Currents: February / March Updates and Events Greetings From Your President
Dear GBTU Members and Supporters,
I hope you have all kept to your New Year’s Resolutions and are enjoying the beauty of our New England Winter. From your social media posts, I can see some of you are braving the cold to wade some streams, and more of you are staying warmer inside and honing your fly tying skills.
From the attendance and greetings at the Marlboro Fly Fishing Show (and less snow than last year) I know many fish had a break. It was great to meet old acquaintances and make new ones. A big thank you to our board members who staffed the GBTU table and our volunteers -- Ray Gagnon, Bob Cantow, Andrew Lee, plus our TU / GBTU Teens, Max Schaffer, Brendan Cook, Noah Safar, and their two peers from Maine. It was quite a sight to see a TU Chapter table with 5 teens -- the next generation of anglers and conservationists! The interest in the Vermont Teen Trout Camp (which GBTU supports) drained our supply of applications.
TU Teens and Bob Cantow
Speaking of teens, we have a first for our chapter: a GBTU Teen Night at the Watertown Public Library. The teen hosts will talk about gear, offer some basic fly casting instruction, share a few film clips, and most importantly talk about their experiences at the Vermont Teen Trout Camp and the TU National Camp in Montana! Please, bring your teen children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and neighbors so they can hear the exciting stories these youth have to tell and learn about some outings planned for the Spring.
I had the chance to attend the Northeast TU Chapter Meeting and was able to hear about the great work that Colin Lawson and Joel DeStasio are doing on New England and North Shore TU National Projects. Between Colin & Joel and the NE TU Team, they are able to rally resources and support and cut through red tape to get things done. How about a new culvert installed in two days(OK that was a NH culvert)!
Two-Day Culvert Replacement
_________________________________________
...AND SAVE THE DATE!
Please look at our call for volunteers later in this newsletter.
Looking forward to seeing you at many of our events and for your continued support!
Rui Coelho
Greater Boston TU President
rcoelho@gbtu.org
Working collaboratively to protect, reconnect and restore our coldwater fisheries.
|
|
|
Grants and Other Awards
Our Grants Committee, chaired by John Lefeber, has vetted support for more great causes.
GBTU has granted $10,000 to The Franklin Land Trust (FLT) to support the purchase of the 145-150 acre Gudell property. The Gudell parcel will add to the 82 acre Crowningshield Conservation Area (CCA), which GBTU and the Regional Council supported with a generous $45,000 donation in 2015. With the proceeds from the original Crowningshield project, FLT purchased the abutting 14 acre Desmond parcel, which added a quarter-mile of riparian frontage and another point of access to the West Branch, a recognized brook trout cold water resource. These two parcels, totaling 96 acres, are now permanently conserved under a Conservation Restriction held by DFW. In addition, the Massachusetts Audubon Society acquired a 60-acre sanctuary downstream on the north side of the West Branch in 2015. The Gudell parcel will add over half a mile of riparian frontage, significant drainages and connect CCA to the Audubon Sanctuary downstream. This will conserve over 300 acres and over 2 miles of frontage along this important riparian habitat. Over $200,000 has been collected towards the purchase cost of $253,000.
___________________________
GBTU donated $3,000 to protect 1.8 miles of the Ammonoosuc River in NH. We received a warm thank you from our northern neighbors in the letter below.
While these properties lie outside of our chapter’s formal geography, our reputation and leadership in supporting these valuable resources go a long way to influence other chapters and organizations to show their support, too.
_______________________________
We have not forgotten about our Home Waters in the Neponset River Watershed (NepRWA) with its fragile ecosystem of native trout in some of its streams. We will be providing approximately $25,000 to support those waters through the Embrace a Stream Campaign and GBTU’s contributions. NepRWA is also looking for volunteers to get involved with the study.
GBTU says a big thank you to all of our donors who have generously contributed over the past year through Annual Dinners, Auctions, Embrace a Stream, Year End Campaigns and general donations. Without you, none of this would be possible. So a very big Thank You!
|
|
2// Conservation Corner
Clean Water Rollback
Last month, the Trump administration finalized their proposed changes to the Clean Water Rule, rolling back pollution protections for streams and wetlands across the country. A number of national environmental organizations are now suing over the proposed changes, arguing violations of the Endangered Species Act among other concerns.
Unfortunately, no formal assessments were conducted by the federal administration to assess the full scope of impacts for these rollbacks. In Massachusetts, our state Department of Environmental Protection is now tasked with determining what streams and wetlands in our state may no longer be covered by these protections. We anticipate that the most vulnerable bodies will be isolated vegetated wetlands, kettle ponds and ephemeral streams.
GBTU (along with many of our partner organizations) submitted numerous comments opposing the proposed changes to the Clean Water Rule over the course of the public comment period. We will continue to keep you updated as we work with our partners and the state to determine how we can best ensure protections for these key habitat resources despite the rollbacks.
What can you do? Please contact your government representative with this guidance from TU.
https://standup.tu.org/stand-up-for-clean-water/
___________________________________________
Embrace a Stream Update - Help Protect the Rare Neponset Brook Trout
Has anyone heard of eDNA?
Greater Boston Trout Unlimited has partnered with the Neponset River Watershed Association to use Environmental DNA (eDNA) and temperature loggers to track the health of the Neponset River’s wild trout populations and the coldwater streams they call home. eDNA is a cutting-edge technology that uses the DNA in water samples to identify the wildlife that live in a stream or pond. We will use the information we collect to develop a plan to protect and restore our rare “urban” trout populations.
For more information about the eDNA program, please contact NepRWA Environmental Scientist, Chris Hirsch at chirsch@gbtu.org
Volunteer opportunities (training will be provided)
Adopt-A-Logger Volunteer (April-September)
- Monitor 3-5 water temperature loggers in an assigned cold-water stream
- Visit temperature loggers once a month and download the data via Bluetooth
- Must have a smartphone that can download the HOBOMobile APP and have Bluetooth connectivity
Environmental DNA Sampler
- Will collect water samples following a strict protocol
- Must be able to bushwhack and/or wade in a stream (we can provide waders if needed)
- Sampling dates: May 9, May 16, August 22, August 29
Volunteer today! To volunteer, please contact Chris Hirsch at chirsch@gbtu.org
___________________________________________
A few updates from our Home Water Partner NepRWA
2019 Neponset River Water Quality Report:
This year, 52 volunteers collected 480 water samples at 41 locations throughout the Neponset Watershed, from May through October.
Samples were collected from Canton, Dedham, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Foxborough, Mattapan, Medfield, Milton, Norwood, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, and Westwood. The data that we gather from the water samples allows us to view trends, locate suspected contaminated areas, and follow up on sources of contamination.
Thank you to all of the volunteers who gave their time to support this important program!
___________________________________________
Join the Water Sampling Team!
Volunteers play an important role in NepRWA's Citizen Water Monitoring Network (CWMN). NepRWA is currently seeking water samplers to help out for the 2020 CWMN season. Sampling occurs six times from May through October and training is provided.
Please email NepRWA Environmental Fellow, Kelly DiStefano at distefano@neponset.org or call 781-575-0354 x306 for more information.
|
|
3// Member of the Month
Max Schaefer
Next year I am planning on attending the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry to study Aquatic Science and Fisheries. My love for fisheries and cold water conservation started in 8th grade when I attended the Vermont Trout Unlimited fly fishing camp. Since then, I have become an active member of GBTU and I am now the youth representative on the GBTU Board.
I love to spend time outdoors where I can enjoy nature, kayak, hike and fly fish. Occasionally, I find time to tie my own flies. I also love sports and have spent many years playing soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and swimming.
(Max will be one of the panelists/presenters at the TU Teen Night March 24 listed below.)
|
|
4// Recent Event Reflections
Jan 20: Paul Bunker
Yellowstone Cutthroat Restoration and Volunteer Program
Paul gave a great presentation on the multi-pronged approach to restoring the Yellowstone National Park’s Native Fish Population. The effort is making a huge impact on reducing the invasive lake trout in Yellowstone Lake.
Here is a follow-up answer to a question he asked us to pass on about introducing "Frankenstein" lake trout to produce non-spawning offspring. According to the fisheries office, they are aware of the science behind this but because of the numbers of existing adult lake trout and their life expectancy (over 25 years), they haven't considered this to be a viable option. My contact did say that he was aware of this method and it was used to reduce the spread of non-native brook trout in other environments. Basically, the male embryos were genetically modified to produce males that were sterile.”
Paul and his brother John Bunker had so many “gifts” that every attendee won a raffle prize -- thank you!
John informed the group about the UNH Library’s Milne Special Collection that maintains one of the largest collections of angling literature in the United States. The collection dates to the 1960s, when Douglas and Helena Milne donated their library of fishing books, periodicals, artwork, and ephemera to the University of New Hampshire. Purchases from an endowment established by Mrs. Milne in Dr. Milne's name have more than doubled the original gift.
The collection, which now numbers over 4,000 volumes, is particularly rich in materials relating to fly fishing for trout and Atlantic salmon, with special emphasis on fishing in New England and eastern Canada. Beyond containing the classics of angling literature--such as numerous editions of Izaak Walton's The Complete Angler -- the collection boasts a vast array of modern books on fly tying, rod making, and stream tactics.
Please contact John.F.Bunker@gmail.com if you have any questions.
____________________________________________________________
Feb 24: Lou Zambello
20 Awesome Places to fly fish in New England (and a few elsewhere) that you haven't heard of or tried
Lou delivered again to a full house of attentive members at Union Street. What a great presentation with slides, videos and marked-up maps that will encourage many to seek out hidden gems and out of the way places to find those elusive beauties. By ‘out of the way’ he did not mean you have to hop on a plane and go to Chile to land a 24” rainbow (although his wife did): there are trophy fish all over New England that are on streams where you will be alone. One of his three books -- Flyfisher's Guide to New England -- will tell you where to go, then you just need to walk 30 minutes to get away from the crowds.
If you missed the event, we have part of it on Facebook Live
Follow him on Instagram @mainelyflyfishing.com or check out www.mainelyflyfishing.com
His e-mail is louzambello@gmail.com
|
|
5// Upcoming Events
 
Mar 24: Teen Night: VT TU Teen Camp and TU Montana Summit Share
TU Teens: Max Schaefer, Max Fishman & Brendan Cook
Location: Watertown Free Public Library 123 Main St, Watertown MA
5:30-8:30 PM
Several local teens have ventured up north and out west to experience a full immersion in the world of conservation, etymology, 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 or visit the website here
____________________________________________________________
April 27: Daniel Wells, South Shore Flycasters
Herring Runs and Striped Bass
Location: Drumlin Farm, Lincoln, MA Social: 5:30 PM Speaker: 7:00 PM
Dan will tell us his tricks of the trade for chasing hearing and finding the large striped bass that target them. This is a very timely presentation because late April through June 10th is when the herring are running. The presentation also talks about herring in Late summer into Fall.
Dan is well known for his successful launch of South Shore Flycasters, IG fame @canalflyguy, technical nighttime striper tips on Blog Fly Fish and guest speaker on @sevenstripesfishing.
Bring a notebook and get schooled by the local ‘professor of striper fishing’.
____________________________________________________________
Save the Date
Join us for the Second Annual Trout on the Town, an evening of fun, friendship, a live auction and dinner at the award-winning Boston restaurant Summer Shack. Hear Dr. Andy Danylchuk speak about the evolution of Catch-and-Release. Help GBTU raise funds for our conservation!
____________________________________________________________
Other Events
State of Our Waters Legislative Breakfast
Tues.,March 31 from 9:45 am - 1:00 pm
MA State House, Room 428
24 Beacon St., Boston
This is a great opportunity to speak with your legislators and help support healthy waters! Learn more.
Register for this free event here. For more information, please contact NepRWA Advocacy Director, Kerry Snyder, at snyder@neponset.org
____________________________________________________________
Neponset River Spring Cleanup
Sat., April 25, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sites TBD
Join NepRWA staff, MassDCR, and hundreds of volunteers during our annual spring cleanup.
We'll be scouting for cleanup sites in early April, so please let us know if you know of a stream, trail, or park that needs some help.
Email Kelly DiStefano or call 781-575-0354 x306 to volunteer or nominate a cleanup site.
____________________________________________________________
2nd Annual Caddisfly Festival 2020
Friday, June 5th through Sunday, June 7th
Country Aire Campground on Route 2 in Shelburne Falls.
Want to get out and wade the Deerfield River all weekend with controlled river flows?
Please consider joining the MA / RI Caddisfly Festival Campout.
The MA / RI Council of Trout Unlimited has reserved 20 campsites (max 4 people per site) for Friday and Saturday nights: tent sites 58-67, electric/water sites 22-32 (for rv's and tents).
Sites are $70 for the weekend, payable to Mass/RI Council of Trout Unlimited.
Reserve your sites by sending your checks to Council treasurer Horace Taft-Ferguson at: 7 Martin Road, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Make your reservations soon as last year's event was quite popular, and we expect sites to go fast!
We will have a social gathering in the pavilion on Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 pm. Refreshments will be offered courtesy of the Northeast Chapter. Trout movies will be shown on the big screen.
Fishing on Saturday on nearby Deerfield and North rivers with local guides from PVTU, DRWTU and Taconic TU to put you into fish! This is both the low-flow weekend on the Deerfield and Mass DFW free fishing weekend. Last year our anglers had a very high success rate on these creeks!! Additionally, there is the option of booking your own float trip with one of the many area professional guides, who can put you into trout on both the Deerfield and/or the Hoosic, which is a 30-minute drive from the campground.
If you are arriving earlier in the week, Paul Beaulieu, Council Chair, is offering some pro-bono guiding. Please call him at 413-335-9128 to make arrangements.
We will have a brief Council business meeting on Saturday in the Pavilion starting at 6:00 pm followed by our annual BBQ (food and drink courtesy of NETU!!) We are also anticipating a guest speaker from Mass Fish & Game to update us on their trout management efforts. A small raffle/auction featuring hand-tied flies and other fishing equipment will be held, with proceeds going to the Council Coldwater Conservation Fund. Finally, we expect to announce the recipients of this year's Council Coldwater Conservation Grants. An announcement and grant application form will be sent out to all chapters in the near future.
____________________________________________________________
NepRWA Annual Meeting with special guest speaker, MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell
Fri., May 29, 6:30 pm- 9:00 pm
Florian Hall, Dorchester
You may recognize Lawrence's name from his MSNBC show, "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell" or from the many books he has authored.
Did you also know that he is from Dorchester? Join us to hear Lawrence's stories about growing up in the area and the role that the Neponset River played in his life. Stay tuned for more details!
Click here to purchase tickets.
____________________________________________________________
Neponset RiverFest
Sat., June 20, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
DCR Neponset Park, Dorchester
Mark your calendar and be sure to join GBTU Home Water Partner at one of the best summer events on the Neponset River! Enjoy free boating, live music, food trucks, kid's activities, and lots of fun exhibits.
|
|
6// Volunteer Call
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!
Embrace a Stream Volunteers (above) - contact Chris Hirsch at chirsch@gbtu.org
- Adopt-A-Logger Volunteer (April-September)
- Environmental DNA Sampler
Water Sampling Volunteers (above) - contact Kelly DiStefano at distefano@neponset.org
Additional Volunteering activities -
Please contact: Rui Coelho rcoelho@gbtu.org or Gabby Queenan gqueenan@gbtu.org
- Fundraising Support
- Event Planning / Hosting - General and Trout on the Town 2
- Publishing (Mail Chimp)
- Casting Instructions,
- Fly Tying Instructions
|
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
Share your love of fishing and conservation with friends!
Forward this email and invite them to join Trout Unlimited.
Learn more here>
|
|
|
|
