President's Letter
Dear Members,
As we wrap up the year, I’d like to highlight the impact our efforts have had in 2019 and the difference our members have made.
First, a very, very big thank you to our past presidents, Bill Pastuszek and Garry Crago, who are stepping down from the board after many years of service and dedication.
Bill has been involved with GBTU for many years and will continue to work with TU as he takes up a position on TU’s National Leadership Council (NLC) as well as serves on the board for our Home Waters partner, the Neponset River Watershed Association. He will still be involved with the chapter and remain a key member of our Embrace a Stream team. Stay tuned for the right weather conditions for a possible Frozen Fly outing, which Bill has led for many years.
Garry has been involved with GBTU for ten years. At the same time, he is also stepping down from the NLC after 5 years of dedicated support. I believe his future will be filled with awesome trips to exotic fly fishing destinations. We look forward to some great stories and future chapter presentations.
At our November meeting, we screened the Patagonia Film Artifishal and held our board of directors elections. We welcomed four well-qualified board members who will bring new ideas and energy to our mission. We plan to have some short bios out in future newsletters. Thank you for joining our mission!
- Mike Andresino
- Mike Cusher
- Will Raich
- Andre Alguero
We appreciate the efforts of all of our board members and general members who joined us at multiple events as participants and volunteers. Your involvement builds a strong community of anglers who support coldwater conservation and have fun while we’re at it. Lastly, the board thanks all of those who have given their time (over 2,000 hours) and money to support grant requests and key non-profit partners aligned with our mission (~$19,000). Additionally, a big thank you to TU National and Orvis for the $8,500 award to be used for our Embrace a Stream Study.
If you missed our Embrace a Stream Challenge, feel free to swing by our Roll Top Fly Tying Desk Auction --you may win a fabulous fly tying desk while supporting our eDNA project. Bid on the desk or look for the donate button - https://go.rallyup.com/flydesk
See you on the water or at one of our events -- The Marlboro Fly Fishing Show and our famous Rod Raffle are up next, Jan. 17-19, 2020.
Best wishes for a happy holiday and the very best in angling/conservation success in the new decade!
Rui Coelho
Greater Boston TU President
rcoelho@gbtu.org
Working collaboratively to protect, reconnect and restore our coldwater fisheries.
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2// Upcoming Events
Jan 17-19: Marlboro Fly Fishing Show & Orvis Recon Rod & Reel Raffle
Royal Plaza Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough, MA
GBTU will be hosting a booth at the show. Swing by and say hello, enter in the Orvis Recon Rod & Reel Raffle, plus check out all the great exhibitors - many of whom donate to our annual fundraiser.
More Info: https://flyfishingshow.com/marlborough-ma/
Jan 20: Paul Bunker - Yellowstone Cutthroat Restoration and Volunteer Program
Union Street Cafe: 107R Union St, Newton, MA 02459
5:30 - 7:00 PM, Social; 7:00 - 8:00 PM Speaker
Paul is a West Denver TU Member and advocate for Yellowstone National Park fisheries. He will address current efforts and progress in eradicating invasive lake trout in Yellowstone Lake. Paul will also highlight some of the projects he has been involved in throughout the park during the past 12 years while participating in the Yellowstone National Park Fly Fishing Volunteer Program. Please join us for an informative session on Restoring Yellowstone National Park’s Native Fish Population. Lessons learned from other efforts can be insightful as pressures increase on our eastern fish populations.
Preview Clips: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2394593047428793
Feb 24: Lou Zambello - 15 Awesome Places to fly fish in New England (and a few elsewhere) that you haven't heard of or tried
Union Street Cafe: 107R Union St, Newton, MA 02459
5:30 - 7:00 PM, Social; 7:00 - 8:00 PM Speaker
Lou is an outdoor catalog consultant and flyfishing guide who spends his summers in Rangeley, Maine. He spent 14 years working at LL Bean in a number of capacities and has been guiding for over 13 years. Lou has been fly fishing in New England for over 30 years and has traveled to Canada, Russia, and across the U.S. to pursue his passion. Lou is a favorite with GBTU and has spoken to us in the past.
Key highlights of his talk, film clips and photos:
- Out of the way wild places
- Fishing for river monsters and other non-salmonids
- Overlooked gems
- Fly-fishing waters for couples
- A few selected DIY outstanding waters outside of New England
 
Mar 23: Max Schaefer, Max Fishman & Brendan Cook - Teen Panel - VT Teen Camp and TU Montana Summit Share
Location TBD (local High School or Library)
Several local teens have ventured up north and out west to experience a full immersion in the world of conservation, entomology, tying and angling.
This event is oriented for the youth in your angling families. We’ll have our panel of young, enthusiastic teens sharing what they learned and loved about the camps, outdoors and fishing, plus a few film shorts. GBTU youth board member Max Schaefer was so inspired by the Vermont Trout Camp that he has decided to take up conservation as his major in college next year.
We will have applications for the 2020 VT TU Trout Camp available at the meeting
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3// Conservation Corner
The town of Sharon, MA recently voted to use Community Preservation Act funds and a grant from the state to purchase and preserve most of Rattlesnake Hill, a 337-acre parcel of natural open space, which has been classified as Priority Habitat by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP).
Vernal pools at Rattlesnake Hill support a diverse ecosystem, including the state’s endangered Blanding’s turtles. Of additional importance, Rattlesnake Hill borders Poquanticut Brook, a cold water stream in our Home Waters, the Neponset River Watershed.
Conservation Commissioners, advocacy groups and residents had been trying to preserve Rattlesnake Hill for more than 20 years. It had been slated first for a 624-unit senior living community, and subsequently for a 250-unit 40-B housing development. In the end, the developer elected to build only five houses along Mountain Street and sell the rest of the land to Sharon for preservation.
Exciting news for Poquanticut Brook and Sharon! A big thank you to all of the advocates who worked on this project!
 
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Want to volunteer? We always have a few roles to fill for one-time events or ongoing support. We would love to have you join us!
Please email us at: rcoelho@gbtu.org or gqueenan@gbtu.org
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Stay tuned for future emails and check out the GBTU website. Also follow GBTU on FaceBook, Instagram and Twitter for updates.
   
Looking forward to a successful 2020 with our New Waters Partner, Volunteers, Members and all of your New Voices.
Thank You!
Rui Coelho, GBTU President
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Plan your 2019 Fishing, Education, and Conservation Efforts for the Year!
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Jan 17, 18 & 19 Marlborough Fly Fishing Show - Link
GBTU will be hosting a booth at the show. Swing by and say hello plus check out all the great exhibitors - many who donate to our annual fundraiser.
Royal Plaza Trade Center
181 Boston Post Road West
Marlborough, MA 01752
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Jan 20: Paul Bunker - Yellowstone Cutthroat Restoration and Volunteer Program
Paul is a West Denver TU Member and advocate for Yellowstone National Park fisheries. He will address current efforts and progress in eradicating invasive lake trout in Yellowstone Lake.
Union Street Cafe & Restaurant: 107R Union St, Newton, MA 02459
5:30 - 7:00 PM, Social; 7:00 - 8:00 PM Speaker
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Feb 24: Lou Zambello - 15 Awesome Places to fly fish in New England (and a few elsewhere) that you haven't heard of or tried
Lou is an outdoor catalog consultant and flyfishing guide who spends his summers in Rangeley, Maine. He spent 14 years working at LL Bean in a number of capacities and has been guiding for over 13 years. Lou has been fly fishing in New England for over 30 years and has traveled to Canada, Russia, and across the US to pursue his passion. Lou is a favorite with GBTU and has spoken to us in the past.
Union Street Cafe: 107R Union St, Newton, MA 02459
5:30 - 7:00 PM, Social; 7:00 - 8:00 PM Speaker
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March 23: Max Schaefer, Max Fishman & Brendan Cook - Teen Panel - VT Teen Camp and TU Montana Summit Share
Several local teens have ventured up north and out west to experience a full immersion in the world of conservation, entomology, tying and angling.
This event is oriented for the youth in your angling families. We’ll have our panel of young, enthusiastic teens sharing what they learned and loved about the camps, outdoors and fishing, plus a few film shorts. GBTU youth board member Max Schaefer was so inspired by the Vermont Trout Camp that he has decided to take up conservation as his major in college next year.
We will have applications for the 2020 VT TU Trout Camp available at the meeting
Location TBD (local High School or Library)
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