Past events :
2026
March 27 (Friday) - North Jersey TU Fund Raising Banquet (6:00pm) at Farmstead Golf & Country Club. See info below.
April 4 (Saturday) - Musconetcong River Cleanup (9:00am) details TBD.
April 25 (Saturday) - Sparta Earth Day, Sparta Municipal Building, 11:00am--3:00pm
May 12, 13, 14 (Tuesday Wednesday Thursday) - Catskill Fly Fishing with Glenn Hofmann 201-881-9223
May 16 (Saturday) - Sparta Children's Trout Fishing Derby 9:00am-12:00pm Station Park, Sparta contact Tom Mount 908-892-1804 or George Demby 973-347-3524
May 16 (Saturday) - Trout Fest, Califon. Contact Tom Mount 908-892-1804
May 20 (Wednesday) - Chapter Meeting at Sparta VFW (7:30pm) - guest speaker from Chester Environmental School.
May 23 (Saturday) - Flatbrook River Cleanup (9:00am) See details below. Contact Hal Hartman 520-907-2159 or harold.b.hartman@gmail.com
July 11 (Saturday) (11am-3pm) Informal outreach event near the gazebo and lawn area adjacent to Lake Oquittunk in Stokes State Forest, to engage recreation users, park visitors, and residents about native brook trout restoration opportunities and spread awareness about the broader Upper Delaware Brook Trout Initiative, a tristate coordination effort to improve brook trout habitat conditions. As the Flat Brook watershed has the most contiguous brook trout only stream miles in the state, Stokes State Forest is the perfect location to discuss native brook trout and have candid conversations with the community about the use and values of the watershed. This event would be a free lemonade stand with informational materials and brook trout-focused art activities for children. No invitations or solicitation required as this is intended to engage park visitors informally. Contact Tom Mount 908-892-1804 or tumount@comcast.net if you would like to help at our table/tent.
August 3 (Monday) - Green Day at Sussex County Fair - contact George Demby 973-347-3524 to help promote Trout Unlimited at our table/tent.
August 5 - Board Meeting at Sparta VFW (7:30pm)
August 15 (Saturday) - Chapter Picnic - Swartswood Lake Main Gazebo - (12:00pm) - more details to follow. contact will be Tom Mount 908-892-1804 or tumount@comcast.net
2025
January 15 (Wednesday) - Chapter Meeting at Sparta VFW (7:30pm) --Gently used Fly Fishing gear and Fly Tying materials for sale by chapter member Jan Beliveau. Jan can no longer wade into the river to fish and can no longer tie flies so he would like his excess gear and materials to go to other passionate fly fishers/tyers. Jan would also like to share a 6 minute video on fishing the Salmon River.
February 19 (Wednesday) - Chapter Meeting at Sparta VFW (7:30pm)
March 5 (Wednesday) - Board Meeting at Sparta VFW (7:30pm)
March 28 (Friday) - 6:00pm - 10:00pm. North Jersey TU Annual Fund Raising Banquet at Farmstead Golf & Country Club.
April 4--Flatbrook cleanup--We will be meeting at Shaeffer Bridge on Friday, 4/4/25 at 9:30 AM. I already got us a permit to clean up and to do a little trail maintenance (hand tools only). Last time we mostly cleaned up the parking areas, but at some spots, when you walk a little deeper, you'll find garbage sprinkled all-over. That said, there's a lot of thorn bushes. Bring loppers if you have them. If you have a small rake bring it. It's really effective for pulling bottles and cans out of thorn bushes.:
Getting back to the trail maintenance piece, while we're walking certain areas for the cleanup, this is just a good opportunity to open up some areas that are overgrown, so when we fish certain spots, we're not ripping apart our waders. If you know any spots that need a hand saw, then bring one!
This shouldn't take us very long with everyone's involvement. Probably 2 hours. Afterwards we can meet up, then have lunch at the Layton Tavern and fish afterwards.
April 12 AM--Musky Cleanup--similar to what we did last year.
Contact Hal
April 12 PM--Trout Fest, Califon. Tie flies at our table and / or promote our chapter.
Contact Tom to sign up--908-892-1804
May 2, 3, 4--Beaverkill and Willowemac fishing trip at Kinch Hill Hunting Club. Fee is $25 or $35 tbd. Only one spot left.
Contact George and leave a message to sign up--973-347-3524
May 10 (Saturday) - Hopatcong Charity Hike at Hudson Farms (enter trail any time from 7:00am-11:00am) - 270 Stanhope-Sparta Rd, Andover - Hike the 3.5 mile trail for free at Hudson Farms and Hudson Farms will make a donation to charity on your behalf based on your age. Free lunch served afterwards.
May 17 (Saturday) - Sparta Kids Fishing Derby (9am-noon) - Sparta - We will assist Sparta Recreation Dept. Contact: Tom Mount 908-892-1804 or tumount@comcast.net if you would like to help. Coffee and Donuts provided.
May 31 (Saturday) - Sparta Day - Time TBD Contact: George Demby 973-347-3524 or george.demby@gmail.com
July 16 (Wednesday) - Ramsey Outdoor Fluke fishing trip #1 aboard the MiJo - Atlantic Highlands - (7am-2pm) - $100 per person and receive $20 Ransey gift card. order tickets online at ramseyoutdoor.com
August 4 (Monday) Green Day at Sussex County Fairgrounds. More info to follow.
August 6 (Wednesday) - Board Meeting at Sparta VFW (7:30pm)
August 4 (Monday) - Green Day at Sussex Count Fair; we will have a table there
August 20 (Wednesday) - Ramsey Outdoor Fluke fishing trip #2 aboard the MiJo - Atlantic Highlands - (7am-2pm) - $100 per person and receive $20 Ramsey gift card. order tickets online at ramseyoutdoor.com
August 23 (Saturday) - Chapter Picnic - 12:00 - 5:00 under Pavillion #2 at High Point State Park 1480 State Route 23 Wantage NJ 07461.
Oct 9 (Thursday)--Esopus Fishing Trip, Phoenicia NY
October (15) (Wednesday) Trout in the Classroom - Trout Egg Delivery to Schools
Nov 2 (Sunday)--Fly Fisherman of the Year competition at Shannon Private Waters, Califon NJ
November 16 (Sunday) - State Council TU Meeting at New Jersey School of Conservation Stokes State Forest in Sandyston NJ, at 1 Wapalanne Road.
November 14, 15, 16 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) Steelhead Fishing on Salmon River in Altmar NY.
December 17 (Thurs)--Annual Christmas Party.
2024
July 24 (Wednesday) - Fluke Fishing on the MiJo Atlantic Highlands. 7:00 am - 2:00 pm. Cost is $100 plus fees but receive a $20 Ramsey Outdoor gift card. Book online at https://ramseyoutdoor.com/pages/mijo-fishing-trip
August 5 (Monday) - Green Day - Sussex County Fairgrounds - noon-4pm - we will have a table introducing our chapter to attendees. Contact George Demby (973) 347-3524
August 7 (Wednesday) - Board Meeting at Sparta VFW (7:30pm).
August 10 (Saturday) - Chapter Picnic - 12:00 - 5:00? on the Delaware River - Milford Beach, Milford PA. Bring a side dish or dessert. RSVP to Tom Mount via email (tumount@comcast.net) or phone (908-892-1804) to let him know what you are bringing and how many attending. Chapter will provide Hoagies and Soda and Water. Nominal parking fee at the park. Rain date Sunday Aug 11.
August - NO Chapter meeting in August.
August 19, 20, 21, 22 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) - New Jersey School of Conservation at Stokes State Forest - Fly Tying & Fly Casting training for School Teachers attending NJSOC. Late afternoon/Early Evening. Exact times TBD. Contact Hal Hartman
September 4 (Wednesday) - Board Meeting at Sparta VFW (7:30pm).
October 16 (Wednesday morning) - Trout in the Classroom Egg Delivery - Contact Sue Reed 201-207-0928
October 16 (Wednesday evening) - Chapter Meeting at Sparta VFW (7:30pm). Speaker - Marsha Benovengo - Chair - NJ State Council Trout Unlimited.
October 18 (Friday) - New Jersey Rivers Conference - Centenary University Hackettstown NJ. 8:30am - 4:30pm Contact George Demby (973) 347-3524
October 23 (Wednesday) - Striper Fishing on the MiJo Atlantic Highlands. 7:00 am - 2:00 pm. Cost is $100 plus fees but receive a $20 Ramsey Outdoor gift card. Book online at https://ramseyoutdoor.com/pages/mijo-fishing-trip
October 26 (Saturday) - Day trip to fly fish the Esopus in Phoenicia NY. Contact George Demby (973) 347-3524
November 6 (Wednesday) - Board Meeting at Sparta VFW (7:30pm).
November 10 (Sunday) - Fly Fisherman of the Year Contest - Raritan Inn, Califon NJ. Come cheer on our chapter representative Glenn Hofmann. 7:30 sign in, 9am contest begins.
November 13 (Wednesday) - Fly Tying Round Table at Sparta VFW - Cancelled due to lack of interest.
November 15,16,17 (Friday,Saturday,Sunday) - Salmon River NY Fly Fishing Trip Contact Glen Zeeck 908-752-7065
November 16, 17 (Saturday, Sunday) - International Fly Tying Symposium - DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, Somerset NJ 9-5 Saturday, 9-4 Sunday.
November 20 (Wednesday) - Chapter Meeting at Sparta VFW (7:30pm).
December 4 (Wednesday) - Board Meeting at Sparta VFW (7:30pm).
December 18 (Wednesday) - Christmas Party & Chapter Meeting at Sparta VFW (7:30pm). Bring an appetizer, dessert, or main dish, and a $25 grab bag gift (optional).
Prior Meeting Speakers
2026
Sept 16--John Apgar was scheduled to be our speaker. However, he had a health problem and so had to cancel. We'll look to reschedule at a future meeting.
John is a former president of our chapter, currently associated with the Catskill Fly Tyers Guild and the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum, and an accomplished fly fisherman and tyer. John will show what is involved in building a bamboo rod from scratch.
June 17--Dan Rodriguez Birthday Party--we had pizza before the meeting, and cake and gifts at the end of the meeting. Dan is now 90 years young.
Guest speaker was Benjamin Harris, Watershed Scientist at Raritan Headwaters Association, who spoke about lake health in general and about work being done at Budd Lake.
May 17--Guest speaker was Chloe Pearson, Freshwater Science Specialist, from The Nature Conservancy. She discussed the organization's work in North Jersey.
April 15--Guest speakers were Ben Spinelli and Carole Ann Dicton from the New Jersey Highlands Council who talked about the work of the Council to protect the waterways of North Jersey.
March 18--The guest speakers will be Don and Alex Comer to discuss fly fishing in Alberta, Canada.
Don has fished there for 30 plus yearsand has recently bought a fishing lodge there.
Feb 18--The guest speaker was Kim Korth of NJ FIsh and Wildlife. She discussed the NJDEPF&W Master Plan for endangered species in New Jersey.
Jan 15--The guest speaker was Patrick Banes, Treasurer of the Skylands Preservation Alliance. The Alliance is a grassroots 501(c)3 nonprofit in New Jersey made up of community residents promoting the preservation of the agricultural, historical and ecological heritage of New Jersey's Skylands communities Patrick discussed warehouse development impacts on the Musconetcong River and the surrounding environment.
2025
Nov 19--Our guest speaker was Maddie Feaster, Upper Delaware Watershed Project Manager (NJ/PA) for Trout Unlimited. Maddie is new to the position and discussed her current and future projects. Most of her work will be in Sussex County and particularly on the Flatbrook. She will work closely with our chapter on these projects.
Oct 15--Our guest speaker was Mat Claret, Marketing Director, SET Fly Fishing. SET manages 6 lodges for unique fly fishing experiences in Argentina. 3 Lodges for Trout in North Patagonia, and 3 for Golden Dorado in North East Argentina. Mat spoke about Trout Fishing in Patagonia.
The guest speaker at the Sept meeting was Kyle Simmen. Kyle is a research student at Sussex County Community College concentrating on foxes in our local area. So come to the meeting and learn everything you would want to know about foxes.
Our guest speakers at the June meeting were David de Wit, Paulins KIll Watershed Program Assistant and affiliated with Foodshed Alliance, and Brian Sayre of these organizations and also a chapter member. The Paulins Kill Watershed Community was formed by the New Jersey Highlands Focus area’s cluster of conservation organizations who are members of the Delaware River Watershed Initiative. Its members are working together to protect the watershed environment which supplies drinking water for an estimated 5.4 million people. The Foodshed Alliance is a nonprofit organization in New Jersey dedicated to helping farmers, feeding people, and protecting the environment. Their mission is to strengthen sustainable and regenerative farming, increase access to local, healthy food, and safeguard the environment for all members of our communities.
Our guest speaker at the May meeting was Christopher C. Obropta, Phd., P.E., Extension Specialist and Professor of Environmental Sciences at Rutgers. He discussed stormwater management and the impact on bays, rivers, and streams. A complete explanation of Rain Gardens was provided to us.
Our guest speaker at the April meeting was John D. Kluthe from Kluthe Environmental Services.
KES is dedicated to optimizing productivity for farmers through a private conservation planning process. Their mission is to empower farmers with the tools and knowledge to achieve legacy success by harmonizing conservation and productivity.
Our guest speaker at the March meeting was Dylan Medici, Manager of Outreach and Education with New Jersey Highlands Coalition. Dylan showed a short video on the Highlands--its history and its ecology--and then spoke about the coalition and their activities in our area.
Our guest speaker at the Feb meeting was Harvey Klein from Garden State Laboratories, Inc. The lab is a certified independent water and environmental testing laboratory. Mr. Klein discussed harmful algae blooms and PFAS / PFOA which seriously affect water quality.You probably knew that H2O is water; and you may have known that H2O2 is hydrogen peroxide. But unless you attended the meeting you don't know what is H2O4.
Our guest speaker at the Jan meeting was Benjamin Harris, Watershed Scientist with Raritan Headwaters. Benjamin discussed various stream monitoring metrics and the results of various areas in Northwest NJ. He concluded with a discussion of eels and many members shared their personal knowledge / experience with that species.
2024
Our guest speaker at the Nov meeting was Paul Weiss. Paul is the new Program Lead for the North West New Jersey Chapter of Project Healing Waters.Project Healing Waters began in 2005 serving wounded military service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since then, PHW has expanded nationwide, establishing its highly successful program in Department of Defense hospitals, Warrior Transition Units, and Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and Clinics, serving all eras of U.S. Veterans. See their wesite for more info--projecthealingwaters.org We gave a heads up to Stan Tryba so that he can alert VFW members as they may want to attend our meeting.
Our guest speaker at the October meeting was Marsha Benovengo, Chair of NJ State Council of TU.
Marsha discussed the make-up of the council and how the council works with local chapters and with TU National. She addressed specific projects they are working on and answered any questions we may have. She is brought coffee and pastries for us.
The guest speaker at the June meeting was Cali Alexander M.A., H.O.
Cali recently transitioned after completing a 35 year career in environmental science and law as a Public Health Administrator. Along with other activities, her experience includes extensive on-site soil evaluations and land use review, and oversight of licensing and operations of the wholesale seafood and shellfish industries. Further, her work was instrumental in establishing fish consumption advisories.
She is currently working with local farmers regarding riparian stream boundaries, is on the board of the Northeast Organic Farming Assoc--NJ, and is raising goats and farming organically.
Regarding the May meeting, this meeting was held in the small room because the VFW needed to use the large room for a special meeting.
Glen Zeeck and Sue Reed lead a hands on workshop demonstrating the many various knots that are useful when fly fishing. So if you only used one or two knots you benefited greatly from this session.