and bass tackle and dedicated his time almost fully into fly fishing.

He has logged over 200 days on the water every year since 2013 and caught more than 150 species of fish on fly gear. Rowan particularly enjoys the challenge of multi species angling and targeting fish that conventional wisdom suggests are not really "fly catchable". He is the first angler to document catching two species on fly tackle: barrelfish (Hyperoglyphe perciformis) and lake chubsucker (Erimyzon sucetta).

The drive to learn anything and everything about fly fishing and the allure of aquatic biodiversity drives his obsession.

Join us at 7:00pm for Pizza and beverages and our 50/50 raffle. Stone Hill Fire Department 59 Stony Hill Rd. Bethel, CT 06801. We look forward to seeing you there!