CVTU Site Members Group

I still haven't found a way to automate some of the "moderator" functions of this site, but I'm hoping that by now everyone who has taken the time to sign up on the CVTU website has been added to the conversation group, It remains a very small, and generally very quiet online community, although as things thaw out there ought to be more to talk about!

Just as a possible conversation-starter, what are you most likely to tie on for your season-opening cast? Something with eye-catching sparkle and pizzazz? An anatomically-correct imitation? Or just a pinch of dubbing wrapped around a hook?

It's really gratifying to see the number of folks who've signed up/signed in to the CVTU Site Members Group. Over the last few months we've reached double digits and crooked numbers, a veritable surge on a tiny, localized platform like this. Just as attendance at CVTU Winter Speaker Series events has grown, so has the number of daily visits to the chapter website. It feels good, three weeks into the cold new year!

Members can post to this forum to keep in touch and let us know what's good to know - the shortcut is vttu.org/groups.

Our February meting features the Lakekeeper for Lake Champlain, Julie Silverman. Julie will share insights and information about the health of the lake, and how people can help preserve it.

Stay warm!

The New Year is here... We'll be sending out an e-mail update to the general membership shortly, but for those signed up here on the CVTU website, here's a sneak preview:

Drew Price, whose book "Favorite Flies for Vermont" found its way into a lot of holiday packages, will be our featured speaker on January 13, at the Doubletree. CVTU members and friends are very well represented among the tyers whose work appears in this great collection.

New Year, new regulations... Local media have reported on a number of the new regulations from Vermont Fish and Wildlife that went into effect with the new year. Many have to do with panfish and baitfish, but a few restrict spring angling in favorite streams to protect spawning fish. If you're looking forward to getting out with the early spring thaw, you'll want to take note:

• The following waters are now closed to…

As we head into the new year, it's time to add "renew fishing license" on the to-do list. Winter fishing is always an option, whether it's through the lake ice or trying your luck with catch-and-release on the streams. For less frosty activities, there's Sunday fly-tying in Underhill (check the December Stream Lines for details) or later this winter, a modular fly fishing course with Mark Wilde at the Colchester Rec center. (See the Colchester Parks and Recreation 2026 brochure for info.)

Cheers!

Rob Brown