May 2014

News & Events

General Meeting - Tuesday, May 12, 2014

“Tuna on the Fly ”
Tom Gilmore

After almost three decades of service, Tom Gilmore retired in the spring of 2012, as President and CEO of the New Jersey Audubon Society, the oldest and largest conservation organization in the state of New Jersey. During that time, he led the conservation community through numerous extraordinary environmental achievements. It's no surprise that Tom has received numerous awards and honors, including the Conservation Medal from the Daughters of the American Revolution, New Jersey Environmental Lobby's first Environmental Legacy Award, Tom was recognized by The Star Ledger newspaper (New Jersey's largest daily paper) as Winner of the Year, for his work to save the Highlands. New Jersey Monthly magazine recognized Tom as one the "101 Most Influential People in New Jersey." He was also awarded the Governors Environmental Achievement Award by both Governors Corzine and Christy.

In addition to being an accomplished environmentalist, Tom is an avid fly fisherman. He has fly fished for around the world for over 40 years. Tom is a well know fly fishing celebrity having given well over 100 programs on fishing for all most all of our North American He is an accomplished author having written numerous articles and is currently working on his fourth book, East Coast Trophy Tailwaters, which will be published in the fall of 2014.

. His first book, False Albacore, was published in 2002, his second book entitled, Tuna On The Fly, was published in the Fall of 2006. Tom's third book a Flyfisher's Guide to the Big Apple was published in 2011.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

“CJTU Picnic Meeting or "A Meeting with Food"”

Come join us for what has become a very popular event: our annual "A Meeting With Food", to be held in the grove behind the American Legion Hall on Tuesday, June 17th, from 5 to 8 pm. A great opportunity to wind into the summer and exchange some spring fishing stories with new and old friends. We will be cooking up a bunch of burgers, hot dogs and Kim Ott's famous sausage and peppers. Plenty of side dishes, soft drinks and water, and the American Legion Hall will have it's usual full bar available just steps away. See if you are the lucky door prize winner.

Price is only $ 10 in advance (we'll be collecting advance sales during the May General Meetings- see Dick Turse, or John Wester at the raffle table) or $ 15 at the door. Hope to see you all there !

Remember that the June 17th meeting will be on the Third Tuesday of the month and starts at 5:00 pm.

American Legion Hall
137 New Market Road
Dunellen, NJ

Meeting starts at 8 PM - Non Members are always welcome!

President’s Letter

May 2014

I hope everyone is getting an opportunity to get out and wet a line this spring, despite all of the problems plaguing this year's trout season.  Unfortunately our state hatchery had to euthanize 90,000 additional brook trout over the last month as they continue to battle the furunculosis outbreak there.  Despite all this bad news you can still find some quality fishing.  Anglers are often surprised to learn that there are opportunities to fish for wild trout in New Jersey.  Scattered throughout the northern portion of the state are 175 or so small streams that support populations of all three trout species.  Thirty five of those streams are designated as Wild Trout Streams.  These waters may require a little research to find and are small and often hard to access,  but they can provide very rewarding angling.  

We have a busy weekend coming up.  On May 1Oth we will be participating in a beginners fly fishing course being hosted by Efingers Sporting.  At this writing we are hosting a class of about 50 students.  The class will be taking place in the vacant building next to the store.  The event begins at 10:00am, if your in the area stop buy and say hello.  If this gets to you in time, your welcome to come down and lend a hand.

We were advised this month that the permits for the Point Mountain Restoration project were completed and we are awaiting their submission to the state.  I'm hopeful that we will see some movement on this important project in the near future.

Next month is our 2nd annual CJTU BBQ.  The event will take place on June 17th, beginning at 5:00pm.  Please note that this is not our usual meeting time.  There will be no meeting on the second Tuesday of the month and we are starting a few hours earlier on the day of the cook out.  The BBQ will take place outside of the hall behind the rear parking lot.  If you have not already signed up you can do so at this week's general meeting.  I believe there will also be limited ability to show up on the day of the event as long as the food holds out.  This is a social gathering to allow everyone to get to know each other.  There will be no speaker or business portion during this event.

It looks like the caddis fly swap may have to be pushed back a month.  It is my understanding that flies are still coming in.  If that holds true we will be handing out the flies at our June meeting (that's another reason to attend the BBQ).

Looking forward to the rest of the year, I have two more items to mention.  First off, we are bringing back our CJTU merchandise program. We are working with LLBean to bring you quality clothing and other items with the CJTU logo.  We will have samples and ordering instructions available in the fall.  We are also beginning to collect donated gear for our upcoming flea market event at the Pequest Hatchery next March.  This event has evolved into an excellent fundraising opportunity for the chapter.  If you have any unwanted gear collecting dust, please consider donating it to the chapter.  We will collect your donations and bring them up to the Open House event next year.  The proceeds from the sales come directly back to the chapter to assist us in our conservation efforts.  You can bring your donated items to any chapter meeting or contact me directly to arrange to have the items picked up.

I need to cut things off here, as I have to get back to packing for my trip to Maine next week to chase landlocked salmon on Grand Lake Stream.  Unfortunately, it looks like I will need to pack a snorkel and a pair of swim fins as the river is flowing at 4 times the level for optimal fishing.  But, a week of staring at a swollen river from the front porch of a cabin in the Maine woods is still better than a week at work!

Tight Lines
Bart Lombardo

Fly of the Month

“Hendrickson Improved Sparkle Dun”
by George Mertens