September Fly of the Month- Muddler Minnow

Muddler Minnow

Ask most anglers this infamous question: “If you could have only one fly to use to catch fish anywhere, anytime and under any conditions, which fly would you choose?” Many will come up with the same answer: the Muddler Minnow. Whether used in warm or cold, fresh or saltwater; no matter if you are out to catch trout, salmon, steelhead, bass, panfish, bonefish and any other species – you name it – the Muddler will catch them all.

This is a pattern that is deadly all over the world for many species of game fish. This gold-bodied version is a favorite in clear water and is the original version. Not as well known as a steelhead fly, it is never-the-less very productive.

Tie up six of any variation, and bring them to the September chapter meeting. There will be two raffles.

September 12th Chapter Meeting with Stephen Sautner

Stephen Sautner has been writing about fishing for four decades. For 15 years, he was a frequent contributor to The New York Times "Outdoors" column. He continues to write for The Drake, FlyFish Journal, Hatch Magazine, Angler's Journal and other publications. He is the author of three books, including "A Cast in the Woods" about a fishing cabin he bought in the Catskill Mountains. He lives in Scotch Plains and can sometimes be found prowling around local wild trout streams. 

Come to the April chapter meeting on Thursday, September 12th at the Whippany American Legion Hall at 7:30pm.

Veterans at the Pequest Trout Hatchery

Our Veterans and First Responders Coordinator, Stu Zlotnik has been hitting it out of the park. This year he organized several joint events with Heroes on the Water. The big event at the Pequest Trout Hatchery Education Pond on June 6th was a huge success. Three buses delivered 30 disabled veterans from two New Jersey VA Hospitals right to the pond. There were 25 volunteers who set up food tables and fishing tackle, baited hooks, and did whatever was necessary for the veterans to catch fish. I have never seen so many happy faces from the veterans who caught as many as 15 trout each. Thanks to Stu and Donna Zlotnik, John and Mary Pat Ledyard, and all the members who helped!

HTU-RHA Dam Removal Team

Hacklebarney TU (HTU) and Raritan Headwaters Association (RHA) volunteers have teamed up to collect data to removal Coles Mill, Weiss and Nunn’s Mill dams on the South Branch of the Raritan. The team has been trained and are supervised by RHA water and restoration scientists. The joint dam team collects macroinvertebrate kick-net sampling,  chemical via In Situ monitor and lab, bacteria samplings and temperature data via Hobo loggers and does visual habitat assessments. This is a multi year project which will open up over 20 miles of unimpeded stream on the South Branch of Raritan River. The joint team has joined the ranks of citizen scientists to protection and improve the Raritan River watershed.

Hacklebarney volunteers:  Dan Flannery, William Hillsinger, Henry Bayard, Emily Thornton (not in photo).

Raritan volunteers: Jackie Perrinello, Cynthia Carmen, Robert Lucas, Wendy Utberg, Ray Croot (not in photo)

Benjamin Harris (not in photo)

Raritan Headwater Staff: Benjamin Harris (Watershed Scientist), Robert Lucas (Restoration Associate) , Kristi MacDonald, PhD (Director of Science)