http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2018/03/house-game-fisheries-committee-hears.html
Author: Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Welcome to the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Founded in 1964, we are one of Pennsylvania’s oldest chapters, and help protect many miles of central Pennsylvania’s finest streams. Some of our waters include Muncy Creek, Loyalsock Creek, Black Hole Creek, Pine Creek, Slate Run and Lycoming Creek
Basic Boating Course to be offered
A basic boating course will be held on March 31, 2018 at the Tiadiaghton State Forest Building (just north of Waterville) at 10 Lower Pine Bottom Road, Waterville, PA 17776. The class will run from 8 am to 5 pm.
The course is being taught by WCO Chad Lauer and to register, or for more information, you are ask to contact WCO Lauer at chlauer@pa.gov or 717-603-1553. A minimum of 10 students are needed to have the class and the last count was that 5 had registered.
The PA Fish & Boat Commission’s PA Basic Boating Course was developed to supply boaters with practical information so they can make better informed decisions on the water. Instructors provide students with information to help them reduce the risk of injury and conflict on the water.
Lefty Kreh
The following is from All the best for Lefty Kreh Facebook Page:
It is with deepest regrets to make this announcement.
Dear friends,
I am sorry to relay sad information to all of you.
Bernard Victor Kreh “Lefty” passed away today in the presence of his family. He passed without pain. He told us multiple times during the worsening of his illness how lucky he was to have so many friends. During these last few weeks he was so sick and without energy that he was unable to respond to any emails and the many phone messages left for him. I can say this was a-great comfort to him.
There will be a celebration of his life in the upcoming weeks. We will update you when plans are made.
Lefty would want us to celebrate life and not mourn him.
During the course of the week that I’ve been here, one thing he kept mumbling was Spirit Springs, over and over. When I asked him, what or where that is, he simply replied, that’s where he’s going, to fishing heaven, to Spirit Springs.
He passed peacefully and with no pain. He was surrounded by family and loved ones.
At the time of his death, a hard wind shook the house as if he was taking the winds home to my Grandma.
As he got me into photography, he once told me he had to carry a camera with him because you never know when something may take your breath away and you want to take it home for later.
So on ending this, I know myself and all of you are going to look to the water now, and if you come to a spot where something takes your breath away, I’m going to feel his presence each time and take a photo. That way I can take a bit of the inspiration and his spirit back home with me.
Tight Lines, best wishes, and All The Best,
Sam and The Kreh Family
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to: Greater Baltimore Medical Center / Gilchrist hospice in honor of Lefty Kreh to Mail to: GBMC Philanthropy, 6701 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21204; or online at https://www.gbmc.org/donate (Under “Designation” choose “Other.” Then in the next field, type: “Lefty Kreh Memorial”); or call: 443-849-3303.
Reminder Chapter Meeting moved to Saturday March 17
You are reminded that the regularly scheduled meeting of the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited that was scheduled for Wednesday March 14, 2018 has been moved to Saturday March 17, 2018. The forum by the PA Fish and Boat Commission that will be held on Saturday March 17, 2018 starting at 10 am and this forum will serve as the March monthly meeting.
Please plan on attending this important meeting and learn about how anglers and boaters can help shape the future of fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, the work of the PF&BC, the challenges it is presently facing, and how to provide comment, input and opinions on the issues
The forum will be held at Lycoming College in Williamsport in the Heim Building, Room G-11. This is located at the corner of Mulberry Street and Washington Blvd.
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Penn’s Creek Section 5 Update and Regulations
At a recent meeting in Mifflinburg, the PFBC presented a review of Penn’s Creek section 5. They started with a review of where section 5 is and of the management of this section including electrofishing results from 2017. The results showed that there was a strong wild brown trout population in the vast majority of Section 5.
The PFBC is looking at options for Section 5 which include:
- Catch and Release, Artificial Lures Only (highest level of protection for the wild trout population)
- Establish harvest slot limits of 2 fish per day between 7” and 12: (high level of protection)
- Manage this water under the Commonwealth Inland waters regulations (lowest level of protection)
If you have any questions, or input, please contact the PFBC. A copy of the PFBC presentation is available here.
Sportsman’s Forum of PA Fish and Boat Commission Public Meeting
Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited wishes to encourage its members and the public to attend an important public meeting hosted by the PA Fish and Boat Commission (PF&BC) for everyone who fishes and paddles in the streams of PA and learn about how anglers and boaters can help shape the future of fishing and boating in Pennsylvania, the work of the PF&BC, the challenges it is presently facing, and how to provide comment, input and opinions on the issues. The forum will also serve as the March monthly meeting of our local TU Chapter. For more information, please visit our website at https://susquehannatu.com/, and www.fishandboat.com.
When: Saturday, March 17th at 10 a.m.
Where: Lycoming College in Williamsport (Heim Building, Room G-11) at the corner of Mulberry Street and Washington Blvd.
March Issue of Susquehanna Ripples
The March 2018 issue of the Susquehanna Ripples is now available. You can get your copy here.
Stand up for PA Fish & Boat!
The following is an email received from Charles Charlesworth, president, Pennsylvania Council of PATU. This is a very important issue and a critical time and your help is needed. Charles has given a sample letter / comments below for you to send but please use your own words and do not copy and paste his example.
Dear Volunteers:
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) is an independent agency supported by license and registration fees for anglers and boaters. Raising these fees requires action by the General Assembly, which has not approved an increase in 12 years. As a result, the PFBC has had to cut staff and defer maintenance. Last year, the commission cleared the way for more severe cuts.
Efforts to fix this problem have languished, and instead, Harrisburg is trying to interfere with the Commission’s independence by imposing a term limit on the executive director. This would effectively force PFBC to select a new leader immediately.
Please reach out to the members of the House Game & Fisheries Committee and tell them why interfering in the operation of this independent commission is a bad idea:
(1) It upends the tried-and-true process by which Commissioners decide when it is time for fresh leadership.
(2) It distracts from the main issue at hand, which is the need to put the PFBC on sound financial footing so it can do the critical work of protecting and enhancing our fisheries.
Visit this page to find out which House Game & Fisheries Committee members represent volunteers in your Trout Unlimited chapter.
I would suggest using the follow sample comments in your messages or conversations:
Dear Rep. [name]:
I’m writing as a longtime angler to relay my concerns about the independence and financial stability of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.
For years, officials have worked unsuccessfully to address financial issues plaguing the agency. It has been 12 years since the Commission was able to raise its fees. Rising costs have forced it to defer routine maintenance, cut staff, and consider reducing services to the fishing and boating community.
But efforts to solve that problem have been shelved, and instead a movement is afoot in the Statehouse to interfere with agency independence and force a change in PFBC leadership by, for example, setting a term limit for the executive director.
This is the wrong approach. The PFBC is an independent agency funded largely by fees from anglers and boaters, and as current state regulations allow, the Commissioners should decide who leads it. This is a tried-and-true arrangement that helps Pennsylvania recruit sound candidates and keep them accountable, and ensures that the agency is focused on what’s best for our fisheries and waterways.
I urge you to work with your colleagues to move the PFBC closer to a stable balance sheet and back to the job of protecting our streams and fisheries. Sportsmen like me are willing to pay a little more in fees, because we know first-hand how much the agency does to protect and enhance the state’s economically valuable fisheries.
Sincerely,
{your name}
As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Charles Charlesworth, president, Pennsylvania Council of PATU
Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited 