The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) invites the public to participate in its 2021 Virtual Fisheries Summit on Saturday, February 20.

This virtual event will feature narrated presentations from PFBC fisheries biologists on the wealth of diverse fishing opportunities across the Commonwealth and discuss the status of various warm-water, cool-water, and cold-water fisheries. Presentations will be viewable on the PFBC Facebook page with a schedule of individual presentations being posted throughout the day. All individual presentations will be also published on the PFBC YouTube channel.

“Many Pennsylvanians don’t realize the incredible number of fishing opportunities that exist well beyond the world-class wild trout and stocked trout fisheries that are so popular,” said Kris Kuhn, Director of the PFBC Bureau of Fisheries. “Through our Virtual Fisheries Summit, we hope to shine a light on many of Pennsylvania’s thriving and diverse angling opportunities, inspire anglers to try something new, and connect them with the resources they need to have a successful experience on the water.”

To provide interactivity between PFBC experts and the public during the Virtual Fisheries Summit, questions and comments that are relevant to the presented topics are welcome on the PFBC Facebook page in the comments section of each virtual presentation. The Summit will conclude with a live streaming panel discussion where comments and questions will be addressed by PFBC experts. All comments submitted must be in compliance with the PFBC’s social media policy.

2021 Virtual Fisheries Summit Schedule: Saturday February 20, 2021

Viewable on Facebook.com/PaFishandBoat and YouTube.com/PAFishandBoat

• 8:45 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks from PFBC Executive Director Tim Schaeffer and Commissioner Rick Kauffman

• 9:00 a.m. Riverine Black Bass Fisheries presented by Geoffrey Smith, PFBC Susquehanna River Biologist

• 9:30 a.m. Lacustrine Black Bass Fisheries presented by Geoffrey Smith, PFBC Susquehanna River Biologist

• 10:00 a.m. Panfish Fisheries presented by Mike Porta, PFBC Area 6 Fisheries Manager

• 10:30 a.m. Inland Reservoir Striped Bass Fisheries presented by Bryan Chikotas, PFBC Area 7 Fisheries Manager

• 11:00 a.m. Migratory Fishes presented by Daryl Pierce, PFBC Area 5 Fisheries Manager

• 11:30 a.m. Overlooked Fisheries presented by Doug Fischer, PFBC Nongame Fisheries Biologist

• 12:30 p.m. Walleye Fisheries presented by Timothy Wilson, PFBC Area 1 Fisheries Biologist

• 1:00 p.m. Esocid Fisheries presented by Brian Ensign, PFBC Area 2 Fisheries Biologist

• 1:30 p.m. Catfish Fisheries presented by Michael Depew, PFBC Area 8 Fisheries Biologist

• 2:00 p.m. Lake Erie Fisheries presented by Mark Haffley, PFBC Area 9 Fisheries Biologist

• 2:30 p.m. Wild and Stocked Trout Fisheries presented by David Nihart, PFBC Division of Fisheries Management Chief

• 3:00 p.m. Aquatic Invasive Species presented by Sean Hartzell, PFBC Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator

• 3:30 p.m. Question and Answer Session featuring a panel discussion with PFBC Fisheries experts

• 4:15 p.m. Closing Remarks from Andy Shiels, PFBC Deputy Director of Field Operations

I am working on a project involving the history of E. Hille and W.C. (Bill) O’Connor.  What I am looking for are any stories, pictures and memories you have of E. Hille or of Bill.  Bill and his wife Doris ran the business for a number of years and during that time, Bill taught fly tying, built rods, was a guide on fishing trips, and provided expert advice to people all over the world. 

Please consider sharing any information or memories you have.

You can contact me by email (boblbaker@comcast.net or susquehannatu@gmail.com) with any information or questions.

Thank you for helping in this endeavor.

Bob Baker

There are 2 new tabs on our website.

The first is the Watershed Summit. Here you will find the meeting minutes and the presentations made during the January 2021 Watershed Summit.

The second page / tab is fly tying. Since we will not be having in person fly tying this year, this page has our student manual and other information and resources for the fly tyer. We will be adding to this as information becomes available.

The Susquehanna Chapter TU will be holding its February 10^th monthly meeting on Zoom at 7 pm.

     The meeting theme will be “What’s New at the PA Fish and Boat Commission in 2021.” Tim Schaeffer, Executive Director; Eric Hussar, Commissioner; Jason Deter, Fisheries Manager; and Jake Bennett and Darrell Miller, WCOs for our area are scheduled to participate. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to hear directly from the top people at the PF&BC to update us on the news, programs, important issues, and developments that the commission is working on in 2021 including those impacting our local streams. 

     The Zoom link and information on how to participate in this meeting has been sent to the Chapter members and interested parties with this newsletter.  If you would like to participate in the meeting and did not receive this information, please send your request to us at susquehannatu@gmail.com and include your name and any agency or group that you may be representing. 

     There will be an opportunity for your to ask questions and make comments.  This is a great opportunity for your to speak directly with the top officials in the Fish and Boat Commission and to interact with the WCO’s for our area. Walt Nicholson

It has been brought to our attention that someone is sending emails using our Chapter President’s name, Charlie Knowlden, and attempting to solicit money for Veterans at Hospice and Palliative care units. The emails are using Charles name but have an incorrect email address. The Chapter does not, and will not, solicit funds for any activity that is not affiliated with a Chapter event or activity. If you receive any emails soliciting funds for any reason, please ignore them and feel free to contact us for any questions or clarification. This unfortunately is not the first time scammers have targeted our Chapter and it probably will not be the last. We have not lost any funds due to previous scams and we are asking you to be vigilent and do not give any money to anyone without first verifying who they are and the organization that they are will.  We require 2 signatures for all checks written and for any withdrawals from the bank.

Below is the latest email that is being circulated

Charles Knowlden <ricegang@ntelos.net>

Hello Bob
Are you available to assist? I am quite unavailable now and I’ve got credence in you to take care of this. I would have called your phone but I presently do not have access to my mobile phone.
Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited #044 needs some gift cards for donation to Veterans at Hospice and Palliative care units for preventive items from Corona Disease (COVID-19). I am liable for reimbursement. Need more info?


Charles Knowlden
President
Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited #044
www.susquehannatu.com 

Again, if you have any questions about this or any other future solicitations being made under the name of the Chapter, please let us know.

We were saddened to hear of the death of our friend Don Bastian on January 29, 2021.  Don was a great friend, husband, father, and teacher.  His love for fly tying and fishing made his name known in the angling community and he touched many people.  His legacy will continue on through the people he taught and interacted with.  Don served our Chapter in many capacities including President, Vice President and was a recipient of the Order of the Tie.  His love of fly tying and fishing was overshadowed by the love he had for Mary and his family.  The Susquehanna Chapter gives our deepest condolences to his wife Mary, his children, and to the entire Bastian family. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The February 2021 issue of the Susquehanna Ripples is now available. You can get your copy here

The January 2021 issue of the Susquehanna Ripples is now out. You can get your copy here

The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited will host its annual Watershed Summit meeting (this year, virtually) on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 7:00 p.m..  Its purpose is to share knowledge about the efforts accomplished by the volunteers of our area’s many watershed groups and work of our local conservation organizations, agencies, and academic institutions. An invitation has been sent to each with a request for them to report on its projects and activities over the past year and plans for the coming year that relate to protecting, preserving, and enhancing our local watersheds and streams. In addition, many local, county and state officials will participate.

You are invited to attend this year’s summit to be held as a Zoom meeting.  During the meeting, we’ll post the various report outlines through screen sharing for you to see and hear the presentation, and participate in the discussions on each.

We hope that the sharing of this information will lead to productive ideas, and that all of the organizations will benefit by learning about each other’s programs, successes, and challenges.  Our past programs have been both enlightening and enjoyable.  Together, we are leveraging our resources to achieve common goals which benefit our valuable cold water fisheries. We look forward to seeing you.

The Zoom link and information on how to participate in this meeting has been emailed to the Chapter members and interested parties.  If you would like to participate in the meeting and did not receive this information, please send your request to us at susquehannatu@gmail.com and include your name and any agency or group that you may be representing