by Mike Group photos by the author

It wasn’t long after daybreak when I heard the sound of a tail-slapping splash. “Someone’s hooked a rain- bow,” I thought. A quick glance upstream confirmed my suspicion. One of the lads was deftly leading his prize into position for a smooth, quick release. As he guided the first catch of the day into slower water, he became aware of my observa- tion. A broad smile flashed back at me. Never losing his focus, he withdrew a pair of forceps from his vest. Gingerly he removed the fly from the corner of the rainbow’s jaw. All the while he kept the prize in the cool water. Giving me a quick glance, he grinned and opened his hands, allowing the trout to swim away. He watched it for as long as it was visible through the In the past dozen years or so, I’ve coordinated or assisted run’s surface. Drying his hands on the knees of his trousers, in a variety of youth programs. However, I wasn’t prepared he straightened back up. He prepared to cast again, but then for what I saw that day, or, for that matter, the remainder of stopped for a moment. The boy extended his arm toward me. the week! The camp presents a valid course of study, There, between thumb and forefinger, I could see the fly. combined with an agenda of sound activities. “Tied this one myself,” he said. “Great! That’s quite an accomplishment,” I said. He stood there for a few seconds pondering the moment. Shifting his gaze back to the stream, Beginnings the smooth flow of fly line in the air began to reappear. I Founded in 1995, the Rivers Conservation and Fly watched the line glide back and forth in the misty light of Fishing Youth Camp was largely created by the late Dr. John dawn. R. “Jack” Beck and the late Enoch S. “Inky” Moore Jr. Their I had volunteered for the (fishing guide) program objective was to choose 32 teenagers who assumed roles of earlier in the spring. Coordinated by Cumberland Valley leadership in their respective classes. They believed that Chapter member Bill Durham, assist today’s young leaders will most likely become the adult the students of the Rivers Conservation and Youth leaders of tomorrow. Camp while on the stream. The camp is held at the Allenberry Resort, near Boiling www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, January-February 2003 35 Yellow Breeches Creek, Cumberland County

36 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, January-February 2003 www.fish.state.pa.us Springs, Cumberland County. The Yellow Breeches Creek is nearby. Oc- curring the third week of June, the course is based on a highly structured college-level curriculum. Subject mat- ter covers a broad spectrum of related topics. Ecology, aquatic biology, ge- ology, hydrogeology, and erosion and sedimentation control are a few courses. The courses are punctuated with classes in . Each student has access to a fly tying vise and materials. The tying sessions ease the intensity of some of the more de- manding classes. In addition, classes are also offered on ichthyology, ripar- ian corridor protection, watershed management, and entomology. The courses are well-presented by professionals in their fields of ex- pertise. I found this quality to be the hallmark of all the facilitators, with- out exception. That key ingredient of presentation dynamics was evident in all the courses I attended. These folks knew their subject matter well, and they knew how to make the top- ics interesting. The entire week is a wealth of individuals sharing their knowledge and skills. In some cases, it is not necessarily academic. George Walthour and Fred Bohls talk about equipment repair. Leon Chandler presents a talk on “Fishing Around the World” and gives a fly- demonstration before the “picnic.” Retired WCO Jan Cavaney gives a talk on fishing literature and its role in the historical development of mod- ern-day coldwater resource manage- ment. In fact, it is this “fish camp” atmosphere that provides the catalyst for a learning environment. a.m. wake-up. Fly-fishing on the Breeches bordering the Allenberry Resort begins at 5:15 a.m. until breakfast at 7 a.m. Schedule The gillies are needed most during this time, particularly Each day has a well-structured schedule. After the during the first couple of days. A gillie’s role is to act as an Sunday afternoon orientation, the program moves right into advisor and guide. The gillie may also assist. fly-casting. After a half-hour break, Art Rorex and Emily After breakfast, the morning is filled with three to five Zeiders demonstrate knot-tying. Fifteen minutes are given classes of varying topics. On Monday and Thursday, lunch for unpacking. From then on, students attend three more is followed by a similar makeup of courses and instruction. classes and then dinner. At 11 p.m., it’s lights out. By this Tuesday and Wednesday’s lunch is followed by four hours of time the students are aware that prudence dictates a certain habitat work. Commission Area Habitat Manager Karl Lutz amount of personal time management. coordinates this program with support from several members Monday through Thursday the schedule starts with a 5 of the Cumberland Valley TU chapter. This stream improve- www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, January-February 2003 37 ment work provides another opportu- nity for hands-on experience. More fishing after dinner makes time for the gillies to resume their roles. Usually after a few days, the gillie be- comes more of an observer. During some of the evenings, the fishing is punctuated with extra classes. On Friday, the schedule includes a presentation on environmental law and politics starting at 8 a.m. At 9 a.m. it is time for the final exam. After lunch, Dick Darr and Rod Cross present the students with their certificates. Applying During the application process, students must write an essay on why they desire to attend the camp. A reference from a science teacher or guidance counselor is required for con- sideration. The competition is fierce. Only 32 students are selected. The cost is $275 for the week, which includes meals and accommodations. No fish- ing experience is required, and no one needs to be a blossoming biologist to qualify. High motivation and a will- ingness to learn are required. This year, eight students were female, 25 percent of the total attendance. The efforts of the members of the Cumberland Valley TU chapter con- tributed to an extremely successful camp this year. In 2001, the Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp won the Trout Unlimited National Coldwater Conservationist of the Year award at the TU national convention in Port- land, Oregon. That same year, the For more information... camp received the PA Council of Trout Unlimited Youth Education Award. The 2003 Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth In November 2001, the camp was fea- Camp is scheduled for Sunday through Friday, June 15-20, tured on ESPN2’s TUTV show. 2003. The application deadline is March 15, 2003. The Indications are that this year’s stu- camp is limited to 32 students ages 14 to 17. Students must dents and camp were the best yet. The have been born between June 20, 1985, and June 15, 1989. 2002 Rivers Conservation and Fly Fish- For more details and applications, contact Dick Darr at 717- ing Youth Camp represented a sub- 249-5089, or Mike Klimkos at 717-243-3056 or stantial successful achievement. [email protected]. Contributions to support camp efforts or camper schol- arships are gratefully appreciated. For details on contributing to support scholarships or camp efforts, contact Mike Klimkos at the contact information above.

38 Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, January-February 2003 www.fish.state.pa.us