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)

June Fly of the Month- Foam Flies

Summer fly fishing is what every angler dreams of. The lush green landscapes and blue skies mirror the cool and clear waters that trout inhabit. The summer sun warms the waters so you can ditch your waders and enjoy the cool temps of the river. Summer is the best season for fly fishing because hatches occur frequently during this time and although the waters may get crowded there are always plenty of places to fish.

The “hatch” unique to summer is the “terrestrial hatch”,  grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, ants, etc. During a typical, summer day, they make their appearance during the warmest part of the day, after the morning bug hatches are well over. Although the trout will have moved to their holding lies in the bank undercuts, or under stream side trees and brush. Luckily this is where most terrestrials will enter the water.

Terrestrial flies are usually very easy to see on the surface and therefore need to be very buoyant. That’s where the fun of the foam fly comes into play. Foam flies are very versatile fly made with light-weight foam to increase buoyancy to make them float completely. They are less likely to sink, allowing you to twitch them in life-like movements. These patterns represent a big meal for a hungry trout. You will still want to use floatant to ensure that these flies stay suspended for longer periods but can be used in many summer fishing situations. Fishing a terrestrial pattern as a single fly, in tandem with another terrestrial, or with a nymph dropper can turn a slow day into one to remember.

The Bionic Ant is a great foam fly to have this time of the year!!

Tie up six foam flies and bring them to the June Chapter meeting. There will be two raffles!!

June 13th Chapter Meeting "About the Whippany River Watershed"

Come to the June 13th Chapter Meeting. Siva Jonnada will talk about the Whippany River Watershed. Siva is the current Chair of the Whippany River Watershed Action Committee. Previously, he was the Education and Outreach Chair where he gave this same presentation to local schools, community groups, and town councils. In addition, he is a member of the Morris Township Environmental Commission and the Burnham Park Association of Morristown. 

Mr. Jonnada also currently holds the position of Morris Township Committeeman serving his first year in office. Among the Township Committees in which he participates is the Township Environmental Commission and Township Transportation Advisory Committee.