Recent Posts
Officers and Directors Elected for 2026-27 Term
Officers and Directors were elected at the chapter’s Annual Meeting on October 7, 2026.
- Rick Yaksic remains President for the 2nd year of his two-year term.
- Lee Demosky stays on as Vice President for the 2nd year of his two-year term.
- Bill Somogyi was elected to the Treasurer position.
- Scott Minster remains as Secretary.
FTTU would like to thank Ron Rodgers for serving the chapter as treasurer for two, two-year terms.
Ron will now fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors.
And we welcome a new Director, Allison Lunko who will fill Bill Somogyi’s seat on the Board.
New Officer and Director Bios
Bill Somogyi
Bill has lived in Manor for 38 years with my wife Kathy. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Bill is a retired pharmacist, working in Westmoreland County for most of his career.
When Bill retired, he was looking for someplace to volunteer. He answered a TU article in the Tribune Review asking for volunteers.
Since 2021 when Bill joined TU, he has been an active member and currently a member of the executive committee.
Bill has fished all his life, but never fly fished. Once he joined TU, he was hooked.
Bill’s qualifications for treasure are that he was raised in a fiscally conservative family and has been financially secure his entire life.
Bill is willing to learn the position of treasurer and he is not afraid to ask questions. Bill states he has four excellent mentors in Rick Yaksic, Monty, Larry, and Ron Rogers that he won’t hesitate to ask questions. Bill states he will always act as a fiduciary for the Forbes Trail chapter and would appreciate your support.
Allison Lunko
Allison said she is honored to accept the nomination to join the board of directors at Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited.
Allison currently owns and operates Laurel Highlands Olive Oil in Ligonier.
She was born and raised in Johnstown. After graduation, she moved out west for 25 years where she graduated with an MS in Horticulture at Colorado State University.
Allison’s other work experiences over the years are varied and diverse. For many years she was a Soil Analyst and Augmentation Specialist for the CSU Extention.
She also worked in plant breeding and lab analysis at CSU. She also spent an enjoyable time as the Club Manager at the Leadville Elks Lodge #236.
In her free time Allison loves to fly fish. Whether it be splashing around a wild brookie stream or reeling in steelhead hogs in the Erie tributaries, fishing is one of her passions.
Allison joined FTTU to meet new people, learn more about fishing, and to volunteer her time to help make the Laurel Highlands the best place to fish in PA.
Congratulations Bill and Allison!
A Day of Fishing, Fellowship & Gratitude
Today was much more than a day of fishing.
Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited was honored to sponsor a Day of Fishing for Veterans and First Responders at the Kingston Veterans and Sportsman’s Club—a day dedicated to saying two simple, but incredibly important words:
THANK YOU.
Thank you to the veterans who raised their right hand and took an oath to defend our nation.
Thank you to the first responders who answer the call when others need help.
And thank you to the families who stand behind them.
A very special thank-you goes to Scout Troops 465 and 305. These young men showed what service and respect truly mean.
They began the morning by preparing fresh donuts and coffee, performed the Opening Colors Ceremony, and took part in the burning of retired American flags—a beautiful and respectful tribute to our nation’s flag.
Later in the afternoon, the Scouts prepared and served lunch for everyone. Throughout the day, they could be seen walking and circling the lake, checking on our veterans and first responders, offering fresh donuts, water, or simply asking, “Can we help you with anything?”
Those simple acts of kindness meant more than they probably realized.
Members of Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited were there throughout the day providing bait, lures, fishing rods, and assistance to anyone who needed it. Whether it was helping someone bait a hook, getting a line in the water, or simply spending time together, our goal was to make sure everyone had the opportunity to enjoy the day.
There were plenty of fish caught today, but the real catch was the fellowship, friendship, laughter, and memories made along the lake.
Watching veterans, first responders, Scouts, volunteers, and members of our community come together was a powerful reminder that service is something we can all share.
To every veteran and first responder who joined us today:
We may never be able to fully repay you for what you have given. But today, we hope you felt the appreciation, respect, and gratitude that you have earned.
And to our Scouts, volunteers, the Kingston Veterans and Sportsman’s Club, and everyone who helped make this day possible:
Thank you for showing that when a community comes together, we can do something truly special.
We remember. We appreciate. We honor. We thank you.
Thank You to our Sponsors:
Fish USA
Westmoreland Casemanagement
Giant Eagle
Home Depot
Click on Photos for a Slide Show
FTTU Honored at State Meetings
Forbes Trail TU really was recognized at the Pennsylvania Council State meetings on September 12 with two awards.
FTTU was selected “Best Chapter” out of 49 PA chapters. All one needs to do is scroll through the posts on this website to see all the activities and projects our chapter has accomplished. From youth education to community outreach to conservation work and our veterans service partnership we check all the boxes.
The Trails newsletter was again presented with the “Best Newsletter” award.
Said chapter President Rick Yaksic, “As president, I could not be prouder of our members and volunteers. These awards belong to everyone who has given their time and talents to protect our streams, educate young people, serve our community and preserve Pennsylvania’s cold-water resources.”
In Memory of Milt Claney
Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited
Support the 9-Inch Trout Minimum
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s proposal to raise the minimum harvest size for trout from seven to nine inches is open for public comment — and the window is short. Comments are accepted through July 20, and the Commission takes up the rule on final-form rulemaking at its July 27 meeting. If it is approved, the new minimum takes effect January 1, 2027. This is the moment for anglers who care about wild brook trout to be counted.
Why it matters: this is the first change to the minimum since 1983, and it would protect more than 99 percent of Pennsylvania’s wild brook trout from harvest — while having almost no effect on your ability to keep stocked trout, since the average state-hatchery trout is 11 inches at stocking. Support is already strong: the 2023 Pennsylvania Trout Angler Survey found 85 percent of trout anglers in favor. PATU backs the change, and Dave Rothrock spoke in support on the council’s behalf when the Commission proposed it April 27.
How to comment — it takes about two minutes. Comments go to the Commission by email, and the proposal is split across four sections of the code, each published as its own notice with its own comment docket. Click a link below and your email opens with the correct subject line already filled in. Add a sentence, hit send. That is the whole process.
Comment on § 61.1 — Seasons, Sizes and Creel Limits; Commonwealth Inland Waters
Comment on § 65.19 — Stocked Trout Waters Open to Year-Round Fishing
Comment on § 65.24 — Miscellaneous Special Regulations
Comment on § 65.26 — Extended Trout Season
Each notice is counted separately, so comment on all four if you can — it is the same sentence, sent four times. If you only have time for one, make it § 61.1.
Not sure what to say? A sentence is plenty. Copy this:
“As a Pennsylvania angler, I support raising the trout minimum size limit to nine inches to protect our wild brook trout. This is a commonsense conservation measure with no meaningful effect on stocked-trout harvest.”
If a link does not open your email program, send your comment to:
ra-pfbcregulations@pa.gov and put the notice title in the subject line for each proposal.
Quarterly water test results from the mouth of Rock Run.
Air Temperature: 70° F
Water Temperature: 63.5° F
pH: 6.95
Alkalinity: 9.6
Linn Run Gauge: 1.93 ft
Linn Run Discharge: 11.8 ft³/sec
SCWA 35th Anniversary Celebration
FTTU IN THE NEWS
FTTU members were TV stars when our upcoming project on Linn Run was recently covered on a broadcast of the KDKA Evening News.
In the report, past President Larry Myers discusses our Linn Run Project scheduled for the summer of 2026.
At the time of this post, the video had over 4,000 views, more than all but one other on the KDKA YouTube page.
Rock Run Water Tests 4.11.26
Quarterly water tests were conducted at the mouth of Rock Run the morning of April 11, 2026.
Air Temperature: 45
Water Temperature: 47
pH: 6.6
Alkalinity: 5.8
Linn Run Gauge: 2.09
Linn Run Discharge: 22.1 ft³/sec
Pretty good alkalinity number for a moderately high flow.
Sign-Up For The 2026 Poker Run
We are now registering entrants for the 2026 Laurel Highlands Trout Trail Poker Run.
Here’s how it works:
- The cost is $20.00 for adults and $5.00 for youths aged 15 and under
- Fish as many of the top ten streams of the Laurel Highlands Trout Trail as you can and take a “selfie” at the Trout Trail sign for each stream you visit
- email your photos to us at info@forbestrailtu.org and include a description of your trip
- The more streams you visit, the more raffle tickets you earn
- You will receive one raffle ticket for entering, an additional ticket for fishing 3 streams (2 tickets total), another ticket for fishing 5 streams (3 total tickets), another for fishing 7 streams (4 total tickets), two more for fishing all 10 streams (total of 6 tickets)
- Participation dates are from April 4, 2026 to July 31, 2026
- Deadline for photo submission is August 4, 2026
- Prize drawings will be held after the August 4 deadline
- Three prizes will be awarded in each of the Adult category and Youth category
- Winners will have their choice of cash or a gift certificate to PA Fly Co, Cabelas, Bass Pro Shop or Werry’s Provision
- Open to all licensed PA anglers and youth (flies & artificial lures where required)
- A minimum of 20 adult entrants is required
- This is not a fund raiser, all registration fees go into the prize fund
- Fly fishing is not required
- Mail your check to: FTTU, PO Box 370, Youngstown, PA 15696. Include name(s) of entrants, address, phone number, email and note on your check “2026 FTTU Poker Run”
- Registrations will be accepted until July 31, 2026
- You can download an entry form by clicking here – Poker Run Entry Form
How to find the Top Ten Streams and their signs
You can find a complete list of the streams and their locations as well as the location of each sign by visiting the Laurel Highlands Trout Trail website at:
Scroll down on the Poker Run page and here you will find detailed directions to the streams and locations of the signs including GPS coordinates.
As seen in the photo, the signs are light green and mounted on a dark green post.
You can also download a Laurel Highlands Trout Trail brochure with a map.
Most streams have two signs. The exceptions are Clear Shade Creek and the Stoneycreek River. See the instructions for these streams on the Poker Run Page of the Trout Trail website.
Good luck on your adventure in the Laurel Highlands!
Questions? email us at info@forbestrailtu.org
