June 12th Chapter Meeting with Benjamin Harris

Benjamin Harris is the Watershed Scientist at Raritan Headwaters Association, where he manages the organization’s surface water monitoring programs to support watershed protection and restoration efforts. He holds a master’s degree in environmental education from the Center for Environmental Policy at Bard College and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bard College. Before coming to RHA, Benjamin worked with several environmental research and education groups along the East Coast, where his work included water quality monitoring, research on algae population dynamics, and lake management. 

Join us for an in-depth look at Raritan Headwaters Association’s annual stream monitoring program, which plays a vital role in assessing the health of our local waterways. We'll explore how RHA and community volunteers collect and analyze macroinvertebrate samples, conduct habitat assessments, and monitor water quality throughout the Raritan Headwaters region. The talk will also introduce an exciting new initiative in collaboration with Hacklebarney Trout Unlimited to monitor and support the recovery of American eel populations—an important but often overlooked species in our aquatic ecosystems.

The meeting is 7:30pm at the Whippany American Legion Hall. If you can’t get there you can attend the ZOOM Meeting. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89443648196?pwd=6daV4hP7erfRWb0bgSDIZDTbqobH8N.1

June Fly of the Month- Isonychia

Isonychia, also known as Slate Drakes, are a significant mayfly hatch, particularly in the East, including New Jersey.The upper Delaware has great Iso hatches. Isonychia begin to hatch in late May or early June (sometimes with concentrated hatching activity) on the West Branch, then continue sporadically through late October. The upper East Branch (a smaller tailwater) activity is similar.

The lower East Branch (and the Beaverkill) usually warm up in mid-June, but the Iso hatches come on strong in late September through October, when water temperatures fall into the 50s. The main stem of the Delaware, especially the upper 10-mile section that benefits from the West Branch's large coldwater releases, has periodic hatches throughout the summer and the fall.

Tie up six nymphs, emergers, or duns and bring them to the June chapter meeting. There will be two raffles.


May 8th Chapter Meeting with George Hamilton




Dr. Hamilton received his Ph.D. in Entomology in 1985 from Rutgers University and immediately joined the Rutgers faculty as an extension specialist in pest management to coordinate New Jersey's Pesticide Applicator Training and Pesticide Impact Assessment Programs.  In 1998, Dr. Hamilton became the statewide IPM coordinator for New Jersey and was involved in reorganizing that program.  During his thirty-plus-year career, Dr. Hamilton has authored over 200 extension and research publications, taught several courses including aquatic entomology and entomology for anglers, and served as chair of the Department of Entomology at Rutgers for 15 years.

Come to the chapter meeting 7:30pm Thursday, May 8th at the Whippany American Legion Hall. George Hamilton will be speaking about “Plants and Hatches: Using Nature’s Calendar to Predict Insect Emergence"
Just like insects, plants develop in response to temperature. By observing the seasonal progression of flowering plants, we can estimate when specific aquatic insects will emerge from New Jersey streams. This presentation will explore how common native blooms can serve as natural indicators for timing major hatches—helping anglers align their approach with the rhythms of the natural world.

If you can’t get there you can join a Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89443648196?pwd=6daV4hP7erfRWb0bgSDIZDTbqobH8N.1

Fly of the Month is the X Caddis. The X Caddis fly pattern was created in the 1980s by Craig Mathews and John Juracek of Blue Ribbon Flies in West Yellowstone, Montana. It's a dry fly designed to imitate caddisflies that are emerging and struggling to shed their pupal shuck. The fly is known for its effectiveness, especially in mimicking the "crippled" or "impairment" of an emerging caddisfly. Tie up six and bring them to the May chapter meeting. There will be two raffles.

April 10th Chapter Meeting with Matt Grobert

Matthew Grobert is a lifelong resident of New Jersey.  He has traveled the country extensively in search of trout and a better understanding of the rivers and their insects.  He previously wrote the weekly NJ fly fishing column for the Star Ledger, "Beginners Corner" for the Northeastern Fly Fishing Guide, and has appeared in Fly Fisherman Magazine.  Matt also authored the book Fly Fishing New Jersey Trout Streams.  He is an expert fly tier and has been teaching all disciplines of fly-fishing for more than 30 years.

Come to the Chapter Meeting, Thursday, April 10th 7:30pm at The Whippany American Legion Hall. Matt will do a presentation on Presentation - Leaders, approach and flies and reading rise forms, etc.

If you are unable to come you can join us on ZOOM

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89443648196?pwd=6daV4hP7erfRWb0bgSDIZDTbqobH8N.1

Meeting ID: 894 4364 8196

Passcode: 802967

Dial in:

 +1 646 931 3860 US

APRIL FLY OF THE MONTH - Tie up six of your favorite fly(s) and bring them to the meeting. There will be two raffles.