The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited invites everyone to its meeting at 7:30 pm on March 11 in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church at East Third and Mulberry Streets in Williamsport. Dave Wonderlich will be presenting a program on fishing Pine Creek in western Lycoming County and neighboring streams in the Slate Run area, including a description of the change in regulations on Pine Creek which allow all tackle bait fishing, but no-kill restrictions on trout. He will share the history of the “Brown Trout Club,”  efforts to restore quality trophy trout populations to Pine Creek, and will give perspectives on techniques and fish conservation initiatives that can significantly improve fishing experiences in this beautiful and popular area. Dave is a knowledgeable local angler who produces the fishing blog and videos on the Slate Run Tackle Shop’s website and newsletters. Slate Run Tackle Shop has donated an Orvis mid-arbor fly reel which will be given away as a door prize at the meeting.

The following was taken from the Keep America Fishing Website and is being given to you for informational purposes.  We know that many of you are boaters and want you to be informed.  The Chapter has not, and is not taking a position on this.

     “Did you know that the higher the level of ethanol in your fuel, the more likely you are to destroy your engine? When levels go above 10 percent, fuel burns hotter and often reduces engine life. But adding more is exactly what ethanol makers are trying to push past the EPA.

     What’s at stake? You could harm your car or boat. Engines in older cars and trucks are more easily damaged and wear out faster when run on high ethanol fuels.  Worse, small engines – like the two-strokes found in many bass boats – are even more susceptible to damage because the ethanol often washes the oil off cylinder walls. 

     But this issue has good news. Currently, there is legislation moving through Congress that will protect our engines. A new bill, the Renewable Fuel Standard Reform Act of 2015, would cap the amount of ethanol in fuel at the already recommended 10 percent. 

     What can you do? Inform your Representative that this is an important issue to you, so they don’t miss the opportunity to co-sponsor this legislation. Tell them you don’t want higher-ethanol fuels that damage and destroy engines.  It just takes a few steps on our website.

     On February 4, 2015, with 34 original co-sponsors, Rep. Robert Goodlatte (R-VA) introduced the RFS Reform Act of 2015 (H.R. 704) into the House. This act will prohibit the EPA from approving blends of ethanol above 10 percent in gasoline, such as E15. In the past, nearly identical versions of the legislation have compelled over 220 members from both chambers of Congress to oppose the RFS.”

     For more information, please see the Keep America Fishing Website at  http://keepamericafishing.org/

Fly Tying starting February 10

     The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold fly tying classes for six weeks on Tuesday evenings starting on February 10 to March 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the social hall of the First Presbyterian Church, 102 E. 3rd Street in Williamsport.  There will be no cost for the course and it is open to the public. The Chapter will supply all the tools and materials needed but you are welcome to bring your own if you have them. There will be introductory and more advanced classes with many of those sessions accommodating particular interests of the participants. If you would like to tie a particular fly, please let us now so that the instructors can prepare and to make sure we have the materials needed.  Instructors will include experienced tiers from our area.  Youth 10 years and older are welcomed (under 15 yrs should be accompanied by an adult).

     Anyone interested may register by sending an email to the Chapter at susquehannatu@gmail.com.

Chapter Meeting on February 11

     Join us at our next Chapter meeting on February 11, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church of Williamsport in the Fellowship Hall, 102 East 3rd Street, Williamsport. Commissioner Eric Hussar and Waterways Conservation Officer Emmett Kyler of the PA Fish and Boat Commission will be there to update us on the Commissions goals and plans and what is new for 2015, as well as answer any questions that you may have.

WCO Kyler has attended many of our meetings in the past and is always full of information.  Commissioner Hussar was sworn in as a Commissioner in October 2014 and this will give you a chance to meet with him and learn about the goals and direction of the Commission.

Join us at our next Chapter meeting on February 11, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church of Williamsport in the Fellowship Hall, 102 East 3rd Street, Williamsport.

Commissioner Eric Hussar and Waterways Conservation Officer Emmett Kyler of the PA Fish and Boat Commission will be there to update us on the Commissions goals and plans and what is new for 2015, as well as answer any questions that you may have.

WCO Kyler has attended many of our meetings in the past and is always full of information.

Commissioner Hussar was sworn in as a Commissioner in October 2014 and this will give you a chance to meet with him and learn about the goals and direction of the Commission.

The meeting is open to the public and hope to see you there.

The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold fly tying classes for six weeks on Tuesday evenings starting on February 10 to March 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the social hall of the First Presbyterian Church, 102 E. 3rd Street in Williamsport.  There will be no cost for the course and it is open to the public. The Chapter will supply all the tools and materials needed but you are welcome to bring your own if you have them. There will be introductory and more advanced classes with many of those sessions accommodating particular interests of the participants. If you would like to tie a particular fly, please let us now so that the instructors can prepare and to make sure we have the materials needed.  Instructors will include experienced tiers from our area.  Youth 10 years and older are welcomed (under 15 yrs should be accompanied by an adult).

Anyone interested may register by sending an email to the Chapter at susquehannatu@gmail.com, or calling Bob Baker at (570) 337-1279. If there is no answer, please leave your name, address, phone number / email address and if you will be in the beginner class or more advanced.

The PA Fish and Boat Commission will be having their quarterly meeting on January 21, 2015. One of the topics up for discussion is the stocking of Class A streams.   The following is taken from the PA Council of Trout Unlimited’s website.

At the September, 2014 Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) meeting, the Board of Commissioners voted to allow stocking of Class A wild trout streams. The policy change, documented at http://fishandboat.com/rulemakings/255finp.pdf, allows the Executive Director, with approval from the Board of Commissioners, to designate Class A streams for stocking.

This is a major change to what was originally proposed to the Commission, which PATU did not oppose, that would have allowed some stocking in Class A sections where:

1. Angler use meets or exceeds the 75^th percentile (number of anglers/ mile on Opening Day)
2. The water had been stocked the year preceding the Class A designation
3. The stream does not contain a wild brook trout population or the trout species to be stocked are not the same species as the primary component of the wild trout population.
4. The stream was not identified as Class A prior to 2013.
5. After review of the above data, stocking could be approved by the Board of Commissioners and the Executive Director.

However, in its final consideration, the Board of Commissioners voted to remove all of the above criteria except the approval by the Commissioners and Executive Director (Statement of Policy 57.8a). Essentially, this change could allow for any Class A stream across the state to be stocked if approved by Board of Commissioners and the Executive Director.

Class A streams are considered some of the best and most pristine waters in Pennsylvania, and provide a wonderful recreational opportunity for all anglers. We believe that this amended policy leaves the door open for the PFBC to stock Class A streams across the state. Please take a few minutes to provide comment to the PFBC and ask them to please consider including the originally proposed criteria into policy 57.8a, so that our Class A streams can remain the pristine waters they are today. See below for how you can submit comments.

To provide input to Statement of Policy 57.8a, please submit comments in writing to Executive Director, Fish and Boat Commission, P.O. Box 57000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, or electronically by completing the form at www.fishandboat.com/regcomments. If an acknowledgment of electronic comments is not received by the sender within 2 working days, the comments should be retransmitted to ensure receipt. Electronic comments submitted in any other manner will not be accepted. 

Everyone at the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited wishes you and your families a very happy and safe New Year.  We want to thank all of you for your support and to let you know that our success is not possible without each and everyone of you.  We are looking forward to the future and in starting new friendships and ventures and want all of you to be part of our future.

     The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited would like to wish all of you a very Happy and Safe Holiday Season and a great New Year.  This is a time to spend with family and friends and to give thanks for everything that you do have.  Everyone associated with the Chapter is part of our family and we want nothing but the happiest and best for each and everyone of you.

     Our good friend, Don Bastian had a post on his website (http://donbastianwetflies.com/) on December 24, 2013 and we wanted to share it with you.  It is being copied with Don’s permission.  Hope you enjoy it.

Rudolph the Red-nosed Reintrout

Of course, the music in me and my imagination has got me instantly wanting to put this card to music, so to the tune of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, please sing along:

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reintrout

By Don Bastian, adapted from original lyrics by Johnny Marks, 1939

You know Beadhead and Humpy and Slumpbuster and Fishy,

Finny and Wet Fly and Slimy and Squishy,

But do you recall, the most famous reintrout of all?

Rudolph the red-nosed reintrout, had a very shiny snout –

And if you ever hooked him, he would jump and leap about!

All of the other reintrout, used to laugh and call him names,

They never let poor Rudolph, join in any reintrout games.

Then one muddy water Fishmas Eve, Sunfish came to say,

Rudolph with your snout so bright, won’t you lead my trout tonight?

Then all the reintrout loved him, and they shouted out with glee,

Rudolph the red-nosed reintrout, we’ll be swimming easily!

Merry Christmas everybody!

Shawn Rummell, Field and Research Coordinator of Trout Unlimited’s Eastern Abandoned Mine Project will be the featured speaker on Wednesday Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the monthly meeting of Susquehanna Chapter, TU in the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church, E. 3rd and Mulberry Sts., Williamsport.  Rock Run, tributary of Lycoming Creek at Ralston, is well known as one of the most scenic mountain streams in PA as well as a favorite and historic trout stream. However, legacy coal mining, acid rain deposition, acidic headwaters bogs, and geology lacking in acid buffering capacity have compromised the watershed’s ability to be a productive trout fishery.

Dr. Rummell will present information describing how TU’s Eastern Abandoned Mine Project can facilitate the process of obtaining a grant to perform a technical assessment of the Rock Run watershed to determine water quality issues and opportunities to remediate and improve the watershed’s aquatic and fishery resources.

All members are encouraged to attend to hear how our chapter can assist and participate in laying the groundwork for potential projects to improve this incredibly important and beautiful natural area.

The Consolidated Sportsmen of Muncy Creeks are pleased to welcome Representative Garth Everett of Pennsylvania’s 87^th  legislative district to its monthly club meeting on November 5, 2015, at 7:00 PM. The meeting will take place at the Hughesville Volunteer Fire Company located at Railroad and Water Streets in Hughesville.

The event is open to interested sportsmen and the public.  Representative Everett will discuss issues related to sportsmen in Lycoming County.

The Sportsmen, a totally volunteer organization, meet on the first Wednesday of every month at the Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department.  For more information, visit muncycreeks.org.