Sam Sandus checked in last night and gave me the update on what Hacklebarney has been up to this summer.  While we take a break from our official meetings, we dont rest when it comes to doing good for the environment and others.  So in Sam's words...

"It’s Mid Summer and our Chapter members have been active even though we don’t have our Chapter meetngs until September. In summary:

Erich trying out his luck for warm water species.

Erich trying out his luck for warm water species.

  1. Our Youth member Erich Frie attended the TU Teen Summit in Montana. He will speak about his experiences at the September meeting.
  2. Hacklebarney Board Members planted 50 Trees on the Paulinskill River with The Nature Conservancy:  Trees were purchased with our TU Embrace A Stream Grant from National TU.
  3. Some Members went to the Farmington River fishing trip. A few nice fish were caught, despite challenging conditions, finicky trout and the poor casting everyone has come to expect from John Eng and Mike Sankowich.  (oops, did I say that?)
  4. Members joined Project Healing Waters and helped VA Hospital Vets fish the Musky Private water and the Pequest Hatchery pond. The Vets caught fish and were happy. Many have improved their fishing skills. The VA has bus trips a few times a year and hosts fly tying monthly at the Lyons VA Hospital.
  5. Trout In the Classroom Teacher School Ann Owens, from Chatham Day School, was presented with a framed Appreciation Award Certificate from Hacklebarney Chapter Board for the great work she and her classes did. She now is working with Rockland County, NY Parks and Rec, the Trust for Public Land and will head up Rockland County’s first Environmental Center in Nyack Beach.
Mike fishing th Farmington.

Mike fishing th Farmington.

So Enjoy your Summer and See you at our September Chapter Meeting!"

Capt Anthony Grassi-Tonight!

Captain Grassi is a Charter Captain with Fin Chaser Charters with over 30 years experience. Fin Chaser is a first class operation and is also known as the "Charter to the Stars". Specializing in Fly-fishing & Light Tackle, opportunities range from back bay for Striped Bass, Blues, & Weakfish to offshore fishing in the canyons for Tuna, Marlin, & Sharks. Since expanding to the "Jersey Shore", Fin Chaser is the only saltwater, Orvis Endorsed, operation in all of New Jersey. Clients include well known celebrities like Wade Boggs, Author & IGFA Vice Chairman-Robert Rich, Jr., Actors Ed Burns and Ethan Hawke, the late Clarence Clemons, and "Top Chef" Tom Colicchio.

Will we see you in Whippany?  Tonight at 7:30 baby.

a great night on the South Branch

I was able to steal away a few hours this past Saturday night to fish my favorite spot on the South Branch.  If you want to know my spot, tough.  Youll have to join me and Ill show you, but that stuff doesnt get printed for mass consumption.

I got to the river about 6:30pm, after making a pit stop on the side of the road to pick up a passenger in Tewksbury, a poor snapping turtle who was going to get his ass run over.  He seemed to think that the middle of the road was a good spot to sun himself.  So I threw him in the passenger seat and drove off to the river, where my new friend found his new home. Hopefully he'll remember my kindness and bite a spin fisherman like the guy that kept jumping in the river above me and spooking the risers, but thats another story.

I managed a tri-fecta which was great.  Catching a wild brookie is always a wonderful thing.  It reminds you how clean the river really is.  The brookie fell to a spinner.  Then came a nice wild bow on a sulpher comparadun and last, a brown, again on a rusty spinner.  

I need to tie some high vis spinners, as I was having trouble seeing things towards the end.

Quite a few fish were lost along the way for whatever reason.  I must have horsed them.

At dark, there was a spinner fall of what looked like olives.  They were coming off big time.

The river just came alive.  It was literally like there was a popcorn maker working, as the fish were just exploding on the surface.  It was a real treat for the senses.

You just dont think that there could be that many fish in such a short stretch.

Hopefully I can get permission to try again this coming weekend.  What fun!  Thats the way to spend a summer night!