Issue 8 November 14, 2017

In the Trout’s WindowNewsletter of the Pioneer Valley Chapter #276 of Trout Unlimited In the Trout’s Window

Newsletter of the Pioneer Valley Chapter #276 of Trout Unlimited

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“I have many loves and Fly-Fishing is one of them; it brings peace and harmony to my being, which I can then pass on to others.”

~ Sue Kreutzer

In lieu of Speaker

Dan TrelaGypsy Moth Adult

Gypsy Moth CaterpillarDan’s CDC Sulfur Dun

Feature Fly Recipes Tied by Dan Trela

Ed Story-Sulphur Crackle-backHook- Standard dry size 16Thread- Burnt orange 8/0 UniBody - Yellow dubbingHackle - Furnace or brown

Gartside Soft Hackle StreamerThread - Lt. olive 6/0 UniHook - No. 4 saltwaterInner wing - Pearl flashabouWing - White maribou, chartreuse caribou, natural wood duck flank

Gartside Magic MinnowHook- 2 XL nymph hook 8 or 10Thread - Black 6/0 UniBody - Gartside magic dub ( Wing and Flash pearl)Wing - Natural woodduck flank

Heron at the Bobcat Tree on the Swift River, Oct. 2017Photo by Gary Metras

President’s Message

Chapter members, We have just settled on the date for our Chapter’s Annual Conservation Banquet. The date will be April 06, 2018, the Friday evening after Easter and Passover, so we are hoping for a good turnout. We need volunteers to assist in getting things organized as well as for the evening of the banquet. I would really appreciate it if someone would step up and take on the Banquet Chair. We have four folks to be banquet committee members, but can use a couple more. Also have an MC from earlier years stepping up. Need sponsors for a few of our donated items. So-o-o, come forward at next meeting and volunteer. Also, looking for a slate of officers to step up for President, VP, and to fill a couple slots on the Board. It does not require a massive amount of time, so do step up. Will help in any way I can.

Cheers, Jerry Eves, Chapter President

Morning fog on the Swift River, Oct. 13, 2017Photo by Gary Metras

Amherst Police Cops & Bobbers On Saturday October 7, Pioneer Valley Chapter joined forces with U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Mass Fish & Wildlife, and the Amherst Police Department to give a couple dozen kids, most for the first time, the experience of the joys of fishing at the Cronin Research facility pond in Sunderland. Each child went home with a prize and a story to tell their family. Thanks to chapter members who volunteered: Jerry Eves, Terry Connolly and his grandson, Brogan, George Dunham and his granddaughter, Syna, Gary Metras and his granddaughter, Piper. Cops & Bobbers is a nation-wide program designed to teach kids fishing. The goal of Cops & Bob-bers is to get kids hooked on fishing rather than drugs and crime, and to show cops in a positive and friendly manner. This is the second time this year that the chapter has helped with a C&B experience: the Springfield event took place at Forest Park in April.

For more information on this program, go to: http://www.copsandkidsfoundation.org/cops_bobbers.html

Guest SpeakerI’ve never stayed at a lodge, I’ve never been on a floatplane, and I’ve never hired a guide…but there’s one thing I’m pretty good at….

Fly Fishing the Road Systems of South Central Alaska

by Dan Spedding Come have a laugh, check out the stunning photography, and learn to fish the Anchorage area of Alaska, “DIY” style. You’ll learn the best places to fish and the best times to fish them. I’ll share my thoughts on how to get there, where to stay, and what to bring, even if you’re on the tightest of budgets. We’ll discuss the five species of salmon as well as the other fish that swim Alaska’s waters. I’ll give you advice on flies and tackle that will shorten your learning curve and get you hooked up with the fish of your dreams. I’ll even share my thoughts about some of the best non-fishing places to check out if you need a break from reeling in the big ones…Call it an informative travelogue filled with solid info, great photos and wacky stories about the people and places of the far north.

Dan SpeddingThe focus of my fishing these days is trout and I’ve traveled the globe in search of them. I live in Clinton, Massachusetts and fish my local waters, but I’ve been to all 50 states and have fished most of them. The majority of my focus has been Montana, Wyoming, and the Pacific Northwest. I’ve also spent five summers in Alaska. I can hold a conversation on just about every major trout stream in the USA. I even had the opportunity to fish in England and as far away as Eastern Europe. I started like most, fishing a rubber worm for bass as a kid, and gradu-ated to fishing bass tournaments, which completely turned me off. I eventually found my way to the salt water and not long after, I found fly fishing. I fished the salt with a fly for years before ever cast-ing one in fresh water. I’ve been fortunate to hold jobs (or not have one!) that have enabled me to take trips lasting several months. I’m a 100% Do-It-Yourself type of person. I’ve never hired a guide and thrive off figuring things out for myself. I also get as much of a kick out of the fish-erman and other oddballs I meet along the road. I guess you could say I’ve evolved into a first class trout bum.

In the Trout’s Window© 2017 by Pioneer Valley Chapter #276 of Trout Unlimited, a non-profit cold water conservation organization whose mission is “To conserve, protect, and restore North America’s cold water fisheries and their watersheds.” Donations are accepted on the chapter level, as well as the national, and are tax deductible under code 501(c)3.E-mail comments and suggestions to: z3rosleep@gmail.comIf you do not wish to receive the PVTU e-Newsletter, reply to z3rosleep@gmail.com with the subject line “No PVTU e-Newsletter” Chapter OfficersPresident: Jerry Eves (413) 599-0968Vice-President: Terry Connolly (413) 967-5742Treasurer: Joe Babineau (413) 323-6037Secretary: Bob Regish (413) 364-9769/ Gary Metras (413) 527-3324Program Chair: Bill DonnellyNewsletter Page layout/Design: Ven Yann

Chapter MeetingsMeetings are held at 7 PM on the second Tuesday of the month, Sept to May, at the Holyoke Lodge of Elks, 250 Whitney Ave., Holyoke, MA. Meetings are free and open to the public.

Calendar of EventsNov 14thDan SpeddingFly Fishing the Road Systems of South Central Alaska

Dec 12thSeth BoynickFarmington

Jan 19-21, 2018Marlborough, MARoyal Plaza

Jan 26-28, 2018Edison, NJ (formerly Somerset)New Jersey Convention & Expo Center

December Elections Have you thought about joining PVTU’s Board of Directors? Of helping the Chapter direct its energies in good directions to complete the TU Mission? You don’t need special skills or education. Current board members go from an auto mechanic to a chief surgeon. But one’s occupation is not what is important. What the board members share is a passion for cold water fisher-ies, for maintaining a good, effective TU Chapter. We are a good Chapter, the second largest in the MA/RI Council. And we can be a better Chapter. With your help. There are openings on the Board. Now may be the best time for you to step up.