We just became aware of this by way of email from Katy Dunlap of Trout Unlimited.  The PFBC will be considering whether to add 45 streams/stream segments to the Wild Trout Stream list at their May 4-5, 2015 commission meeting. Some of these streams are within our area.

County	Stream name	Tributary to	Survey date	Lat	Long
Lycoming	Grandad Run	Hessler Branch	7/10/2011	41.35706	-76.748738
Lycoming	Shingle Run	Bear Creek	7/12/2011	41.38193	-76.769877
Lycoming	Snake Run	Bear Creek	7/12/2011	41.38209	-76.78073
Lycoming	South Fork Bear Creek	Bear Creek	7/13/2011	41.37089	-76.74029
Lycoming	Buckeye Run	Otter Run	6/26/2012	41.44321	-77.36231
Lycoming	Greens Hollow	Mill Creek (Montoursville	7/2/2012	41.29052	-76.90299
Sullivan	Joes Run	Loyalsock Creek	6/9/2011	41.46269	-76.685328
Sullivan	Huckle Run	Loyalsock Creek	7/11/2011	41.41844	-76.71111

The PFBC is accepting public comments on the addition of these streams to the Wild Trout Stream list. Many of these streams being considered were surveyed three years ago and found to hold naturally reproducing trout populations, and we are pleased that the PFBC is taking action to ensure that they are managed property and provided protections.  There are more than 350 streams/stream segments that were surveyed from 2011-2013, and found to support naturally reproducing trout, that are on a backlog waiting to be added to the Wild Trout Stream list. TU supports the addition of these 45 streams and urges the PFBC to continue to add formally add streams to the Wild Trout Stream list that have been surveyed and found to hold naturally reproducing trout populations.

Comments can be submitted electronically (http://fishandboat.com/promo/form/advance-notice-streams.htm ), or you can send a letter to John Arway, PFBC Executive Director (cc: your PFBC commissioner) at:  1601 Elmerton Ave, PO Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA  17106-7000.  Please send comments by March 30.

The PA Fish & Boat Commission has proposed a number of changes to Delayed Harvest Artificial Lure regulations that would greatly alter the quality of angling in these popular stream sections, including moving up the start of the harvest season, allowing the use of bait, and lowering the minimum size of harvested trout to 7 inches. This program which was begun in 1983 includes 83 stream sections, 19 of which have been documented to contain wild trout. Click the links below for more information.

2015-03 Proposed DHALO changes

2015-03 PA Trout position on Proposed DHALO changes

Public Comments are being accepted on this proposal until May 13, 2015. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, objections or suggestions about the proposed rulemaking to the Executive Director, Fish and Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000.  Comments also may be submitted electronically by completing the form at http://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.

Whatever your thoughts and opinions are on this matter, please let them be known.  Now is your chance to become involved.

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!