Author: Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited

 Brook trout are swimming in trouble waters. Climate change and habitat loss are threatening the health of the east coast’s only native trout and a species responsible for billions of dollars in revenue. More troubling, resource managers have a hard time predicting the fate of brook trout and struggle to create conservation plans.  Shannon White, a Ph.D. student at Penn State University, will present a program on the current status of her Brook Trout research in the upper Loyalsock Creek watershed studying their populations, individual behavior and ecology, and how the findings may improve the outlook for Pennsylvania’s official state fish species. The public is welcomed to the meeting to be held on Wednesday, October 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of The First Presbyterian Church at 102 E. Third St. in Williamsport. More information can be found at www.thetroutlook.com/.

The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited would like to congratulate Dr. Mel Zimmerman for being awarded Outstanding Coldwater Conservationist (Professional)  by the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited at their Annual Meeting on September 10, 2016.

Ed O’Gorman, of PATU on left, Dr. Mel Zimmeran, Dave Craig (Vice President of Susquehanna Chapter of TU), and Tali MacArther of PATU. (photo provided)

The following was written by President Walt Nicholson:

“Dr. Mel Zimmeran (or Zimm to his students and Colleagues) retired this year as Professor of Biology at Lycoming College. Dr. Zimmerman has demonstrated exceptional initiative and dedication to cold water fisheries conservation throughout his career of 37 years at Lycoming College where he created the Clean Water Institute. This has played an instrumental role in the monitoring of streams for the PFBC’s Unassessed Waters Program throughout northern Pennsylvania. He has had a profound positive influence on hundreds, if not thousands, of students who have gone on to careers in fisheries biology, including many scientists working for the PFBC. He has extraordinacy energy and interest in teaching and had taken lead roles in creating “college for kids” at Lycoming College. The Williamsport Municipal Water Authority’s Waterdale Environmental Education Center, and the Susquehanna Heartland Coalition. Zimm has partnered with TU on many projects and is active in the Loyalsock Creek Watershed Association and other local conservation efforts to monitor and advocate for water quality protection and improvements in countless cold water streams in northern Pennsylvania.”

Congratulations Mel and thank you for everything that you have done for our fisheries and waterways!!!!

The September issue of the Susquehanna Ripples (the Official Newsletter of the Chapter) is out and you can get your copy here  2016-09-susquehanna-ripples

The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be hosting a special meeting and picnic on Wednesday, September 14th at 5:30 pm. Dr. Mel Zimmerman and biology students from Lycoming College will be performing a field demonstration of electroshocking and other methods of inventorying aquatic life and classifying the quality of flowing streams used in the PA Fish & Boat Commission Unassessed Waters Initiative. The initiative has been instrumental in designating over 12,000 miles in over 500 streams in the past five years as wild trout streams which creates additional regulatory protections for those exceptional value streams. The public is invited to see how the assessments are conducted and join in a picnic after the demonstration (hot dogs, chips and drinks will be supplied- please bring a covered dish or dessert). The meeting will be held at Waterdale Lodge in Mosquito Valley. Turn south on Valley Street at the Turkey Hill mini mart at Euclid Ave. in Duboistown and proceed 0.6 miles to Mosquito Valley Road. Turn left on Mosquito Valley Road, go 0.9 miles to Waterdale Road; bear right on Waterdale Road toward the Armstrong Township Building and go west 0.75 miles to the gate at Waterdale where there will be parking.

A map of how to get there can be found here  2016-08-29 Directions to Waterdale Lodge

The following is a news release from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

“Moving to protect wild trout beset by high water temperatures and low stream levels, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) officials temporarily have posted two sections of Penns Creek to prevent fishing and disturbance of massed fish by passersby.

“The prolonged combination of little rainfall and steadily climbing water temperatures has left wild trout massing at two locations in Bald Eagle State Forest where mountain streams are supplying needed oxygen and cooler water,” said State Forester Dan Devlin. “The goal is to prevent additional stress by limiting angling pressure and the chances of others needlessly spooking them.”

Both located in Mifflin County, not far from the Union-Centre County line, the posted areas affording trout thermal protection are along Penns Creek at the mouths of the Panther Run and Swift Run tributaries. As temperatures soared and stream levels dropped, trout have increasingly sought out these tributaries’ cooler waters.

“In an effort to gain support and protect this valuable resource we sought cooperation from the Fish and Boat Commission, and its bureaus of law enforcement and fisheries responded rapidly,” Devlin said, “clearing the way for a joint effort that will limit disturbance to fish in these areas. This limited and temporary closure is based solely on the need to provide areas of thermal refuge.”

This is not the first time the premier trout stream, harboring a unique, wild trout fishery that draws anglers from around the world, has been taxed by severe weather conditions. In 1999, trout were forced to congregate by the hundreds in coldwater tributary mouths along Penns Creek, and reports of harassment surfaced.

The Mifflin County postings, to be enforced by DCNR Rangers and PFBC Waterways Conservation Officers, will remain in effect until Penns Creek water conditions improve — and that may take some time. The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) early this week issued a drought-watch declaration for 34 Pennsylvania counties, including Mifflin, Union and Centre counties. All are reporting low stream flows, declining groundwater levels and below-normal precipitation. Rainfall deficits of as much as 6.0 inches have been noted over the past 90 days.

More details and updates can be obtained by contacting the Bald Eagle State Forest District, 18865 Old Turnpike Road, Milmont. Tel.: 570-922-3344.”

The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited would like to stress the importance of high water temperature and the effects on the trout.  In addition to Penns Creek, all anglers should observe similar care to not disturb schools of trout seeking thermal refuge near cool bottom springs and mouths of cold water tributaries on our larger streams such as Pine Creek and Loyalsock Creek. Take the 70 degree pledge to not fish for trout when water temperatures go over 70 degrees F and try to educate other anglers about the relationship of water temperature and dissolved oxygen. Water temperatures up in the seventies and higher doesn’t have enough oxygen for trout (particularly brookies) to survive.

The July issue of the Susquehanna Ripples is out and you can read it hear!

2016-07 Susquehanna Ripples

On your mark. Get set. Fish! Come to the Youth Fishing Derby from 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at Muncy Heritage Park and Nature Trail, 601 Pepper Street. Bring the family to the park and spend the morning fishing and participate in interactive and educational fishing-oriented activities, sponsored by Muncy Historical Society, Trout Unlimited and Lycoming College.

The event was planned in part, with the help of Lycoming College communication students Bethany Adamski, Michael Amaya and Malcolm Bell, in collaboration with Rebecca Holler, education coordinator, of the Pennsylvania Coldwater Habitat Restoration Program, Trout Unlimited, and the Muncy Historical Society.

Children under age 16 are eligible to participate and must be accompanied by a parent. Only one fishing pole per child is allowed. Participants must provide their own fishing equipment. All legal baits are allowed. An artificial lure will be given to each participant, donated by Wertman’s Fish and Bait Shop, 173 W Water St, Muncy. 

Any fish caught with or without a tag are eligible for prizes. Each fish must be measured, and unharmed fish must be then released. Length of fish will determine the prize.

The catch-and-release fishing contest is the star of the show with prizes awarded for 1st place winners in three different age groups. Prizes include three fishing kits with lures, bait, rod and reel: a Shakespeare Bass complete fishing kit; a Shakespeare Walleye complete fishing kit; and a Shakespeare Trout complete tackle kit.

There will be food and drinks available in a picnic atmosphere. 

Registration is free and will be held on the date of the event. This is an all-outside event so dress appropriately. The decision to cancel the day’s activities because of inclement weather conditions will be made by 8 a.m. For more information call (570) 546-5917.

The following is the obituary for Bob that appeared in the Sun Gazette on Tuesday June 21. After clarification since our last post, visitation will begin at 11 am at Phelps Chapel and the service will begin at noon.

It is with great sadness that we have to report that Bob Rinn passed away on Tuesday June 13, 2016.

Bob was one of the founding members of the Susquehanna Chapter and served in many capacities over the years.  Most recently he had been our Chapter Advisor.

There will be a memorial service at Phelps Chapel on Pine Creek (near Jersey Shore) on Saturday June 26 at noon.

We will post more information about  Bob in the near future.  The above picture was provided by his daughter Melanie.  Our deepest thoughts go out to Bob’s family and all his friends.  He will be missed!

Over the past year, the PA Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) has made significant progress toward chipping away at the backlog of streams awaiting formal Wild Trout Stream and Class A