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| 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving southeast New Hampshire |
Events and Calendar
Monthly Meetings
Time: Meetings start at 6pm and typically last till 8pm. However, with our new meeting location, many members show up at 5pm, grab a bite to eat, drink an adult beverage, tie some flies, and talk tall tales of their fishing adventures.
Facebook users, may click:
www.facebook.com/GreatBayTU/eventsMonthly Meetings
When: GBTU chapter meetings are held on the first Monday of every month, from October till April. All are welcome to attend and we encourage you to bring friends and family.
Time: Meetings start at 6pm and typically last till 8pm. However, with our new meeting location, many members show up at 5pm, grab a bite to eat, drink an adult beverage, tie some flies, and talk tall tales of their fishing adventures.
Where: Roundabout Diner. Rte 95 & Rte 1, on the Portsmouth Traffic Circle
http://www.roundaboutdiner.com/
Costs: All of our monthly meetings are open to the public (TU members and non-members), and there is no charge for attendance. However, in recognition of our efforts to host monthly meetings, and our continued efforts in the areas of local conservation-restoration-education, we kindly suggest making a cash donation (at each meeting we simply pass the hat). All cash donations are welcome, but typical donations range from $5-$10, per person. In advance, thank you for your continued support of Great Bay TU.
Costs: All of our monthly meetings are open to the public (TU members and non-members), and there is no charge for attendance. However, in recognition of our efforts to host monthly meetings, and our continued efforts in the areas of local conservation-restoration-education, we kindly suggest making a cash donation (at each meeting we simply pass the hat). All cash donations are welcome, but typical donations range from $5-$10, per person. In advance, thank you for your continued support of Great Bay TU.
Hungry and Thirsty... Join us for our
Pre-Meeting Dinner and Fly Tying
Past Speakers
Monday, October 6, 2014
Short Presentation- Speaker, Sally Soule, NH DES
Topic: “Residential Stormwater Management Strategies”
Sally Soule works for the NH Department of Environmental Services as the Coastal Watershed Supervisor for the Watershed Assistance Section. Sally provides assistance to municipalities, non-profit organizations, and other partners to develop, implement, and measure the success of watershed restoration and protection projects in the Coastal Watershed. Sally works on a variety of water quality projects including urban stormwater management and stream restoration, lake protection and restoration, dam removal, habitat improvement, and other related efforts. Sally has a strong personal interest in aquatic insects and enjoys spending time turning over rocks in rivers looking for large hellgrammites.
Feature Presentation- Speaker, Rick Little, Former TU President
Topic: "Bugs and Smelt - Favorite Flies and Streamside Musings”
Here is a link to my Bio page at MyFlies.com. http://www.myflies.com/Bio-Rick-Little.aspx
I think that gives a little background about me. You can also check out my website at www.shadcreekflies.com for other information. I was president of the Manchester TU chapter (now Merrimack River chapter) in the early 1980's and was also president of the Sunkhaze Stream Chapter of TU in Bangor Maine in the late 1970's. Both were wonderful experiences for me and I had the opportunity to meet and work with some great people in both organizations during those years. I am primarily a self taught fly fisherman and have spent many hours observing people on the rivers and incorporated many lessons into my approach. From a fly tying perspective- Professor Claude Westfall of the University of Maine was my first fly tying instructor and I still carry the lessons he emphasized with me today. Other tiers who have had a major impact on my approach to flies and fly tying are Eddie Rief of Bangor and Kenney Abrames of Rhode Island.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Short Presentation- Speaker, John Bunker, GBTU Member and UNH Assoc. Dean
Topic: Yellowstone River - Volunteering fly fishing
John’s experience includes over 25 years in the prevention and treatment of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug problems. He served on the Board of Directors of the New England Institute on Addictions Studies, the New Hampshire Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Commission, the State Incentive Grant Advisory Committee, and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Underage Drinking.
He currently serves on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation National Advisory Committee for the Local Initiative Funding Partners Program and Reclaiming Futures Program.
After serving as a VISTA Volunteer in Alabama and a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia, he received his Masters of Health Science and Doctor of Science, from The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.
John has worked in community-based alcohol and drug abuse service agencies, held faculty appointments at the University of Texas Medical Branch and George Mason University, and provided health care consultation to a variety of national and international clients. A native of New Hampshire, he returned to the Granite State in 1996 to serve as Vice President of Health Risk Management at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire.
John Bunker learned to fish with his father on the Suncook, Baker, and Swift rivers. For the past ten years he has joined his brother Paul – who works for Eagle Claw in Denver – to participated in the Yellowstone Park Foundation Volunteer Fly Fishing Program…http://www.ypf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=WHAT_wildlife_flyfishing
Volunteers for the Yellowstone program are provided lodging (dorm or campsite) and enjoy the opportunity to fly fish across the Park: Lamar, Yellowstone, Soda Butte, Firehole, Slough Creek, Trout Lake, and many other spectacular streams. John will briefly share images, info and stories about this wonderful program. John currently serves as the Director of External Relations, UNH College of Health and Human Services.
John’s experience includes over 25 years in the prevention and treatment of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug problems. He served on the Board of Directors of the New England Institute on Addictions Studies, the New Hampshire Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Commission, the State Incentive Grant Advisory Committee, and the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Underage Drinking.
He currently serves on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation National Advisory Committee for the Local Initiative Funding Partners Program and Reclaiming Futures Program.
After serving as a VISTA Volunteer in Alabama and a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia, he received his Masters of Health Science and Doctor of Science, from The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.
John has worked in community-based alcohol and drug abuse service agencies, held faculty appointments at the University of Texas Medical Branch and George Mason University, and provided health care consultation to a variety of national and international clients. A native of New Hampshire, he returned to the Granite State in 1996 to serve as Vice President of Health Risk Management at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Hampshire.
John Bunker learned to fish with his father on the Suncook, Baker, and Swift rivers. For the past ten years he has joined his brother Paul – who works for Eagle Claw in Denver – to participated in the Yellowstone Park Foundation Volunteer Fly Fishing Program…http://www.ypf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=WHAT_wildlife_flyfishing
Volunteers for the Yellowstone program are provided lodging (dorm or campsite) and enjoy the opportunity to fly fish across the Park: Lamar, Yellowstone, Soda Butte, Firehole, Slough Creek, Trout Lake, and many other spectacular streams. John will briefly share images, info and stories about this wonderful program. John currently serves as the Director of External Relations, UNH College of Health and Human Services.
Feature Presentation- Speaker, Jeff Barnum, Great Bay-Piscataqua Waterkeeper
Topic: Water quality and oyster restoration in the Piscataqua river.
Jeff Barnum is CLF’s Great Bay-Piscataqua Waterkeeper, working to address water quality issues throughout the Great Bay estuary. Jeff comes to the position with great knowledge of the estuary, having served as president of the Coastal Conservation Association of NH (CCA), where he focused on the health of New Hampshire’s estuarine ecosystems. As a recreational fisherman who has fished Great Bay and the Piscataqua River, Jeff has witnessed, first-hand, negative changes in the estuary caused by water pollution, such as the loss of eelgrass habitat. Jeff has an extensive history of civic engagement. With CCA, he played a leading role in establishing an oyster shell recycling program – collecting oyster shells from area restaurants and the public to establish new oyster beds in Great Bay for their water quality and habitat benefits. While living in New Vineyard, Maine, Jeff was an accomplished woodsman and chaired the town’s board of selectman. He also has engaged in legislative advocacy on forestry practices and transportation issues – advocacy work that was recognized by the Natural Resources Council of Maine – and was an appointee of Governor Angus King to Maine’s Advisory Committee on Radioactive Waste. He continues to serve on the boards of CCA NH and Great Bay Trout Unlimited.
Brian is the Executive Director of Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire, a regional land trust serving greater Rockingham County. Since then (2002), the organization has tripled its protected land from 2,000 acres to more than 6,000 acres, grown from an all volunteer local land trust to a regional leader with a professional staff of four, and completed more than 60 new conservation projects. Brian’s primary responsibilities include negotiating new conservation acquisitions (both easements and fee ownerships), fundraising for projects and operations, and managing the day-to-day work and strategic direction of the organization.
Prior to working at Southeast Land Trust, Brian worked as policy specialist at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, coordinator at Citizens for New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage, and grassroots coordinator for the Northern Forest Alliance. With three other UNH students, he co-founded Clean Vibes, a company focused on waste management at large music festivals. Brian lives in Newmarket with his wife Sara Callaghan, where he has been active in local government as a member of the Town Council and Budget Committee.
Feature Presentation- Speaker, Walt Koda - GBTU Member
Topic: Fly Fishing Alaska's Kanektok River
Monday, December 1, 2014
Short Presentation- Speaker, Brian Hart, Executive Director of Southeast Land Trust
Topic: Protecting and Managing Land in the Great Bay Area
Topic: Protecting and Managing Land in the Great Bay Area
Brian is the Executive Director of Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire, a regional land trust serving greater Rockingham County. Since then (2002), the organization has tripled its protected land from 2,000 acres to more than 6,000 acres, grown from an all volunteer local land trust to a regional leader with a professional staff of four, and completed more than 60 new conservation projects. Brian’s primary responsibilities include negotiating new conservation acquisitions (both easements and fee ownerships), fundraising for projects and operations, and managing the day-to-day work and strategic direction of the organization.
Prior to working at Southeast Land Trust, Brian worked as policy specialist at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, coordinator at Citizens for New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage, and grassroots coordinator for the Northern Forest Alliance. With three other UNH students, he co-founded Clean Vibes, a company focused on waste management at large music festivals. Brian lives in Newmarket with his wife Sara Callaghan, where he has been active in local government as a member of the Town Council and Budget Committee.
Feature Presentation- Speaker, Walt Koda - GBTU Member
Topic: Fly Fishing Alaska's Kanektok River
Walt Koda has been a TU Member for over thirty years. I've been a member of the Great Bay Chapter for more than twenty. He is an avid fly fisherman, fly tyer, and published wildlife artist. Walt has been active with TU and NH fish and game on stream and culvert restoration. Walt will tell the story of fulfilling his lifelong dream to go to Alaska, a trip taken with his daughter and other TU members and their families.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Short Presentation- Speaker, Rich Hutchins, President, 3 Rivers Stocking Association
Topic: 3 River organization and fishing tactics for the Lamprey, Cocheco, and Isinglass.
Rick grew up in Ogunquit Maine and started fishing when I was old enough to ride a bike. He moved to Dover NH after graduating from UNH. Rick is happily married with two children and four beautiful grand children. He worked for forty years in the financial services field and helped his son run a guide service on the Androscoggin River for several years. These days he spends most of his time fishing for trout, salmon, stripers and anything else with fins on it. Rick feels fortunate to live in an area that offers so much diversity when it comes to fishing!
Feature Presentation- Speaker, Tom Cormier - Eldredge Brothers Fly Shop
Topic: Fly Fishing Chile Top to Bottom
Tom Cormier, aka Old Tom, teaches classes tying Striper Flies. Tom is one of the most creative tyers we know. His ability to constantly invent new patterns that fish can’t resist is hard to believe. The most educated fly tyer would be hard pressed to identify any of the flies in Tom’s numerable fly boxes.Tom Cormier, a lifelong fly tier and fisherman, has travelled extensively in Chile, Argentina, Canada, Slovenia, and the western U.S.A. His presentation will focus on fly fishing the Bob Marshall Wilderness... a pack-in expedition! When not fishing, you can pick his brain at the Eldredge Bros. Fly Shop in Cape Neddick, ME.
Unfortunately our February Meeting was Cancelled Due to Weather
We are working at trying to get these speakers rescheduled for next season.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Short Presentation- Speaker, Theresa Walker, Exeter-Squamscott River Local Advisory Committee (ESRLAC)
Topic: NH River's management program and info on ESRLAC
Theresa Walker is a land use planner with the Rockingham Planning Commission in Exeter, NH. Operating as a non-profit local government organization, the Commission serves in an advisory role to local governments in order to promote coordinated planning, orderly growth, efficient land use, transportation access, and environmental protection. The Commission's professional planning staff provides an array of planning assistance to 26 active member communities. Membership, which is optional, is obtained through annual dues assessed to each community on a per capita basis. Theresa began working for the RPC in 1986 and has worked with the Exeter-Squamscott River Local Advisory Committee since the Committee's creation in 1995. She has served as the Chair of the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership Management Committee, and has partnered with GBTU and other organizations on a wide variety of water quality and habitat protection projects. Theresa lives in Durham and is chair of the Durham Agricultural Commission.
Feature Presentation- Speaker, Chris Jackson - Fly Fish the Deerfield River
Topic: Nymphing Tactics for Big Browns
Chris Jackson is the owner of Fly Fish the Deerfield Guide Services, he was born in Rochester, NY and graduated UMASS in 95’ with a BA in History/Political Sciences. Chris caught his first trout on the Beaverkill river on a McGinty Fly in 1982 and you can say the rest is history. Since then he’s been targeting fresh water species such as Trout, Salmon, Steelhead, Bass, Pike, Shad, and Carp. But don’t be fooled, Chris also has an abundant amount of salt water fishing under his belt. He targets Stripers, bluefish, false albacore, bonito, spanish mackerel, bluefin tuna, redfish, sea trout, weakfish, and Tarpon. His favorite fish to catch is a steelie on the swing with a switch rod, his second favorite is going for false albacore and third of course is fooling big, wary browns in the Deerfield River. Chris says there are some big browns in March and a good way of hooking up with one of these native browns is by nymphing.
Unfortunately our February Meeting was Cancelled Due to Weather
We are working at trying to get these speakers rescheduled for next season.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Short Presentation- Speaker, Theresa Walker, Exeter-Squamscott River Local Advisory Committee (ESRLAC)
Topic: NH River's management program and info on ESRLAC
Theresa Walker is a land use planner with the Rockingham Planning Commission in Exeter, NH. Operating as a non-profit local government organization, the Commission serves in an advisory role to local governments in order to promote coordinated planning, orderly growth, efficient land use, transportation access, and environmental protection. The Commission's professional planning staff provides an array of planning assistance to 26 active member communities. Membership, which is optional, is obtained through annual dues assessed to each community on a per capita basis. Theresa began working for the RPC in 1986 and has worked with the Exeter-Squamscott River Local Advisory Committee since the Committee's creation in 1995. She has served as the Chair of the Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership Management Committee, and has partnered with GBTU and other organizations on a wide variety of water quality and habitat protection projects. Theresa lives in Durham and is chair of the Durham Agricultural Commission.
Feature Presentation- Speaker, Chris Jackson - Fly Fish the Deerfield River
Topic: Nymphing Tactics for Big Browns
Chris Jackson is the owner of Fly Fish the Deerfield Guide Services, he was born in Rochester, NY and graduated UMASS in 95’ with a BA in History/Political Sciences. Chris caught his first trout on the Beaverkill river on a McGinty Fly in 1982 and you can say the rest is history. Since then he’s been targeting fresh water species such as Trout, Salmon, Steelhead, Bass, Pike, Shad, and Carp. But don’t be fooled, Chris also has an abundant amount of salt water fishing under his belt. He targets Stripers, bluefish, false albacore, bonito, spanish mackerel, bluefin tuna, redfish, sea trout, weakfish, and Tarpon. His favorite fish to catch is a steelie on the swing with a switch rod, his second favorite is going for false albacore and third of course is fooling big, wary browns in the Deerfield River. Chris says there are some big browns in March and a good way of hooking up with one of these native browns is by nymphing.
Monday, March 2, 2015
Short Presentation- Speaker, Dianne Timmins, NH F&G Cold Water Fisheries Biologist
Short Presentation- Speaker, Dianne Timmins, NH F&G Cold Water Fisheries Biologist
Topic: 7yr Radio Telemetry Project and the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture.
Dianne Timmins is the Coldwater Project Leader for the NH Fish and Game Department. she began working for the Fish and Game Department just after college in 1996. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.S. in Fisheries Science. She began her career in Keene as a summer seasonal working for the Inland Fisheries Division. She then worked her way up the ladder to where she is now in Lancaster. As project leader, she is responsible for the management and stocking of trout species in New Hampshire. She has been involved with various research studies involving wild and hatchery brook trout, as well as the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture. Her hope is to provide opportunities for all types of anglers, while simultaneously preserving coldwater fisheries.
Feature Presentation- Speaker, Paul Jacobs - Reel Action Fly Fishing
Topic: Fishing for Steelhead, Salmon, and Browns
Paul Jacob was born to fish. From an early age, Paul knew he was hooked, often skipping school because it interfered with his fishing the fall salmon run or spring steelhead season. Riding his bike, and later, driving his car, Paul lived for his next fishing adventure – what new stream was he going to learn, what new peculiarity of the fish would he find? It is no wonder then, that some years and thousands of stream hours later, Paul found himself the Owner/Operator of Reel Action Fly Fishing (founded 2001), along with partner Steven Olufsen. Guiding for steelhead and brown trout in the tributaries of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, Paul knows these waters intimately, having spent the better part of fifteen years learning them inside and out. Paul also guides full time in Alaska during the summer months, pursuing everything from monstrous rainbow trout to King salmon on the fly. Alaska is a special place for Paul, as he enjoys the rugged, breathtaking terrain and the incredible diversity of fish and wildlife. Most recently, Paul has traveled to Andros Island in the Bahamas where he has spent untold hours fishing and researching the best fishing lodges and independent guides. An incredible system, Paul has found in the saltwaters surrounding Andros a new fishing playground.
A driven, passionate and knowledgeable guide, Paul is also an FFF Certified Fly Casting Instructor, accredited through the L.L. Bean Fly Fishing School. Spending a day with Paul on the water, there is no question as to his obvious love and enthusiasm for the sport, and in fact, clients often find themselves ending the day a more able, educated angler than when they began.
Experience: Great Lakes, Alaska, Bahamas, Michigan Carp
Monday, April 6, 2015
Short Presentation- Speaker, Suzanne Petersen, LRAC Lamprey River Advisory Committee
Topic: Lamprey River - Wild and Scenic - 14 towns in the Lamprey River watershed.
Sharon Meeker has a MS in Education from UNH, and has worked as an environmental educator in some capacity for many years. She chaired the Lamprey River Advisory Committee (LRAC) several times and has served as coordinator for outreach and education, recreation, and land protection over the years. In the last three years, since the entire Lamprey and its five major tributaries were designated by the state into the NH River and Lakes Management and Protection Program, she has reorganized the initial LRAC to include the 14 towns in the Lamprey River watershed.
Feature Presentation- Speaker, Walt Geryk, Northeast Fly Fishing Guide, Spey Doctor
Topic: Fishing New Brunswick for Atlantic Salmon, Trout, and Stripers
Short Presentation- Speaker, Suzanne Petersen, LRAC Lamprey River Advisory Committee
Topic: Lamprey River - Wild and Scenic - 14 towns in the Lamprey River watershed.
Sharon Meeker has a MS in Education from UNH, and has worked as an environmental educator in some capacity for many years. She chaired the Lamprey River Advisory Committee (LRAC) several times and has served as coordinator for outreach and education, recreation, and land protection over the years. In the last three years, since the entire Lamprey and its five major tributaries were designated by the state into the NH River and Lakes Management and Protection Program, she has reorganized the initial LRAC to include the 14 towns in the Lamprey River watershed.
Feature Presentation- Speaker, Walt Geryk, Northeast Fly Fishing Guide, Spey Doctor
Topic: Fishing New Brunswick for Atlantic Salmon, Trout, and Stripers
One of the premier two-handed spey casting and fly fishing instructors in North America, Walt specializes in targeting salmon, trout and steelhead in the Northeast and offers basic, intermediate and advanced instructions and schools throughout the Great Lakes, Canada and the East Coast.
Beginning his fly fishing in 1972, Walt has become the leader for marketing traditional fly and spey fishing serving these areas. Promoting ethical angling, continuing to bring awareness about the outdoors’ fragile eco-system and teaching the proper skills on how to become better fishermen are just a few things that will be touched on during your day.
Since 1985, Walt has been a professional guide and instructor who advocates traditional, catch & release, fly fishing for the Salmon River Region of New York, the Deerfield River and others.
"Take the opportunity to learn and spey fish with Walt, the Hardy North America In-House Spey Specialist.
You'll leave the water a better spey caster and enjoy fly fishing with confidence."
Throughout the year Walt can be seen swinging a fly most anywhere in North America. During March thru May and again from September thru December, Walt is instructing and offers coached fly fishing trips in the Salmon River Region of upstate New York for salmon, trout and steelhead. From May into late August he is wading the Deerfield and Westfield Rivers of Western Massachusetts for rainbow, brook and brown trout. A June thru July trip to New Brunswick for Atlantic Salmon is where he will be hosting coached fly fishing trips, casting schools, lessons and clinics all on the Fabled Miramichi River Region.
A busy schedule includes speaking engagements and on the water clinics and demonstrations throughout the Northeast. Walt is also the coordinator for Deerfield River Spey Day, the annual charity event for cancer which he founded in 2009.
Those who have spent time with Walt have found that he posses a unique and descriptive way in teaching which allows for easy understanding while furthering the enjoyment of spey casting and fishing.
Being the premier spey casting and fishing instructor, seasoned fishing coach and guide on these waters requires continuous work and dedication. Walt brings to the water each day his in depth knowledge and enthusiasm which enables you to become better flyfishers. These are just a few attributes why Walt is recognized to be one of the best in the sport today.
