Griswold Fish & Game Club

330 Bethel Road, Po box 175, Jewett City, Connecticut

Club History

The Griswold Fish and Game Club was Incorporated in 1938.  The property was originally purchased from the Burton and Osga families, local farmers in the community.  The property was purchased at three separate parcels; the initial parcel from the Burton’s in April of 1938, the second parcel from the Osga’s in September 1974 and most recently a parcel adjacent to the trout pond on 2002.

Some of the first members of the club were Harold Stearns, Charles Ruszenas, Earl Taggett, P.B. Smith, Armand  Doyon, Gordon Willis, Joe Walsh and Eugene Rys.  A plaque located on the building notes the names of Armand Doyon and Gordon Willis. The club house was built in 1946 and expanded in the fall of 1987.

In the early days, Field Trials or Coon Trials as they were more commonly known were held at the club.  Hunters would compete against each other to see who’s dog would locate the treed coon first, bark first, and so on.  Line judges would note the first dog across the line, while tree judges would determine the first dog to bark.  The dogs were let loose on adjoining property of the Osga Family.  The animals would then track their way to the treed coon.

          As the club grew, more activities came about.  Huck Finn Days were a popular activity, although designed for the kids; parents had a good time as well.  Fishing with bamboo poles, a picnic and games made a day of fun for everyone.

          Old Fashion Clam Bakes were a great fund raiser.  Members would collect up the seaweed needed from local beaches and patrons would enjoy a day of great food and good company.  As inflation affected the cost of putting on the Clam Bakes, it became a thing of the past.

          Today, the club membership has declined, as society has changed, peoples interest also have changed, with less being showed in the sport of hunting and fishing.  The club still has decedents of the original founders, as well as members of the Burton and Osga Families.

          Currently, the club has a membership of approximately 135 people.  Although the Huck Finn Days and Clam Bakes may be gone, the club now has Ice Fishing Derbies, Horseshoe Tournaments, Prime Rib and Roast Beef Dinners, as well as a Christmas Dinner Dance.  Members enjoy a picnic area, stocked trout pond, a boat launch giving access to Pachaug Pond and two horseshoe pits.    Members have full access to the lower level of the club house.