April 8 chapter meeting
On Tuesday, April 8, Rob Nicholas of the Housatonic Angler will be presenting on fishing Argentina and Chile.
Please note that the meeting will be held at Orvis, 432 Post Road in Darien, beginning at 7:30 p.m., rather than our regular location at Waveny Mansion.
Mr. Nicholas has been leading fishing trips to Chile and Argentina for a number of years out of the shop.
For those looking for advice on planning an outing of their own, or just looking to live vicariously through the presentation, the event should be great.
To get to Orvis: I-95 to Exit 13, take a left. Pass Duchess restaurant and make a left after the light into Trader Joe’s lot.
Norwalk River clean-up
The annual Norwalk River clean-up event is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 at Merwin Meadows Park in Wilton.
We will meet at the parking lot at 9 a.m. and pick up all sorts for trash, from styrofoam cups and water bottles to hubcaps and discarded mattresses.
The chapter will provide trash bags and coffee and refreshments, volunteers are asked to bring waders and gloves.
To get there: Take Route 7 through Wilton to the intersection with Ridgefield Road (Route 33). Take Route 33 up the hill, making your first right onto Lovers Lane (just past the big white Wilton Congregational Church). The parking lot is all the way at the bottom of Lovers Lane.
May 13 casting clinic at Waveny
The Mianus Chapter’s annual casting clinic will be held at Waveny Mansion in New Canaan on Tuesday, May 13.
The event starts at 5 p.m. on the lawn behind the mansion. Please note this is a different start time from regular chapter meetings.
Mianus TU members will be on-hand to help members tune-up their casts. Members are also encouraged to bring someone new to fly-fishing.
Farmington River Spring outing
The Mianus Chapter has set the date of its third annual FDarmington River outing. This year, to hopefully improve the fishing, we have reserved a spring date when the hatches should be prime and the trout hungry.
We will be heading up on Saturday, May 17, and will meet at the pavillion in People’s State Park starting at around 9 a.m.
Once again, the Chapter has hired Jack Smola to provide guide services throughout the day. The trip is free to all members and they are encouraged to bring friends and prospective members.
Westport Outfitters offers range of fly-tying courses
Westport Outfitters at 44 Calf Pasture Beach Road in Norwalk, one of the Mianus Chapter’s most generous donors each year, is offering a range of fly-tying courses this winter to get anglers ready for the season ahead. The courses will take you from beginner to expert in no time. Give Eric Johnson a call to sign up. Information, reservations: 831-8036.
Ryan Sansoucy – Hush Fly Fishing
April 5th 11:00 – Ryan is the founder/owner of Hush Fly Fishing, a new cutting edge, forward looking outfitter based in Rhode Island dedicated to introducing the wonderful sport of fly fishing to a new breed of anglers. Topics to be covered will include tips and techniques for flats and wade fishing the numerous and very productive salt ponds along the Rhode Island coast, unique fly patterns and some myth busting on striped bass behavior.
Lou Tabory
April 12th 10:00-2:00 – Come spend the day with Lou and the crew from Westport Outfitters. Lou has been an innovator in the fishing industry for more than 30 years. The day will begin with a formal presentation on light tackle and fly fishing for the variety of Northeast species found in our local waters and beyond. Lou will also cover how to tinker with spinning lures to make them more effective as well as knot tying tricks for light tackle and fly gear. After the presentation, Lou we will be available for hands demos!
Eric Johnson – Everything You MUST Know About Scented Artificial Baits
April 19th 11:00 – A seminar for the data driven, the numbers don’t lie! Come hear why, what and how to properly rig the host of new scented baits that are on the market and their true advantage over the real thing!!
Everything You Need To Know About Fishing From a Kayak
April 26th 11:00 – “YakDawgs” own Kevin Mucha and Roland St. Denis possess a combined 40 years of fishing experience and 16 years of fishing from the kayak, using both sit inside and sit on top models. This seminar will educate anglers on the benefits of utilizing the kayak to catch more fish, tips, unique tactics and rigging will be discussed. We all know that this is one of the most rapidly growing aspects of our sport! Come here from the guys setting the new standard!
Do to the overwhelming response and acceptance of these seminars during the previous years, please RSVP by emailing ejohnson@westportoutfitters.com or call the shop at 203.831.8036 so we can insure you an open seat.
Free Saturday seminars at Orvis in Darien
Waiting through the winter for the fishing season to start can be a lot more productive when that time is used to develop new skills and learn new tactics.
Over the coming year, Orvis in Darien — 432 Boston Post Road — will be holding a number of free seminars meant to improve your time on the water. All seminars begin promptly at 1 p.m. in the store. Bring yourself, and bring a friend new to fishing to one of the following events:
April 6 | Casting for Beginners
Orvis’ experienced fly-fishing staff will provide a hands-on lesson for those looking to get started in fly fishing. Along with teaching the basic casting techniques, other topics such as matching rod actions to the individual and choosing the appropriate fly line will be covered.
Registration is required for this free course.
Saturday, May 3
Casting Clinics throughout the day
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Free Lunch
Grilled salmon, hot dogs, burgers, chips and soda.
1:00 - 4:00 PM: Suffering from Sugar Blues
Local health counselor and life coach Rhonda Levye will join us in Darien to present a wellness seminar on Suffering from the Sugar Blues. This important topic is for anyone who is constantly craving sweets and wants to understand why.
2:30 - 4:00 PM: Bees and the Environment
Local beekeeper Mern Palmer-Smith will be in to discuss how the bee population affects the environment we live in. Find out why these little guys are the key to our food chain and so important.
Sunday, May 4
Casting Clinics throughout the day.
1:00 – 3:00 PM: Entomology on Local Rivers
Walt Kurkman will give a two-part presentation on entomology and the effort of local hatchery programs to keep local rivers productive.
1:00 – 3:00 PM: Trout Unlimited Membership Drive
Come learn about and join one of the most influential conservation organizations in the world.
3:00 - 4:30PM: Fishing Local Rivers
This seminar will focus on the local trout streams: the Mianus, Norwalk, and Saugatuck. Learn useful tactics and the gear you’ll need to make the most of your river experience.
May 10
NOON – 3:00 PM: Seasonal Foods and Where to Get Them
Rhonda Levye will join us again to discuss how to select the best seasonal foods and where to find them locally.
2:00 - 3:30 PM: Fishing the Beaches of Fairfield County
Orvis Darien’s own Bob Stoddard will give an in-depth talk on fishing Long Island Sound without a boat. Beach fishing for stripers is very traditional and productive. Learn where, when, and how to enjoy great fishing for virtually no cost.
June 8 | Casting for Intermediates
Moving on from the basics, this hands-on class will address some of the specialized casting techniques for the many situations which arise on fresh and saltwater. From punching line through high wind, to casting under a thick canopy of trees, this course will help anglers move their skill set forward. Registration is required for this free course.
June 21 | Destination Fishing
While the vast majority of fishing will take place a few miles, or at most a few hours from your home, there are many premiere destinations on every dedicated angler’s “to fish” list. This seminar will focus on one such destination (location TBD) and provide all the information needed from finding access areas to gear to fly selection. Finding a quality guide or lodge service will also be stressed, as on these once-in-a-lifetime excursions, it pays to avoid the learning curve and hire an expert on the area.
July 6 | Fishing Local Rivers
This seminar will focus on the three local trout streams in the area, the Mianus, Norwalk, and Saugatuck Rivers. While tactics and fly selection on these three streams are similar, the presentation will focus on river access and gear. Combined, these three rivers receive more than 10,000 stocked trout, and are also home to a growing population of wild trout. What’s better, they are just minutes from your front door.
July 27 | Fishing the Beaches of Fairfield County
It’s no secret anymore; Long Island Sound is a hot spot for saltwater angling, and despite what many think, you don’t need a boat to hook into trophy striped bass and bluefish. This presentation will focus on the many public beach and shoreline access locations where anglers can find busting blues and stripers right from the shore.
August 10 | Intermediate Fly Tying
Beyond the simple knots and traditional patterns, this hands-on course will focus on expanding the selection of fly patterns able to be tied. More advanced techniques and material management will be provided. The course will provide the background needed for tiers to look at new patterns and replicate them on their own.
More seminars are scheduled, pick up a flyer or call the store for information: 662-0844
Connequot River fishing trips
The Mianus Chapter will be reserving the Connequot River in Long Island again in October. Recent rule changes at the park mean fishermen must wear only hip-boot style waders (no full waders) and the waders can not have felt soles, only rubber treads.
Despite the recent spate of disease swirling through the hatchery on the river, the otuing should be a success, and while fishing may be slower than in years past, it’s still expected to be more productive than a jaunt on a local river.
The date reserved by the chapter is: Tuesday, Oct. 7.
The cost is $60 and members are allowed to bring one guest.
Checks made out to Mianus TU reserving spots on the trips should be sent to:
Dick O’Neill
90 Branchville Road
Ridgefield, CT 06877
