Program ; Fly Fishing Montana’s Kootenai River.
The Kootenai river flows in Northwestern Montana as is home to Wild Rainbow, Cutthroat, Cut-Bows, Brown, Brook and Bull Trout. This presentation will take you to this beautiful river and includes scenery, lodging options and the equipment needed to fish it effectively.
Pitkin Community Center
30 Greenfield Street
Wethersfield, CT 06109
When I was eleven years old I observed my 1st Fly Fisherman casting a Fly Rod at Salmon River in Connecticut. I knew right then that one day I would try that technique of fishing for trout. I received my 1st Fly Fishing outfit for Christmas in 1970 when I was 16 years old, it was a Fenwick Fiberglass FF706 rod paired with a Pflueger 1494 Medalist reel. I was using this rod and reel on the same Salmon River where I saw my 1st Fly Fisherman when I landed my 1st fly rod caught trout using a black Wooly Worm with a red tail. I still have and use this outfit today. This was the beginning of my fly fishing adventure and it continues today.
As time marched on I continued my new adventure and at the age of 30 I added Fly Tying to it when I signed up for lessons conducted by the Connecticut Fly Fisherman’s Association in 1984. Later that year I became a member of CFFA and in 1990 I accepted the Board position of Education Chairman. I loved this work and remained on the BOD in this position until 2010. After a short hiatus I was asked to become the president of CFFA beginning in 2016. I thought about it for only a moment and gladly accepted the position. It is now 2023 and I am still enjoying each day I serve as president of the CFFA along with the Fly Fishing adventure that began a long time ago.
Gary Steinmiller
Title: Bamboo Fly Rods: Connecticut History & Current Construction
Summary: This talk will consist of two parts. First, Michael will provide an historical overview of bamboo fly rod building in CT. This will include a discussion of known and less well known makers. He will discuss bamboo rod making innovation in CT and how CT makers contributed to the future and perpetuation of the bamboo rod making craft. Second, Michael will provide an overview of how to make a bamboo rod.
Bio: Michael Day makes bamboo rods for traditional trout fishing. He tests his rods year round in Connecticut’s four seasons. Michael has a particular interest in designing tapers and updating vintage tapers through modern innovative techniques
Pitkin Community Center 6:30 - 9pm
30 Greenfield Street
Wethersfield CT 06109
Presentation by Paul Dinise
Fly Fishing for Small Mouth Bass on the Housatonic
This is an under appreciated fishery. Learn about the behavior of ‘smallies’ and how it can assist you in catching this great game fish. Many believe that pound for pound this is the strongest fresh water game fish available. I’ll cover fishing tactics and techniques, best times to fish for small mouth bass, and the flies to use. Fishing for this species is just a whole ‘lota’ fun and can assist you in improving your fly fishing skills and knowledge of the Housatonic River.
Pitkin Community Center
30 Greenfield Street
Wethersfield CT 06109
Paul Dinice Bio
I’m 69 years old and have resided in Derby, CT all my life. I began spin fishing and flyfishingat a very early age, all thanks to an uncle who took all the family kids fishing on his one day off a week. In 1980 my fishing focus turned exclusively to fly fishing. In 1985 I made my first foray into saltwater fly fishing. I live a stones throw from the Housatonic River and Naugatuck Rivers. I’m a member of virtually every flyfishing club and organization in CT. I’m also very much involved in numerous environmentally based organizations such as Trout Unlimited, Connecticut Audubon Society, and the Coastal Conservation Association. I’ve made numerous written contributions to newspapers, local club newsletters, andperiodicals. My “home” club/organization is the Housatonic Fly Fisherman’s Association. For the past 36 years I’ve written “Fly of the Month” section of the HFFA news letter and website. I’ve also donethe “Fly of theMonth” for a host of other Flyfishing organizations in CT. I contributed to a book entitled “Over-Winter Striper Secrets” by Captain Al Anderson. The contributionsincluded photographs and writings which were incorporated in the section on fishing the Housatonic. My ‘closer crab” pattern appeared in the 2012 Winter edition Fly Tyer Magazine. I’ve also organized numerous small flyfishing expo’s here in CT. I’m a member of the Derby Inland Wetlands Commission and, prior to retiring,was employed by the Town of Orange as the Zoning Administrator for 40 years.
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