Meet the CCTU Board

President
Michael Howard

I grew up on a small lake in Connecticut, and both my father and my best childhood friend loved to fish. Bluegills, bass, pickerel, even eels- if they swam I would spending countless hours trying to catch them. Subsequently I added the pursuit of trout and saltwater species in their respective habitats, and have been fortunate to fish some great spots around the world. Wade or float fishing larger medium to large streams is my favorite.

What I like best about TU
Since I became a Life Member in the 1990’s I have been impressed with the number of dedicated volunteers working at the local level to protect and restore our natural resources. It’s great just to hang out and participate alongside these wonderful people.

Favorite fly
The last ten years or so I have focused on fishing for Cape Cod stripers, and a chartreuse and white clouser is my first choice, particularly in the bays and tribs.

Vice President
Peter Schilling
Peter Schilling is a  Life Member and has been active for more than 30 years with Trout Unlimited.  He is a former President of the Greater Boston Chapter and a former MA/RI Council Chair.  His passion is fishing for Atlantic Salmon and anadromous trout species.

Treasurer
Bob Lewis

Bob Lewis is an avid fly fisherman and tyer from Cotuit.  He has served on the boards and as President of both the Osterville Anglers Club and the Cape Cod Flyrodders.  He recently joined CCTU, but has been attending presentations for the past decade and has become good fishing friends with many of the current members.  He keeps his 23’ Parker, “Gotta Fly”, at Prince Cove Marina.  In May you will find him out looking for a worm hatch and by June he will be out in the rips.  However, his real passion is to chase false albacore all over the east coast when fall rolls around!  He married his high school sweetheart Cathy and has 3 college aged girls and they all share his love for time spent on the water.

Secretary
Alan Alai

I started my fishing passion at the age of ten on the shores of Lake Tahoe where I caught my first trout. Since then I have enjoyed every day on the water. Before we moved to the Cape in 1996, I have been fortunate to fish in streams, rivers and lakes in California, Alaska and Colorado. My Colorado friends introduced me to fly fishing and I have never looked back. On the Cape I fish both fresh and saltwater from a kayak, and if I am lucky I will catch a trout and a striper on the same day!

I joined CCTU six years ago. As a Board member, I have grown to recognize the conservation efforts of TU and the truly incredible work we have done here on the Cape. We have a great volunteer organization that is dedicated to keeping our coldwater fisheries preserved. I am very honored to be part of this great organization.

Past President
Roberta (Robbie) Schilling

I was introduced to fly fishing by my fiancé (now husband) in 2012 and learned to fly fish at CCTU’s Fly Fishing School in May of 2013.  The first fish I caught was a bluegill in the Charles River.  Since then, I quickly went “Past Go” and have fished for Atlantic Salmon and Sea Run Brown Trout in Iceland and Atlantic Salmon in Quebec.  I also like to chase after stripers during the worm hatch right here on Cape Cod.  I joined the Board as a member in 2014 and became Vice President in 2017.  Served as President from 2018 to 2020 and now serve as Vice Chair, Communications for the MA-RI TU Council.

What I like about TU
I am in awe of the impact that TU has had nationwide and especially right here in our backyard — the Quashnet — primarily with the hard work of our volunteer members. There is a great sense of camaraderie and friendship among the Chapter Members.  I feel we can accomplish anything we set our collective mind to.

Favorite Fly
Right now my favorite fly is the Blue Charm, because I caught my first Atlantic Salmon on one!  Otherwise, the jack-of-all-trades, the olive wooly bugger, is my go-to fly.