Chapter Meeting next Tuesday, September 15th 7pm Erie Elks Lodge

Please see the chapter calendar in the right margin for this years scheduled meeting dates and times.  Also note in the spring we'll be meeting in February and then again in April, with the second annual Fly Fishing Film Festival sandwiched in between on Saturday, February 27th 2016.

At next week's meeting we will recap our meeting with Fish Commissioner Mascharka earlier this year, also some information on a recent electroshocking of Caldwell Creek will be shared.  We'll also give an overview of how the first Fly Fishing Film Tour went and lay the groundwork for the next one.

Hope to see you there!

 

Some nice browns from the Big Hole River, Montana last month by Bryce and Erik Cronk.
Send us your photos to have featured in the next newsletter!

Trout In The Classroom Update: Waterford Elementary Releases their fish!

From Chapter Member Bob Bell:

Last week twenty-three second graders from Waterford Elementary released 74, 2-3 inch brook trout from the tank that NW chapter of PA TU donated to their classroom.

The fingerlings were part of the TIC program.  The class received the eggs in early November.  Shortly after the eggs hatched into alevins, just ask the kids they know the word.  Each day at recess teams of second graders from Mrs Bukoski's class would voluntarily skip recess to feed the fingerlings and do water changes of 3-5 gallons three times each week.

On June 2nd a school bus took the second graders to Lamson Run, a tributary to Elk creek (Note:  our chapter did stream stabilization work on this stretch, see pictures)  where each child got a Ziploc bag with 3-4 fingerling brook trout.  They were then walked to the stream where each kid got to open their bag and release the trout into the creek.  Most of the kids named "their" trout and one girl was heard saying that this "is the best day of school ever!"

Afterwards the kids performed a water test as they have all year in their class.  The water tested well, pH-8.0, nitrates-0, nitrites-0 and ammonia-0.  A good time was had by all and the kids were back in school by 11am.   

Presidents note:  A special thank you goes out to chapter member Bob Bell of Waterford.  Bob is a local veterinarian in Waterford with children who attend Waterford schools so he has a vested interest in the program.  Through Bob's efforts and oversight with Waterford Elementary teacher Stacey Bukoski this program has been a tremendous success through the years.

This is why we do what we do, the pictures prove it.  Thank you again Bob and Stacey and great job to all the kids who participated in this years program!!!!

Important Meeting April 21st: Commissioner Mascharka to speak and field questions

This will be a meeting you will not want to miss.  PA Fish and Boat Commissioner Edward P. Mascharka III (click name for full bio) will address our chapter regarding proposed changes to Delayed Harvest regulations as well as the new mentored trout fishing opportunities for youth, along with other relevant topics to our TU Chapter.  After he speaks, we will open the floor to questions from chapter members through a moderated approach by our chapter president.

I would ask all chapter members to email any questions they may have or topics they would like discussed that night to nwpatu@gmail.com  in advance of the meeting so that we may set up a preliminary agenda to follow.  I want to make sure we address everyone's concerns and stay on topic, as well as on schedule that night and feel this is the best approach to take.

Of Primary concern to TU chapters and State Council are the proposed changes to Delayed Harvest areas across the state.  Click this link for the 7 page proposal taken from the PAFBC website.  Your state council has drafted a response letter which you may view below.  Click on the actual letter to blow it up to a larger size for easier viewing.

What we need each chapter member to do:  Click on this link to send your comments to the PAFBC.  Your voice needs to be heard whichever side of this discussion you sit on!  Please note:  if an acknowledgement of electronic comments is not received by the sender within 2 working days, the comments should be re-transmitted to ensure receipt.

The commission has already received between 100-200 comments both for and against.  It is imperative that you send in your comments as soon as possible.  The Delayed Harvest concept has been THE most popular program in trout fishing the Commision has introduced in decades.  If you have ever used and enjoyed these areas then your opinion should be heard on the matter.

Notices of our upcoming chapter meeting will be sent to other TU Chapters that Commissioner Mascharka represents in his district.  We are hopeful for a large turnout at 7pm on Tuesday April 21st.

Remember to email your questions for the commisioner to nwpatu@gmail.com prior to the meeting date.

Hope to see you all there!

F3T Movie a Success!

About 150 people attended the "First Annual" F3T Movie Stop at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle this past Saturday evening.  We missed a total sellout by about 20 seats, but and those in attendance were treated to a great set of HD movies from various locations around the world.  We are very fortunate to have the Tom Ridge Center to hold such an event and it didn't disappoint.  A variety of door prizes and chinese-type auctions rounded out the evening.

So mark Saturday, February 27th 2016 on your calendar and we'll do our best to make the "Second Annual" event even better!

Tuesday April 21st will be our next chapter meeting.  Look for information on this and other important news that's going on with proposed changes to Delayed Harvest areas to be coming your way within the very near future.

Last Call for F3T Tickets

That's right, time is running out!

With only 40 seats left, you  better start by clicking this link to buy your ticket for the upcoming Fly Fishing Film Tour's March 21st show in Erie. at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle.  Tickets are only $15 apiece for a great nights entertainment.  A variety of short films are on tap from fly fishing destinations all over the world which will make for a great night to spend with friends and chapter members.  There will be a variety of door prices and special raffle items given away that night as well.  More complete information can be found here.

What's your excuse not to attend?  Bring a friend for a great nights entertainment and help us raise money to fund local Trout in the Classroom projects and continue to send students to the Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Camps.

See you there!

(PLEASE NOTE:  THIS NOTICE WAS EDITED TO REFLECT THE CORRECT DATE OF THIS COMING SATURDAY MARCH 21ST!  THE ORIGINAL NOTICE YOU RECEIVED VIA EMAIL  (ON TUESDAY 17TH /WEDNESDAY 18TH) HAD THE 28TH WHICH IS INCORRECT.  I APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED.

Got tickets?

The calendar has flipped over to March, it says spring is only a few weeks away and you've got a bad case of cabin fever.  What's a fisherman supposed to do?

Well if you haven't already, start by clicking this link to buy your ticket for the upcoming Fly Fishing Film Tour's March 28th show in Erie. at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle.  Tickets are only $15 apiece for a great nights entertainment.  A variety of short films are on tap from fly fishing destinations all over the world which will make for a great night to spend with friends and chapter members.  There will be a variety of door prices and special raffle items given away that night as well.  More complete information can be found here.

So click on the above link, buy a ticket online, or better yet buy two for your buddy and we'll see you later this month.

Fish on!

Special offer!

The next five people who email their online-ticket purchase receipt for the March 21, 2014 Fly Fishing Film Tour showing at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center at Presque Isle get a free entry into a fly rod raffle the night of the movie.........it's a "name brand rod"  and one you'd be happy to have.  Stay tuned for more details.

So you say you're going anyway, why not purchase your tickets now and get a free chance on the fly rod?   Additional chances will be available for purchase the night of the movie.

Email your receipt to:  nwpatu@gmail.com and give me the names of the people who should go on the tickets.  Ready, set, go!

As they say, the early bird gets the fly rod!