Annual Fundraiser
We held our 57th annual fundraiser on March 25th. The crowd was down from the last few events, but we were competing with many other fundraisers that evening along with mentored youth day. Still a good time was had by all in attendance. Winners of this year’s annual were:
1st prize Matt Hershberger
2nd Kacie Rieg
3rd Chaz Buterbaugh
Attendees had a chance to win a kayak, custom knife, donated by Chris Ireland, Winston Fly Rod as well as our usual fine spread of bucket prizes.
Due to needing to purchase many of the prizes and giveaway items the net take for the night was much below last years record. We thank the members and guess that helped by donating a prize that made this years event offer some excellent choices.
58th Annual Fundraiser
I can’t remember when we were last here, but I believe it was in the early 1990’s. We are going back to the future. Circle April 13th, 2024, we are going back to the former Litts Club in DuBois. Now known as Luigi’s Villa. I’m sure we still have a good number of our members that remember our dinners there. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and visit our website for updates as they become available.
Membership Meeting
Our February meeting was held at the Penn State DuBois Campus room 202 in the DEF supervisor from Bellefonte. They gave an update on items of interest to all present and took many questions from our members present. One item was the Tannery Dam and how it’s managed. While it’s a stocked fishery that warms to lethal levels for trout by late May, it also goes to waste when they stock it in February and is closed to fishing until the statewide opening day. The Officers agreed that it would be a good lake to add a stocking in either the fall or winter and be open to catch and release from mid-February to the opening day. We sent a letter asking just that to the Executive Director of PA Fish and Boat. We await a response. Being that the lake is in town and easy for children to get to along with all the people fishing before season why not make it Catch and Release during the closed season. If you agree, please contact PA Fish and Boat and tell them.
The March meeting was the fly-tying roundtable which allowed members to ask our experts questions on learning new patterns.
We also sent a letter of support to the Western PA Conservancy for the purchase of over 1400 acres in Elk Co along Johnson Run and Bennett Branch. This would be added to the Moshannon State Forest if approved.
Fly Tying roundtables
We held our popular fly-tying roundtables in both DuBois and Punxsutawney this winter. We had good attendance at both. Thanks to Punxy Pizza for hosting the event in Punxsutawney. We also attended the Mutton Hollow roundtables in Clearfield held at the Country Butcher. We were very happy to have several youths attend and learn how to tie flies. We held an evening on the water at the DHALO on the Sandy Lick Creek behind Martins. Thanks to all who helped the young tyers in their efforts to catch trout on their ties.
Environmental Day
This year we will be planting trees along Mountain Lick Run at the scout camp. This will be the habitat portion of the day. The Western PA Conservancy will oversee this part. The other stations will be electro fishing, macroinvertebrates collection, and of course fishing, using the PA Fish and Boats SMART angler program. If interested in helping, please contact George K for more information. Thanks to all the volunteers who make this day possible.
Up Coming Events
April 22nd Tannery Dam Cleanup and Homeless children’s fishing event 9am meet at the pavilion.
May 12th Middle School fly fishing club outing
May 1st Cleanup Day at the Dr. Blakeslee Forest in Medix Run meet at the parking lot 10am
May 17th Picnic with Iron Furnace in Brookville at Walter Dick Park eat at 6pm
May 19th DuBois Middle School Environmental Day Camp Mountain Run
May 25th Punxsutawney Elementary School Environmental Day
August 27th Picnic Bendigo State Park Eat at noon.
For additional information contact any of the directors listed on the back of this newsletter
Picnics
We know life is busy and there are many things pulling us in different directions. The picnics listed above are a way to have a relaxing time and make a few new friends and acquaintances. The picnic in Brookville is a joint picnic with the Iron Furnace Chapter. We supply meat (hot dogs and hamburgers) and buns. Iron Furnace supplies tableware and drinks. All we ask is you bring a dish to pass. Like most events there is more food than people can eat. There is plenty of time to fish both before and after we eat. The park is very kid friendly as well so those with little ones will not be bored.
Bendigo is a joint picnic with the Jim Zwald Chapter out of Elk/Cameron Counties. This one is catered so all you need to do is show up. We have pavilion #1 which is along the East Br Clarion River. If you have never been up here your in for a surprise at the facility, ice cold water makes trout fishing good even in the hottest or driest summer. There is a real swimming pool for your children and yourselves to cool off if hot weather prevails as well as a playground and hiking trails. We will be eating around noon and if the past is any sign of it, we will have enough food for dinner as well.
The best part is this is all FREE! We do not ask for money for tickets or food. I know many of us are tired of all the solicitations for money from Trout Unlimited and our annual fundraiser, so here is an opportunity to get something back for your membership.
We welcome nonmembers to join us at all our events for a fun time, so bring a guest along with yourselves.