Easter Egg Hunt

The Easter Egg Hunt will take place Sunday, March 28 at 1:00. Bring your family and enjoy an early afternoon of annual festivities. Please bring your own Easter baskets.

The Elusive Whitetail Hunter Education and Instructional Program

On Sunday February 28th, beginning at 7:30 AM, The Elusive Whitetail Hunter Education and Instructional Program with its experienced and knowledgeable instructors will join together with Sonja Christensen current Deer & Moose project leader for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Originally from northern Minnesota, Sonja graduated with a biology degree from Minnesota State University. While completing her undergraduate degree, she worked for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as a wildlife biology research intern, focusing on the whitetail deer.

In 2006, Sonja began her Masters research through the Pennsylvania State University Wildlife and Fisheries Science program and the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. She led a research project investigating habitat use, movement and survival rates of white-tailed deer at Assateague Island National Seashore, on Maryland's eastern shore. In April of 2008, while finishing her Master’s degree, Sonja accepted her present position with the Division where she is currently employed.

She has most graciously accepted our invitation along with a team of biologists to enhance our participants knowledge in the understanding of the Whitetail Deer.

Our second morning segment will be divided into three groups, the first will remain at the club house to get a hands on demonstration by Rick Gagnier on field dressing rabbit, Rick who has been hunting the great woods of Maine, has had the experience of harvesting a Bull Moose and the joy of hearing that lovely sound of a Beagle on the run. He will be spreading his vast knowledge while preparing those who may want to attend our afternoon segment of Field dressing a Deer.

The second group will have the pleasure of participating in the first of two Wildlife Tracking interactive demonstrations performed by Julie Towne from Cape Ann Trackers. A certified Cyber Tracker who as a young child has always been interested in animals and nature. It wasn't until 1996 when she attended Tom Browns Tracking School in New Jersey that she really became passionate about studying wildlife as a way of learning more about the ecology of the natural world. After actively studying animal tracking for five years and completing over 200 hours of instruction with White Pine Program she has recently become certified as a Level One Tracker by Cyber Tracker Conservation Website. Julie participated in an apprenticeship program in preparation for her evaluation, which consisted of more than 100 questions on animal tracks and sign over the course of two days. Though she has more familiarity with tracking during the winter months, Towne not only passed Level One evaluation, but she also scored just a few points away from earning a Level Two certification. The second tracking segment will be after lunch.

The third group will be instructed by Gerry Lemire and his brother Albert who are both certified IHEA instructors and have over 50 years of combined experience in the art of Tree-Stand Placement and Safety. They will demonstrate the proper use of the Ladder, Fixed, and Climbing Tree-Stands.

There will be a short break for lunch which participants may bring or purchase from the kitchen of Nipmuc Rod and Gun Club. After lunch participants will begin the first segment of the afternoon with either Miss Towne with interactive tracking or join Gerry, Rick & Albert for a hands on Tree-Stand interaction with the aid of Hunters Safety Systems Vest & Lone Wolf Tree-Stands.

Our second afternoon segment will consist of proper shot placement and Game Recovery with a hands on Field Dressing demonstration, which will conclude the program for the day. Anyone wishing to participate in the Meat Processing which will be held on March 7th will be instructed on the time and location.

Though this program will be free of charge a small token of appreciation to help promote future educational and instructional programs will be sincerely welcomed.

All interested participants will be required to preregister by Tuesday February 23rd, for more information or to preregister for this upcoming program please mailto:gerry@theelusivewhitetail.com. or call Gerry Lemire (508) 450 – 8518.

On the Ice

I recieved a few Fishing Derby photos from Bruce Tiedemann. Unfortunately, I recieved them after I put the awards video together but since these people braved the frigid temperatures I thought I would dedicate a video just for them. All joking aside (video) NRG sincerely appreciates your support and participation. Hope to see you all at the next derby.

2010 Ice Fishing Derby

Nipmuc Rod and Gun Club had 59 brave sportspersons participate at our Annual Ice Fishing Derby in spite of the frigid weather. Twenty of which were members and thirty-nine non-members.

The morning started off with a hearty breakfast prepared by volunteers: Bruce Tiedemann, Ed Bergmann and Matt Ronzio. Jon Tiedemann tended the fire in the fireplace all morning long for those who needed a break from the cold.

If there was any one example of what a positive attitude can do for a person Mike Ozella would get my vote. Mike has placed 1st place in his age bracket for years. During last year’s derby awards, I distinctly remember him saying that he was looking forward to this year’s derby for he would be competing as an adult. Today, Mike Ozella took 1st place. Kudo's Mike!

Just to inform members there are two Tagged Fish Pools. You must be signed up before the tag fish are caught. There is a signup sheet at the clubhouse.

NRG thanks those who donated their trout for the upcoming Game Feed, The Game Feed will be taking place February 20 at 2:00 PM, tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased at the clubhouse beginning February 1.

Fishing Derby Winners:

PeeWee - 1st place - Anthony Crisafulli / 2nd place - Ryan Dupell

Junior - 1st place Kevin Daniels

Adults - 1st place- Mike Ozella / 2nd place-George Parry / 3rd-Kyle Sullivan









Congrats! : )

An Article About One Of Our Own, Ed Bergmann

As a parent , my wish for my sons' public school experience was simple. I wanted them to catch the fire of adults who were passionate and deeply knowledgable about something. My hope was that one of those things would resonate, spark, and light their way to life long learning, committment and excellence.

As Superintendent , my wish for Hopedale students is fundamentally the same. This week, when I walked into the Memorial School Library to roll up my sleeves and discuss the future. I was sidetracked by the sight of Mr. Ed Bergmann in the midst of his demonstration of fly tying with a rapt group of eleven students (9 boys and 2 girls). Here was my wish made manifest.

Ed. who is a scientist by day, is a fly fisherman by avocation. He was conducting a brilliant seminar for these students, who were so engaged that anyone else coming or going was as good as invisible.

Their heads were bent over Ed's construction of two classic flies- a "wooly bugger" invented by an engineer for catching fresh water fish (bass, trout, pickerel), and a Clouser fly for sea fishing (striped bass and bluefish). An amazing commentary that ranged from chemistry to culture, sprinkled with puns, drew the students in, much like I imagane this gentleman pulling in a fish (minus the resistance). He shared the fact that the Romans and Native Americans crafted flies. He explained the choice of stainless steel for seaworthy hooks, versus nickel coated hooks for fresh water, and the importance of allowing hooks to rust eventually (so they fall out of the mouths of the ones that got away). He talked about lead wire coiled around the hook for weight, and his use of Kevlar - a sythetic thread so sturdy that it's woven into bullet-proof vests and astronaut suits. Moving his hands deftly around the hooks held by a vise, Ed shared that most of his materials came from sewing and fabric shops. He demonstrated knots, the use of various colored threads, and the wrapping and tying of chenille to create a fat little body, before wrapping a rooster feather. This later step came with a wonderful explanation of rooster self defense, posturing, and what it means to "get your hackles up." Voila! The wooly bugger was done.

The construction of the salt water fly began with a discussion of camouflage, as Ed showed his materials- two lead "dumbbells, " a white deer tail, a green deer tail and a piece of plastic tinsel for a little shine. This fly would look like a little fish scurring through the water like they're running away. "Big fish love that," he said. "They're like bullies." The students understand this. As he works, he shows how his placement of white fur with the dumbells guarantees that the weight will keep the "belly" of his fly down, so it doesn't look, well, "fishy" to those big fish he is trying to attract.

Throughout the demonstration, several of the students took notes, offered responses to his "why do you think" questions, and asked intelligent questions back. He invited them to come over to Nipmuc Rod and Gun Club on Sunday afternoons if they wanted to learn how to tie for themselves, and shared a picture of a 13 year old girl showing a fly. I am sure that these kids will take him up on this. "Just ask for the Fly Guy if you dont see or remember my name, " he smiled.

Ed Bergmann's visit is the culmination of a research project taken on by a self-slected group of students who gave up their recess time to work in this particular "Discovery Zone." This is a special and changing Library/Media Center display that invites curiosity and deeper investigation. These students were lured in, and completed research in December on a series of questions that drew them into the topic of fly fishing and make them knowledgeable about the basics. In addition to loving the learning, the students got to select a fly to keep. One of the girls was so excited about her fly that she wrapped it and gave it to her grandfather for Christmas, since he is the person who takes her fishing. The session with Mr. Bergmann was made even more special by their interest, readiness, and prior knowledge.

Magic like this doesn't just happen. It takes vigilance, planning, imagination, and, like this weeks poem by W.B Yeats, a "faery" to take a child by the hand. In this case, there was also a piece of serendipity. Last summer, Librarian Laurie Wodin was swimming at her favorite pond and saw Ed casting. The movement was so beautiful that she struck up a conversation. When she realized waht he did and understood how knowledgeable and passionate he was, she knew just what to do to create a unique opportunity for Memorial students.

The irony of my visit on this day was not lost on anyone. With a shortfall of funds, we face a reduction in library staff. We need more wonderful orchestration of this sort - not less. None of the mid-year cuts make sense at either Memorial or the Jr.-Sr High. They are painful. I appreciate the continued professionalism and graciousness of the staff who have recieved bad news in the past week. The cup is not full in Hopedale, and will not get better soon. The extent to which we can view our circumstance as half full, rather than half empty, will help all of us get through these difficult and challenging waters.

Where the wondering water gushes

From the hills above Glen-Car,

In pools amoung the rushes

The scarce could bathe a star,

We seek for slumbering trout

An whispering in theeir ears

Give them unquiet dreams,

Leaning softly out

From ferns that drop their tears

Over the young streams.

Come away O human child!

To the waters and the wild

With a feary hand to hand,

For the worlds more full of weeping

than you can understand.

Excerpt from "The Stolen Child" by W. B. Yeats.

Article written by Patricia C. Ruane, Superintendent of Schools, Hopedale, MA

--------------------------------
Kudo's to you Ed Bergmann! : )
Proud to have you on board not only as an active club member but also director!
Ed Bergmann provides instruction free of charge. See our club calendar for fly tying Instruction dates.

Respectively yours,

Nancy J. Wentworth

Secretary

Nipmuc Rod and Gun Club

2009 Christmas party

Nipmuc Family Camping & FlyFishing Weekend

Join us for a family camping and/or fishing weekend in May on the famous Housatonic river. If you are interested in either camping or flyfishing or both this will be a fun weekend. This event is open to members and non-members alike and their families. Signup now!!

Event Date: May 21 - 23, 2010

Location: Housatonic Meadows State Park, Sharon, CT

Located in the rock-strewn valley of the Housatonic River amid the rugged hillsof the northwestern uplands. Housatonic Meadows is an ideal setting for a variety of outdoor recreational activities. Camping under the tall pines on the riverbank gives the overnight visitor a genuine back-to-nature feeling. The clear, cold river water also provides a fine opportunity for the fly fisherman to test their skills on trout and bass. A two-mile stretch of river (including the park shore) is limited to fly fishing (catch and release). Housatonic Meadow Campground offers 95 sites in a rustic setting near the river.

Fees:

• Campground: $36.00/night for non CT residents, see http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325220
• CT Fishing License $32.00 (Non-resident 3 day Inland fishing license) http://ct.outdoorcentral.net/internetSales/
  

Directions:

From the North - Great Barrington or Pittsfield, MA areas: travel south on Route 7 into Sharon, CT. The park is located along Route 7 in the town of Sharon approximately 3 miles south of the West Cornwall Covered Bridge and approximately 2 miles north of the intersection with Route 4.

From the East: Hartford area: travel west on I-84, take Exit 39. Continue west on Route 4. From Cornwall Bridge after crossing the Housatonic River, turn north on Route 7. The park is located in Sharon, CT along Route 7, approximately 2 miles north of the intersection with Route 4.

What you will need:

• Tent, sleeping bag, and camping supplies
• Flyfishing equipment (rod, tackle, waders, etc.)
• Food and bererages for the weekend

Next Step;

• Sign up with one of the people below no later than March 5th and provide a deposit of $36.00 (this money needed to reserve your campsite).
• Buy your 3 day fishing license online at the link above or via phone 860-424-3700.

Contacts;

Ed Bergmann - Phone: 617-258-2290 or email ebergmann@draper.com

Mike Deprey - Phone: 508-429-7503 or email deprey@comcast.net

Bruce Tiedemann - phone: 617-968-8489 or email bruce@Bruce@bmpvc.com