Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited

PA Fish and Boat Commission news release August 14, 2014

 

HARRISBURG, Pa. (Aug. 14) – Families and kids can now add a Mentored Youth Fishing Day as their preferred way to close out the summer season on the traditional Labor Day holiday.

Building on the excitement of the year’s first mentored youth fishing day on May 10, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) last month announced that it would hold a second special fishing day on Labor Day, Sept. 1, on 17 Panfish Enhancement lakes.

“For many people, Labor Day offers the last long weekend to be on the water before getting back to the routine of school,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “After the first mentored youth day, anglers told us that they particularly liked the idea of having a dedicated day to fish with their families and friends. It made perfect sense to hold another special event on the extended Labor Day weekend.”

Arway added that the event is also an opportunity to remind anglers that fishing is a year-round sport and doesn’t end after trout or bass season or when kids return to the classroom.

“We have a rich history of trout and bass fishing in the Commonwealth and the opening days are truly traditional events enjoyed by families,” he said. “But we also have many other outstanding fishing opportunities, including panfish. Fishing doesn’t end when school starts. We want to show families where they can go and how easy it can be to fit fall fishing into their schedules.”

Panfish include bluegill, pumpkinseed, and redear sunfish, which are collectively called sunfish; black and white crappies; and yellow perch.

To encourage participation on this day, the PFBC also announced that it has reduced the price of a 1-day adult resident and 1-day adult non-resident license to just $1 on Labor Day. With issuing agent and transaction fees, the total price for the 1-day adult license is $2.70.

A normal 1-day adult resident license costs $11.70 and a 1-day adult tourist license is $26.70.

The panfish enhancement lakes were chosen for the second mentored youth fishing day because these waters are managed to increase the number and size of fish.

“Kids should catch a lot of sunfish, crappies and perch, which makes the day fun,” he said. “As an added incentive, we’re also removing the minimum size limits, which are either seven or nine inches, depending on the species, for kids and their mentors on this day.”

The reduced license should be attractive to anglers who don’t want to pay full price at this point in the fishing season, said Arway, who noted that anglers can purchase the discounted 1-day license and fish anywhere in the Commonwealth on Labor Day.

“Legislators have given us the ability to be creative with our pricing and marketing strategies, so we’re using the reduced cost license to attract people to this particular day and the mentored youth program,” he said. “These are both substantial discounts, so customers should like it.”

The 17 lakes will be open all day for mentored youth day participants and other anglers. The lakes included in the program are, by county:

• Berks – Blue Marsh Reservoir    
• Cambria – Beaverdam Run Reservoir, Hinkston Run Reservoir, Wilmore Dam       
• Centre – Foster Joseph Sayers Lake      
• Chester – Chambers Lake
• Montour – Lake Chillisquaque    
• Monroe – Bradys Lake, Gouldsboro Lake           
• Pike – Lower and Upper Promised Land Lakes   
• Somerset – High Point Lake, Quemahoning Reservoir     
• Washington – Cross Creek Lake
• Westmoreland – Lower Twin Lake, Northmoreland Lake, Upper Twin Lake

To participate in the mentored youth program, adult anglers (16 years or older) must have a valid fishing license and be accompanied by a youth. Youth anglers must obtain a free PFBC-issued permit or a voluntary youth fishing license. Both are available at www.GoneFishingPA.com or at any of the more than 900 licensing agents across the state.

So far, more than 2,400 kids have obtained a free permit and another 1,700 have purchased a voluntary youth fishing license.

The Labor Day 1-day adult licenses are available through the PFBC’s Outdoor Shop and licensing agents. Visit the PFBC website for a complete list of agents.

More information about this program, including a list of the panfish enhancement waters, is available at.

http://fishandboat.com/MentoredYouth.htm.

 “We’re excited to add this second day and are looking forward to hearing from anglers about their experiences,” said Arway. “For many long-time anglers, including me, the first fish was a panfish. This program provides an opportunity for young anglers to catch their first fish and continue a time-honored tradition.”

 

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Media Contact: Eric Levis, Press Secretary 717.705.7806 or elevis@pa.gov

PR063-081414

Matthew C McKinney, a PhD Candidate from Penn State University, is collecting data on angler perceptions of the recent Penns Creek Section 3 regulation change for his dissertation. Please find a link to his survey so that you can help him with his research.  (www.pennscreeksurvey.com)  He is also giving away 4 $50 Gift Certificates to a fly-shop of choice, in a raffle for taking the survey.

Thank you for helping him
Matthew C. McKinney

PhD Candidate – Recreation, Park and Tourism Management
PhD Candidate – Human Dimensions of Natural Resources and the Environment
The Pennsylvania State University
801 Ford Building
University Park, PA 16802
Ph: (814) 404-5992 Fax: (814) 867-1751
Website: http://www.hhdev.psu.edu/rptm/

Country Ski and Sports will be at the September 10, 2014 to discuss Kayaking and will have Kayaks available to try out.  They were present at our meeting in September in 2013 and did a great job.  Unfortunately it rained during most of the evening and when it did stop raining, darkness moved in very quickly but hopefully the weather will be more cooperative this year.  They were able to demonstrate the use of the kayak and gave many valuable tips on maneuvering it and paddling techniques.  The meeting will start at 6 pm and will be held at the boat launch in Montoursville.  Turn onto Mill Street at the old green bridge that crosses Loyalsock Creek in Montoursville.  Follow the road to the end and this will be the boat launch.

Kayaking has increased in popularity over the last few years and provides great exercise and you can get into areas that a boat can not.  There are a lot of opportunities for kayaking and when combined with fishing, the opportunities are endless.

We hope to see you on September 10. Any questions or if you need any type of assistance, please let us know.  

At the Fish and Boat Commission meeting held on July 14 – 15, 2014, the Commissioners approved extending the Delayed harvest section on Pine Creek.  The following was taken from their website.

“In Lycoming County, Commissioners approved a request to change the regulations on a section of Pine Creek that will extend the current 1.2 mile delayed harvest, artificial lures only (DHALO) section downstream of Slate Run an additional 1.6 miles to Bonnell Run. Commissioners also directed staff to explore other regulatory options on the stream section and to present a recommendation at the PFBC’s fall meeting on Sept. 29-30.

“We recognize that this is a complicated issue and believe that today’s decision is a necessary first step,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “The immediate result is that this water will remain a popular destination location for anglers, who contribute to the area’s local economy. At the next Commission meeting, the board will evaluate other options for the long-term management of this section of Pine Creek.”

Under DHALO regulations, fishing is permitted year-round, but no trout can be harvested prior to June 15 or after Labor Day. From June 15 to Labor Day, anglers can keep three trout per day and the fish must be at least nine inches. Tackle is limited to artificial lures and flies. The new regulation will take effect Jan. 1, 2015”

Tom Finkbiner of Slate Run has call the Chapter to request assistance for the family day he has scheduled for this Saturday, July 19 the Old Campgroud (Tombs Flats) one mile below Slate Run.  He has 32 people registered for fly-fishing lessons, and only 3 instructors as of today.

He could use some help starting between 8 and 9 A.M. to set up canopies, tables, etc.  Instruction will be from 11 A.M. and 5 P.M.  Lunch will be provided.  Obviously, 3 instructors for 32 students is not enough.

This is a great opportunity for the Chapter to again make ourselves known and to help teach others this great sport.    This is not only a fly fishing class but will cover spin fishing as well.  Please consider helping at this event and even if you can only give an hour or two, that will be a tremendous help.

If you can help, please call Tom Finkbiner at 570-753-8551 or our Chapter President Dave Craig at home 570-326-1002 or cell 570-971-4744 

If you are interested in taking this free class, you can do so by preregistering by clicking on this link:  Family Fishing Day Registration, click “next” until you get to July 19, then click on fly fishing or spin fishing listed on July 19th.

 (Sponsored by the Slate Run Tackle Shop along with the Pa Fish & Boat Commission and DCNR)

 

 

 

 

(http://bluewaterlakeanna.com/?p=69)

Everyone at the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited wishes you a very safe and enjoyable 4th of July.  We hope that you are having a good summer and spending a lot of time outdoors and with family and friends.

 

 

As you are aware, there is a proposal to extended the Delayed Harvest stretch on Pine Creek.   Presently there is a 1.2 mile section on Pine Creek (from the confluence of Slate Run downstream to 150 meters upstream from the confluence with Naval Run).  The proposal would extend the delayed harvest section 1.6 miles downstream to the area of Bonnell Run.

Below is a link for the public input form. It should be sent to Executive Director, PF&BC, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000 or electronically at http://www.fishandboat.com/regcomments. by July 3. The Directors of the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited voted unanimously in favor to support this proposal.

PFBC Pine Creek Public Input Form

The Pa Fish and Boat Commission will be holding a public meeting concerning the extension of the Delayed Harvest stretch on Pine Creek.  This meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 5, 2014, from 6 pm – 8 PM.  The meeting will be held at the DCNR Tiadaghton Resource Management Center, 10 Lower Pine Bottom Road, Waterville, PA.

Please come to support the extension and conservation of this great trout habitat and its trout-holding legacy for now, and for future generations.

It is with great sadness that we have to say that we have lost a great friend and member of our family, Scott Rupert.  Scott died at his home and will be sadly missed by all. He was a member of the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited and served as a Director since 2013 and was active with the Chapter always lending a hand when needed.

Our Prayers and thoughts go out to his family and friends.  He will be missed by all.

Scott’s obituary that appeared in the Williamsport Sun Gazette on Wednesday May 28, 2014 is given below.

 

At the April Chapter meeting, elections were held for all Officer and Director Positions for the 2014-2015 year. As a result of those present, the following were elected:

David Craig – President
Walt Nicholson – Vice President
Kevin McJunkin – Secretary
Bob Baker – Treasurer

Carey Entz-Rine – Director
Jim Latini – Director
Joe Radley – Director
Scott Rupert – Director
Bob Spencer – Director
Steve Szoke – Director

Congratulations to the above individuals and thank you all for stepping forward to serve YOUR Chapter. We are looking forward to another great year and as always, if you can help the Chapter in any way, please let us know. You do not have to commit to a large amount of time, but any time that you can give to the Chapter is appreciated. If you have any questions, or would like to help, please contact any of the individuals (contact information is on the About Us tab) or send email to susquehannatu@gmail.com.