Our May membership meeting is going to be combined with the following event. There will not be a Wednesday night meeting.
Connecticut Fly Fisherman’s Association - Tribute to Gary Lafontaine.
Saturday May 9, 2025 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Salmon River, Gulf Road, Picnic Area
Join us for the 4th Annual Tribute to Gary Lafontaine
This event is in honor of Connecticut's most famous fly tier, past CFFA member, Gary Lafontaine. Born in 1945, Gary started fly fishing at age 8, and published his first article at age 15. Winner of the Arnold Gingrich Memorial Award for Lifetime Writing Achievement, he published several books, with his “Caddisflies”, gaining national atten- tion. As a dedicated member of CFFA he inspired many members to try innovative approaches to tying and fishing for Trout and other species. In1996, he was awarded Angler of the Year by Fly Rod and Reel Magazine. Gary left this world at the age of 56 due to Lou Gehrig’s Disease. We celebrate his legacy.
Schedule for Day
9:00am Fly Tying - This is an informal gathering of fly tyers. Everyone is responsible for their own table and materi- als. Fly tiers are welcome to bring a chair, folding table, vice and materials to tie flies. The theme of the day is Caddis patterns but any and all flies can be tied.
11:00am Tribute to Gary Lafontaine – Come and share a few words of your memories of Gary and his influence on fly fishing.
Fishing and conversation available all day. Bring your own food and beverages (no alcohol allowed in state parks). Grills are available. All trash must be taken home.
Participants responsible for their own food and beverages.
***If raining we will not tie flies, but will still gather and fish.
Steve Babbit will be our speaker for the March meeting.
His program will be; “The Guides Guide to Hatches”
This April will be Steve's 50th year fly fishing and it has been a life long journey of learning and adventures to beautiful places.
I have used my many years on the water, 25 years as a guide throughout Connecticut, and time working in shops to hone my approach to the sport. My junior year of college I took an aquatic entomology class that began my love of bugs. I have used my 25 years of guiding to refine a complete approach to fishing hatches bottom to top. It has helped me to adapt to the seasonal changes as well as the current environmental situation changes we are seeing now. Welcome to a “guides guide to hatches”
Steve Babbit
Meeting December 15, 2025
Pitkin Community Center 6:30-9pm
30 Greenfield Street
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Christian Parisi
Owner/ President- The Local Fly Co.
www.localflyco.com
203-640-0901
Program- East meets West- East coast tactics and flies that work across the western Rockies and how to do a DIY trip on a budget. Chris has logged dozens of weeks logged in MT and CO and will share what he's done to do it all on a friendly budget and why east coast fishermen, like skiers, can have tremendous success out west.
Chris will be giving out 15% coupons to everyone who attends the program which can be used in store or online at www.localflyco.com.
Chris Parisi has been in the fishing industry for the last 23 years. A former shop manager, shop owner, and guide, Chris cut his teeth on the small streams of Connecticut and in Long Island Sound before opening his first tackle shop in Cape Cod, MA. Chris' new store, The Local Fly Company is finishing up its first year and has surprised many with how well stocked this small store is. Chris is guiding by foot and in his Upriver Boatworks Raft in 2026 in Connecticut and Massachusetts primarily on the Farmington, Naugatuck, and Salmon River in CT as well as the Swift and Green River in Massachusetts.
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