Fly Fishing Clinic Hooked A Number Of Newcomers

By Shannon Hicks

The Naugatuck-Pomperaug Trout Unlimited (NPTU) chapter was joined by the Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited (CVTU) chapter to sponsor and present a fly fishing clinic Saturday, April 12, at Newtown Bait & Tackle on South Main Street. The free clinic opened at 9:30, and by noon Bert Cyr had seen a few dozen people.

“It’s been steady since we started this morning,” said Mr Cyr, who was one of local fishing enthusiasts who donated his time to teach during Saturday’s event. Thanks to weather that was better than had been predicted, anglers of all ages turned out for the second annual presentation that was centered around a full-size casting pool on the grassy lawn area between the bait and tackle shop and Carminuccio’s restaurant.

Near the pool was a tent that housed representatives from a few fly rod companies, and to the south of the driveway for the shop a second tent had been set up to cover the food and seating area. Both tents had been erected more than a week earlier, helping to guarantee solid footing in the event of rain during the days leading to the second annual presentation or even for shelter if the weather predictions had held to what had been offered. By some accounts, it was supposed to be pouring last Saturday. There were even predictions of a heavy rainstorm moving through the area during the Friday-Saturday overnight, but neither materialized. There was some rain during the overnight, but nothing significant, and Saturday instead dawned sunny and even warm.

“The clinic was successful,” NPTU President Bob Perrella, who was another angler who offered his time to teach fly fishing on Saturday, said this week. Also offering help to those who had not tried fly fishing before were NPTU members Mike Kaklamanos and Dominic Falcone, and Fran Hendrickson, a friend of Newtown Bait & Tackle.

“We had a lot of children, so we were very happy about that,” Mr Perrella said. “Our goal was to teach people to fly fish and to become one with nature, and try to protect our rivers, and streams, and lakes. Our motto is ‘We protect them all, big or small.’ So the more children we get at clinics, the better off we are.”

Professionals from several rod manufacturers were also in attendance, including gentlemen from Alcott Fly Rods, Sage, and RL Winston Rod Co. Fly tying was also taking place, and the grill was running all day, which was certainly another temptation if the chance for some free fishing advice and practice was not enough to lure people in to the clinic.

James Belden, the chapter president for CVTU, was unable to attend Saturday’s event because he was traveling, but was nonetheless pleased with the planning and execution of the event.

“We had at least six chapter members there, helping out with food and offering educational materials,” he said this week. “The Naugatuck-Pomperaug chapter organized most of the event, but we did our small part to help where we could. We like to get the word out about the things we do, whether preserving cold water fisheries or the in-school projects we’ve been working on, but we also like to help people have fun.”

Youth Education

Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited is not finished bringing the joy of fishing to the next generation of anglers. The chapter’s next program, in fact, will be along the Sandy Hook section of the Pootatuck River. On Saturday, May 3, from 8:30 am until 1:30 pm, rain or shine, members of CVTU will host its inaugural Youth Education Day, which the chapter is hoping will become an annual event.

Children ages 8 to 18 are invited to learn casting with a fly rod, learn fly tying, discover the river’s ecosystem and entomology, and learn why and how trout are stocked into rivers (along with some stocking of the river, which will give kids the chance to handle trout and put them into the stream). There will also be a free picnic lunch, raffles and prizes, and more.

Organizers suggest not only wearing comfortable, weather appropriate clothing, but also sending along (or wearing) old sneakers for possible wet wading, and bring a pair of dry socks and sneakers for afterwards. Parents are welcome to stay for the event.

There is no charge for the event but registration is required and due by April 25. There are three ways to do this: Visit CVTU.org and click on the Youth Education Day registration link; send an email to Steve Zakur at steve.zakur@cvtu.org; or call Mr Zakur at 203-994-0627.

Likewise, the Pomperaug-Naugatuck chapter also has another event in the near future.

On Saturday, April 26, PNTU will host a Youth Trout Fishing Derby at Bennett Memorial Town Park, 14 Shelter Rock Road in Bethel. There is no charge, but donations will be accepted. The event is open to non-Bethel residents.

“Everybody is welcome,” promised PNTU president Bob Perrella.

Sign-ins will run from 8 to 9 pm, and lines are to be wet at 9 am sharp. The event will end at 11 am; at that point parents will be welcome to join their children in fishing for the rest of the day. Between 9 and 11, however, the water will belong to fishers ages 2–16 (who will be divided by age into groups, of age 2 to 6; 7 to 11; and 12 to 16), with prizes awarded in each group.

Participating young anglers will receive trophies, sports equipment, fishing gear, and other prizes for the largest brook or rainbow taken.

Free refreshments will also be available. Call PNTU member Don Meyer at 264-2445 for additional information.

The chapter will additionally have an event on May 5 at Seymour Land Trust and then another on May 10 at Hop Brook in Middlebury. Call Mr Meyer for information about these events as well.

“We try to keep busy,” Mr Perrella said.