There is still an opening for the office of secretary. Please let Kevin Correa know if you are interested in holding this office.

President - Kevin Correa
Vice President - Tom Schultz
Treasurer - Mike O’Neill
Secretary - Open

Directors:
James Goodhart
Neil Green
Art Howe
Harris Krinsky
John LeJeune
Jim MacDougall
Bill Mann
Bob Torkildsen
Tim Twombly
Ken Washburn
David Williams

Attention All Members
Annual meeting and elections to be held this Monday at the IWRA. We will discuss the future events and happenings of the chapter for 2012. Please attend this import ant meeting.
Monday January 9, 2012
6:00 Dinner ($5.00 donation)
7:00 Meeting
Ipswich River Watershed Association
143 County Road
Ipswich, Mass
Click here for directions.

Macroinvertebrate Workshop

Saturday, January 14th, 1 - 4 pm at Riverbend, 143 County Road, Ipswich


Join us for a workshop about the fascinating world of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Learn about what collecting and studying these seldom seen creatures entails and how they can be used to measure water quality. Expertise in invertebrate taxonomy is not required. Learn how to get involved with the Ipswich River Watershed Association Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Program.
RSVP to Ryan at rodonnell@ipswichriver.org or call – 978-412-8200 ext. 15

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Towards A Free-Flowing Ipswich River

Wednesday, February 8th, 7 - 8 pm at Riverbend, 143 County Road, Ipswich

Interest in river restoration has grown exponentially in Massachusetts over the last few years. Dam owners, communities, non-profits and government agencies are removing dams in order to restore rivers and eliminate threats to public safety.  Beth Lambert from the MA Division of Ecological Restoration and IRWA’s Brian Kelder will explore opportunities to restore the Ipswich River by removing aging dams. They will discuss 1) the role and function of dams; 2) how dams impact river ecosystems; 3) the dam removal process; and 4) dam removal projects in the Ipswich River Watershed.

RSVP to Cynthia at cingelfinger@ipswichriver.org or call – 978-412-8200 ext. 15

The December Newsletter has been sent out and has also been posted in our Newsletters Page. You can find this months and all previous newsletters by following this link. Important information about our upcoming Annual Business Meeting and Elections in January. Also included, information on Local dam and culvert restoration and news of our own Art Howe representing the Massachusetts - Rhode Island chapters on the TU National Leadership Council.

We hope to see you at the December meeting.

Monday December 5, 2011
6:00 Pizza free to all!
7:00 Fly tying and informal discussion
Ipswich River Watershed Association
143 County Road
Ipswich, Mass
Click here for directions.

This months meeting will be our annual holiday pizza party fly tying get-together. You don't have to be a fly tyer to come. We'll have pizza for all, so bring an appetite and your own holiday cheer. Like last year, fly tyers can bring their tools and materials and tie up anything they'd like. If you have an extra vice and tools bring them along and maybe help some non-tyers find out about the other half of the fly fishing sport. All are encouraged to try their hand at this wonderful pastime. This is a relaxed and cozy meeting where members can come and enjoy each others company as the year winds down.

We'll have informal discussion about the upcoming 2012 calendar and also discuss our Annual Chapter Business Meeting in January where we will hold elections. We'd also like to hear what's on your mind and what you'd like to see the chapter be doing in the future.

Mark your calendars for this very spacial meeting.

November 17th: Mathias Collins
NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service, Gloucester
“Historical Trends in New England River Flooding and What is Happening Lately"
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Lectures are held at 7 PM, Friend Room, Sawyer Free Library
FREE ADMISSION
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Mathias has published some great research showing that the size and frequency of large floods have increased dramatically over the last 30-40 years. Smaller floods have increased too. Huge implications for our aging dams and also for culvert, bridge, and storm water design.

The Chapter would again like to thank Russ Cohen for his wonderful talk on cold water habitats and their importance. We'd also like to thank him for the donation of a signed copy of his book Wild plants I have Known. . . and Eaten. Copies of his presentation can be downloaded by clicking here. For those members who missed the meeting or are interested in hearing more of Russ he will be speaking nearby very soon in Salisbury on Monday November 14 at 7:00 PM.

Water - When is Enough Not Enough?
Featured Speaker: Russ Cohen, Division of Ecological Restoration, MA Dept. of Fish and Game (http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/der/index.htm)
Massachusetts is blessed with relatively abundant precipitation (an average of 45 inches/year), leading many residents to the erroneous belief that there’s plenty of “surplus” water available for human consumption at any time and for any purpose. Russ’s presentation explains why our water resources can at times be insufficient to support our aquatic ecosystem, how human activities both historically and today adversely affected our river and stream systems, and what potential solutions are available to mitigate these impacts.
The talk is sponsored by the Sea Spray Garden Club and will take place at the East Parish United Methodist Church, 8 Lafayette Road in Salisbury.  The talk is open to all interested people.

"Why We Should Care About Wild Trout Streams and their Inhabitants"


Our Speaker: Russ Cohen, Division of Ecological Restoration, MA Dept. of Fish and Game

Russ’ presentation elaborates on the point that the presence of naturally-reproducing wild trout are an indicator that a stream is in relatively good shape and is likely to support a host of aquatic and other sensitive organisms that share wild trout’s demanding habitat requirements.  While there are more wild trout streams around than many people (even TU members) realize, these high-quality habitats are threatened and could be lost unless they are better recognized and protected.  Russ’ presentation covers the characteristics of healthy wild trout streams (adequate instream flows, cool water temperatures, plentiful streamside vegetation, large woody material in the stream, etc.), the various human activities that can degrade trout habitat (excessive removal of riverine vegetation, water supply withdrawals, impervious surfaces, etc.) and what actions people can take to help protect and restore these valuable resources.  Russ is the co-author of "Ten Ways Conservation Commissions Can Help Protect Coldwater Streams and Their Inhabitants", an important publication that provides tangible ways conservation commissions and others can most effectively protect coldwater resources within their communities.  Besides the obvious appeal trout streams have to Trout Unlimited members, and the fact that many TU members are familiar with cold water conservation efforts, Mr. Cohen's presentation will expose our members and others to new ideas and current approaches to stream management.  

Monday November 7, 2011
6:00 Dinner ($5.00 donation)
7:00 Presentation
Ipswich River Watershed Association
143 County Road
Ipswich, Mass
Click here for directions.
Dinner will be three bean chili or clam chowder, salad, bread and dessert. Bring your own beverage.

John LeJeune

This month's meeting is a must see! Dick Brown, Internationally acclaimed author specializing in bonefish will be speaking at our October meeting this Monday at the Ipswich River Watershed Association. Dick has just released the second edition of his "Bonefish Fly Patterns" book. Dick gets right to the the essential information on the quarry of this premier saltwater gamefish. His patterns are beautiful and effective. Dick's extensive experience and deep knowledge is sure to bring even the saltiest angler new tools in bringing the most elusive fish to hand. I have personally tied with Dick and his thoughtful and knowledgeable manor is a pleasure to be around. Don't miss this exciting presentation. Dick will also have copies of his books for sale at the meeting and will be glad to personalize your purchase. More info about Dick Brown, and all things bonefishing can be found at dickbrownbonefishing.com

Monday October 3, 2011
6:00 Dinner ($5.00 donation)
7:00 Presentation
Ipswich River Watershed Association
143 County Road
Ipswich, Mass
Click here for directions.


John LeJeune

On Sunday September 18, 2011 Nor'East Chapter members undertook a small but significant project at Longmeadow Brook in Boxford. Longmeadow Brook feeds into Fish Brook. Unfortunately the ideal brook trout habitat offered by Longmeadow Brook had an impassable access point for fish from Fish Brook. Chapter member Greg Murrer brought this to the attention of the chapter while a survey of nearby Crooked Brook was being conducted for a culvert replacement project. It was noted that simply removing boulders at the mouth and providing proper grade for water flow would greatly improve the situation. Greg along with chapter members David Williams, Chett Walsh, Kevin Amaral, Tom Costa, Jack Monaghan, Steven Gross, and Thomas Wooldridge made quick work of the situation and fish passage to Longmeadow Brook is now a reality. Many thanks to all the members who participated and special thanks to Greg for spearheading the project and to Jack Monaghan for taking pictures to document the project. More pictures can be found in the Longmeadow Brook Project Photo Album.