Winter 2019 Publication of the Pa. Council of Trout Unlimited www.patrout.org Comment now to sustain protection of clean water By Rob Shane TU Mid-Atlantic Organizer

Clean water starts at the source. Thanks to the 2015 Clean Water Rule, the and intermittent streams that provide this clean water to our favorite fisheries are protected from short-sighted, thoughtless development. At the end of 2018, however, the EPA proposed revisions of this rule that would dismantle many years of scientific data, ignore overwhelming public support, Brad Isles Photo and defy common sense. PATU strongly favors conservation programs and projects that preserve or en- The proposed Waters of the United hance existing populations of wild trout. States rule would strip Clean Water Act See WATER, page 7 State Council adopts Submit comments to the EPA: http://standup.tu.org/ Policy on Trout Management stand-up-for-clean-water Periodically, PA Council reviews its 49 local chapters representing over 14,000 various policies to incorporate updates members. Our mission is, “To conserve, Keystone/TUTeens that reflect current views on these guiding protect, restore, and sustain ’s Conservation Camp principles. The following Policy on Trout coldwater fisheries and their watersheds, Management prepared by the Trout Man- especially our wild trout resources.” registration opens agement Committee was approved and Both PATU and its parent organization, Registration for the Keystone/TUTeens adopted by Council’s Executive Committee National Trout Unlimited, believe that Conservation Camp is now open and can on Feb. 9, 2019. conservation should be a true partnership be completed at www.flyfishingsummer- Trout Unlimited was founded as a between landowners, agencies, municipali- camp.org. conservation organization dedicated ties, and all stakeholders. Camp starts on Sunday, June 23, 2019 to ensuring that wild and native trout We work to protect critical habitat, to and culminates with a family barbecue on populations are allowed to thrive as nature reconnect degraded waterways, and re- Saturday, June 29. Teens ages 14 to 18 with intended. The Pennsylvania Council of store populations of coldwater fisheries. or without experience can register for this Trout Unlimited (PATU) is comprised of See POLICY, page 2 See CAMP, page 5 IN THIS ISSUE EXCOM Actions...... 2 Minutes...... 6 Headwaters...... 4 Chapter Reports...... 8 Treasurer’s Notes...... 5 PATU Merchandise Order Form...... 10 POLICY as with other agencies of the Common- from page 1 wealth, other conservation organizations, county conservation districts, landowners, We strive to ensure that our decisions and business and industry, local government programs reflect the very best information entities, and elected officials. available. PATU will work to educate its mem- PA COUNCIL OF bers and others regarding the importance TROUT UNLIMITED The following statements communicate PO Box 5148 PATU’s policy on the management of wild of protecting and enhancing wild trout Bellefonte, PA trout populations. All Pennsylvania chap- populations. Conversely, it will advocate 16823 ters, as well as their individual members, against measures that will result in adverse PRESIDENT – Greg Malaska are strongly encouraged to follow these impacts on wild trout. 218 W. 13th St. guidelines and to adhere to this policy Given the historically deleterious im- Jim Thorpe, PA 16229 when representing Trout Unlimited. pacts of human activity on the state’s Phone: 570-657-7169 waterways, hatchery trout provide rec- Email: [email protected] PATU strongly favors conservation programs and projects that preserve or reational fishing for anglers in a variety EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT – enhance existing populations of wild trout of waters. PATU supports the stocking of John Leonard and facilitate re-establishment of native hatchery trout in waters that cannot support 222 Brindle Road naturally sustaining numbers of wild trout. Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 brook trout populations in water bodies Phone: 717-512-4620 within their historical range. The goals of PATU defines naturally sustaining as Email: [email protected] these programs are: a wild trout population that is able to maintain a stable population in both size EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT – • Improvements to water quality Monty Murty • Habitat improvement and age over an extended period of time, PO Box 55 • Re-establishing connectivity within while recognizing the typical year to year Laughlintown, PA 15655 watersheds variability of wild trout populations. Phone: 724-238-7860 Further, PATU supports the stocking Email: [email protected] PATU strongly believes that conserva- tion efforts should be based on sound sci- of fingerlings or advanced fingerlings in TREASURER – George Kutskel ence and will support programs and policy waters where this approach would prove 107 Simmons Street decisions that meet these requirements. successful. Recognizing that not all waters DuBois, PA 15801 are suitable for sustaining a successful Phone: 814-371-9290 PATU will make every effort to advance Email: [email protected] our knowledge of coldwater environs and fingerling stocking program, waters pos- the trout that reside therein. sessing the characteristics best suited to SECRETARY – Bob Pennell this stocking approach could be added 2319 Valley Road In the execution of its mission, PATU Harrisburg, PA 17104 will work cooperatively with the Pennsyl- to the program and surveys conducted to Phone: 717-395-5124 vania Fish and Boat Commission, as well Continued on next page... Email: [email protected] PA TROUT EDITOR & DESIGNER – Actions Taken by EXCOM since Oct. 7, 2018 Brad Isles October 28 – Approved Council to sign on to National TU’s letter to the leaders P.O. Box 23 Grove City, PA 16127 of the US House and Senate requesting reauthorization of the Land & Water Conser- Phone: 724-967-2832 vation Fund (LWCF) which expired on Sept. 30, 2018. Email: [email protected] November 9 – Approved Council to sign on to the letter from the Coalition for the PA TROUT ADVERTISING – Delaware River Watershed to the US Office of Management & Budget requesting Brad Isles robust funding for the Delaware River Restoration Program in FY2020. P.O. Box 23 Approved hiring the accounting firm of Mauthe, Yutzey, Gabler & Grove City, PA 16127 November 14 – Phone: 724-967-2832 Troxell to prepare and file federal and state income tax forms for FY2018. Email: [email protected] December 10 – Approved sharing the cost of a meeting room to discuss strate- WEB EDITOR – Bob Pennell gies for managing the Delaware River with the NY, NJ and DE State Councils at the 2319 Valley Road January Fly Fishing Show in Edison, NJ. Harrisburg, PA 17104 December 13 – Approved signing on to a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engi- Phone: 717-395-5124 Email: [email protected] neers in support of establishing controls to eliminate the migration of Asian Carp into the Great Lakes. COPYRIGHT 2019 December 28 – Approved 2019 regional training dates of April 6 for western Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited region at the Nimick Family Education Center of the Loyalhanna Watershed Asso- No portion may be reproduced without permission. ciation in Ligonier, and April 27 for eastern region at the Columbia County Conser- vation District in Bloomsburg. 2 PA TROUT ... Winter 2019 www.patrout.org ...Continued from previous page for evaluation of the impacts on those determine success or failure. waterways and watersheds. PA COUNCIL PATU advocates that no hatchery trout be PATU recommends that streams in OF TROUT introduced to any waters holding naturally watersheds that support migratory popula- sustaining native brook trout throughout tions of wild brook or brown trout be man- UNLIMITED the entire year. Acknowledging PFBC’s aged on a watershed level for the resource 2019 COMMITTEES classification system of Pennsylvania’s opportunities afforded during all seasons Awards – wild trout waters, we support cessation of of the year. There are sustaining numbers Ed O’Gorman all stocking in Class A, Class B, and Class of wild trout in fisheries that are currently 717-580-3186 / [email protected] C waters. Instead, we support actions classified as Warm Water Fisheries. Two Coldwater Heritage Partnership Admin. – directed at enhancing those populations. examples are the Frankstown Branch of the Ashley Wilmont We also recommend periodic resurveying and Sherman’s Creek. PATU 814-359-5233 / [email protected] of Class B, Class C, and Class D waters to believes that wild trout populations exist- Coldwater Heritage Partnership TU Delegate – ing in entire watersheds such as these are Ken Undercoffer determine if changes or improvements in 814-765-1035 / [email protected] habitat or water quality may be appropriate not being documented due to the surveys College/5 Rivers – to enhance the wild trout population. being conducted only in mid-summer. Charlie Charlesworth PATU also encourages consideration These riverine migratory wild trout 570-954-5042 / [email protected] of the stocking of sterile rainbow trout populations should be identified and then Communications – (triploids) as a potential method of re- managed on a watershed level to protect Brad Isles ducing or discontinuing the stocking of these wild trout seeking thermal refuge 724-967-2832 / [email protected] hatchery brook, brown, and non-sterile during the spawning season. Delaware River – Lee Hartman rainbow trout species. This will allow for This approach could also set the stage 570-224-6371 / [email protected] and provide an example for managing wild populations of both brook and brown Jeff Skelding trout to be more accurately assessed, and trout populations on a watershed level 410-245-8021 / [email protected] the chance of introducing species specific rather than by the current method of uti- Development – diseases will be greatly reduced. Waters lizing stream segments and determining George Kutskel should be selected for introduction of trip- management decisions based on those 814-371-9290 / [email protected] loids for a trial period, and data gathered sections alone. Diversity Initiative – Amidea Daniel 814-359-5127 / [email protected] Kelly Williams 814-765-2624 / [email protected] Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture – Ken Undercoffer 814-765-1035 / [email protected] Environmental – Jeff Ripple 814-267-4086 / [email protected] Membership – Russ Thrall 570-620-8677 / [email protected] National Leadership Council Rep. – Brian Wagner 484-894-8289 / [email protected] Trout in the Classroom – Ashley Wilmont 814-359-5114 / [email protected] Trout Management – Len Lichvar 814-659-7057 / [email protected] Dave Rothrock 570-377-9712 / [email protected] Veterans Service Partnership Initiative – Ernest Demastus (VSP) 216-647-2152 / [email protected] Youth Education – Judi Sittler 814-861-3288 / [email protected]

www.patrout.org PA TROUT ... Winter 2019 3 Digital Edition Sponsors The Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited would like to thank the businesses on the next page for sponsoring the digital edition of PA Trout.

For information on how to become a sponsor of the digital edition or to advertise in the printed newsletter, please contact Charlie Charlesworth, Tali MacArthur or Brad Isles. Contact information is available on pages 2-3.

Digital edition sponsorship is $25 per issue for an approximately 3.5-inch by 3-inch ad that runs online only. Print ad costs vary by size. 26 North Second Street Jeffrey Ripple Clearfield, PA 16830 206 Vanyo Road 814-765-3582 | [email protected] Berlin, PA 15530 www.jimssports.com 814-701-9703 | [email protected]

Archery, Bicycling, Fly Fishing, Casting, Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Lessons Printed and Embroidered Clothing Guided Fishing Trips in the Laurel Highlands Headwaters A message from PATU President Greg Malaska

“You stink!” Those were the chilling words spoken by my brother Anthony after I had emptied both barrels of my 12 gauge for the third time. His German Shorthair puppy, Jag- ger, had done an admirable job of pointing chukars; I just couldn’t hit any of them. The sad reality is that, after 30-plus years of hunting, I could hit a standing pheasant at 40 yards with a bow, but if that same bird took off 10 yards away and I had a shotgun in my hand, I’d be ordering take- out that evening. I had a serious problem and needed to address it. After letting down Jagger, my brother, and myself, I decided I needed an interven- tion. The next week, I signed up for a one- day shooting course at Orvis Sandanona in Millbrook, NY. My wife, kids, and I drove was the painful self-assessment/kick-in- trainings. up on a rainy Dec. 28, my 47th birthday. the-ass which was necessary. I needed Third, to allow for more networking Mary Kay dropped me off at the Orvis someone to show me a different way and amongst chapters, we eliminated breakout facility on a cold Saturday morning and left I am eternally grateful to Joe for showing sessions. All attendees will hear the same me there to begin the exorcism (while she me a better approach. presentations from the same person at the and the kids spent their Christmas money The takeaway here is that as TU chapter same time in the same place. at the Poughkeepsie Galleria Mall). With volunteers, we should never stop learn- Fourth, we will provide hints on improv- my tail between my legs, I was scared, yet ing and never stop challenging ourselves ing your advocacy outside of the stream. ready to face my demons. to find different ways to strengthen our National TU staff will explain how to The Orvis grounds and instructors were chapters and protect our streams. Passion monitor actions in Harrisburg and Wash- top notch in appearance and approach. I, only takes you so far. ington and representatives from the PFBC along with my three other classmates, met This discovery led to several important will give us an update on the Commission’s our instructor, Joe Wassi, around 8:45. Joe changes in this year’s regional trainings. plans for 2019. had taught for decades and after assessing First, we changed locations. After nine Lastly, we’ll make the most of your time. my build, selected a 20 gauge over/under years on EXCOM, I realized that we had We’ll start at 9 a.m., end at 3 p.m., and feed that fit me like a glove (albeit way outside never held a statewide event in the north- everyone in between. This schedule will of my budget). east or southwest? Why? Doesn’t matter. allow for post-event networking, fishing What happened next was both humbling We’re a statewide organization and need to on the Loyalhanna and Fishing Creek, or and liberating. In the first 15 minutes, provide programming throughout our state, a head start home. Joe showed me several errors in my gun not just a few centralized locations. This Change is tough. We can’t become mount. I quickly learned that every shot I year’s trainings will be held in Ligonier addicted to the “that’s the way we’ve al- had taken in the last 33 years was destined (Westmoreland County on April 6) and ways done it” approach. The day we stop to fail because I had been mounting my gun Bloomsburg (Columbia County on April challenging ourselves as TU volunteers is improperly, forcing every shot to the left. 27). We look forward to working with the the day the trout will suffer. There should After this sobering epiphany, my shoot- Forbes Trail and Columbia County chap- never be a consequence to asking, “What ing improved remarkably and, while you ters at these important events. about ….” won’t see me in the Olympics next year, Second, we tweaked the curriculum Our streams will thank us. I made significant progress and started to better meet the needs of our chapters. See you in Ligonier and Bloomsburg. gaining the shooting confidence that had Many chapters have great ideas for stream P.S. In case you’re wondering, during eluded me. I still need major “therapy” in enhancement projects, yet are faced with my first “therapy session” at Lehigh Valley the form of regular trips to the shooting the same two questions: Where can I find Sporting Clays, I shot 42%. Not great, but clays course, but I am finally ready to deal funding and design assistance for our better than I expected and a testament to with this problem. Wingshooting school project? We’ll provide options at both the value of a new approach. 4 PA TROUT ... Winter 2019 www.patrout.org Treasurer’s Report Chapter Donations • John Kennedy by PATU Treasurer • Neshannock George Kutskel The following chapters have made a • Oil Creek commitment to PATU within the last 12 • Seneca I would like to start off with a THANK months. Brook Trout $250 to $499 YOU to those of you who have made a Exceptional Value $1,000 or more contribution to our annual appeal. If you • Adams County were thinking of making a donation but • Cumberland Valley • Buck’s County thought it too late, it’s not. You can still • Mountain Laurel • Donegal send a check or go to our website and • Penns Woods West Wild Trout $100 to $249 make donation. • Valley Forge We still have a small number of fly rods High Quality $500 to $999 • Hokendauqua and rod cases that would make great items • Allegheny Mountain Want to see your chapter listed? for chapter fundraisers. These are available • Doc Fritchey Please contact your chapter leaders and on a first-come basis. • God’s Country tell them! We made it through the hectic Annual Financial Report season and with the new hunting in some wild place. Because we be sure that their leaders are properly as- fiscal year can take a breather until March are a group with a primary care about trout signed on National TU’s website. Many of 2020. and fishing for trout is almost a universal chapters failed to keep the list of officers The time to prepare for this change is pursuit, chapters should make sure they and board members current. This causes now. Reports will be due on May 15 and, if have the data necessary and be prepared delays and other issues that can be kept to the past is any kind of indication, this will to fill the forms out prior to taking off for a minimum just by reviewing their listing present a new set of issues. Every year I trout camp or extended vacations. once a quarter or as changes are made to hear from chapters that their treasurer is off Now is also a good time to check and their boards. CAMP ture, casting, fly tying, environmental education – Science Technology Recre- from page 1 sciences, team building, plant identifica- ation Engineering Art and Math. tion, waterways protection, and a final Instructors include professionals from fun-filled week of learning and developing conservation project. the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commis- skills, while establishing lifelong friends Boy Scouts can earn merit badges and sion, Department of Environmental Pro- Girl Scouts can earn Stream Girl patches. tection, Department of Conservation and at the same time. The Stream Girls curriculum allows young Natural Resources (Parks and Forestry), Keystone/TUTeens has been in existence girls to develop an interest in the outdoors county conservation districts, university for the last six years and is located on the and outdoor sciences, including engineer- professors, conservation groups, and vol- Southern Branch of Tunkhannock Creek ing sciences of water and hydraulics. unteers from National TU, Pennsylvania on the campus of Keystone College, just The addition of the Stream Girls cur- Council and local TU chapters. minutes from Scranton at the gateway to riculum now completes our plan to con- Questions or requests for information Pennsylvania’s Endless Mountains region. vert from STEM-based education to what can be sent to [email protected] or call Instruction includes tackle nomencla- National TU refers to as STREAM-based Charlie Charlesworth at 570-954-5042.

The Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited has more than 14,000 members in nearly 50 chapters statewide, with one common goal: The con- servation and enhancement of Pennsylvania’s coldwater streams and fisheries, specifically our wild trout resources. Trout Unlimited is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, functioning for charitable, educational and scientific purposes. Donations are deductible to the extent provided by law. For information on advertising in PA Trout, call 814-692-5232, or email [email protected]. See pages 2-3 for Council contact information, officers and committees. For listings of Regional VPs and Pennsylvania TU chapters, and their contact information, see pages 8-16.

PENNSYLVANIA TROUT is published quarterly by the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. Information in this publication is provided “as is” and without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. The Pennsylvania Council Pennsylvania of Trout Unlimited makes no guarantees as to accuracy, currency, quality or fitness of any information presented in this Trout is a publication. The Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited assumes no legal liability or responsibility for any incorrect, misleading, outdated or missing information. supporting The views and opinions expressed in PENNSYLVANIA TROUT are those of the writers, who are responsible for the member accuracy of content. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. The accep- of the tance of advertising by the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited does not constitute an endorsement of the products or Pennsylvania services advertised. The publisher assumes no responsibility or liability for the publication of copy submitted by advertisers. Outdoor The Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited reserves the right to cancel or reject articles or advertising deemed inap- Writers Association propriate or unsuitable for PENNSYLVANIA TROUT. Anyone using any information from this publication does so at his own risk and shall be deemed to indemnify the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. The publisher shall not be responsible or liable for any damage or injury resulting from such use. Letters to the editor are welcome; they must be signed and contain the writer’s contact information. PATU reserves the right to edit letters for length.

www.patrout.org PA TROUT ... Winter 2019 5 PFBC Executive Director his financial review of PA Council of Tim Sheaffer and Bureau the treasurer’s records of Fisheries Director Andy and PATU bank accounts Trout Unlimited Shiels. Malaska signed found no irregularities for Minutes of the February 9, 2019 and sent a letter in Decem- the months of September Executive Committee Meeting ber, 2018, engaging the through December, 2018. PFBC Centre Region Office, Bellefonte, PA previously approved ac- Leonard submitted his counting firm of Mauthe, resignation as financial Officers Attending: Greg Malaska, Bob Yutzey, Gabler & Troxell reviewer, effective April Pennell, John Leonard, Monty Murty, to provide auditing ser- 15, 2019. A motion was Brian Wagner, Brian McGuire, Ken Un- vices to PA Council. carried to accept Russ dercoffer, Russ Collins, Chuck Winters Program Director’s Report: Re- Thrall’s offer to serve as financial adviser, Others Attending: Ashley Wilmont, port submitted. A motion was carried effective April 16, 2019. Judi Sittler, Russ Thrall, Amidea Daniel, to approve the current list of Coldwater Regional Reports: Len Lichvar, Rob Shane Heritage Partnership (CHP) grantees as • North Central – All eight chapters The meeting was called to order at 10 recommended by the CHP Committee. reported. a.m. by President Malaska. A motion was carried to approve chang- • Northeast – Nine of 10 chapters Diversity Initiative: Report submitted. ing the deadline to July 15 for submitting Daniel reviewed the “R3” threats (Re- Forever Wild grant applications, with an reported. Shehawken did not report. cruit, Retain, Reactivate) that represent RFP release in May 15, beginning in 2020. • Northwest – Six of nine chapters re- the challenges facing the PA Fish & Boat Wilmont explained the relationship of her ported. Caldwell Creek, Cornplanter Commission, as well as PATU, in attract- duties performed as CHP program direc- and NW PA did not report. Malaska ing and maintaining angler participation. tor, TIC coordinator and PATU program will contact the NW PA Chapter A motion was carried to approve an director. Due to increased demands on president to review the requirements expenditure of $1,000.00 to support the her time serving in these 3 capacities, the for maintaining their good standing as Women’s Retreat planned for April 26-28. Stroud Water Resource Center has offered a viable chapter. a proposal to support and oversee Coun- The remaining $2,000.00 of the $3,000.00 • South Central – All seven chapters re- cil’s TIC program. A motion was carried to that has been budgeted for this fiscal year ported. Falling Spring will hold its an- increase the amount of $7,000.00 already will be used to support two regional train- nual meeting on March 5. Depending budgeted this fiscal year for TIC support ings in the fall of 2019. on the outcome, action could be taken and enter into a contract with Stroud in the Trout in the Classroom: Report by Council to evaluate re-chartering amount of $8,002.00 to provide TIC sup- submitted. Daniel presented an over- the chapter. view of the statewide TIC program port services through the balance of 2019. that currently consists of 256 with pro- National Leadership Council Report: • Southeast – All seven chapters re- gram partners, including 38 TU chap- Report submitted. Wagner reported that ported. ters, and 136 with no known partners. Joe Greco has volunteered to represent • Southwest – Seven of eight chapters The statewide TIC conference scheduled PATU on National TU’s Lake Erie Work- reported. Penns Woods West did not for July 18 in Harrisburg is being planned group. Wagner is focusing his efforts on report. by three TIC teachers and four PATU developing advocacy strategies for Na- Committee Reports: personnel. An estimated $1,000.00 in tional’s Climate Change Workgroup. The PATU funds will be needed in addition to NLC is accepting applications to serve as • Trout Management - Report on what has already been committed in free a grassroots trustee from Pennsylvania. Gill Lice was submitted. Lichvar services, the exact amount for which is to Treasurer’s Report: Report submit- reported that a follow up meeting on be presented for approval at our March 30 ted. In the absence of Treasurer George this subject is scheduled for Feb- EXCOM meeting. Kutskel, EXCOM members will be re- ruary 15. (Malaska recused him- Minutes of 10/7/18 EXCOM Meeting: quested to submit by email any questions self from this discussion due A motion was carried to accept the minutes or comments on his Budget Report dated to a possible conflict of interest). A of the October 7, 2028 EXCOM meeting 12/31/18 before approval by an email motion was carried to adopt the re- as previously distributed to members of vote. PATU has received $18,000.00 from vised Policy on Trout Management EXCOM. First Energy to support the statewide TIC subject to further amendment that was President’s Report: Malaska reported program as part of the settlement Sunoco drafted and approved by this commit- that he, along with Len Lichvar and Dave reached with DEP to compensate for Mari- tee. Collins has prepared a PowerPoint Rothrock, attended a meeting on December ner East pipeline damages. presentation of the policy for use by 3, 2018, to discuss trout management poli- Financial Reviewer’s Report: Re- chapters and other audiences. Shane cies and programs with newly-appointed port submitted. Leonard reported that suggested that additional language 6 PA TROUT ... Winter 2019 www.patrout.org about the educational and economic WATER and we lose more forest cover to invasive aspects of trout management should be from page 1 species such as the spotted lanternfly and considered for future policy updates. the hemlock wooly adelgid, can we really • Veterans Services – No report sub- protections from roughly half the wetlands afford to lessen protections for our vital mitted. After a discussion about the in the United States and 20% of stream waterways? requirements that Project Healing miles that run dry for parts of the year, Clean water should not be a political issue; it’s a constitutional right for you Waters imposes on becoming a PHW which would permit unchecked pollution and me and every Pennsylvanian. With chapter, it was suggested that any in these watersheds, degrade drinking that right, also comes a responsibility to TU chapter interested in forming a water quality, and harm aquatic species. protect it at all costs. separate PHW chapter should submit Here in Pennsylvania, few know the im- The 2015 Clean Water Rule brought clar- any proposed agreement or MOU to portance of headwater streams better than ity to the 1972 Clean Water Act, defining Council for guidance. TU members. Home to native and wild trout, these waters are the capillaries that what bodies of water are covered—includ- • Development – Report submitted. feed the Delaware River, , and ing the streams that flow seasonally or only Malaska is waiting to receive a rec- every other blue-ribbon trout fishery in the after rains, which account for 60 percent of ommendation from this committee Commonwealth. They provide cold water stream miles in the United States. regarding investment opportunities. refuge in the summer, spawning habitat in The new proposal would unravel those This will be a topic for discussion at the fall, and nursery grounds for young- protections. I urge you to stand beside me, the March 30 EXCOM meeting. of-year trout in the winter and spring. The make your voice heard, and oppose the • Awards – No report submitted. negative effects from degrading these administration’s new, weaker Waters of the United States proposal. Tell the EPA that • small streams and wetlands would be felt Delaware River – Report submitted. you want to enhance protections for our No action items requested. throughout the watershed. Aside from fish, we all depend on these streams and wetlands, not diminish them. • Environmental – No report submitted. small streams to provide clean drinking Visit TU’s Action Center at standup.tu.org for information about how to help. A suggestion was made to change the water to our reservoirs. Gravity is free, As of Feb. 14, the public comment pe- name of this committee to “Conserva- and never takes a day off, and as long riod is open, and will close on April 15. tion” Committee. as our streams remain protected we can You can submit comments to the EPA by • Youth Education – Report submit- count on clean water reaching our homes, visiting http://standup.tu.org/stand-up-for- ted. Sittler requested that chapters businesses, farms, and schools at an af- clean-water. contact her for guidance in developing fordable cost. STREAM Girls programs for their If you receive water in your home from Rob Shane is Mid-Atlantic Organizer for respective areas. a well, protected wetlands filter out pol- Trout Unlimited, based in Monroe County, PA. When he’s not meeting with TU chap- • Membership – Report submitted. lutants before water enters underground ters and angling groups in Pennsylvania, Thrall reported that PATU member- aquifers and comes out of your faucet he can be found fishing for trout, musky, ship now stands at 14,037 members. clean enough to drink. Protecting our water at the source will undoubtedly be much and smallmouth bass in the Delaware Old Business: cheaper than building new infrastructure River and Susquehanna Rivers. Volunteer Recognition Certificates for municipal water treatment facilities and – Malaska pointed out that a template saddling local communities with the bill. is available for recognizing outstanding Pennsylvania’s booming outdoor econo- volunteer efforts at the chapter level. my also depends on clean water. According Change in Corporate Name – Malaska to a report from the Theodore Roosevelt confirmed that this is a simple process if Conservation Partnership and Southwick we decide that this is something we need Associates in 2018, hunting and angling to do in the future. supports more than 20,000 jobs in the PATU Annual Meeting – Wilmont will Commonwealth, generates roughly $800 check out availability of the Petersburg million in salaries, and contributes more Fire Hall at Shaver’s Creek for September than $300 million to state and local taxes. 14-15. There was also a suggestion that we Our 86,000 miles of streams have had it feature a speaker this year. rough over the past couple hundred years. PATU Regional Trainings – Logging, mining, oil and gas extraction, The training sessions will run from pipeline development, and urbanization 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will cover have already taken their toll. Yet, we still four categories; Fundraising, Technical claim more than 15,000 documented miles Continued on next page... of wild trout water. As our climate warms www.patrout.org PA TROUT ... Winter 2019 7 ...Continued from previous page ______Assistance, Advocacy and an update from NORTHEAST CHAPTERS Forks of the Delaware Chapter #482 PFBC. Brodhead 289 Joe Baylog National TU Regional Meeting – This 610-751-9116, [email protected] Forks of the Delaware 482 www.forkstu.org meeting will be held at the Allenberry Re- Hokendauqua 535 sort in Boiling Springs on May 31 through Chapter leaders met with the new Buzzi Uni- cem Stockertown plant manager in October to June 2. May 31 will be a hosted fishing day Lackawanna Valley 414 Monocacy 491 discuss quarry operations and possible solutions to on local streams. dewatering issues. Leaders also sent a follow-up Award to Joe Humphreys – Malaska Pike-Wayne 462 letter to John Stefanko, DEP deputy secretary ac- will present a Lifetime Achievement Schuylkill County 537 tive and abandoned mines, to set up a stakeholder Award to Joe Humphreys at the Fly Fish- Shehawken 81 meeting with DEP (Mines and Water Quality), ing & Wingshooting Expo at Split Rock Buzzi Unicem, PennDOT, Norfolk Southern, Stan Cooper Sr. 251 Northampton County Conservation District and Lodge on March 2. Western Pocono 203 Trout Unlimited. We received an Embrace-A- New Business: Stream grant from National TU for $4,500 for the Keystone Coldwater Conference – Bushkill Creek restoration project. We were able Malaska requested that members of EX- REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT to raise another $5,578.15 through the Embrace- COM participate in the planning of the next Robert Hughes A-Stream fundraiser and Orvis match. Additional KCWC to be held in late February, 2020. 394 E. Washington St. PATU Budget Committee – Volunteers Nanticoke, PA 18634 are needed to serve on this committee. Email: [email protected] Attendance at PFBC Quarterly Meet- Phone: 570-239-3909 ings – After the PFBC publishes the agen- da for its quarterly meetings, a conference Brodhead Chapter #289 call will be held to determine if a PATU Eric Baird representative should attend. 570-396-4647, [email protected] Summer EXCOM Meeting – This meet- www.brodheadtu.org GET A CUSTOM ing will be held at Sinnemahoning State Our annual banquet is March 29 at the Park on June 22. Stroudsmoor Country Inn Ridgecrest Facility. TROUT UNLIMITED We are planning on continuing work on Cherry Update on Clean Water Rule – Shane Creek and hope to improve another 2,000 linear PENNSYLVANIA emphasized that an email request coming feet of stream with the help of the US Fish and soon from National TU about the revised Wildlife Service. We also have an additional 500 LICENSE PLATE! Clean Water Rule should not be ignored, linear feet of stream improvement permitted for Want to show others that you’re a proud and that a multitude of responses to the Pocono Creek. That work is in conjunction with member of PATU and support the mission EPA are needed to postpone any action on the Brodhead Regional Authority and the Pocono Heritage Land Trust. We finished our first redd of Trout Unlimited? Well, you can, and it the proposed changes affecting wetlands survey. In November, we partnered with the will only cost you a onetime charge of $26 and ephemeral waters. Pocono Heritage Land Trust to construct around for a specialty PA license plate. The cus- Other New Business: 70 waste fishing line recycling containers that tom plate fee is in addition to your annual we plan to deploy throughout the Pocono region PATU Participation in PAEE Confer- registration fee, and the plate is available ence – A motion was carried to participate this spring. We are looking into the potential for for passenger cars and trucks 14,000 lbs. in the PA Association of Environmental additional stream improvements on a portion of McMichaels Creek recently acquired by the Po- or less, motor homes and trailers. Educators conference at the $250 sponsor- cono Heritage Land Trust. The chapter supports ship level. two TIC programs. We are partnering with the To order your Pennsylvania Council of PATU Committee Structures – Murty Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center Trout Unlimited PA state license plate, requested that a review of our current to present an Introduction to Fly Fishing Class send your name, TU membership num- committee structures and their names be on March 16. The chapter is joining with the ber and current PA license plate number placed on the agenda as an action item for Brodhead Watershed Association on a Coldwater Conservation Partnership grant to perform the by email to [email protected] or the March 30 EXCOM meeting. necessary studies for a Chapter 93 re-designation mail to: Note: It was decided to table two ad- on Mill and Rattlesnake creeks. Our March meet- Bob Pennell ditional new business items received ing features Brian Wagner, chair of TU’s Climate from Charlie Charlesworth on February Change Work Group and past PATU president, 2319 Valley Road 8 which will need further clarifications who will speak on what TU is doing to about Harrisburg, PA 17104 before proceeding with any action. climate change, and Emily Rinaldi, the Penn- In return, you’ll receive an application sylvania lead on the Coalition for the Delaware The meeting was adjourned by mutual River Watershed, who will detail the “Our Pocono form to complete and send with your $26 consent at 2:55 p.m. Waters” campaign. The meeting is March 13 at payment to PennDOT. – Bob Pennell, Council Secretary Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center. 8 PA TROUT ... Winter 2019 grants for the project have been awarded to our Lackawanna Valley Chapter #414 trees in the riparian zone. We are hoping this joint partner, the Bushkill Stream Conservancy, from Jacob Bliss effort of TU, Master Watershed Stewards and the DCNR and DEP Growing Greener. The chapter 570-833-2091, [email protected] Northampton County Conservation District will received a $1,000 donation from Roseto Rod & www.lackawannavalleytu.org serve as a template for other projects in the area. Gun Club for our TIC program. We reviewed Our next meeting is Feb. 26 with Geoff Reese of the final plan for the Bushkill Creek restoration We have received two substantial donations the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission at the project between Tatamy and Mill Race Park in from private organizations to be used for stream DAR Log Cabin, Bethlehem. The Fly Fishing Palmer Township. Design and permitting work are improvement. Our 5Rivers initiative, the “Key- Film Tour returns to the Frank Bank Alehouse being completed by Hanover Engineering. This stone Creekwalkers,” had a busy fall semester, Cinemas at Steelstacks March 26-27. project is in partnership with the Bushkill Stream going on multiple fishing trips including a trip ______Conservancy. The chapter held its Fall Adopt-A- to the Salmon River for Steelhead in November. They also won “Funniest Float” in Keystone Col- Pike-Wayne Chapter #462 Highway cleanup along Bushkill Drive in October Tony Capitano under the direction of Karl Loser. Brook trout eggs lege’s Homecoming Parade and have completed one stream cleanup on Keystone’s woodland 570-676-9994, [email protected] arrived at our three TIC schools, Nazareth, Wind www.pwtu.org Gap and Bangor middle schools and Easton High campus. The Creekwalkers will be helping with School in early November. The chapter purchased the Fly Fishing and Wingshooting Expo at Split Past PATU President Charlie Charlesworth UV sterilizers for each of our school’s tanks. The Rock Lodge from March 1-3, and are planning presented a video of the Route 6 Odyssey at a chapter sponsored a PFBC Family Fly Fishing on competing in the Fly Fishing Championship recent meeting. Members volunteered as river Program at Jacobsburg Environmental Education in State College this spring. We have completed helpers for the Casting for Recovery program at Center and the Ballas pond (Bushkill Township the permit application process for a large scale Skytop Lodge. We continued our winter monthly open space) in October. Our December meeting restoration project on Roaring Brook, the largest meetings at Cora’s Bistro in Hawley. Our banquet featured “Climate Change & Trout,” a presen- of the . We expect to is April 6 at Lukan’s Farm Resort in Hawley. tation by Martha Christine, Citizen’s Climate complete the project in summer of 2020. In the Chapter representatives attended monthly meet- Lobby-Lehigh Valley and Brian Wagner, chair of coming months we will be selecting a work site(s) ings of Pike County Conservation District, and TU’s Climate Change Work Group. and applying for the proper permits. Our TU Teens participate in macroinvertebrate sampling and ______club is working to establish TIC programs in our electrofishing in Pike County area schools. Our women’s initiative, the “Fly ______Hokendauqua Chapter #535 Girls,” were forced to cancel their fall steelhead Art Williams trip due to unsafe stream conditions. The chapter Schuylkill County Chapter #537 Brian Lengel 610-266-1788, [email protected] will have a booth at the J&B Sportsmen’s Show on 570-573-7076, [email protected] http://hokendauqua.tu.org March 23. We plan to hold a streambank cleanup www.schuylkillcountytu.org We held a veterans’ event at Green-Walk Trout on the Lackawanna on April 27. Hatchery. We are looking forward toward spring ______We are working with the Schuylkill Headwaters and another event. The chapter participated in a Monocacy Chapter #491 Association on a First Day on the Water program. This year, the event is on the Little Schuylkill joint chapter event with three other local chapters. Erik Broesicke River, near Tamaqua. We have seven fly-tying The speaker for the event was Don Baylor, who 610-909-2652, [email protected] classes scheduled for 2019. We received a grant spoke about Pocono streams. The chapter also www.monocacytu.org had and informational booth at the Walnut Canal for stream work on Swipes Valley Run near Pine Festival featuring a macroinvertebrate display and The chapter continues to be involved with a Grove. Our membership meetings are held at an interactive chart. The chart is used to show the small project on private property. The landowner the Pottsville AMVETS on the fourth Tuesday different types of invertebrates at different stages has property on both sides of the stream and is of the month. of their lives. We are now sponsoring three TIC interested in improving its habitat. Last fall, he ______programs. The fourth Wednesday of each month, financed the placing of one ton of large rock in-stream. The project will continue this spring Shehawken Chapter #81 chapter members assemble for “Ties and Tacos.” Fred Gender with the proposed planting of native plants and ______Continued on page 11...

RepYourWater provides creative and unique designs on high-quality apparel and merchandise, and makes a difference for wildlife habitat around the country. RepYourWater donates 1% of Pennsylvania designed apparel sales to Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited to support our Coldwater Conservation Corps program. We would like to thank RepYourWater for its support and for those who have purchased items. Please check them out at www.repyourwater.com and support coldwater conservation!

PA TROUT ... Winter 2019 9 Merchandise Order Form Thank you for supporting the efforts of the Pennsylvania Council ofTrout Unlimited in protecting, conserving, and restor- ing Pennsylvania’s coldwater streams. Merchandise orders are processed during volunteer time. Please allow adequate time for your order to be filled and shipped. Direct questions to George Kutskel at [email protected] or 814-371-9290. See the Merchandise page at www.patrout.org for additional details.

Item Description Price Qty. Total 1. “Back the Brookie” License Plate $25.00 1 Ball cap w/logo (circle) Khaki Navy Camo $15.00 Large Waterproof Fly Box (6”x4”x1”) $25.00 Custom Fly Leaders 2. Dry Fly – 4X Tippet Dry Fly – 5X Tippet Dry Fly – 6X Tippet Wet Fly – 4X Tippet w/ 2 Droppers Wet Fly – 5X Tippet w/ 2 Droppers Subtotal – Leader Quantity (1 to 9) $5.00 3. Subtotal – Leader Quantity (10 or more) $4.50 “PA Limestone Trout Creeks” Book $26.95 “Fly Fishing PA’s Spring Creek” Book $20.00 “More of CVTU’s Favorite Flies” Book $22.00 2 “Keystone Fly Fishing” Book $30.00 3 Ned Smith “Sting of the Hook” Print – Unframed $148.40 Ned Smith “Sting of the Hook” Print – Framed $259.70 4. 4 Little Juniata Patch 2011 – 4” $6.00 Little Juniata Patch 2011 – 6” $10.00 5 Kinzua Creek Patch 2010 – 4” $6.00 Kinzua Creek Patch 2010 – 6” $10.00 5. PATU Decals – 3” $3.00 PATU Travel Rod Case $50.00 Custom 9’0, 5-wt., 3-piece Fly Rod $175.00 Adult TIC T-shirt (circle size) S M L XL $17.00 Limited sizes, colors 6 *****and quantities. Adult TIC T-shirt (circle size) 2XL 3XL $20.00 *****Call Ashley Wilmont at 814-359-5233 6. Youth TIC T-shirt (circle size) M L $17.00 for availability. Official PATU T-shirt (circle size) S M L XL $20.00 Official PATU T-shirt (circle size) 2XL 3XL $23.00 6% sales tax (where applicable), shipping Note: and handling costs included in unit prices. Total $ Ship to: Name: ______Mail this form, along with money order or check payable to “PA Trout” to: Address: ______Attn: Merchandise City, State, Zip: ______PA Council of Trout Unlimited PO Box 5148 Phone ______Email ______Bellefonte, PA 16823 ** Phone and email are needed should PATU have questions regarding your order. ...Continued from page 9 Reclamation Executive Director Bobby Hughes A recently installed UV sterilizer is keeping the 570-704-8764, [email protected] visited the area in November. Hughes had done water free of fungus. Upcoming meetings are Feb. https://www.facebook.com/Shehawken- extensive studies on a nearby section of the creek 28 and March 28 at Coudersport Public Library. Trout-Unlimited-811023349070239/ a few years ago with EPCAMR and provided ______technical reports, maps and water quality data to Lloyd Wilson Chapter #224 No report. Western Pocono TU. EPCAMR is supportive of ______Bill Bailey the area being considered for further preservation 570-748-6120, [email protected] Stanley Cooper, Sr. Chapter #251 and land protection. Western Pocono TU will www.lwtu.org Scott Brady continue to monitor the area for future planning. 570-479-6106, [email protected] We had our annual family banquet/raffle in www.sctu.org November. Several chapter members helped pack NORTHCENTRAL food and eggs for TIC programs. The chapter Our banquet is April 6 at the Holiday Inn Wil- purchased a UV sanitizer for the TIC program at kes Barre – East Mountain. EPCAMR completed CHAPTERS the Jersey Shore High School. the final design of the informational kiosk for our Columbia County 038 ______Solomon Creek Dam Removal and Stream Habitat Improvement Project with Fossil Industries. The God’s Country 327 Penns Creek Chapter #119 kiosk is to be installed in the spring. The dam Lloyd Wilson 224 Joe Dunmire 717-899-6085, [email protected] removal project is complete. EPCAMR continues Penns Creek 119 to work with the Luzerne Conservation District Our annual Winter Social was held on Dec. and Dallas Area Municipal Authority to conduct Raymond B. Winter 124 15. We renewed our membership to the Penns field reconnaissance of the Upper wa- Spring Creek 185 Valley Conservation Association and purchased tershed in Kingston Township, Dallas Township Susquehanna 044 a membership in the Juniata County Watershed and Dallas Borough and note locations that need Association. Our annual banquet is March 9 at 6 to be looked at further and sampled for in-stream Tiadaghton 688 p.m. at Belleville Mennonite School. High water water quality, as well as stormwater BMPs, stream in 2018 left us with an unfinished stream restora- channel restoration projects, culvert replacements tion project on Kish Creek. Log deflectors that are and assessment, riparian buffer projects and trout REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT to be installed have been scheduled for the com- habitat improvement projects. EPCAMR submit- ing year, if the water ever recedes. Tree planting ted another CHP assessment grant for $5,000 for Bob Volkmar can take place after the landscaping is done. TIC the Huntsville Creek tributary of Toby Creek in 443 West Br. Fishing Creek Rd. programs in Mifflin County schools are running December. The chapter is in support of the proj- Roulette, PA 16746 well. TIC programs in Juniata County are in flux ect. Coldwater grant data collection is ongoing because of school closures and consolidations. on Shade’s Creek. The chapter received five rods Email: [email protected] ______from the LL Bean to use in upcoming programs. Phone: 814-544-7174 R.B. Winter Chapter #124 We have been coordinating with our TIC sites. Our Bob Laubach Project Healing Waters program meets the first Columbia County Chapter #38 Erick Lewis 570-966-3379, [email protected] Friday of each month. The chapter’s “Women’s facebook.com/RBWinterTroutUnlimitedChapter Camp” is May 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Brews 607-621-8126, [email protected] and Bugs is held the fourth Tuesday of the month The chapter is pursuing collaboration with a Our November meeting featured PFBC Com- at 6:30 p.m. at Sabbatini’s. sporting club in the Berwick area to host a VSP missioner Eric Hussar and PFBC WCO Jacob ______event. We are also helping to plan an upcoming Bennet. Our December meeting featured Mid PATU training in Bloomsburg. We participated Atlantic coordinator Carol Western Pocono Chapter #203 Parenzan. River of the Year activities that took George Hludzik in the Early Bird Sports Expo in January. We are working with Columbia County District Conser- place on the this past year were 570-788-2121, [email protected] also discussed. Amidea Daniel made a presenta- www.tu.org/connect/groups/203-western-pocono vation Office to plan for grant applications and projects during the spring and summer for Fishing tion on women’s initiatives at our regular monthly Penrose Swamp contains unique mesic till Creek. Upcoming meetings are March 12 and meeting on Jan. 16. Fly tying classes are from 7-9 barrens that paradoxically support both April 9 at 7 p.m. at the Columbia County District on Mondays through March 18 at Christ Lutheran and upland plants such as scrub oak, pitch pine Conservation Office, Bloomsburg. Church, Lewisburg. Upcoming meetings are Feb. and sphagnum moss among others. In addition ______20 and March 20 at Lewisburg Hotel. to specialized plant species and good numbers God’s Country Chapter #327 ______of wildlife, the area is home to three officially Spring Creek Chapter #185 designated native wild brook trout streams that C.C. (Craig) Felker 814-544-5063, [email protected] Lynn Mitchell flow into Hazle Creek, a tributary of the Lehigh 717-250-0009, [email protected] River. For almost 150 years Hazle Creek, although Chapter leaders introduced “lines of effort” www.springcreektu.org aesthetically picturesque and capable of support- where Conservation Activities, Education, En- ing wild trout, had been severely degraded by acid gagement and Chapter Future all point to the mis- The chapter continues to receive 10% of the mine drainage and industrial pollution. Decrease sion to Protect, Conserve and Restore for GCTU sales proceeds of “Spring Creek White,” a new in mining and containment of toxic pollutants has strategic planning. The chapter received a TIC wine release by Mt. Nittany Winery, Centre allowed the stream to cleanse itself and provide grant from PATU to cover the cost of bussing the County. Our 46th annual banquet and fundraiser wild trout habitat. The area is being looked at for students to and from the Austin-Costello Sports- is March 23 at the Mountain View Country Club, potential future preservation and land protection men’s Club. Out TIC coordinator reported that Boalsburg. We completed the first stream im- by Western Pocono TU and others. TU Regional a very high percentage of the fish have survived provement project under our recently awarded VP and Eastern Pa. Coalition of Abandoned Mine in the tank at Coudersport Elementary School. Continued on next page... PA TROUT ... Winter 2019 11 ...Continued from previous page ______Email: [email protected] $160,000 National Fish and Wildlife Grant with Tiadaghton Chapter #688 Phone: 814-765-1035 in-stream work in the Rock Road portion of Jere White Spring Creek. The chapter conducted its annual 570-662-2167, [email protected] Allegheny Mountain Chapter #036 George Kutskel redd count program in conjunction with local Our Fly Fishing Film Tour fundraiser is March 814-371-9290, [email protected] PFBC staff. SCTU continues its maintenance 30 at the Deane Center. The Brookie Odyssey film www.amctu.org efforts at Fisherman’s Paradise in Bellefonte. was screened at the Pennsylvania Lumberman’s We provided input to planning commission and Museum on Jan. 19. National TU’s Kathleen Our 53rd annual fundraiser is April 6 at the board of supervisors in Benner Township oppos- Lavelle, who works out of the Lock Haven of- Falls Creek Eagles. We had scheduled a redd count ing their planned development, which encroached fice, presented findings from trout population on Potts Run, but canceled twice due to high wa- nearby streams and created small building lots and benthic macroinvertebrate data from four ter. A Brockway School District student is doing that increased surface runoff. In 2018, the chapter Tioga County brook trout streams during a recent a tree planting along the Clarion River in Clear participated in more than 40 youth education pro- chapter meeting. Data was collected in conjunc- Creek State Park this spring to assist the chapter grams, which includes public and private schools, tion with the Pine Creek hemlock woolly adelgid and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. Our Stream Girls, Brookies camp, and collaboration project. Free fly tying classes will be held from TIC schools received their eggs and reports say with new PFBC outreach programs. The chapter 9 a.m. to noon at the Wellsboro Senior Center on the fish are doing well. We are again mentoring the started the indoor portion off its Veterans Service Feb. 16 and March 16. Our next chapter meet- DuBois Middle School Fly Fishing Club. We meet Program in January at the South Hills School ing is March 5 at Wellsboro Community Center, once a month and will once again have an outing of Business and Technology in State College. Wellsboro. in the spring. We will have our Environmental Day Classes include Flyfishing 101 and various lev- in May at Camp Mountain Run. We have written a els of fly tying. They run each Saturday through support letter for the WPC in doing a conservation March 9. Our next meeting is March 7 with Den- NORTHWEST CHAPTERS plan on Big Run Creek in Jefferson County. We nis Charney discussing “Fishing Spring Creek” have worked extensively on this stream in the past at Comfort Suites. Allegheny Mountain 036 and look forward to helping the Conservancy in ______Caldwell Creek 437 its efforts on this project. Susquehanna Chapter #044 Cornplanter 526 ______Walt Nicholson Iron Furnace 288 Caldwell Creek Chapter #437 570-447-3600, [email protected] Tom Savko http://susquehannatu.wordpress.com Jim Zwald 314 814-664-2124, [email protected] Our November chapter meeting program was Neshannock 216 No report. about trout stream habitat restoration with large Northwest PA 041 ______woody material, presented by Nathan Reagle of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry. The Oil Creek 424 Cornplanter Chapter #526 chapter supports the inclusion of stream habitat Seneca 272 Troy McDunn improvement in the draft Tiadagton State Forest 814-723-3759, [email protected] Resource Management Plan and will provide www.facebook.com/pages/Cornplanter- Chapter-Of-Trout-Unlimited input where additional stream habitat restoration REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT projects using large woody material should be No report. undertaken. The chapter donated $1,000 to TIC Ken Undercoffer ______for the purchase of UV sterilizers. Our next meet- 1510 Village Rd. Iron Furnace Chapter #288 ing is March 13 at Covenant Central Presbyterian Clearfield, PA 16830 Mark Hanes Church, Williamsport. 724-464-7320, [email protected] www.ironfurnacetu.net Our annual banquet is at 6 p.m. on April 6 at St. Joseph’s Church Hall in Lucinda. We worked on project proposals at our January board meeting. We are still dealing with access issues in fixing the deflector at Walter Dick Park in the fly area in Brookville. Hopes are to be able to get it done this early summer. Our TIC programs have their fish and are reporting good success. Our yearly fly tying classes are Feb. 16 and 23 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Heritage House in Brookville. We are also holding monthly or bimonthly “Pies and Flies” events at Clarion University. ______James Zwald Chapter #314 Murray Neeper 814-834-3472, [email protected] In November, the chapter received a $20,000 grant from the Stackpole Hall Foundation to continue with permitting on the West Creek acid 12 PA TROUT ... Winter 2019 mine remediation project. Stephanie Stoughton Venango County Dirt & Gravel Roads Commit- Bucks County Chapter #254 toured the primary acid remediation site on tee in November, and $441,000 was allocated for Joe Mihok West Creek with DEP Office of Surface Mining Venango County roads. We previously provided 215-589-9531, [email protected] to discuss spoil piles located in the project site. a mini-grant to Venango Conservation District to www.buckstu.org Straub Brewery committed to sign on to land- purchase an electro-shocker to help with stream owner agreements on their adjacent properties. surveys. Electro-shocking was completed on We held an auction at our January meeting to Jim Zwald continues to support TIC in Elk and Bullion Run and a tributary to Scrubgrass Creek. raise funds for the chapter’s stream conservation Cameron county schools. In January, the chapter There are three sampling sites they would like to projects. Our 2019 banquet is March 9 at Spring hosted PATU Treasurer George Kutsel. Regular do on Pithole Creek. The District is applying for Mill Manor. We are in the planning stages for meetings are the last Tuesday of the month at 7 a scientific collector’s permit for the entire county projects on Aquetong Creek, Watson Creek and p.m. at St. Marys Middle School Library. to do sampling. They are asking if we could come Cooks Creek. For the second year we are holding ______up with a plan to do electro-shocking on a spe- a native tree sale for chapter members. We are cific drainage. We currently have six classrooms having a beginner’s fly tying night at our March Neshannock Creek #216 meeting. We will also be having an Advanced Fly Jeff Kremis enrolled in the TIC program. Upcoming meetings are Feb. 20 and March 20 at 6:30 p.m. at King’s Fishing Techniques clinic in the spring at a date 724-588-4378, [email protected] to be determined. ww.neshannock-tu.org Restaurant, Franklin. ______Our annual banquet is March 16 at the Park Inn by Radisson, West Middlesex. We are working Seneca Chapter #272 Delco Manning Chapter #320 Fred DeWees on plans for the streambank stabilization project Chase Howard 610-547-9403, [email protected] this summer on Neshannock Creek at Plantation 814-598-3449, [email protected] www.dmtu.org Park in Mercer. Dates and times will be posted www.facebook.com/SenecaTroutUnlimited once they are set by the PFBC. Our cleanup of The Fly Fishing Film Tour makes its 4th ap- We are looking at creating a new DHALO the DHALO Area on Coolspring is in early April. pearance in Potter County at 3 p.m. on Saturday, section in the county. Three fishing outings were All of our TIC programs are up and running. We Feb. 23 at the Coudersport Theater. After the planned and fly tying nights started in January. are also supporting a newly formed conservation show, head over to the Hotel Crittenden for a Our December meeting was on Erie steelhead and club at Greenville High School with a fly tying “Hackles and Hops” event being organized by the January’s was a tying night with celebrity tyers program. We received an Embrace-A-Stream God’s Country chapter. The Seneca chapter will giving demonstrations. grant in the amount of $3,000 for the first phase of hold its annual fly tying classes from 7-9 p.m. on ______the streambank restoration project on the Neshan- Tuesdays until March 26 at St. Joseph’s Episcopal nock Creek in Plantation Park. In conjunction with Church. The chapter has been working with The Little Lehigh Chapter #070 that, we were able to raise an additional $3,600 Mayfly Project and McKean County CYS to bring Scott Alderfer through donations during the “Give Where You a Mayfly Project program to Pennsylvania for 610-390-6219, [email protected] Fish” campaign. Our Winter Cabin Fever meet- Summer 2019. A watershed mini-grant has been www.lltu.org ing was Feb. 2 at Munnell Run Farm in Mercer. applied for in partnership with the Potter County Funds raised during our fall raffle will primar- This year’s speaker was Sara Muellar from Penn Conservation District to stabilize streambanks on ily go to supporting equipment need of our five State, who discussed her studies and research on Sartwell Creek, a tributary to the Upper Allegheny TIC schools. We will be working with Wildlands brook trout genetics. In addition, Mario Chance River. Our annual banquet is April 20 at Port Al- Conservancy on a riparian buffer planting event talked about fly fishing for bass on Lake Erie and legany Fire Hall. this spring. The project area will be open space its . Upcoming meetings are Feb. 25 and owned by Lower Macungie Township bordering March 25 at Munnell Run Farm. Little Lehigh Creek. In conjunction with the other ______three Lehigh Valley area TU chapters, we held our Northwest PA Chapter #41 annual fall event in early December. The event Erik Cronk SOUTHEAST CHAPTERS featured entomologist and author Don Baylor 814-490-4632, [email protected] Bucks County 254 along with door prizes and a raffle. http://nwpachaptertu.blogspot.com Delco Manning 320 ______No report. Little Lehigh 070 Perkiomen Valley #332 ______Thomas W. Smith Perkiomen Valley 332 215-513-9709, [email protected] Oil Creek Chapter #424 SE Montgomery Co. 468 Gary Ross www.pvtu332.org 814-337-6931, [email protected] Tulpehocken 150 We finalized the design of our stream restora- www.oilcreektu.org Valley Forge 290 tion project on Hosensack Creek, and prepared We had our start-up event for the Veterans’ Ser- and filed an application for a Coldwater Heri- vice Program in October at Oil Creek State Park. tage Partnership grant for $7,812 for this work It was a good time and we signed up two veterans. to be completed in 2019. We also completed We will plan another event for the spring, which a preliminary review and evaluation of a site may be a better time of year for attendance. We REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT on Perkiomen Creek, and finalized design of a are looking at other possible locations to conduct Brian McGuire restoration project on this body of water, too, for future implementation. Chapter representatives the spring event. Our annual Christmas dinner 52 W. Princeton Rd. was held at Dawndi’s Restaurant near Franklin in met with the Montgomery County Conserva- December. Our fundraising banquet is April 6 at Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 tion District watershed specialist and Perkiomen the Ale House in Franklin. Tom Young and Dan Email: [email protected] Watershed Conservancy executive director, who Rockwell participated in the annual meeting of the Phone: 484-270-8505 Continued on next page... PA TROUT ... Winter 2019 13 ...Continued from previous page and youth program lead Dave Dickens is teaming Codorus Chapter #558 are partners in our stream restoration projects. up with Stroud Water Resource Center on two Tom Feninez Chapter representatives also met with the Berks efforts to expand educational opportunities for stu- 717-817-8446, [email protected] County Conservation District watershed coordina- dents. Dave will host a meeting with teachers from www.codorustu.org tor and reviewed projects on the West Branch of 10 area schools to educate them about TIC, which could increase the number of schools we spon- We’re hoping to re-launch an effort to survey Perkiomen Creek and Pachwechen Run in Berks a local headwater’s watershed for the presence County. Both are wild trout tributaries of the sor. Dave has also been appointed the Southeast Region lead for the STREAM program for Girl of trout. We’ve had an initial conversation with main section of Perkiomen Creek, and streams our WCO about potentially engaging with the on which the chapter has done extensive work in Scouts. Our general monthly meetings are held the second Thursday of each month from September Unassessed Watersheds Initiative or other PFBC past years. We assisted with setup, introduction of resources on this opportunity. We recently learned trout eggs and ongoing interaction with Hereford through May at Chester Valley Grange. Monthly board meetings are the first Thursday of the month that an important Growing Greener Project was Elementary and Upper Perkiomen high schools. approved in the watershed. It We also contacted and assisted Souderton Charter year round at East Bradford Township Building. PHWFF – Royersford is the second, third and will be primarily for design, permitting and other School Collaborative with its program. TU’s Rob pre-construction activities, but we’ve offered Shane spoke on “Protecting Pennsylvania Wild fourth Monday of the month at Royersford VFW, PHWFF – West Bradford is every Monday at West our services to the grantee and the design team Trout” at our February meeting. Jerry Coviello to provide whatever assistance they might need. from Fly Fishers International presented “The Bradford Firehouse and PHWFF – Coatesville is each Wednesday at Coatesville VA Hospital, Our TIC programs are proceeding without any Search for Trout: Fly fishing a Few Western problems and we’ll be scheduling and planning Waters” in February. Building 5. Our VFTU Trout Show is March 23 at Lionville Middle School with guest presenter our release day events. We were able to quickly ______Henry Ramsay. We will host the Fly Fishing Film identify a candidate to sponsor at this year’s SE Montgomery County Chapter #468 Tour on April 4 at Colonial Theatre Phoenixville, Rivers Conservation Camp. We’ll be offering our assistance as needed with his registration Richard Terry and our Fly Fishing School is May 19 at Paradise and we look forward to having him represent us. 215-675-1536, [email protected] Farm Camps Downingtown. Our third annual women-only fly fishing clinic www.tu468.org has been added to our agenda for 2019. Details Seventy-five trees were planted in a meadow to be announced at a future date. We are holding that runs along the Pennypack stream, and a fall SOUTHCENTRAL a winter stream cleanup on Feb. 23 on Codorus stocking took place in the Pennypack that runs Creek. Upcoming chapter meetings are March 13 through the Pennypack Natural Land Trust. A fly CHAPTERS and April 10 at Spring Grove Recreation Center, tying class was offered for TU and Pennypack Adams County 323 Spring Grove. Trust members in January and February. Our Codorus 558 ______annual banquet is March 23 at the Pennypack Nature Center. Cumberland Valley 052 Cumberland Valley Chapter #052 John Leonard ______Doc Fritchey 108 717-512-4620, [email protected] Tulpehocken Chapter #150 Donegal 037 www.pacvtu.org Brenda Bittinger Falling Spring 234 Our annual “Limestoner” banquet is March 16 610-704-4676, [email protected] Muddy Creek 575 at the Park Inn – Mechanicsburg. The chapter’s www.tullytu.org Yellow Breeches restoration project at the former The chapter is working with Berks County Con- site of the Wittlinger Dam was postponed until servation District on a dam removal. We currently January. We applied for a $5,000 planning grant have 22 classrooms enlisted in the TIC program. REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT for the Letort restoration. We have 13 TIC pro- We are recruiting for PFBC’s Women’s Initiative. grams. Upcoming meetings are Feb. 20 and March Russ Collins 20 at Appalachian Brewery, Mechanicsburg. ______1167 S. Forge Rd. ______Valley Forge Chapter #290 Palmyra, PA 17078 Doc Fritchey Chapter #108 Pete Hughes Russ Collins 610-827-9239, [email protected] Email: [email protected] 717-580-3958, [email protected] www.valleyforgetu.org Phone: 717-580-3958 www.dftu.org Three PHWFF programs sponsored by VFTU Adams County Chapter #323 Our annual banquet is March 23 at the Holiday held Christmas parties and are now in the process April Swope Inn of Grantville, with John Arway as guest speak- of building rods and tying flies. Their first field trip 717-778-1876, [email protected] er. Our Lower Snitz Project began after significant of the year took place in February. VFTU hosted www.adamscountytu.org weather-related delays. As the temperatures begin a van full of local students and a teacher from to warm, the perimeter fencing will be installed, Church Farm School for an afternoon along Val- Chapter member Wayne Belt was our speaker and riparian buffer planting will take place. A joint ley Creek to pick up trash. The chapter is placing on Jan. 15. He is collecting microinvertebrate Watershed restoration project is in stream monitoring devices in upper Valley Creek samples on Tom’s Creek. Past ACTU president the planning stage between the Donegal and Doc to capture pre- and post-development data on a Dan Herrick spoke and tied flies for membership Fritchey chapters, and includes partners from the large parcel of land adjacent to the creek. We are on Feb. 19. The regulated area of Foundation, the Alliance for the pursuing an easement to protect the stream cor- was float stocked by chapter members and PFBC Chesapeake Bay and many others. A Coldwater ridor through this parcel. We will also be installing in the fall. Our next ACTU meeting is March 19 Heritage Partnership planning grant has been ap- one or more stream monitoring devices in tributar- at the ACCD Building, 670 Old Harrisburg Road, plied for. Additionally, two Forever Wild grant ap- ies to upper Pickering Creek prior to planting trout Gettysburg. plications have been submitted. One will be used eggs using Whitlock Vibert boxes. Board member ______14 PA TROUT ... Winter 2019 for funding an intern to do stream assessment on a the impact this could have on the waterways here Bill Libengood tributary of the and the second locally, especially the Falling Springs meadow 724-498-6632, [email protected] application is for in-stream monitoring equipment section where they intend to cross if approved. Our annual chapter banquet is March 16 at to be used in conjunction with the Watershed Upcoming meetings are March 4, April 1 and 10th Street Station in Ford City. The Huling Implementation Plan on the Quittapahilla. Our May 6 at Norlo Park, Chambersburg. Our Heal- Run project has been completed. Arrowhead TU six-week fly tying course for beginners begins on ing Waters Wounded Warrior stocking is May 10, continues to operate its co-op trout nursery where Feb. 21 and runs six consecutive Thursdays from followed by Healing Waters Wounded Warrior approximately 5,000 brown and rainbow trout are 6-8 p.m. Home Waters Day honoring our veterans Weekend on May 11 on the Lower section of reared and stocked in our Buffalo Creek DHALO is June 8. Our Ladies Day is June 9. Falling Springs and the Conococheague. section. The initial stocking occurred in Decem- ______ber with subsequent stockings slated for March, Donegal Chapter #037 Muddy Creek Chapter #575 April and May. The chapter is currently soliciting Tom Hall Beth Boyd proposals and funding options for the rebuilding 717-898-8664, [email protected] 717-404-7642, [email protected] of our co-op nursery raceway which we hope can www.donegaltu.org www.muddycreektu.org be completed in June 2019. Upcoming meetings We have two projects on Fishing Creek in Our fall fest was held at a new location this year are a tying night on March 15 at the Slovak CU southern Lancaster County. The Bob Herr and and we had a bigger turn out compared to years Club, Ford City, followed by regular meetings Ben Beiler projects cover almost two miles of past. We are still working to boost attendance at on April 19 and May 17 at Mantini Auxiliary stream and will limit livestock stream access. The this event to make it more profitable. The chap- Building, Ford City. projects will also include buffer plantings. We ter will be working with the land owner of our ______received an education grant from the Campbell handicap site this winter and next year to repair/ Chestnut Ridge Chapter #670 Foundation to be used for landowner outreach, restore the entire handicap access and platform. Ben Moyer including conservation information packets, We also hope to meet with the owner of Glenn 724-329-3772, [email protected] public education forums and sponsoring more TIC Rock Farms located in and along the watershed. www.chestnutridgetu.org projects. We are waiting for USFW to complete The farm is currently used by vets to complete In cooperation with California University of repairs on several projects on Fishing Creek that court assigned drug and alcohol therapy, but the Pennsylvania, US Fish and Wildlife Service, were heavily damaged by in the fall. We re- property sustained heavy damage in the fall. The Pennsylvania Game Commission, Dominion ceived a grant for $50,000 from DCNR to support property has a pond and stream and we hope to Energy and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the riparian buffers on three tributaries to Fishing explore the option of fly fishing events for the vets the chapter completed placement of a cross-vane Creek. We are waiting for project design on two after repairs are made. Our co-op also sustained habitat structure on Dunbar Creek on SGL 51. sites upstream from Camp Andrews, which we quite a bit of damage and we have a lot of restora- The structure will create pool habitat while also completed last year. We have 21 TIC classrooms tion and repair work that needs to be completed. accommodating trout passage. Work was funded in Lancaster County with at least three more We have stabilized the co-op for the winter and by the Dominion Energy Mini-grant Program, coming on board in 2019. Our 40th Annual DTU received our fingerings. We continue to form administered by the WPC. We applied for another fundraiser is March 16 at DoubleTree Resort, plans and obtain resources to finalize repairs in grant to continue physical habitat improvements Lancaster. Women’s Introduction to Fly Fishing is the spring. Our six TIC classes are up and running. on Dunbar. In late November, we placed 220 tons April 27 at Hugh Wenger’s Farm, Elizabethtown. of alkaline sand at our three treatment sites in Upcoming meetings are Feb. 20 and March 20 at the Glade Run headwaters, a tributary to Dunbar 7 p.m. at Farm & Home Center, Lancaster. SOUTHWEST CHAPTERS Creek. This treatment supplements our anoxic ______limestone drain treatment system on those head- Falling Spring Chapter #234 Arrowhead 214 waters. Pennsylvania DEP made note of our work Warren Christman Chestnut Ridge 670 on Glade Run in its narrative that announced its in- 717-860-6414, [email protected] Forbes Trail 206 tention to upgrade Dunbar Creek to “Exceptional Value” status. We completed access improvements We are evaluating several streams in our area to Fort Bedford 291 develop a course of action as to their needs, avail- to our Glade Run treatment sites, in cooperation able funding, and general logistics. We are work- John Kennedy 045 with the PGC. These initiatives are guided by the ing with the Antietam Watershed Association and Ken Sink 053 Middle Youghiogheny River Conservation Plan, which CRTU authored some 20 years ago. The Renfrew Institute on the local streams. One of the Mountain Laurel 040 streams in question is the lower end of Antietam chapter continues its work nurturing nearly two Creek between Waynesboro and the / Penn’s Woods West 042 dozen regional schools in the TIC program, and Pennsylvania line, which covers approximately will again host the Fly Fishing Film Festival on 3.6 miles. The other is part of Conococheague March 8 at the Elks Lodge in Washington. Creek near Chambersburg and covers approxi- ______mately 2.3 miles. We finished our road cleanup REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT Forbes Trail Chapter #206 along Falling Springs Road in December. We are Chuck Winters Larry Myers currently in our 30th year of sponsoring a free fly 724-454-9345, [email protected] tying class at Norlo Park in Chambersburg. We 1898 Old Route 22 www.forbestrailtu.org have two TIC projects underway at Green Castle Duncansville, PA 16635 Forbes Trail continues to work with Ligonier Antrim Middle School and Cumberland Valley Email: [email protected] Valley Middle School’s Outdoor Club to teach Christian School. A powerline is scheduled to Phone: 814-943-4061(w), 814-932- fly tying and stream conservation practices. The be installed across several waterways, including club meets on a bi-weekly basis throughout the Falling Springs, by a company called Transource. 8841(c) winter and spring and will culminate the program We have been working at stopping this incursion into the stream and looking at ways of reducing Arrowhead Chapter #214 Continued on next page... PA TROUT ... Winter 2019 15 Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Lancaster, PA Permit No. 280

PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL OF TROUT UNLIMITED Post Office Box 5148 Bellefonte, PA 16823

...Continued from previous page Moose Lodge. FBTU will be planting on Yellow We started our year with Dave Janetsk, an in May with a local fly fishing field trip. We are Creek, Potter Creek, Wills Creek in 2019. We are assistant professor in Indiana University of also assisting the LVMS 6th grade science class assisting with a bank stabilization and trout habitat Pennsylvania’s Department of Biology at IUP talk with its TIC program. The chapter’s Thursday fly project on Potter Creek with Mountain Laurel about “Trout and Salmon in the Great Lakes and tying group meets at Geo’s Restaurant in Latrobe. TU and on Wills Creek with the Bedford County Pennsylvania.” In November, Josh Miller spoke Chapter volunteers assisted PFBC with packaging Conservation District DGLVR program. We are about his experience coaching the Eastern Re- fingerlings at the Benner Springs Hatchery on Jan. planning possible stream monitoring on Shobers gion, US Youth Fly Fishing Team. At our annual 16. Two chapter officers participated in the West- Run and Cove Creek, and there is a potential Christmas party, two students presented. The first moreland Conservation District’s annual Partners large-scale habitat project and riparian planting on talked about her experiences attending the Wild- Breakfast in December and have been invited to Beaver Creek. We will partner with Keep Bedford life Leadership Academy. The other discussed his attend monthly agency breakfasts. We are in the County Beautiful on an Earth Day event date. Fly experience at the 2018 Rivers Conservation and early stages of planning another summer picnic tying classes run Jan. 12 to March 16 from 9:30 Fly Fishing Youth Camp. Fly tying classes ran as a fundraiser event. As part of the chapter’s ef- a.m. to noon at the Bedford County Conservation in January and February. Our annual banquet is forts to assess the damage caused during June’s District Office. Chapter members are visiting April 6 at the VFW in Indiana. We are currently 100-year to Linn Run in Linn Run State Bedford Elementary and Middle School to talk ordering chemicals and equipment to do stream Park, members assisted Ligonier Valley Middle about macroinvertebrates and streams this spring. readings and surveys. School with a science experiment where students ______anchored numerous leaf bags in strategic locations John Kennedy Chapter #045 Mountain Laurel Chapter #040 in the stream in November. The bags were to be Jerry Green Randy Buchanan collected in January and students would examine 814-934-7046, [email protected] 814-467-4034, [email protected] them in a laboratory setting. If successful, macro- www.tu.org/connect/groups/045-john-kennedy www.mltu.org invertebrates would be collected among the leaves and identified. The data could then be compared to The chapter is planning stream projects on Our annual banquet is April 6 at the Holiday TU’s historical data for the stream to assess flood Poplar Run, Plum Creek and Halter Creek. We Inn Johnstown. The chapter conducted Saturday damage to the insect population. We received a are also signing up more property owners for the morning and Monday evening beginners fly tying grant from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foun- next round of tree planting on Plum Creek. We classes in January and February. We added the dation to conduct our second annual fly fishing are planning to host more Family Fish Days at Shanksville-Stoneycreek School District to our event for disabled military veterans on May 12 Canoe Creek State Park. Our four TIC schools TIC program, bringing the total to 10 schools. at Foggy Mountain Lodge. Upcoming meetings survived Christmas break, and we will start to Upcoming monthly meetings are March 7 and are March 6 and April 3 at Loyalhanna Watershed schedule release days for each. We will offer fly April 4 at the Richland Township Municipal Education Center, Ligonier. tying instruction at Youth Field Day on June 2. Building. We will host a Paint Creek Road litter ______Additionally, we will present basic fly casting pickup on March 30. Fort Bedford Chapter #291 instruction at “Women Aim High.” ______Ryan Schnably ______Penn’s Woods West Chapter #042 814-494-375, Ken Sink Chapter #053 Dale Fogg [email protected] Roger Phillips 724-759-1002, [email protected] www.fortbedfordtu.org 724-639-9715, [email protected] www.pwwtu.org Our annual banquet is April 6 at the Bedford http://kensink.blogspot.com No report.