Author: Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Register at  https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/136237

Located at:

Keiper Recreation Center

Intersection of Mulberry St & Little Legue Blvd
Williamsport, PA 17701
Room: Keiper Recreation Center Park@Natatorium Lot

About the Event:

This Fishing Skills Instructor (FSI) course is designed to teach experienced, adult, anglers how to teach basic fishing skills and aquatic ecology. Certified instructors then teach “SMART” Angler classes and Family Fishing Programs.
This is an excellent training for those involved in any organization that provides fishing programs!
REQUIRED – Those interested in attending must bring their current Fishing License with them. This is needed to complete the instructor certification form.

ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA FISHING PROGRAMS:

The Pennsylvania Fishing programs are introductory programs in fishing and conservation of Pennsylvania’s waterways. These programs provide very basic fishing skills and background information. The two programs are the SMART Angler Program and the Family Fishing Program.

 PENNSYLVANIA FISHING PROGRAM GOALS

The goals of the programs are to:

1. To teach basic skills, equipment, techniques and the safety of freshwater fishing in Pennsylvania.
2. To develop an understanding of the state’s aquatic ecosystems.
3. To foster an appreciation of the state’s aquatic resources.
4. To encourage the wise use of the state’s water resources.
5. To create an awareness of aquatic invasive species (AIS)

 FISHING PROGRAMS INCLUDE INSTRUCTION ON THE FOLLOWING:

• types of fish found in Pennsylvania
• fish habitats
• safety
• equipment
• outdoor manners and protecting our water resources
• basic fishing skills and practice using them!
• knowledge on aquatic invasive species

The Northcentral PA Conservancy is working with Firetree Place, the PFBC and the family of Dave Colley to hold this event in Dave’s memory.  Dave passed away in November 2017 and was a longtime employee of St. Croix Rods, past Director and Trout Kickoff Chairman for our Chapter, and a dedicated fisherman.

Please register for this class in honor of Dave and for every class you teach or assist in, Dave’s memory and passion for fishing will continue on. 

     The Chapter will be holding its annual fly tying class starting February 5, 2019 and running through March 26, 2019. The class’s are free and open to the public and will be held weekly from at 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm Tuesday evenings at the Covenant Central Presbyterian Church (807 W. 4th Street, Williamsport-parking and entrance is off Campbell Street). The course will include and instruction manual, all the tools and materials needed to tie your flies during each session. If you have your own tools, you are more than welcome to bring them with you.

     Beginners and all skill levels are welcomed and instructors will include notable local fly tiers. We have been fortunate to have had some great instructors in the past and will have them again this year.

     Class size is limited to 24 students and is first come first serve. Last years class filled up quickly and was a big success. You can register by sending an email to susquehannatu@gmail.com and we need know the names of everyone you are registering, their experience levels, and contact information (email and phone number). You can also register by calling Walt Nicholson at 570-447-3600.

The public is invited to come and learn about the volunteer efforts and beneficial projects accomplished by our area’s many watershed groups, conservation organizations, and agencies during 2018 and their upcoming plans for 2019. Susquehanna Chapter Trout Unlimited is hosting this annual meeting of area watershed associations, public officials, and conservation organizations which help to preserve, protect, and enhance our area streams and watersheds. Each year, these groups have carried out projects including improving stream habitat, stabilizing stream banks, monitoring water quality, and educating land owners and the public about watershed issues and best practices. All are invited to hear about this important work and how to get involved. The meeting will be held at the Covenant Central Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall (807 West Fourth Street- enter off of Campbell St.- in Williamsport) on Wednesday, January 9th at 7:00 PM. 

The January 2019 issue of the Susquehanna Ripples is now available. You can download your copy here

Please note there was an error in the published issue of the January 2019 issue of the Susquehanna Ripples in regards to the Fly Tying Class.  The class will start at 7 pm and not 6:30 as stated and the above is the corrected copy.

Everyone at the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited wishes you and your families a very Happy and Joyous Holiday Season.  Think about what this Holiday Season means to you and why you celebrate it. 

The Tiadaghton Chapter of Trout Unlimited (our neighbor to the north) will be hosting the Fly Fishing Film tour in March 2019.  This is a great event with lots of fly fishing related films and is a fundraiser for their Chapter.

Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming/Union) will host an informational public meeting featuring Pennsylvania General Energy (PGE) and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) on Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. at the Plunketts Creek Fire Hall. The Fire Hall is located at 327 Dunwoody Rd, Williamsport, PA 17701. The purpose of the meeting is to provide the public information on PGE’s proposed water withdrawal and pipeline project in the Loyalsock Creek Valley just below what was Best Beach. “After a briefing state Senator Gene Yaw and I received from PGE and staff from DCNR on the initial proposal earlier this year, I suggested that we get all the parties involved together for a public meeting,” Everett said. “I think it is important that any project which impacts an area like the Loyalsock Creek be open and transparent to the public. My experience is that once the public hears what is really being proposed rather than just rumors, and understands all the safeguards and regulatory requirements involved, that people will feel much better about the project.” Everett will moderate the meeting which will feature presentations by PGE on the proposed project and DCNR on how it approves and manages this type project on state forest land. In addition, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) will provide information on what its role will be in the project and how it regulates water withdrawals. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will explain the permitting and regulatory process PGE will be required to comply with and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) will explain its involvement in the process. A question-and-answer session will be conducted following the presentations. “When I first heard that PGE was proposing a withdrawal site and possible water and gas pipelines in the Loyalsock Creek Valley, I knew there would be a lot of interest and concern from the public,” said Everett. “My family and I have been on the Creek since 1930 and I am a member of both the Loyalsock Creek Watershed Association and Men’s Club, so I certainly share those concerns.” “I have seen PGE’s work under the oversight and direction of DCNR and the other regulatory agencies in the Pine Creek Valley and am impressed with how it turned out. I am confident based on that experience that the plan PGE is proposing in the Loyalsock Valley will exceed those results.” To find out more about the public meeting, please call Everett’s district office at (570) 546-2084.

At the January meeting of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the PFBC will vote to approve new Class A and Wild Trout Streams in the Commonwealth. We need your voice to tell the commission that TU and its partners stand for Wild Trout protections.

To view a map of proposed streams in your area, click here!

Water quality protections offered by the Wild Trout and Class A designations allow for Pennsylvania’s wild trout to continue to thrive and grow in our beautiful waterways.

To view the full list of proposed Wild Trout Streams, click here!

To view the full list of proposed Class A Trout Streams, click here!

The voice of TU members for this approval process has been loud and fierce in 2018 and we can’t stop now. Make your voice heard – tell the commission you want protections for wild trout in Pennsylvania!

File your public comment to support the
designation Wild Trout and Class A streams.

Comments are due to the Commission by December 9, 2018.

    The Upper Susquehanna River watershed (PA) has experienced a rapid increase in unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development since it is part of the Marcellus shale formation. It is also part of the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay, which is the focus of considerable conservation and restoration activities by federal and state agencies under the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Brook trout are of significant economic and cultural importance in this region, and require high quality, cold-water habitats to persist throughout the watershed,
Here is an important research paper that shows USGS’s approach to try and create an unbiased high level scientific methodology for evaluating impacts on populations of brook trout in the northern PA study area.  This paper, though largely empirical, but when calibrated with more future field studies and stream monitoring and assessment over more varying weather conditions, could be a useful tool in helping our agencies develop strategies to protect wild brook trout.

Click here to be taken to the paper