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January 2009

NEW JERSEY

• Back by popular demand, the Central New Jersey Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be hosting a fishing flea market at the beginning of their January 13 general meeting. The market will start at 7 p.m., followed by the usual speaker presentation. Monthly meetings are typically held on the second Tuesday of the month at 8 p.m. at the Dunellen American Legion Hall. Fly-tying classes also begin in January, so for more information, visit www.cjtu.org.

• The New Jersey Beach Buggy Association is a statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of natural beach resources. Tournaments and events are held throughout the year, and our members participate in projects to help preserve and conserve the marine and coastal resources along our New Jersey Coast. For more information or to become a member, visit www.njbba.org.

• The first 2009 meeting for the Atlantic Saltwater Fly Rodders will be held January 13, featuring guest speaker Bob Popovics. ASWF general meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Tri-Boro First Aid Squad Building in Seaside Park, and fly-tying classes are held on the fourth Tuesdays of February, March, April and May. To become a member or for more information, visit www.aswf.info.

NEW YORK

• For all the weekend anglers out there, there really is a show for you! From January 29 – February 1, the Long Island Recreational Fishing Expo will be in full swing at Farmingdale State University, Roosevelt Hall, in Farmingdale. Come listen to angling seminars conducted by some of the best-known names in the Northeast, and satisfy all your angling needs by browsing the exhibitors and vendors. New this year is a separate room specifically for plug makers! For directions and to learn more, check out www.longislandfishingexpo.com.

• General meetings of the Bayside Anglers are held the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the Marie Currie Middle School in Bayside Queens. Meetings are free and open to the public, so if you are interested in attending one, contact the club by calling (347) 804-6525. The club sponsors events all year round for the children and families in the community, so stay updated by visiting www.baysideanglers.com.

• The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in Livingston Manor is a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to preserving America’s fly-fishing heritage, teaching future generations of fly-fishers, and protecting the fly-fishing environment. Throughout the year, the museum conducts educational programs in river ecology, angling history, streamcraft, aquatic entomology, and stream improvement. The museum is currently open seven days a week, with guest fly tyers on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, contact the museum at (845) 439-4810, email at flyfish@catskill.net, or visit www.cffcm.net.
• Trout in the Classroom is a conservation-oriented environmental education program for elementary, middle, and high school students. Through the school year, students raise trout from eggs to fry and then release them into approved cold-water streams and lakes. There are as many opportunities for volunteers as there are schools and teachers in your area, so if you’re interested in helping children understand the value of their water resources, visit www.troutintheclassroom.org.

• The Theodore Gordon Flyfishers is a nonprofit organization that organizes stream cleanups, river outings, projects and other activities throughout the year. For more information about this environmentally minded organization, please email info@tgf.org or visit www.tgf.org.

• The Montauk Surfcasters Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting conservation and protecting the rights of beach access and fishing rights. To become a member or for more information, visit www.surfcasters.org or email msa@surfcasters.org.

CONNECTICUT

• Spring really is just around the corner, so visit the 40th Annual CMTA Hartford Boat & Fishing Show, held January 22 – 25 at the Connecticut Convention Center, to see the latest in boats, fishing gear, appliances, seminars, exhibitions and everything else you need to make the upcoming season unforgettable. This is the perfect time to buy or upgrade a boat and make 2009 seem like a vacation all summer long! For more information, visit www.hartfordboatshow.com

• Since 1952, the Hartford Surf Fishing Club has worked to promote and preserve the fine tradition of saltwater and freshwater fishing in Connecticut’s coastal areas. This month’s meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 7, at 7 p.m. at the Rockville Fish and Game Club in Tolland. Meetings are open to the public, so go check one out! For more information, visit www.hartfordsurf.org.

• The monthly meeting of the Connecticut Surfcasters Association will convene at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, at the Madison Surf Club in Madison. Meetings consist of a review and discussion of club business followed by a raffle and then the guest speaker for the evening. For more information, visit www.connecticutsurfcasters.com.
• The Housatonic Fly Fishermen’s Association’s first monthly meeting of the year will convene on January 8, so head to the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wallingford at 7 p.m. to hear a special presentation by Bob Orciari from the CTDEP. For more information, visit www.hffa.net.

• The Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited holds its general meetings on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Fayerweather Yacht club in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. Meetings are open to the public and include pizza, a raffle and a paid speaker. All are encouraged to attend, so for more information or directions, go to www.nutmegtu.org.

• Trout Unlimited’s Hammonasset Chapter holds its monthly meetings on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Wallingford Rod and Gun Club in Wallingford. TU’s mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Visit their website at www.hammonassettu.com or call (203) 269-9444 for more details.

• Meetings of the Candlewood Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited are held at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Miry Brook Firehouse in Danbury. Get there early to take advantage of the fly-tying demonstrations. Meetings are open to all, and offer a great opportunity to talk about important issues in wildlife conservation. For information on membership, visit www.cvtu.org.

• The Connecticut Fly Fisherman’s Association’s monthly meeting will convene on Wednesday, January 14, at the Veterans Memorial Clubhouse in East Hartford. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. with fly-tying and a tackle swap, announcements and refreshments. To find out more about the CFFA, call (860) 747-3324 or visit www.ctflyfish.org.

• The Connecticut/Rhode Island Coastal Fly Fishers are comprised of fly-fishermen throughout the Northeast who are interested in all aspects of fly-fishing, including government regulations and conservation efforts. The first meeting of 2009 will be held on January 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the Groton Elks Club. For more information about the club, visit www.connri-saltfly.com.

RHODE ISLAND

• On January 4, 2009, break free of the winter blues as the East Bay Anglers host the 24th Fishing and Marine Expo at Barrington High School. Come listen to local legends Mike Laptew and “Crazy” Alberto Knie illuminate the world-class saltwater fishing in southern New England, and take the time to browse the massive fishermam’s flea market, fishing art and photography, all in celebration of saltwater angling in the Northeast. The event benefits Save The Bay, so buy your tickets early at rifishshow.com.

• The 16th Annual Providence Boat Show will run from January 29 to February 1 at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Come see what’s new in powerboats and sailboats, a display of dealer pre-owned and boat specials, and a special expanded Fishing Section of fresh and saltwater boats and gear. Tie this all in with canoes, kayaks and inflatables, plus booths filled with equipment, seminars and giveaways, and you have the perfect show for boaters to live their dreams! Adult tickets at the door are $10, and children 12 and under are free with an adult. For more information, call (401) 846-1115 or go to www.providenceboatshow.com.

• This winter, the public is welcomed to attend The West Bay Anglers’ 10th Annual Lobster Raffle every Saturday at 1 p.m. The raffle supports the R.I Take A Kid Fishing charity as well as The Impossible Dream, and various prizes in addition to some huge lobsters are offered in the raffle. There will be no raffle on January 3. The club also holds yearlong tournaments and events in support or various charities, so visit www.westbayanglers.org for more information.

• Kick off 2009 at the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association’s monthly seminar on January 26. The seminar will convene at 7 p.m. at the West Valley Inn in West Warwick, and Don Smith and Peter Vican will be discussing Block Island Striped Bass. Visit www.risaa.org for more information.

• Monthly meetings of the United Fly Tyers of Rhode Island are held at 6:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month, from September through May, at the Impossible Dream Building in Warwick. Fly-tying begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the club auction. From October through March, John O’Meara also runs a monthly fly-tying program for juniors. For membership and more information, visit UFTRI.org.

• The Weekapaug Surfcasters Club holds monthly meetings on the first Sunday of the month at the Quonochontaug Grange Hall on Route 1. Their mission is to be a strong voice for surf fishing, to promote conservation, and to secure access to coastal fishing. For more information, contact Richard LaFaille at rlafaille@cox.net.

• The January 2009 monthly meeting of the Rhode Island Mobile Sportfishermen will be held on Sunday, January 11, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the clubhouse. RIMS is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of our coastal resources, and today the organization continues its stance on public beach access, preservation and conservation, and the protection of our fisheries. For more information, please visit www.rimobilesportfishermen.org.

MASSACHUSETTS

• Get your fly-fishing gear in top condition for spring by visiting the Marlboro Fly-Fishing Expo, January 16-18 at the Royal Plaza in Marlborough. Hone your technique by attending one of the many programs and seminars, pick up some tips from the attending celebrities, authors and fly-tyers, and spend a chilly winter afternoon browsing the huge variety of exhibits and booths. For hours, admission prices, directions and more, visit www.flyfishingshow.com.

On Saturday, January 24, the Nashua Public Library will be hosting a Let’s Go Fishing: Introduction to Fly-Tying program. This workshop will introduce you to the tools, materials, threads, and hooks required for fly-tying, then moves on to a hands-on session that teaches you to tie nymph, wet, streamer, and dry flies. Tools and materials will be provided, but participants may bring their own if they have them. Class size limited and preregistration required, so visit www.nashualibrary.org for more information.

• Starting in January 2009, the Hyannis Anglers Club will be hosting a four-part seminar series on fishing the world-class waters of Nantucket Sound. Learn from the experts as they teach you everything you need to know to cast for success in your local waters. Seminars are held 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on January 14, February 11, March 11 and April 15. Cost is free for HAC members and $15 for non-members. If you’re interested in attending or becoming a member, visit www.hyannisanglersclub.com.

• Monthly meetings of the Plum Island Surfcasters convene at 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month at the Newbury Fire Hall. Visit www.plumislandsurfcasters.org to learn more.

• Please note that on January 28, the Massachusetts Striped Bass Association will be celebrating its 700th meeting at 7 p.m. at the Viking Club in Braintree. On hand will be special guests, past presidents, and lots of MSBA lore about fishing for the past 700 meetings, basically amounting in an oral history of striped bass fishing in Massachusetts since 1950! There will be some fun raffle prizes as well, so visit www.msba.net for details.

• Get a group together to fish the “hard water” in January or chase away the “Winter Blues” by learning from professionals and experts at the Buzzards Bay Anglers Club’s monthly seminars. Meetings are held throughout the winter at 7 p.m. at The Mattapoisett Chowder House on the second Thursday of the month. For information on the tournament or the club, visit their website at www.buzzardsbayanglersclub.com.

• The Massachusetts Beach Buggy Association’s monthly meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Lion’s Club in Lakeville. The MBBA is a family-oriented group comprised of men, women and children who are concerned with beach conservation and access. The public is welcome to attend all meetings. For more information about this conservation-minded club, call (774) 836-6376.

• The New England Fly Tyers meet every Monday night from the Monday after Labor Day to the Monday before Memorial Day. Club meetings begin at 7 p.m. at the Eight Point Sportsmen’s Club in Sterling and feature fly-tying demonstrations and a raffle. For more information, email newenglandflytyers@yahoo.com, call (508) 944-8738, or visit www.newenglandflytyers.org.

• Meetings of the Falmouth Fishermen’s Association are generally held at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of each month, are open to the public, and frequently involve a speaker and a tackle swap. The meetings convene at the St. Anthony’s Club in Falmouth. For more information, call (508) 328-1737.

• Meetings of the United Fly Tyers are typically held on the first Thursday of each month, September through May, at the Holiday Inn Select in Woburn. On January 8, come for an hour of fly-tying instruction followed by guest speaker Fred Kretchman, who will be discussing “Bamboo Rods and Appraisals.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and free fly-tying instruction begins at 7 p.m. United Fly Tyers is the oldest continuously active fly-tying organization in the United States. Stay updated by visiting www.unitedflytyers.org or calling (617) 680-6456.
• Trout Unlimited, SE Mass Chapter 241 meets the second Tuesday of the month at the Mitchell Memorial Club in Middleboro. Doors open at 6 p.m. for fly-tying; the general meeting starts at 7:30 pm. Two restoration projects include Red Brook, Buzzards Bay Ma and Eel River Plymouth. For information, visit www.southeastmasstu.com.

• In place of its monthly meeting, the Cape Cod Salties Winter Banquet will be held at Ardeo’s Grill in Yarmouthport at 5 p.m.  Attendees will have the opportunity to view the club’s buck raffles and silent auction items before sitting down to dinner. The Salties generally meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Yarmouth Senior Center on Forest Road in West Yarmouth. The workshops are designed to be skill-building sessions that deliver the down-and-dirty, how-to-do-it topics that skillful fishermen need to know. Stay updated by calling (508) 759-2348 or visiting www.capecodsalties.com.

• The Cape Cod Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets on the second Wednesday of each month (Sept through May) at Liberty Hall in Marstons Mills. Meetings start at 7 p.m. and last until about 9 p.m. The chapter also holds Quashnet River Workdays on the third Sunday of every month and Red Brook Workdays on the first Saturday of every month. For more information on the Quashnet, call Fran Smith at (508) 548-2554. For more information on Red Brook, call Warren Winders at (781) 878-1074. Visit www.capecodtu.org for more information.

• From January 25 through 27, the Massachusetts’ Becoming an Outdoorswoman at weekend workshop will be held at Chimney Pond Camp in Becket. This workshop offers a wide range of programs including ice-fishing and identifying animal tracks and signs. Registration for this event is being handled by the YMCA, so give them a call at (413) 623-8991 to register early.
• The New England Saltwater Fly Rodders are currently working on their 2009 schedule. Meetings are generally held the second Tuesday of the month at the Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill at 6:30 p.m. Check for meeting and event updates at www.neflyrodders.org.

• Nothing’s on schedule this month for the Nantucket Anglers’ Club, so stay updated by visiting www.nantucketanglersclub.com or emailing nantucket.angler2@verizon.net.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

• What off-season? This winter, Dover Marine will be hosting a series of free fishing seminars every Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m., starting January 7. At the seminars, local experts will be on hand to cover a different topic each week, including ice-fishing, fly-tying, trout fishing and knot tying. Anglers from beginner to pro will find something valuable to learn, so give them a call at (603) 742-5453 for more information and to learn the topic of the week.

• The winter Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (B.O.W.) workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2009 (snow date February 22), at Fish and Game’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness. Registration opens January 5 and runs through February 6, 2008. Sign up early, because this popular workshop fills up fast. Winter weekend workshops feature classes in ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and tracking, and winter outdoor survival, and “shoe and shoot.” Other specialty workshops at varying skill levels are offered from time to time, so visit www.nhbow.com to learn more.

• The Let’s Go Fishing classes, sponsored by New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, are a great way to learn how to fish or develop your fishing skills. Courses are free, and a typical course offers six hours of hands-on instruction by trained volunteers, plus a field trip. Check out www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fishing to find one in your area!

• Now is the time to sign up for a hunter education class. If you’re looking to purchase your first hunting license in New Hampshire, you are required to complete a hunter education course first. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department offers hunter, bowhunter and trapper education classes around the state. To find a class, visit www.HuntNH.com or call (603) 271-3214.

• All New Hampshire boaters of the age of 50 must have a safe boating education certificate in order to operate a powerboat, and the NH Department of Safety has scheduled boating safety courses for the upcoming months. There is a $10 nonrefundable fee per person for the class, and because of the limited seating, pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, call (888) 254-2125 or visit www.nh.gov/safety/ss/index.html.

VERMONT

• Enjoy fishing and outdoor activities? Fishing for Friends, a partnership with Lake Champlain International, encourages anglers to become mentors to children. Interested matches receive fishing equipment and can choose to drop a line in the water while they hang out and tell fish tales. For more information, visit www.lciderby.com or call (802) 879-3466.

• The Southwestern Vermont Chapter of Trout Unlimited holds regular chapter meetings each month. Check in at www.tuswvt.org to keep updated on meetings and activities and sign up to receive their e-newsletter, The Hatch.

• Meetings of the Lake Champlain Walleye Association are held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Champlain Water District Building in South Burlington unless otherwise noted. Meetings start at 6:30 p.m. and are open to the public. For more information, visit www.lcwalleye.org

• The Neshobe Sportsman Club meets on the second Monday of each month, and don’t forget the monthly dinners! A potluck supper begins at 6 p.m., followed at 7 p.m. by the meeting. The clubhouse is located at 97 Frog Hollow Road in Brandon. For more information or to become a member, visit www.neshobesportsmanclub.org.
• The American Museum of Fly Fishing in Manchester is currently featuring the acclaimed exhibit Ogden M. Pleissner: The Sporting Grand Tour. The segment focuses on Atlantic salmon fishing scenes from eastern Canada, and also highlights the legendary rivers and salmon camps of Quebec’s Gaspe Peninsula and the Maritime Provinces. Visit the museum’s website at www.amff.com for more information, or call (802) 362-3300.

• Trout Unlimited is a national organization devoted to conserving, restoring and protecting coldwater fisheries. The six Vermont TU Chapters work to help protect the state’s trout and salmon. Find out how you can get involved by visiting www.vermonttu.org or by calling TU headquarters at (703) 522-0200.

MAINE

• The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has adopted the “Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs” program as one of its youth educational tools. This is an ideal program to promote youth and family togetherness through fishing within the State of Maine. Free workshops to become a volunteer instructor are scheduled periodically throughout the state. Email emily.jones@maine.gov or visit www.state.me.us/ifw/education for more information.

• The Becoming and Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program is sponsored by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW), and seeks to provide introductory learning experiences in a variety of outdoor skills including hunting, fishing and general outdoor recreation. Beyond BOW Workshops are scheduled throughout the year in a range of exciting topics, so stay updated by visiting www.mainebow.com.

• The Sebago Lake Anglers Association brings together those interested in sport fishing in order to protect the Sebago Lake region’s watershed. The group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Naples Town Hall. Contact the club at president@sebagolakeanglers.org or visit www.sebagolakeanglers.org.

• If you like to fish and are interested in the health of saltwater fisheries, locally, regionally and nationally, consider joining the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). CCA Maine is seeking to expand its work for the conservation and enhancement of Maine’s coastal marine resources and organize new local chapters in the state. This is a great time to get involved! Visit www.cca-me.org for more information.

Inclusion of notices in On The Water's Coming Events column is encouraged and welcomed, free of charge to all not-for-profit fishing and/or boating organizations, other outdoor groups, and state-sponsored tournaments or activities that encourage participation in fishing and/or boating. We need two month's lead time to ensure publication, and notices should include where and when the event will take place, make clear the organizers or sponsors, list costs to participate in the event (if any), and include contacts for further information.
    Notices of events sponsored by for-profit advertisers in On The Water, designed as profit-generating vehicles, are also welcomed if they are offered to the public free of charge. Some typical events that may be included are workshops, classes, seminars, lessons or special events that include guest celebrities. To have your event included in the Coming Events column.

Contact Jenny Tribble via e-mail: Jennifer@onthewater.com