Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited

The March 2018 issue of the Susquehanna Ripples is now available.  You can get your copy here.

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

Below are three great camps for Teens 14 years old through 17 years old.  These camps are very informative and great fun for all who participate.  If you know of a youth that is interested in going to any of the camps, click on the links below to get more information and to apply.  If you do apply, please let the us know (the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited) as we can sponsor a student and pay for their tuition for the camp.

2018 Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Camp, June 17-22, 2018. 

The Rivers Conservation & Fly Fishing Youth Camp is a residential educational camp. It is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited and is hosted by the Cumberland Valley chapter at the Allenberry Resort Inn in Boiling Springs, PA. The camp began as a vision in 1995 with the discussions of the late Dr. Jack Beck and the late E.S. “Inky” Moore Jr. It has evolved into an intense multi-day program for youth between the ages of 14 and 17. Participants learn from experts and professionals in various conservation fields from across Pennsylvania and the nation.

PROGRAM GOALS

The purpose of the camp is to educate students in the importance of coldwater conservation and how it relates to everyday living. Through rigorous student selection, the camp attempts to select today’s student leaders. It strives to prepare them to serve as tomorrow’s leaders in their communities and in conservation.

 

 Keystone/TU Teens Conservation Camp, June 17-24, 2018 

Fly Fishing Camp for teenagers in Pennsylvania

Keystone/TUTeens Conservation Camp is one of two Fly Fishing Camps for teenagers in Pennsylvania. Keystone the latest of the camps is located in the Beautiful Wyoming Valley within the Tunkhannock Creek/Susquehanna River watersheds. The camp is open to teenagers from 14 to 18 regardless of race, creed, sex or economic status. The camp offers a cultural interaction between a maximum of 24 student campers. The camp is located on the Campus of Keystone College and is a partnership between Keystone College and the surrounding Northeast and Northcentral Chapters of Trout Unlimited. We have three instructors from three different Universities and colleges, professional from agencies like the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pa. Fish and Boat Commission, Department of Environmental Protection, County Conservation Districts and Penn State Agricultural Extension office. Of course there are also the well informed and reliable Trout Unlimited Volunteers and Water Quality Specialist from the American Petroleum Institute. Contact Charlie Charlesworth at 570-954-5042 or ffnepa@epix.net for ,ore information or to register.

 

Wildlife Leadership Academy, 2018 PA Brookies Field School dates are: July 17-21

At the Pennsylvania Brookies field school you spend a week learning all about our state fish, the brook trout, its biology, cold water conservation and more! PA Brookies takes place at the SIEG CONFERENCE CENTER along a beautiful fly fishing stream in central Pennsylvania near Lock Haven.  Accommodations include a large classroom space, barrack style rooms with bunks and shared bathrooms. A team of fisheries and coldwater conservation professionals teach at the Pennsylvania Brookies field school from various agencies and conservation organizations including the Pennsylvania Fish and Board Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Penn State Extension, SeaGrant, Clearwater Conservancy,  and the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited. Age 14 to 17.

At the next PFBC Commissioners meeting on April 23, and 24, 2018, they will consider adding several streams to the Class A and Wild Trout listings.  A pdf copy of each proposal is given below so you can see the streams being proposed.

 

April 2018 Wild Trout Waters Proposed

April 2018 Class A Proposed Changes

To comment electronically on the Class A stream listings, click here.

To comment electronically on the Wild Trout stream listings,  click here.

 

Also go to:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BVKXWXG  and take the public opinion poll as there are several questions related to wild trout and the future there of.  

 

 

The Chapter’s annual fly tying class started on February 6 and was a big success. There were over 2 dozen individuals attending to learn to tie flies.  The majority of individuals were beginners and some this was the first time doing any type of tying.  A great deal of time was spent on tools and how to use them and basic techniques like starting thread, using the whip finisher, and applying materials to the hook.

There were several students who had some experience and were working on more advanced flies and techniques. We are very fortunate to have many expert tyers in our Chapter and area who are willing to give of their time and help teach the art of fly tying.  There were 11 instructors present and many of the beginners were fortunate to get individual help.

Below are pictures of a san juan worm,  green weenie, and bead head green weenie tied by the beginning tyers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PA Fish and Boat Commission northcentral Pa region conservation officers Emmett Kyler and Chad Lauer will be the guest speakers at the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s next public meeting.  The commission officials will present an update of fishing and boating programs and developments for the coming year. The public is encouraged to share their thoughts, concerns and ideas concerning the commission and its regulations and policies with the local officers. The meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 21 at the Covenant Central Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, at the rear of 807 West Fourth St. in Williamsport (enter off of Campbell St.)

Please note the change in date from our normal meetings

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold a public meeting on Monday, February 26, 2018 at the Mifflinburg Area High School (in the cafeteria at 75 Market Street, Mifflinburg, PA 17844).   The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm and go till 8 pm.

Staff from the PFBC will present results from the 2017 fishery surveys and future management of Section 05 including angling regulations.

There will be an opportunity for questions and comments following the PFBC presentation.

Susquehanna TU is pleased to announce that it will be offering an eight week fly tying course open to the public. There will be no cost for the course which will include instructive manual, tools and materials used during the sessions.  Instructors will include notable local fly tiers. Veterans are especially welcomed and we will have instructors for both beginners and intermediate skill tiers. Anyone interested in taking the course or having questions should contact Walt Nicholson at (570) 447-3600 or emailing susquehannatu@gmail.com by February 5th.  If emailing, we will need the names of all attending, phone numbers/emails and the skill levels.

When:  Tuesday evenings beginning on February 6 and extending through March 27  between 7:00  – 8:30 PM

Where: Covenant Central Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, rear 807 West Fourth Street in Williamsport (enter from Campbell St.) New Location from last year. 

On January 19, 2018, Mark Lawrence and Ben Reichley discussed Loyalsock Creek ‘River of the Year’ designation, and the many man made issues facing the creek; the endangered Eastern Hellbender, and other Loyalsock Creek specific topics. Guests: Carol Parenzan, Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper, Mel Zimmerman, Biologist, Lycoming College emeritus professor, Director, Lycoming College Clean Water Institute, Loyalsock Creek Watershed Association, on the science, threats, volunteers, and all the research taking place on the creek. Walt Nicholson, President, Susquehanna Chapter Trout Unlimited, talked about the issues facing the creek.

If you missed it or want to listen to it click the link below.

 

https://susquehannatu.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2018-01-19-on-the-mark-radio-show-river-of-the-year.mp3

 

A group of concerned individuals have created a group on facebook, “Rebuilding the Muncy Boat Launch.” The individuals of this group share concerns over the closing of the Muncy Boat Launch which was closed in July 2016. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission felt the launch was unsafe and posed a hazard to users because of dropping water levels and a large sandbar that exists between shore and water. The sediment can be hazardous to individuals by getting their feet stuck as it can be several feet deep.

The group is looking for repairs to be made so that the boat launch can reopen or to have it moved elsewhere, but remain in the general area. A meeting is scheduled to be held on February 1, 2018 at Trout Pond Park (1935 Route 405 Highway, Muncy, PA).  This is located between Muncy and Hughesville. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 pm.

State Representative Garth Everett, PA Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director John Arway, Commissioner Eric Hussar, and Paul Urbanic with the PFBC Bureau of Engineering are scheduled to be at the meeting.

If you are interested, please check out their page Rebuilding the Muncy Boat Launch for more information and contact information and more importantly, come out to the meeting.