The Monthly Publication of Mayflyer DONEGAL TROUT September 2004 V33-I9 www.donegaltu.org UNLIMITED

Next Dedicated to conserving, Monthly BACKCASTS protecting and restoring Meeting the trout streams and Chapter Meeting Recap 8/18/04: watersheds of by Scott Trefny The August Chapter Picnic was held at the Lancaster County Wednesday Millport Conservancy with over forty people September 15th present. I was unable to get an exact count as I white oak) and the plaque and discussed how the 7 PM was busy grilling cheeseburgers and hot dogs with money donated in Todd’s memory will be used. Bob Geibe and Kevin Fausey, but the meeting Thank you for coming. We’ll see you again at the Quality Inn was very well attended as you can see from the September Chapter meeting and at the Fly picture. th Fishing Expo on September 11 . Program “Restoring Shad to the Basin” by Gil Hirschel

Upcoming Chapter Activities August Chapter Picnic Meeting-Millport Conservancy Todd Smythe’s Friends and Family at Riparian Park Thank you to Ted Downs for getting the food for the feast. Everyone there seemed to enjoy the food and the company. Many special guests were October Fest present at the picnic because of the tree dedication in memory of Todd Smythe. After dinner, Bob Wyble had a short business meeting. A number of Wednesday announcements were made about upcoming th October 20 events (see page 2 for opportunities to volunteer). 6 PM Fae Haering also gave a report on her experiences as a casting instructor at a Casting For Recovery event in . Four Seasons After the meeting, a number of people went to Golf Course Riparian Park for the Todd Smythe dedication Jim and Peggy Smythe with Todd’s Memorial Tree Clubhouse ceremonies. Bob Wyble did a great job, introducing a number of Todd’s co-workers, “The East Coast family and friends. Todd’s father, Jim, spoke at Big Four” length about Todd and some of Todd’s baseball by team members presented Todd’s mother, Peggy, Ed Jaworowski with a baseball jacket signed by his teammates. Matt Kofroth then dedicated the tree (a swamp Todd’s Memorial Plaque at the base of his Tree

1 Mayflyer WHAT’S EMERGING! Officers President’s Report: DTU board is currently discussing the by Bob Wyble possibility of changing the Mayflyer publishing schedule to every two Burgers on the grill are a standard part of summer, but the August picnic at Millport months. This would save our chapter Conservancy will always be remembered about $4,000 per year and would President as a special event. Following the significantly reduce the number of gastronomic delights of the picnic, DTU hours involved in publishing the Bob Wyble members and family and friends of Todd newsletter. We would need to plan 986 Hammon Ave. more carefully to get information on Smythe drove to Riparian Park along Ephrata, 17522 to dedicate an oak tree and a upcoming events to members, but that bronze plaque in memory of Todd, who should be manageable. With more time 733-4939 (Home) tragically passed away on April 3, 2004 at between issues we may also be able to [email protected] write more articles on issues and events the young age of 32. Todd was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. relating to coldwater conservation. Because of his passion for trout fishing, We cannot continue as is. Is there his family suggested that friends and co- someone out there who would be workers could send contributions to willing to edit and publish the Vice President Mayflyer??? DTU would provide the Donegal TU (Todd’s father is a fellow Jim Stephens training and software necessary to DTU member). As a result DTU received 27 Ashland Dr. 15 checks totaling $1600. Todd’s father publish the Mayflyer. Think about it. If Jim, his mother Peggy, his brother Tim you are interested in exploring the Ephrata, 17522 possibility of taking over the newsletter and approximately 20 friends and co- 859-2987 (Home) please contact Bob Wyble at workers attended the dedication ceremony. [email protected] The money still remaining from the Todd [email protected] or call 733-4939. Smythe memorial contributions will be After months of waiting we are finally ready to move on the stream relocation used to purchase and plant 8-10 additional large trees for bank stabilization on the project in the Wetlands Farm property shore opposite from Riparian Park. on Lititz Run. Flyway Excavating Co. Secretary We all agree that our award-winning will begin work after Labor Day. A new newsletter is the glue that keeps us stream channel (approximately 2000 ft. Scott Trefny together as a chapter. The Mayflyer is our long) will be dug to move Lititz Run 26 Whitcraft Drive away from a steep embankment out means of communication to keep chapter Lititz, 17543 members informed of events, projects and onto the flood plain. This will allow activities. Gary Roulston has done a water to move out of the stream channel 626-4512 (Home) phenomenal job of keeping the Mayflyer on both sides of the creek during flood [email protected] events to release energy and reduce going since 1997. His fresh ideas and editorial skills have raised the Mayflyer to streambank erosion. a level of professionalism we all enjoy as Water will continue to flow in the old readers. While Gary has done a great job channel until the new channel is over these years, he has other skills he created. On the day that water is Treasurer permitted to enter the new channel we would like to be able to use in our chapter. Wayne Boggs So it’s time to give Gary a break so he can will need volunteers to relocate any 20 Apple Drive use his time and energy for other projects stranded fish This will occur on short in DTU. notice because it is dependent on Downingtown, PA 19335 I have to believe that with 500 plus chapter weather conditions. We will also need 610-942-4931 (Home) help to sow grass seed and place straw members there is someone, out there who [email protected] would be willing to step up and accept the on the excavated area. If you are responsibility to publish the Mayflyer. The available to help with these activities please call Joe Besecker at 392-8725.

2 Mayflyer COMMITTEE REPORTS September Program Casting For Recovery Retreat Chairman: Ted Downs by: DTU Member Faye Haering September’s program will be “Restoring Shad to the The Casting for Recovery Retreat was held on 6/11/04 Susquehanna River Basin”, by Gil Hirschel. Gil is the at the Rising Phoenix Retreat Center, Flintstone, MD. It Environmental Outreach Coordinator for the was organized by Carol Stevenson, Retreat Coordinator. Susquehanna River Basin Commission; a regulatory, This was my first retreat as a trainee for Fly Fishing federal/interstate compact commission vested with the Instructor and River Guide. Fourteen Participants (breast responsibility for management and control of the water cancer survivors in various stages of their recovery), and resources of the 27,500 square mile Susquehanna River eight Staff Members, some of whom are also breast basin, draining portions of , and cancer survivors, attended this retreat. The Staff Maryland. included: fly fishing instructors, river guides, October Program psychosocial and medical facilitators from neighboring communities in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Chairman: Ted Downs Participants arrived on Friday between 2 and 5 PM and The October Fest will be held on Wednesday October th were oriented with their schedules for the various 20 at the Four Seasons Golf Course Clubhouse on activities for the weekend. They were then fitted for the Church St. in Landisville. The evening begins with a necessary gear and equipment, on loan from Orvis. social hour at 6 PM with a dinner buffet at 6:45 PM. After breakfast on Saturday, I gave a lecture on fly Ed Jaworowski, well known for his fly casting/fishing fishing equipment. This was followed by a knot tying expertise will present a program on "The East Coast clinic. There was then a class in beginning casting, Four" (albacore, striped bass, blues and bonito). Ed is followed by warm-up exercises. After lunch a also known for his fly-fishing books and his fly-casting presentation entitled “Trout’s Diet, Fly Selection and ability. The cost for the dinner buffet is $20.00. Photographing and Releasing Fish” was held. The Reservations must be made by calling Ted Downs at th afternoon program included advanced casting 393-6645 no later than October 18 . demonstrations, instruction and practice. Prior to dinner, Volunteer Coordination Committee there was a fly-tying class. The participants also Chairman: Joe Besecker attended discussions on medical and psychosocial During the next month DTU will be looking for your issues. help. As many of you know, DTU has been working to Sunday started with a caravan to Evitts Ponds and improve the water quality and stream habitat of Lititz Stream to fish and picnic. There were numerous River Run. This year is no exception. With the help of the Helpers including Trout Unlimited Members, DNR Lititz Run Watershed Alliance, LandStudies Inc., and staff, and many other volunteers. Their main purpose DTU, the Wetlands Farm (aka Banta) project will finally was to help these ladies make the most of their day in be starting along the banks of Lititz Run this fall. The learning the art of casting, and catching fish (often project will involve extensive and detailed stream sizeable). Following a sumptuous streamside picnic restoration work with large equipment. DTU volunteers lunch , they resumed their instruction and fishing. can help the project “GET GREEN.” We are near the Sadly everything must end. After photo sessions, hugs end of the growing season and will need to seed the area and thank you’s, it was time for the final activity of the around the stream project after the large equipment retreat, the “graduation ceremony”. All participants vacates the site. We will need many volunteers to help received diplomas and gift bags; a few words about seed these areas with native grasses. This job is as easy continuation in the sport; CFR volunteer opportunities as throwing some seed on bare dirt; we can all do that! and support. They were also encouraged to sign up for We would really like to see many DTU volunteers out membership in Trout Unlimited. helping with this project. To assist in any way on this Thanks to all who made this possible and many thanks project contact either Dr. Joe Besecker (392-8725), to our fly tyers: Ed Kraft and Bob Geib who donated Volunteer Committee Chair, or Greg Wilson (627- their time and efforts and contributed flies for all the 0419), Conservation Committee Chair. Thanks in participants. I know they were very much appreciated. advance for your help on this very worthwhile project.

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5 Mayflyer WHAT’S NEW AT: PALancaster Fish & County Boat Commission: decidedrelocation that project it onwill Cocalico monitor Creek. the Thepond project and surroundingbrought in waters,aspects but willof takewetlands no concerted restoration, effort Conservationby Matthew Kofroth District: tofloodplain eliminate redevelopment, the species. “Based wildlife on theenhancements, experiences Exoticby Matthew Species Kofroth, Confirmed Watershed in PA Specialist Waters ofand other water states quality where improvements. northern snakeheads This is have the beenfirst (PA Fish & Boat Commission press release - 7/23/04) previouslylarge project identified for the group and becomeand they established,were pleased we to AnWith unusual winter bearingfish species down nativeon us, theto Asiatime hashas comebeen believehave a positivethat an aggressiveresponse to approach the completed to eradicate product. the confirmedto look at whatas beinghas transpir presented thisin pasta Philadelphia year and to speciesA project from just the recently Meadow completed Lake would was carriedbe neither out lookwaterway. toward Officials next year with and the newPennsylvania opportunities Fish for& practicalWest of norManheim effective. on Furt Rifehermore, Run. efforts Once such again as watershedBoat Commission protection (PFBC) in Lancaster today confirmedCounty. Thisthe drainingcommunity the lakemembers or using from fish the toxins Chiques would Creeklikely briefpresence article of northernwill look snakeheadsback, and intoin Meadow the future Lake of doWatershed more damage Alliance to resident pulled togetherfish populations to complete than a Lancasterwithin FDR County’s Park. Snakeheads water resources. are a diverse family thestream threatened project oncompetition a small tr ibutaryfor habitat stream. and This forage was of fish native to parts of China, Russia, and Korea. posedthe group’s by the first snakeheads project but themselves,”look for them said to haveDr. AllCompleted snakeheads 2003 are Projects: distinguished by their torpedo- Douglasmany more Austen, down PFBC the road. Executive Director. shapedThis past body, year long has dorsalbeen andbusy anal with fins watershed without AnglersFinally, wecatching here at snakeheadsthe Conservation should District dispose had of a spines,protection and efforts toothed throughout jaws. Northern the county. snakeheads This past are themproject properly. of our own It alongis againstSwarr RunFish. Streamand Boatbank typicallyyear, Lancaster distinguished County by flattened,residents pointyhave headsseen Commissionstabilization, regulationsfencing, and to fish possess habitat live improvements snakeheads. witheverything long lower from jaws. dam removals, to stream Anglerswere implemented. certain they Thehave resultcaught is a asnakehead project thatare Therelocations, first report to streambankof snakeheads fencing, in Meadow to overall Lake encouragedhelped the farmernot to andrelease his livestock,it, and report water it quality,to the camestreambank late last stabilization week when anprojects. angler caughtThey twoare andall Commissionwildlife, and bythe calling entire 610-847-2442area. The long or term via benefite-mail contacteddifferent inthe their Fish ownand Boright,at Commission. but all are Ameant total ofto tois [email protected]. watershed protection Northern and snakeheadseducational protectsix northern and snakeheadsenhance the have water now qualitybeen taken of localfrom stream and creeks. areopportunities. considered good table fare and were introduced the lake, including three captured by PFBC The Paradise Sportsman Association was very to this country via fish markets, where they were biologists. The lake is part of a maze of oftenUpcoming sold live.2004 The Projects: Commission will produce and busy this past year. They successfully removed a th interconnected embayments and tidal sloughs and distributeRecently literaturePA DEP designeawardedd totheir help 5 area Round anglers of realthe Commissioneyesore of believesa dam onadditional a tributary snakeheads to Pequea are Growing Greener Grants to local volunteer Creek, Eshleman Run. The dam was impounding identify northern snakeheads which are sometimes likely present elsewhere in the system. confusedorganizations. with nativeHere Pennsylvaniaare the awards species coming bowfin to hundredsThe introduction of feet of exoticspring spwaterecies and into impeding areas beyond fish Lancaster County in the coming year. migration. The dam was removed and the stream is and eels. their natural range shifts the balance of an eco- Northern• Τ hesnakeheads Donegal firstChapter drew ofattention Trout inUnlimited the mid- nowsystem. flowing Exotics freely can once introduce again. Theparasites, Paradise diseases, group was awarded $1,500 to help the Middle has also been working in the upper headwaters of Atlantic region in 2002 when a pair was discovered and genetic pollution of closely related species. At in a MarylandCreek Watershed pond. FedAssociation by national form amedia new Pequeathe very Creek.least, anwith otherw a striseeam innocuous relocation exotic project. takes watershed group in the area. Even though a local firm is handling the majority of coverage that dubbed the hardy species up space and food that might someday be used more • Mount Joy Borough Authority was awarded the work PSA members are actively involved in the “Frankenfish”, the public imagination was fueled by beneficially by other species. Northern snakeheads $2,000 to form a new watershed project which is slated to be complete by December. the fish’s ability to live for periods of time out of are a predatory fish and will compete with other fish organization in the Little We wish them all the best. water and to use its front fins to drag itself across species for forage and habitat. It is too early to say Watershed. The Octoraro Watershed Association completed a land for short distances. While the northern what impact the presence of snakeheads will have • The Tri-County beautiful project just below Route 222 on Stewarts snakehead may have established itself among the on species already in Meadow Lake such as panfish, Association was awarded $75,500 to Run. The group worked with a local farmer to most famous aquatic invasive species, it is merely catfish, carp, gizzard shad, blueback herring, eels, conduct an assessment and restoration plan devise a project that would restore a badly degraded another on a growing list of such species. Foreign and largemouth bass. for the Conewago Creek Watershed. stream section and would also allow the farmer to imports, such as the round goby found in Lake Erie, Commission biologists have concluded that there is can •have Paradise negative Sportsman impacts on Associationecosystems. Thewas continueno practical to pasture method the forarea. eradicating The result snakeheadswas a real winner of a project. ruffe, awardedthought $200,000to have tobeen complete transported a mile longvia from Meadow Lake and that, given the nature of the freighters,stream is another restoration species and inenhancement Lake Erie, projectwhere Peoplesystem, insnakeheads the Ephrata may area have were already also pleasantlyaccessed surprised to have a “new” look stream in their there arealong serious the concerns Pequea. ZebraCreek mussels in Paradiseare still adjoining waters like the nearby lower Schuylkill another Township.non-indigenous species impacting Lake Erie backyards.and Delaware The Rivers. Save OurAs aCreek result, watershed the PFBC group has completed a large scale stream restoration and and now spreading to inland waters. 6 Mayflyer

Board Members 3 Month Chapter Planner

Month Event Date & Time Place Subject Dr. Joseph Besecker 392-8725 (Home) September Board Meeting Wed. 9/8-7:00 PM Millport Normal Meeting [email protected] Conservancy Fly Fishing Expo Sat. 9/11-9:00 AM Ned Bushong Fly Fishing Expo Bill Billett to 6:00 PM Farm 733-2940 (Home) Chapter Meeting Wed. 9/15-7:00 PM Quality Inn & “Restoring Shad to [email protected] Suites the Susquehanna Dan Brandt River Basin” by Gil Hirschel 664-2332 (Home) [email protected] October Board Meeting Wed. 10/13-7:00 PM Millport Normal Meeting Conservancy Dave Chalfant October Fest Wed. 10/20-6:00 PM Four Season’s “The East Coast 859-2906 (Home) Chapter Meeting Golf Course Big Four” [email protected] Clubhouse by Ed Jaworowski

Ted Downs November Board Meeting Wed. 11/10-7:00 PM Millport Normal Meeting Conservancy 393-6645 (Home) [email protected] Chapter Meeting Wed. 11/17-7:00 PM Quality Inn & “Not Just Trout” Suites by Kevin Fausey Ozzie Ozefovich 626-4003 (Home) [email protected]

Bob Habig An “UnBelizeable” Adventure (Part 3) 285-7529 (Home) (Continued from page 8) [email protected] the 4 ft deep crystal clear water and found a world that was so beautiful it was hard to imagine it Matt Kofroth was real. I saw huge brain coral, immense conch shells, hundreds of kinds of colorful reef fish, 299-5361 (Work) and many types of corals and sponges in an array of colors. In one moment, it took my breath [email protected] away and in another, I found myself so relaxed that my breathing slowed to a crawl. I checked to see where I was in relation to the boat and saw that Dottie had a hookup! I went under the Bob Kutz surface and watched as she fought her Barr Jack. Cool! Fearing my back would fry to a crisp, I 394-9959 (Home) came aboard and ate lunch while we were entertained by a group of Pelicans. [email protected] Next, Jose decided that we would troll for barracudas. We rigged up a bait caster with a red tube Dee Lehman lure and my fly rod with the “Cudalicious” fly (now with only a partial head, thanks to the last 397-8503 (Home) ‘cuda). Dottie got a hit! It was a nice one about 3 ft long. As we motored back to the flats and Snook grounds, we were astonished to find out that Jose had already filleted the Barracuda [email protected] enroute. We had two dolphins swim past our bow and had an enjoyable ride back. We looked Gary Roulston for cruising Bones and saw schools of needlefish and a barracuda resting nearby. I quickly picked up my rod with the ‘cuda fly, and cast three times but the ‘cuda just sat there. On a 560-7723 (Home) fourth try, he decided to leave. Not interested. Still it was a great and memorable day! [email protected] That evening we ate the barracuda. It was delicious! After getting on the subject of cashews at Greg Wilson dinner, Mike, our host, brought out some “private label” cashew wine; it tasted a bit like sherry. 627-0419 (Home) We would meet up with the “boat guys” (the four who fished from the Blue Yonder mother [email protected] ship) the next day and trade stories, drink beer (even before 11 am!), relax, and think about returning next year before heading back to the airport for the trip home.

7 DONEGAL NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID TROUT PERMIT #6 AKRON, PA 17501 UNLIMITED

P.O. Box 872 Brownstown, PA 17508 www.donegaltu.org

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Donegal Trout Unlimited is a non profit organization affiliated with National Trout Unlimited located at 1500 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 310, Arlington, Virginia 22209-2310 (703-522-0200)

Mayflyer An “UnBelizeable” Adventure (Part 3) By Deirdre “Fishingmaniac” Lehman

I made my desires known that I wanted to try for Permit on the The Tarpon settled down or moved, so we decided to head for last day, the one fish that had alluded me the entire week. I the reef at Gallows Point. Jose patiently poled the boat as we went out with Dottie D’Orazio and Jose for my last day searched for Permit just within the reef barrier. We saw divers fishing. It was a beautiful morning and would turn out to be and snorkelers on the other side of the reef, but the water the best weather of the trip. We planned to go out to the reef looked a bit rough. Suddenly, Jose anxiously said, “Permit, so I put my snorkeling gear on board. On the way out, though, two, in front about 60 yards!” Dottie was up and cast her fly, Jose wanted to try the Tarpon flats, he is definitely fond of the but the wind was a bit strong. She cast her Merkin crab fly silver kings. He said it was a Tarpon kind of day which means again, but the Permit kept on cruising toward the reef and over low wind, glass-like water and sunny. Dottie and I had turns at to the other side of it. We kept looking. Again, a few Permit the casting platform. I had my orange grizzly fly on (my came into view (they look black from above). I cast my Borski confidence fly) and after several strips, had a hit right at the slider and got a Permit to follow it. Strip, strip, strip; follow, boat and I saw a large bucket-mouth open up on the fly! follow and then he turned away when he saw the boat. I had However, instead of leaving the rod tip down, I lifted it and several chances like that, and they just refused to bite! On the missed the fish. I swore a little and looked back at Jose, who second chance, the Permit followed and my line tightened and made the strong strip-strike motion with his hands. “Ok, Jose, I thought “Finally!” only to discover a little yellowtail Jack Ok”, I muttered to myself. We saw more Tarpon rolling decided the fly looked tasty. Well, it was a pretty fish, even everywhere, lots of fins! Again, I got a strike but couldn’t set though it was small. the hook. It’s a lot easier to hook set when you don’t see the fish and get all “feverish”. And anyway, how was I going to Jose poled the boat over toward the good snorkeling grounds handle an 80 pound Tarpon while still recovering from a large for our lunch break. I donned my snorkeling gear and Dottie Tarpon battle only a few days before? Frankly, I was kind of took a most unflattering picture of me with it on. I jumped into relieved. (Continued on page 7)

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