Author: Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Want to learn about our TU chapter activities and conservation project updates, perhaps try out fly casting as a first-timer or sharpen your skills under the instruction of experienced fly fishers?  Would you like to learn more about fishing from a kayak?  The public is invited to a picnic and outdoor meeting of the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited to be held at Trout Run Park on Wednesday, September 11^th.  Several fly rod and reel outfits will be available for those to try out who do not have one.  A demo on fishing from kayaks will also be presented and you may want to check out the fishing platform adjacent to the park on Lycoming Creek constructed by our members, as well as some of the habitat structures placed along the stream to create fish habitat and control bank erosion.

Meet, greet and picnic will begin at 5:30 PM at the Trout Run Park Pavilion, with hotdogs, corn-on-the-cob and drinks provided, followed by the demos.  Participants are encouraged to bring a dessert or side dish to share, but if you can’t, please come anyway.  Trout Run Park is located just south of the village of Trout Run and can be accessed from the old Rt 15 highway.  A map and directions on how to get there from Williamsport can be found on the link to Google Maps at https://www.google.com/maps/@41.3815903,-77.0550486,15z?entry=ttu, or Trout Run Park – Google Maps or as found on the Susquehanna TU website at https://susquehannatu.com.

We are looking for ideas from you on what you would like to have as topics for our upcoming Chapter meetings. September 11 is our annual picnic / Chapter meeting and will be held at Trout Run Park in Trout Run. More information about the meeting will be coming in the next few days.

We have 7 Chapter meetings in a year and no meetings are held in December, May, June, July or August. It is difficult to come up with ideas and things of interest. As members or follower of the Chapter, what do you want to see or hear? Please give us some ideas.

* Is there a specific topic that you want to hear about?

* Do you want to learn about specific fishing skills or how to fish certain types of water?

* Do you want a meeting with the Director of the Fish Commission, a Board commissioner, or other state representative?

* Do you want to learn about self guided fishing trips and how to go about doing so?

* Do you want to know about fishing out west, Alaska, or somewhere in the World?

*Would you want to meet any of the PATU leadership and have them discuss the overall goals and vision of PATU?

* Would you want to meet Chris Wood or other individual from Trout Unlimited?

* Do you want to have a get together with other like minded environmental groups and see what they are doing and how we can work together on a project?

This is your Chapter and we want to provide you with the meetings and topics that interest you. Please give us your thoughts. We want to provide interesting and informative topics but need your help.

     The Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited Annual Meeting is set for Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at the Waterville Fire Hall located at 11009 North Route 44 Highway, Waterville, PA 17776. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and the program gets underway at 9:30 a.m.

     The meeting will feature special guest speakers, State Council officer elections, award presentations, raffles and an opportunity to network with members from across the state.

     Registration is $35 per person, which includes lunch. To register or for more information go to www. patrout.org. Registration deadline is Sept. 4, 2024.

     Guest speakers include:

      Nathan Walters, Coldwater Unit Leader for the PA Fish and Boat Commission, will discuss various aspects of the Commission’s Trout Management program, including the agency’s upcoming new and revised Trout Management Plan.

     Ralph Scherder, outdoor writer, flyfishing guide and editor of Dark Skies Fly Fishing magazine, will present a program on fishing for wild brook trout in Maine. Ralph will also discuss his website and magazine and will have some of his flyfishing products available for purchase.

     Brian Wagner, PATU Conservation Committee chairman, will provide a date on the important conservation issues and activities that his committee and PATU are following and providing input on.

     Scott Koser from National TU will provide a brief update on Priority Waters in Pennsylvania as well as showcase several National TU projects that have been implemented in the Pine Creek watershed.

     We will also introduce PATU’s new executive director at the meeting.

     Join us to learn more about important coldwater conservation issues of concern and state and national programs that can assist you in achieving your local chapter project goals.

     Local overnight suggested lodging locations are listed on the PATU website and below. Angling opportunities are readily available in the Pine Creek watershed.

Our friend John Zaktansky, the Middle Susquehanna River Keeper, recently published the above article in his blog, Riverkeeper Reflections. Please click the link below to be taken to the article. It is a good read.

https://www.flyfisherman.com/editorial/take-temperature-trout/472704

An Introduction to Family Fishing Program will be held at Rose Valley Lake, south boat ramp, on June 30, 2024. At this time, there are approximately 50 people who have signed up. With this large a number of people, we are in need of additional individuals who can help.

Our chapter has helped in the past and it generally involves showing kids and parents how to rig a fishing pole, rigging bait, practicing casting at dry land targets, and then helping them fish for bluegills, etc., helping them land the fish and getting them off the hook..

We should get there early at 7:30 am and it lasts until about noon. Please consider giving your time to help with this introductory class and introduce others to the great sport that we love.

If you have any questions or would like to help, please let us know at susquehannatu@gmail.com. Sorry for the late notice but please let us know by Friday June 7 so we know if we have enough people to help or if we will have to reschedule / cancel the class.

Thank you