Susquehanna Ripples. "Great Fall Trout Fishing: Where, When & How" is Topic of Susquehanna Chapter Trout Unlimited Meeting

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1 Susquehanna Ripples Newsletter of the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited #044 October 2017 "Great Fall Trout Fishing: Where, When & How" is Topic of Susquehanna Chapter Trout Unlimited Meeting Now is the Time for Great Fall Fishing" will be the theme of the Wednesday, October 11 th monthly meeting of the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited at 7 pm at the Fellowship Hall at the rear of the First Presbyterian Church, 102 East Third Street in Williamsport. Veteran local angler Jim Latini will describe the many notable trout streams here in northcentral PA which can provide exceptional fall fishing opportunities. Jim will cover how to obtain maps to find the best spots, up-to-date stream conditions such as flows and temperatures by using internet sites, and some tips on how to fish those streams when you go. Walt Nicholson Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited The Chapter s annual picnic and fish outing was held on Wednesday September 13 at the Gram and Pap Lundy Memorial Pavilion in Warrensville. We had a great turnout and it was a perfect spot to practice casting, fish, and make new friends while sharing stories. The left photo shows the attendees at the pond edge receiving instruction while the right photo shows Dave Craig with one of the trophy fish caught that night. It was a great night and the Chapter wants to thank everyone who came out.. There were many new faces and friends. We also want to thank everyone who helped teach and instruct fly casting and to Don Daughenbach for arranging it so that we could meet in this great spot. After fishing we had a picnic and shared stories and enjoyed the company of each other. Notice of Upcoming Elections The Chapter s annual elections will be held at the November Chapter meeting. The following positions are open: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 2 Director positions. Please consider running for one of the positions. By doing so, you are able to make an impact by helping the Chapter meet our goals and actively working to protect and preserve the trout and waterways of our area.

2 Fly of the Month Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited Recipe of the Month Schroeder s Parachute Hopper Hook: Thread: Post: Hackle: Rib: Body: Wing: Legs: Thorax: Daiichi 1280, Dai Riki 280 or TMC 5212, #6 14 Tan calf body or tail hair Grizzly Brown or yellow Unistretch floss or Uni-yarn Olive tan Haretron dubbing to match natural Turkey wing or tail Knotted pheasant tail Same as body Ingredients 4 Salmon Fillets 1 tbsp. olive oil BBQ Salmon with quick salsa For Salsa 2 cups fresh mango or tomato finely chopped 1 red chili, deseeded and finely chopped 1/2 red onion, chopped Juice of 1 lime 1. Grill salmon on medium/high heat for 5-8 minutes turning once. 2. Mix the salsa ingredients and season 3. Serve salsa with the salmon and enjoy parentid=24 Officer and Directors President: Walt Nicholson walt.nicholson10@gmail.com Vice President: David Craig davsalc@comcast.net Phone: Secretary: Kevin McJunkin kevinmcjunkin@comcast.net Treasurer: Bob Baker boblbaker@comcast.net Board of Directors Carey Entz-Rine (2017) Jim Latini (2017) Charles Knowlden (2018) Steve Szoke (2018) Burr Boston (2019) Joe Radley (2019) Director Emeritus and Advisor Bill O Connor Media Liaison: Kevin McJunkin Program Director: Joe Radley Youth and Women s Coordinator: Carey Entz-Rine Newsletter Editor/Webmaster Bob Baker Newsletter Team members Cheyenne Baker Dakota Baker susquehannatu.com susquehannatu@gmail.com October

3 Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited Fiscal Responsibility for Pennsylvania Anglers and Boaters The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is a government business funded primarily by sales of fishing licenses and boat registrations. The majority of government agencies receive general fund appropriations of tax revenues to support public service programs. The PFBC generates revenues through customer sales like a for-profit business, but the PFBC must also follow the rules of government for managing operations and receive legislative approval to increase fees charged for the goods (hatchery fish) and services (public safety; aquatic resource protection and conservation) provided to meet angler and boater customer expectations. The agency's spending and earning model is really a mix of business and government principles. The agency is mindful of the responsibility of managing its angler and boater customers hard-earned dollars wisely. Until this year, the PFBC has been able to balance its budget and not spent more than it earned. This fiscal management approach has allowed it to build a rainy day fund of uncommitted reserves to prepare for and meet foreseen pension costs. The agency proudly leads the nation in how efficiently it operates. The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee found in 2014 that of the states for which we have expenditure information, Pennsylvania s PFBC has the lowest expenditures per license (emphasis added). In order to meet the escalating costs of employee pensions, health care, and general inflation faced by all Commonwealth agencies, the PFBC has cut spending in large part by reducing staff from a high of 432 to around 360. At the same time, the value of a fishing license adjusted for inflation has dropped to about $16.25, while fish production costs have climbed dramatically. The true cost of today s fishing license adjusted for inflation would be $ At $22.90, today s license value is a real bargain for PA anglers! Revenues & Expenditures Major Cost Drivers - Employee Benefits FY FY FY FY FY FY Retired Employee Health Benefits Retirement Plan Contributions Active Employee Health Benefits Additional annual personnel and operating costs of $6.2 million have caused expenditures to now exceed annual revenues. Absent a revenue increase, the PFBC will begin using an uncommitted reserve fund balance of about $60 million to cover essential health care and pension obligations and maintain operations and services, which will deplete the reserve fund within five years if revenues don't increase. In an analysis of the PFBC, Penn State s Smeal College of Business and College of Agricultural Sciences found the agency s reserve fund should be seen as a strategic strength and should be maintained as a type of rainy day fund for unforeseen needs. It would weaken the agency if the reserve fund were depleted to zero. Facing escalating costs and declining revenues after 12 years without an increase in the price of a fishing license, the PFBC Board of Commissioners voted on September 25, 2017, to reduce spending by $2 million in fiscal year if no additional revenues are received. The current plan for achieving the $2 million reduction in operating expenses would involve closing two warm water hatcheries and one trout hatchery in FY The plan would reduce the number of trout stocked in 2019 by 7.5 percent and result in severe reductions to the cooperative nursery program. Barring a price increase, the agency must begin to take these steps to remain financially solvent and provide basic services to Pennsylvania s 1.1 million anglers and nearly 3 million boaters. Senate Bill 30, which delegates authority to set license fees to the PFBC, has passed the Senate and stalled in the House. It is imperative for the legislature to act on some form of fee increase for the PFBC to continue to be fiscally responsible. Fiscal responsibility means maintaining a balanced budget and not spending more than it earns. SB 30 would allow the PFBC to generate sufficient revenue to immediately spend unrestricted reserves on over $6.4 million of deferred critical needs and a prioritized list of $110 million in deferred infrastructure projects. Pennsylvania anglers significantly contribute $1.2 billion to the $46 billion in national fishing expenditures. Successful businesses require funding to sustain operations and to invest in new ideas to grow sales and participation. The same applies to successful government businesses like the PFBC, which reinvests license revenue locally. It is time the legislature recognizes that the Commission is fiscally responsible and provide the necessary funds to meet the expectations of current and future generations of Pennsylvania anglers and boaters. October

4 Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited Contact Your Representative to urge them to vote on Senate Bill 30 We are asking you to contact your Representative and the House Game and Fisheries Committee leadership and urge them to support Senate Bill 30 and to vote yes for this important Bill. If you do not know who your representative is, please go to Hon. Keith Gillespie, Chair House Game and Fisheries Committee 45 East Wing PO Box Harrisburg, PA (717) Fax: (717) Hon. Bryan Barbin, Democratic Chair House Game and Fisheries Committee 321 Irvis Office Building P O Box Harrisburg, PA (717) Fax: (717) PFBC Adds Waters to Popular Keystone Select Stocked Trout Program For the second consecutive year, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is adding more waters to the increasingly popular Keystone Select Stocked Trout Program, bringing to 22 the total number of creeks holding the big trophy trout. The eight new waters, which will be stocked for the 2018 trout season, include: Armstrong County, Buffalo Creek, Section 03 (3.70 miles) Little Buffalo Run downstream to 0.6 miles upstream of SR4035 (Craigsville) Berks County, Tulpehocken Creek, Section 06 (1.95 miles) Outflow Blue Marsh Lake downstream to SR3008 Bridge (Rebers Road bridge) Fayette County, Meadow Run, Section 06 (2.20 miles) Bridge on Dinner Bell Road (SR2011) downstream to the mouth Lebanon County, Quittapahilla Creek, Section 04 (1.10 miles) Spruce Street Bridge (T-398) downstream to SR0934 bridge Lycoming County, Lycoming Creek, Section 04 (1.30 miles) First overhead utility line upstream of Powys Curve downstream to bridge on old Route 15 (SR0015) near Haleeka Monroe County, McMichael Creek, Section 04 (1.44 miles) 1.6 km downstream Beaver Valley Road (T-414) bridge downstream to 1.14 km downstream Turkey Hill Road (T-416) bridge Snyder County, Middle Creek, Section 04 (1.20 miles) SR4007 bridge downstream to the downstream boundary of State Game Lands 188 Tioga County, Pine Creek, Section 06 (1.06 miles) Darling Run downstream to 150 m downstream of Owassee Slide Run The PFBC announced earlier this year that it was adding six waters to the program, which was first launched in 2016 with eight creeks. Today s announcement came during the PFBC s quarterly business meeting held here. We were confident when we created the Keystone Select program that anglers would enjoy the opportunities to catch trophy trout and wouldn t mind driving the additional distances to these destination areas, said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. The addition of these eight streams now makes it even easier for anglers to fish a Keystone Select stream within just a few hours of their home. Under the program, approximately 6,500 large trout will be distributed among the 22 waters. The trout will be stocked at a rate of 175 to 225 per mile, which is comparable to the numbers of similarly sized fish in Pennsylvania s best wild trout waters. The waters are regulated under Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO) regulations, which provides the opportunity to catch these fish multiple times. Under DHALO regulations, waters are open to fishing year-round, but anglers can harvest trout only between June 15 and Labor Day and the trout have to be a minimum of nine inches. For the rest of the year, these waters are managed on a catch-and-release-only basis and the creel limit is zero. Tackle is limited to artificial lures and flies. Taken from PFBC website - October

5 Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited The Pennsylvania Angler, October 1971 Donations Received James Malone from Maryland donated a fly rod and spinning rod and reel The Chapter would like to thank James for his generous donation October

6 Susquehanna Ripples Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited PO Box 1132 Williamsport, PA The Mission of the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited is to work to conserve, protect and restore Central Pennsylvania s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds Upcoming Events November 1, 2017 through April 30, 2018 Mandatory Life Jacket Requirement October 11, 2017 Great Fall Fishing November 8, Elections December 1, 2017 Fishing Licenses for 2018 go on sale January 10, 2018 January 25-28, 2018 Early Bird Sports Expo, Bloomsburg Fair Grounds January 26-28, 2018 The Fly Fishing Show, Somerset, NJ February 3-11, 2018 Great American Sports Show in Harrisburg February 14, 2018 February 17-18, th Annual Valley Outdoors Cabin Fever Expo at the Mifflinburg Intermediate School March 3-4, 2018 The Fly Fishing Show, Lancaster, PA March 14, 2018 April 11, 2018 Chapter meetings Held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month and are open to the public and begin at 7:00 pm (unless otherwise noted). Meetings are held at the First Presbyterian Church of Williamsport in the Fellowship Hall (unless otherwise noted), 102 East 3rd Street, Williamsport. Parking is in the rear of the Church along Mulberry Street. No meetings are held in May, June, July, August or December Welcome new members Nathan Goff Michael Jones Timothy Patterson Jim Scott