Allegheny Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Hello, we know it’s been a while since our last newsletter, and we decided to add this to the raffle/banquet letters.

One of the 1st things you’re going to notice is that after 58 years we have changed the price of our raffle tickets. In addition, we increased the 1st prize and added a prize and added prize for selling the 1st prize ticket.  Don’t worry, you’re not expected to buy all the tickets yourself, you can continue to support the raffle as in the past just return sold tickets along with your check.   Also, we know some cannot buy or sell the tickets and that’s ok just keep them rather than paying to return them.  We must have a minimum of 200 letters to use bulk mail, so we can’t take you off our mailing list.

A couple of teasers for our upcoming fundraiser are that we have pizza oven as well as a large Blackstone griddle to be raffled off at the event in April.  Of course, we have many other great prizes and fly rods including a refinished bamboo fly rod that was donated to the chapter this year. 

So on to what’s happening with our chapter.  Our fly-tying roundtable has been going on now for a little over a month with another 4weeks to go.  This winter has been a long one so why not come out to Penn State DuBois and share a story or tie a few flies for the upcoming season.  Starting in March we are moving over to the Smeal building room 151 just park in the lot next to the gym. 

We also have our beginners fly tying class that should wrap up mid-March.  This year only 5 students signed up which is very much the same as in the past when we have had back to back years of classes.    Next year we will either try to host one in Punxsutawney or not hold a formal class and just continue with our weekly roundtable. 

Chapter meetings

Our January membership meeting was a very interesting and informative discussion on efforts to restore the Mosquito Creek watershed.  Jacob Smith gave a presentation on what has been done so far in the watershed to mitigate the negative impacts of acid precipitation on both the fish and macro populations of this once famous watershed.  We also approved letters of support to both the Western PA Conservancy and the Elk County Conservation District in securing grants to complete a watershed assessment on the Medix Run watershed.  Medix was impacted by the floods from hurricane Debbie in August.  Some members of the chapter were up and could not believe how much damage was done to the stream and the riparian area.  Many of the popular pools are no longer on the creek and the water moved much of the stream bed as well as many of the trees along the stream.   While the entire area was hit by the storm Medix seems to have gotten the worst of the damage.

Also, in January we attended an informational meeting for a proposal from Rosebud Mining on expanding their deep mine into Sandy Twp.  There is a large turnout to hear what was being proposed and the bottom line was that no permits have been applied for. This was an information meeting on what the company may be applying for in years to come, if feasible

The March meeting will be with Eric Null the Executive Director from the PA Council of Trout Unlimited on March 19th.  The meeting will start at 7pm and will be in the Smeal building of the DuBois Campus of Penn State in DuBois room 151.  Here is you opportunity to hear what the state council is doing and some of the items to look forward to.  Try to attend and bring a friend or two.

We will once again be taking the DuBois Area Middle School fly fishing club on their annual outing in May on the 2nd.  If you’re interested in helping, please contact George Kutskel so you can get all the details about what is expected and any clearances that maybe needed.    We hope once again to secure the Boy Scout Camp for the outing/ picnic.   We have been meeting with the students at their monthly club meetings and have them tying some flies that they can try out that day. 

Our annual Environmental Day with the 8th grade Middle School will be on May 16th at Camp Mountain Run.  We are responsible for hosting 4 of the 6 stations.  Again, if you would like to help contact George and get the details. 

Annual spring cleanup at the Tannery.  We will once again be walking along the banks of the Tannery on April 19th.  We will meet at the pavilion at the lake at 9am

In addition to sending students to the Wildlife Leadership Academy and the Rivers Conservation Camp we also made donations to the following groups:

Western PA Conservancy $500.

Brockway FFA $500

Toby Creek Watershed for trees in the watershed $100

Kettle Creek Watershed $100.

FLY TYING is back at Jim’s Sports Center

Mark your calendar March 14th and 15th many of the areas best tyers will be showcased at Jim’s Sports Center in Clearfield.  This is the same weekend as the Outdoor show at the Clearfield Fairgrounds.  Terry should have a good supply of fly-tying material as well as many other goodies to make the trip worthwhile.  We hope we get to see you and share a fish story or look at some flies these people are tying.  The fly tyers will be on hand on Friday from 10am until 5pm and on Saturday from 9am until 4pm. 

We will have another newsletter out after our fundraiser with some important dates for cleanups and picnic’s