Author: Wade Rivers
Military Veterans and First Responders Enjoy Day of Trout Fishing
Saturday, October 5th turned out to be a perfect fall day on the lake…and this time the fish cooperated! The morning air was cool, which was perfect for fishing. With the leaves just starting to show some fall color, and the smell of a campfire in the background, everyone was in the mood to welcome in the new season.
This was the Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU) sixth annual fishing event for military veterans and first responders. The event took place at Kingston Veterans Sportsmen Club east of Latrobe. Many of the veterans attending had participated in every event since TU began the program in 2018. Forty-seven registered veterans and first responders spread out around the lake and started catching fish immediately. Kingston had stocked trout just days before. The lake holds trout, catfish, bass and panfish which provided action for the anglers until early afternoon.
Everyone we spoke to expressed their appreciation for the event and how they enjoy, not just the fishing, but the camaraderie of spending a day in the mountains with friends and fellow service providers. Some took their angling very seriously working multiple rods. Others used the opportunity to learn how to use a fly rod for the first time with the help of a TU mentor. And a few simply enjoyed some R & R in lawn chairs along the lake soaking up the sights and sounds.
National TU introduced the program of fly fishing to veterans many years ago to bring the therapeutic healing of fly fishing to our nation’s heroes. First responders were added a few years back and the program is now called the TU Service Partnership honoring those who have served their country and communities. Many of TU’s 400 local chapters nationwide, have started programs like this. TU is very grateful that Kingston Sportsmen agreed to partner with them again this year. Their manicured club grounds provide ADA access to their lake, pavilion and restroom facilities. The perfect setting!
The other partner in this annual event is the Scouts of Troops 465 and 305. They start the event posting colors then invite veterans to participate in retiring worn American flags. The U. S. flag code requires “The Flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” The Scouts and veterans join in a solemn and dignified ceremony complete with patriotic music in the background.
The other service the Scouts provide is lunch for over 100 veterans, first responders and volunteers. “They have made this a simple turnkey operation” noted Larry Myers, president of Forbes Trail TU. “We tell the Scouts how many will be in attendance, they buy and prepare the food, then hand us the bill making our job so much simpler”. “More importantly, the veterans appreciate the Scouts being involved. This is another opportunity for the Scouts to serve their community and to honor those who have served their country.”
“For the past several years the Boy Scouts of Troop 465 have been honored to team up with the folks from Trout Unlimited and Kingston to spend a day recognizing our veterans and first responders” said Scout Leader Mark Menanno. “One of the talents of our troop is cooking. We enjoy the challenges of cooking for a large group and the Scouts enjoy all their interactions with the veterans and first responders.”
We thank our event sponsors… Fish USA, Home Depot, four local Giant Eagle Supermarkets, Westmoreland Case Management and Bubba’s Kitchen and Bar.
Larry,
I would like to thank you, as well as all involved with you for a great day.
The fishing was fun. The fact that you had some bait available was a plus.
The food was good and plentiful. If anyone left hungry, it was their fault. The addition of the homemade items was very thoughtful. The baked beans, the sauerkraut, the fried onions all added to the day and proved your commitment to Veterans and First Responders.
The door prizes were such a nice touch. I couldn’t believe how many you offered. The extra drawing for the Scouts was an added bonus and proof of your thoughtfulness.
I can’t think of anything you overlooked. Everyone was friendly and walked around speaking to everyone, ensuring a good day was being had and nothing was needed.
Please thank everyone sincerely for me. The time and planning you all put in to make the day so successful did not go unnoticed.
It will be my pleasure to spread the word for next year!!
Deb Krall, AF Veteran
Rock Run Water Tests for September 28, 2024
Results of water tests done at the mouth of Rock Run on September 28, 2024 at 3:00 pm:
Air Temperature – 73° F
Water Temperature – 64.5° F
pH – 6.9
Alkalinity – 12.8
Linn Run Gauge – 1.43′
Linn Run Discharge – .62 ft³/sec
Despite some spotty rain. water levels are at all time lows since we started testing in 2018.
Rock Run Water Tests September 2024
Here are the results of monthly water tests from September 4, 2024.
Air Temperature – 68° F
Water Temperature – 59.5° F
pH – 6.8
Alkalinity – 11.2
Linn Run Gauge – 1.45′
Linn Run Discharge – .88 ft³/sec
Some much needed rain came through, but Linn Run gauge and discharge were the same as last month.
Rock Run Water Tests 7.30.24
Results of water tests at the mouth of Rock Run on July 30, 2024.
Air Temperature: 70° F
Water Temperature: 65° F
pH: 7.13
Alkalinity: 9.6
Rain is needed desperately. The flow in Linn Run’s headwaters is just a trickle.
The USGS gauge at Linn Run was at 1.45′ and the discharge was .88 ft³/sec. This is the lowest reading we’ve had in 5 years of keeping records. This is still not a record. According to the USGS website, the lowest discharge was .16 ft³/sec recorded in 2012.
Contrast this with April 3rd of this year when the stream was flowing at 454 ft³/sec and the gauge measured 3.79′.
2024 Vets & First Responders Fishing Day Registration Open
Our 6th annual Veterans and First Responders Fishing Day will be on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the Kingston Sportsman’s Club near Latrobe, PA.
The event is free to all military veterans and first responders but you must register in advance.
See the Veterans Page for more details and to register.
Rock Run Water Test Results
Monthly water quality tests were done at the mouth of Rock Run on June 30, 2024
Air Temperature – 72°
Water Temperature – 65°F
Linn Run Gauge – 1.63′
Linn Run Discharge – 4.57 ft³/sec
pH – 7.2
Alkalinity – 7.0
2024 FTTU Summer Picnic
Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited History and Conservation in the Ligonier Valley Presentation.
Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited is happy to announce that a history of the Chapter, and its coldwater conservation efforts, is on display at the Ligonier Valley Library as part of its 22nd Annual Historic Photo and Document Show. The display, including photos and written essay, is a result of several months’ worth of research and documentation by TU members Scott Minster and Monty Murty. Additionally, Monty will be doing a presentation on the Chapter history at the Library on Tuesday, June 25th at 6:00 PM.
Trout Unlimited Volunteers Celebrate Earth Day Cleaning Stream Banks
TU member volunteers spent Wednesday afternoon cleaning litter along Loyalhanna Creek in Ligonier and Latrobe. Each year the Forbes Trail Chapter picks up litter and cleans illegal dumps to make the stream banks look more attractive, and to make them safer for us wildlife. Much of what they found was likely a result of recent flooding washing items from backyards downstream until they were deposited in low lying areas.
Volunteers reported that they didn’t find the amount of litter as in the past which is always refreshing to hear. Maybe the local Litterbugs are getting the message that our waterways and roadsides in the Laurel Highlands are too precious to trash.
Loyalhanna Creek is one of ten premier trout streams in the Laurel Highlands Trout Trail. Visit www.laurelhighlandstrouttrail.org to learn more about the Trout Trail program. Anglers can win fishing gear by participating in the “Poker Run” and fishing all ten streams before July 31.
The two areas the cleanup focused on were the Delayed Harvest Area from the Rt. 711 bridge in Ligonier down stream to where Mill Creek enters. And also, where Mission Road in Latrobe crosses the Loyalhanna. Historically these have been areas heavily trashed. But this year, between the two sites, volunteers recovered just 12 bags of trash, a 5-gallon bucket, some scrap sheet metal, a lawn chair and plastic molding from an automobile. Still not good…but not as much trash as in the past.
Trout Unlimited wants to remind our readers that if they see anyone dumping garbage along our streams or roadways, please take a photo of the vehicle if you can do so safely, and report it to Keep PA Beautiful at www.keeppabeautiful.org or (724) 836-4121 in Greensburg. This is your community’s environment…make sure its respected!