Stream Lines Winter/ Spring 2016

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Monocacy Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Volume 3, Issue 1 Winter/Spring 2016

Stream Lines the Newsletter of the Monocacy Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Inside This Issue President’s Message

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Featured Stream: New Jersey’s South Branch of the Raritan 1-2

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Important Program Information: Techniques:

by Dr. Ted Burger

Members: Trout Unlimited is not about trout. Ok, it is about trout, but for me it has become more about people. I have been involved with my local TU Chapter for about 15 years now ( I had to look that up), and in the beginning I have to admit I was a little reluctant to get involved. I made a point to keep coming to meetings and events though, and learned about fishing, fly tying, conservation. Over the years I also met some great people. It didn't happen quickly, but I'm glad it did. I began to realize that it was the people I had met over those years that kept me coming back.

Getting to know and working with other TU members has been truly rewarding, because even though we all share the same interests in fishing and conservation, everyone has their own ideas, experiences and motivations. More than the similarities, it is these differences that make Trout Unlimited so great. As we start a new year of projects, and events, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved with our Chapter, to thank those that have given me friendship and good council in my terms as President, and to invite everyone to participate in a great organization.

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Chapter Programs:

by Bob Signorello

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Fly Tying Storage:

by Mike Recine

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Chapter Directors and Officers

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We look forward to seeing you.

Officers Erik Broesicke - President Mike Recine - Vice Pres Dr. Ed Hart III - Treasurer Bob Signorello - Secretary

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President’s Message

Erik Broesicke President Monocacy TU

2013 Board of Directors

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Dr. Theodore Burger M.D. Jim Coxe Todd Griffith Steve Vanya Bob Signorello CQ Williamson Ken Young Dr. Ed Hart, III Vicky Bastidas Ron Horwath Phil Burtner Mike Recine Mike Bradley Jose de Jesus Jack Schildt Norm Szymanski

New Jersey’s South Branch of the Raritan The South Branch of the Raritan, in Northwestern New Jersey, is an outstanding river with good hatches and an abundance of good-sized trout. Flowing from Bud Lake, the river stretches for more than 40 miles to the town of South Branch, where it meets the North Branch of the Raritan. Almost year round, the cool, adequate flows from Bud Lake help provide an outstanding holdover population of rainbow and brown trout.

The headwaters of the South Branch, from Bud Lake down to Long Valley, are moderate iin size. This stretch of water averages 30- to 40-feet wide and has tight, overhanging

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Dates to Remember -Tuesday Jan 26: Chapter Meeting DAR House 7:00pm “Fly Fishing Techniques Discussion and Presentation”

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-Jan 29-31 The Fly Fishing Show, Sommerset, NJ -Tuesday Feb 23: Chapter Meeting DAR House 7:00pm “Hendrickson Hatch on the Delaware” Jose De Jesus

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-Saturday March 19. TU Spring Event 9:00am E Bath Rod and Gun “Fishing Kamchatka” with Lee Hartman

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-Tuesday March 22: Chapter Meeting DAR House 7:00pm Program TBA

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-Wednesday March 30: 2nd Annual Fly Fishing Film Fest Banko Ale House Cinema at Arts Quest

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-Saturday April 2: South East Opening Day Trout -Saturday April 16: General Opening Day PA Trout -Tuesday April 26: Chapter Meeting Illicks Mill Park on the Banks of there Monocacy “Bugs and Dogs”

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-Tuesday May 24: Chapter Meeting. Illicks Mill Park Parking Lot “Fishing the Sulphur Hatch”

trees, crashing pocket water, and beautiful deep pools that help provide shade and comfort for the trout here. You'll also find brook trout in this part of the river.

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The access up here is somewhat limited--just abide by the posted signs and you'll find some good areas to park and fish. From Long Valley to High Bridge, more of the river is open to the public, and there are miles of great fishing. This entire stretch, with tumbling pocket water and swift deep pools, is well stocked all the way to South Branch.

You'll find many large holdover fish, especially around the Ken Lockwood Gorge. This beautiful area, located in Califon, is a 2.5-mile stretch of Year R o u n d Tr o u t C o n s e r v a t i o n Regulations started in 2002.

There is also a Year Round Trout Conservation in Morris County.

The regulations here call for a one-fish limit exceeding 15 inches. Catch-and-release fishing is common and it keeps this section full of holdover trout in the 12- to 16-inch class.

The water below Ken Lockwood Gorge to High Bridge has an abundant population of trout, and quality water. The lower end of the river is below High Bridge, where the fishing remains good all the way to the town of South Branch. This area also is well stocked, and provides outstanding fishing, especially early in the season, until about late-June. This stretch of river has good pocket water, runs, and pools. You'll find a few areas posted, but access is still available for you to stop and wet a line. It's fairly easy to access the South Branch of the Raritan. There are a few major roads that either follow or cross its path. Route 46 crosses the river just south of Bud Lake, where the South Branch originates. And south of High Bridge, Route 78 crosses the river. From Long Valley to High Bridge, Route 513 follows the river, providing easy access. Many secondary roads follow the river as well, giving anglers easy paths to its banks. All along the way, keep your eyes open for non-posted land and parking areas.

For a New Jersey river, hatches on the South Branch of the Raritan are outstanding, and they offer great dry-fly fishing in its fabulous pools and pocket water. Hendricksons, Blue Quills, Cahills, Sulphurs, Isonycias, Blue-Winged Olives, and Little Yellow Stoneflies are a few of the hatches you'll find here. Evenings throughout the spring and summer can produce great dry-fly action. The best daytime fishing is done with nymphs throughout the pockets, and streamers in high-water conditions. You'll also notice an abundance of Terrestrials and Midges that can produce well too. The South Branch of the Raritan River offers anglers a great fishing experience. The waters throughout the river, including Ken Lockwood Gorge, are beautiful -and they're just 30 to 50 miles from New York City. The next time you're in the area, stop by and enjoy the fishing experience the South Branch of the Raritan offers--you'll be glad you did.

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Copyright © 1999-2006 The Flyfishing Connection, All Rights Reserved

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Hatch and Trout Behavior - The Connection Dr. Ted Burger

Important Information

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The Fly Fishing Film Festival

We all look forward to fishing the first Hatch of the season after a long winter but if you are going to do so and be successful you should be familiar with the interrelationship that exists between Hatch behavior and Trout behavior. Both are influenced by a host of variables the least of which is weather. Weather factors such as air and water temperature, humidity and light intensity are prime. As I pointed in a previous article, I doubt barometric pressure has any part to play in trout behavior.

Thanks to the work of Dr. Ed Hart and Chapter President, Erik Broesicke, our chapter will again be sponsoring the Fly Fishing Film Festival. For the second year, the festival will be p r e s e n t e d a t t h e Banko Ale House Cinema at the Arts Quest building on Bethlehem’s South Side. As was last year there will be 8 fly fishing short films. New this year will be the addition of several fly tiers as well as a raffle featuring 3 guide trips.

Last year’s Festival was unexpectedly sold out.

We expect the same this year.

Tickets will go on sale through Arts Quest in February.

(Date to be announced), so get your tickets early to guarantee your admission.

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Weather: We can not change it but we have learned that hatches (particularly Mayflies) occure at “the most pleasant time of the day” for the season. e.g. In the Spring and Fall, most Hatches occur in the afternoon when the air is warmed to its highest point. (BWO or small Baetis) e.g. In Mid Summer, most Hatch activity occurs in the morning or in the evening, not during the heat of the day. (Trico and Sulphurs) All this is based on the insect’s need for moisture to allow it to progress through its life cycle. They like moderate air temperatures and high humidity.

“The most pleasant time of the day” rule isn’t precise because it depends upon chiefly water temperature and light levels. Water temperature is the chief influence on insect maturation. Fortunately for us a Trout’s rate of metabolism and feeding increases to coincide with insect activity. The following is a rough guide to Metabolic Temperature Ranges, Trout Activity and Water Temperatures.

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The Spring Event

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The Trout Unlimited Chapters of the Lehigh Valley will be sponsoring the 14th Annual Spring Event on Saturday March 19 at the East Bath Rod and Gun Club.

Doors open at 9:00 am. This y e a r ’s s p e a k e r w i l l b e Delaware River Guide and Author, Lee Hartman. His program will be on fishing Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia.

Expect a great program as well as an outstanding Raffle!

MR

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➢ 32 – 45 degrees ~ Trout’s metabolism is in a state of suspended animation oxygen content can be as high as 30 PPM. ➢ 50 degrees or slightly higher ~ Trout’s metabolism and feeding activity increases. ➢ 55 – 65 degrees ~ Trout’s metabolism is in high gear and fortunately for the trout and us so is their food sources. ➢ 68 – 75 degrees ~ can spell trouble depending on the species of the trout, how active he is or the turbulence of the water.

If the temperatures are right, both trout and aquatic insects tend to be more active in low light. Trout do see better and are afforded protection from predators in low light conditions. For the hatch it’s onset is usually later but lasts longer with a steady number of insects on cloudy and cool days as in the case of the BWO or small Baetis. On warm and bright days, the hatch is usually earlier, shorter in duration but more intense again as with the Trico.

Then there is rain and snow. These two (2) are our friends – Why? They come on overcast days. Rain hitting the water surface oxygenates and cools the water. As you know, the best hatch and fishing activity is not during the precipitation but immediately after when there is higher humidity for the hatch.

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Hatch and Trout Behavior - The Connection (Cont.)

Hatch: Let us take a look at the hatch itself, which for simplicity I like to break down into Zones of activity.

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Zone 1 - The Nymph and Pupal Zone near the bottom.

Zone 2 - The Nymph and Pupae at the underside of the surface film.

Zone 3 - Insects in the foam.

You may well think I left out a Zone (Surface) but I’ll explain later. Here it is well to know a little entomology because it allows one to know WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and HOW. It gives you the ability to predict or anticipate trout feeding patterns. Check the Hatch Chart for the Monocacy.

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Zone 1 - Well before any surface activity is noted, nymphs and pupae are drifting momentarily with the bottom currents and trout sometimes feed for hours. If you have caught, sacrificed and checked the stomachs of trout before a surface hatch you know what I mean, their stomachs are usually full of insects.

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Zone 2 - Here you have both nymphs and pupae hesitate, pushing against the surface film. It takes a great deal of effort on the part of an insect to break through the surface film. Ken Thompson, aquatic biologist, “likens it in human terms to the energy needed by a full-grown person to escape if he were covered with three feet of dirt.” When they do break through, they are half in and half out. So now you have two layers of insects, one pushing up and one half in and out of the film. As you can imagine, this creates a tremendous supply of insects at or in the surface film. This stage triggers the visible feeding and this is where most Fly-Fishermen screw up! They fail to recognize the trout are taking nymphs or pupae under or in the film and tie on a Dry Fly. According to the late Gary La Fontaine, trout feed in several different ways during this period of emergence. In the case of Caddis pupae, “a trout can hold on the bottom and when it spots an ascending pupa it can follow the insect (seldom trying to grab it while it is swimming) and suck the pupa in as the insect begins struggling to shed the shuck; or a trout can hold at the bottom and watch for emergents already in the surface film and rise for the pupae as the insects pass over; or a trout can hold just under the surface and sip emergents drifting toward it. Which feeding mechanism a trout uses is determined by the quickness of the insect and the speed of the current. A trout only feeds the third way, holding under the surface, in gentler flows. It feeds in either the first or second way in faster currents.”

When trout feeds in the third way (in gentler flows) you may well see two (2) separately distinct rise forms.

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Headless Rise - See the trout’s back, dorsal fin and tail ~ beginning of the hatch ~ bulk of the insects is either nymphs or pupae just under the film.

Head to Tail Rise -See trout’s head, back, dorsal fin and tail ~ more insects are emergers but are in the film.

Zone 3 – This zone is under the foam after the Hatch. Trout are taking cripples and drowned insects. They join in the foam and collect in the backwaters or eddies of the stream but are in high numbers in the foam line as well. You will see snouts or backs or bulging in the foam, leaving a momentary spot of clear water in the foam. After the Hatch, many fly-fishermen pack it in but I can tell you this can be some of the best fishing of the day because of the shear number of insects and feeding trout.

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If you noticed, I did not mention a Surface Zone and it is for a reason. Where do trout take the majority of their food? ~ Subsurface. Some authorities quote percentages as high as 85 – 95 %. I’m not a big fan of percentages but I’m darn sure the majority of their food is taken below or in the surface film. I am not a gambling man, I don’t play the lottery and it is because I don’t like the odds. It is for this same reason I prefer to fish under the Hatch. If you like the odds and decide to tie on a Dry Fly at the start of a Hatch, only do so when you can see the Adult Insect disappear in the rise or can see the tell tail Bubbles in the ring of the rise. Maybe!! I think you should start thinking about what is taking place under the hatch and start fishing Under the Hatch.

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This is the first in a series of 7 articles written by Dr. Burger. I would like to thank Dr. Burger for the articles he has made available to me for publication in our news letter. More of his informative articles to come in future editions.

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Stream Lines Chapter Programs - By Bob Signorello

The Monocacy Chapter of Trout Unlimited #419

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The Monocacy Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets the fourth Tuesday of the month from September through June with the exception of December.

Chapter meetings are held at the DAR House located at 717 Eighth Ave. Bethlehem, PA 18017.

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Information about the chapter can be found on our web site located at http://www.monocacytu.org Information about Trout Unlimited National can be found at their web site at:

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www.tu.org/intro.

Membership information can be obtained from either of the above mentioned web sites or at a monthly chapter meeting.

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*You receive this publication as a benefit of membership in the Monocacy Chapter of Trout Unlimited. This newsletter is published three times a year, Winter, Spring, and Summer/Fall. You will receive the newsletter via email

As we approach 2016, our Chapters’ program plans are to take advantage of what types of topics you’ve told us you prefer, and, to continue to leverage joint TU chapter events in order to maximize our efforts to produce good programs for all.

In 2015, we “broke out” on some very new things, which we’ll continue thru the remainder of this year. In regards to our larger joint programs, both the Fly Fishing Film Festival (by the way, sold out last year) and our annual Spring Event were “over-the top” successful last March. They will be repeated in 2016 with the upcoming Spring Event on March 19th, followed by the FF Film Fest on March 30th. They’ll be lots of communications you’ll receive as we get closer to those respectful dates. As you know, the Film Fest was sponsored by our Monocacy Chapter and has become our “landmark” event for attraction and as a financial income. The other major joint program is our LVTU Fall Fly Fishing Venue, which we just completed in December, for our 2nd time. George Daniel was our featured speaker and we drew 50% more attendees (90 vs. 60 last year)! It’s a great time for camaraderie building, sharing fishing stories, and having a shot at some wonderful door prizes. We had a nice turnout from the public as well. We also had our first informal “holiday gathering” at a local restaurant with a nice attendance from both our own members as well as some friends from our fellow chapters. Mike Recine, VP, did a nice job hosting us.

So, what’s in store for our local chapter in the winter/spring of 2016. Our chapter programs will include a “FF Techniques” night in January to focus on a “how-to” kind of session you asked for; a local destination presentation on the “Hendrickson Hatch on the Delaware” by member Jose DeJesus in February, and, a 2nd round of our “Bugs & Dogs” outing at Monocacy Park in April. The latter was fun last year on our first try with good food, a beautiful evening next to our favorite creek, and, we did some bug seining in the creek with our kids that showed up.

We’re hoping to expand upon that event this year. Of course, we’ll end the year on our regular “Fish the Evening Hatch” on the creek in May. Conservation wise, we’ll still do our Stream Cleanup weekend around the nationally recognized Earth Day. In closing, our program thrust continues to focus on Conservation (we had a good night with Paula Piatt in October), Local Destination presentations, and Fishing How-to discussions. And, of course, you can expand your own personal program horizon by just clicking on our joint calendar (on our website) and attend the other local chapters’ program on another evening, if you’re getting cabin fever.

On that note, remember that the Hockendauqua & Forks of the Delaware chapters offer Fly Tying workshops (all levels of experience) starting in January. We also continue to seek volunteers from all chapters for major events, such as Project Healing Waters (PHW), Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW), Youth Days (especially Scouting), etc., that you’ll be notified about as spring time rolls around.

Should you have any questions, feel free to email our Monocacy Program Coordinator, who is Bob Signorello at BobSig52@aol.com.

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Fly Tying Storage Solutions - by Mike Recine Many may say that I’m a little nuts when it comes to my fly fishing and fly tying passion. I tend to overdue it a bit to say the least. Thirty rods and reels, numerous books, more flies and fly boxes than I will ever need, and of course an overabundance of fly tying materials. Folks need to remember, however, that I have accumulated these things over a 50 year period, and I don’t throw anything out (still have the remnants of my first dun neck).

Neck, Skin, Feather, etc. Storage: In order to keep and protect my treasures, especially my fly tying materials, I needed to develop a storage system that both protected and organized everything. Bug free storage was first on my list of priorities, especially for my necks. After starting with free cigar boxes, I moved to the plastic boxes and finally to the “locking” plastic storage boxes. I found that the Sterlite brand offered everything I needed, and they fit perfectly on my shelving, they are available in a variety of sizes and styles and are easily obtained at most big box stores or on line. Other materials are also stored in these boxes and are separated by type such as quills, skins, feathers, etc.

Dubbing Storage: For dubbing I came across a craft storage box a Walmart that consisted of a 4”x6” clear plastic box filled with 24 individual “Tic Tac” type boxes for under $5.00. In the past I have also used old prescription pill bottles and plastic coin storage tubes. Baseball card collector plastic slip sheets are also great for dubbing. The filled sheets can be placed in a loose leaf binder for easy storage. This type of system is also good for a travel kit, by placing small amounts of a variety of tying materials in a few of the slip cases and again stored in a binder.

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Hooks and Bead Storage:

can be configured to fit your space.

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Hooks and beads are expensive and need a strong storage system that keep them separated and locked in. Dropping a box with 10 or 15 containers of 100-200 beads in each could provide for a challenging evening of collecting and resorting. While shopping with my wife in one of the craft stores I came across a a 12”x14” lock top box containing 78 1” x 2” lockable storage boxes. I use these for both my beads and hooks. For easy access at the bench, I came across a plastic stackable, 1”x 2” interlocking drawer system at the fly fishing show. It fits perfectly on the desk and

Thread, Wire, other Spooled Material Storage:

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As far as threads, wires, and other spooled materials, I use the plastic compartmented lure storage boxes purchased at Cabella’s or from any other fishing store. I am also a fan of the stepped dowel spool holder that can be purchased from most fly tying supply shops.

Labeling: Finally, I have this need to label everything.

My best organizational friend has become my Brother P-Touch label maker.

Labels come in 2 sizes and a variety of colors. I label hooks with a color coding system for easy access with wet fly hooks one color and dry fly hooks another. Since all of my materials are stored in the same Sterlite containers, I can easily locate any of my necks or materials by just reading the large label on the container. Take Take advantage of the winter months to organize your tying stations for easy identification and safe storage of all your tying materials. Happy Tying!!