Author: Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited

While preparing the mailing labels for the February issue of the Susquehanna Ripples, I found several mistakes on them: wrong address’s for members, incomplete address’s, and members being listed who were no longer part of our Chapter.  In running some of the reports that are available to Chapter leaders, I was not getting accurate or up to date information either.  I contacted Trout Unlimited about this and exchanged emails with Beverly Smith, Director of Volunteer Operations.  She had indicated they were aware of some problems with their system / website and that these problems occurred when they switched to the new site and member database in September.  We are not sure why the problems have only surfaced now but they assured me they were working on the problems to correct them.

In reviewing our membership list again recently in preparation for the March mailing, I see that the problems haven not yet been corrected.  I have corrected some of the errors that I have found and hope that I have not missed any.  If you have not received a Susquehanna Ripples for February, please let me know and I will get one to you.  The March issue will be mailed out hopefully by the end of this week or the beginning of next week at the latest.

I will continue to be in touch with National TU until these issues have been resolved.  As always, if you are having any problems or not getting any mailings from the Chapter or National TU, please let me know and I will work to find out the reason.                                                                                                                                                               ***Bob Baker

The Brodhead Chapter of TU is having a fly tying contest.  The contest is open to anyone and offers the chance to win some great prizes.  The contest is part of their fundraising efforts to support the restoration and management projects they are currently working on.  Click on the following link to see the official contest announcement Fly Tying Contest two page flyer

Please consider submitting your flies to the Brodhead Chapter to assist them in their efforts.

The first fly tying class was held on February 18, 2014 and what a great turnout.  There were 19 students enrolled and  6 instructors.  The students were broken up into groups according to their tying level and experience. For the intermediate and advanced tiers, they will be able to work with their instructor to pick what flies they want to tie and work on more advanced techniques.

     Those who are new to tying or have limited experience, last night was spent reviewing the tools, material and techniques while tying some basic flies and getting comfortable with technique while tying the green weenie and inch worm.

     It is great to see so many people taking this class and many new faces over previous years.    There were a lot of stories told and everyone learned something and many new friends were made.  We hope to meet the needs of each student and will do whatever we can to meet those needs.

We want to thank Burrows Boston, Joe Radley, Bill O’Connor, Jim Latini, Walt Nicholson, and David Craig for sharing their knowledge.  The knowledge and experience these men have is tremendous and we are very fortunate to have them available to help teach this art to others.  More instructors will be available in future class’s but due to scheduling conflicts, some were not able to make it last night.

All the materials and tools for this course have been donated to the Chapter through our fishing equipment recycling program and this makes it possible to offer this class free of charge.  If you have your own tools and materials, you are welcome to bring them and many of the participants did.

We will be posting pictures from the class in the future and hope to see you in future class’s.

The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold fly tying classes for six weeks on Tuesday evenings starting on February 18 to March 25 from 7:00 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, which is open to the public. This year we are planning both introductory and more advanced classes with many of those sessions accommodating particular interests of the participants. 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 Walt Nicholson at (570) 447-3600.

The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited with have a booth at the first annual Outdoor Expo being held at the Penn College Field House on Saturday February 15, 2014.  Admission is free and the Chapter will have educational material present and will be talking with attendees about the purpose and goals of TU.  We will also be using this event as a fundraising event and will have limited items for sale (items that have been donated to the Chapter).

Sponsored by the college’s Student Activities Office, the family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

Master Falconer Jack Hubley, a nature lecturer from Lititz, will offer presentations at 11 a.m.  (“Critters Beyond Your Back Door”) and 2 p.m. (“Flying Hunters”). Hubley has produced and hosted several outdoors shows on WGAL in Lancaster; the most recent, “Wild Moments,” aired on more than 140 syndicated stations nationwide for four years.

Additional demonstrations will be provided by Heath and Hillary Bender, of HB Chainsaw Sculptures in Forksville. One of the finished sculptures will be given away as a door prize.

Among the vendors scheduled to have display booths at the Field House are Affinition, A Water Odyssey SCUBA, 12 Star Survival and the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Attendees can also sample jerky prepared by participants in a Student Government Association-sponsored competition.

We still need help in manning the table and if you can help, even if for only an hour, please contact Dave Craig at  Email:  davsalc@comcast.net /  Home:  570-326-1002 / Cell:  570-971-4744.

Just a reminder that our next Chapter meeting will be held tomorrow at 7:30 pm. Emmett Kyler, Waterways Conservation Officer in the Northcentral Region for the PA Fish and Boat Commission will be the featured speaker. Officer Kyler will provide an update of fishing opportunities, regulation changes, and PF&BC programs and initiatives for the 2014 PA fishing season as well as fielding any questions you may have about fishing and boating in our area. Officer Kyler has lots of information to share and you do not want to miss this.

The public is welcome to attend this program at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall at East Third and Mulberry Streets in Williamsport on February 12, 2014 at 7:30 pm.

The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold fly tying classes for six weeks on Tuesday evenings starting on February 18 to March 25 from 7:00 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, which is open to the public. This year we are planning both introductory and more advanced classes with many of those sessions accommodating particular interests of the participants. 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 Walt Nicholson at (570) 447-3600.

The March issue of the Susquehanna Ripples will be a special Anniversary Issue. There will be many things included in this issue to highlight things over the past 50 years. I am asking all of you to consider adding something to this edition. Whether it be a picture, story, memory (vibert box project, stream restoration, fly tying class’s, Trout Kickoff, etc), tribute to an individual, or whatever you think appropriate, please do so.

Existing 50 years is a tremendous accomplishment that we should be proud of. We have been fortunate to have had many very dedicated individuals who put in countless hours into this organization and into the various projects that we have undertaken through the years. We have also been fortunate to have been able to work with a number of other organizations, groups, and individuals in order to accomplish our goals. Central Pennsylvania is a much better place now because of the work and dedication of the individuals of this organization.

I have received some items so far that will be included in the Ripples as well as a booklet that will be made available at our anniversary dinner on April 5. We will also be posting things on our website in the near future as well.

Again, thank you for everything that you do, and have done for this organization and if you do submit something, you can do so by email to susquehannatu@gmail.com or through the mail to me at (Bob Baker, 821 Wilson Street, Williamsport, PA 17701-5449). Please include your name with your submission and if you wish to remain anonymous, will make sure that your submission is anonymous in the newsletter.

     Emmett Kyler, Waterways Conservation Officer in the Northcentral Region of the PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will be the featured speaker at the monthly meeting of Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited.  Officer Kyler will provide an update of fishing opportunities, regulation changes, and PF&BC programs and initiatives for the 2014 PA fishing season as well as fielding any questions you may have about fishing and boating in our area.

The public is welcome to attend this program at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall at East Third and Mulberry Streets in Williamsport on February 12, 2014 at 7:30 pm.

The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited would like to wish everyone a very joyous and safe Holiday season and a very Happy New Year!!!