The Citizen Scientists were at it again on Saturday, November 1st.
Readings taken at the mouth of Rock Run are as follows:
Air Temperature: 48 Degrees F
Water Temperature: 47.5 Degrees F
Linn Run Gauge: 2.01
Linn Run Discharge: 9.0
pH: 7.5
Alkalinity: 9.5

We also hiked in to the headwaters on the East Branch and took readings there.
EAST BRANCH
pH: 7.4
Alkalinity: 37.8

WEST BRANCH
pH: 6.8
Alkalinity: 2.1

MAIN STEM 200′ Below Confluence
pH: 7.3
Alkalinity: 35.2

The effects of the limestone sand dosing are plain to see from the difference in alkalinity. The limestone sand piles are located near the top of the East Branch. The West Branch has not been treated with limestone. The alkalinity test at the mouth shows the influence of the limestone (+7.4) 1.5 miles downstream.
The East Branch is about 3/4 mile long. The readings were taken about 1/2 mile from the limestone. Limestone sand is evident throughout the entire length of the East Branch. The West Branch is smaller and has a lower flow.

Due to the recent increase in local COVID cases, our monthly meetings will be conducted via Zoom until further notice.
Those on our Active Members list will receive an email with instructions on how to join.

The next tentatively scheduled in-person meeting will be Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Check back for more details and for time and location.

Trout Unlimited is sponsoring a Youth Essay Contest open to boys and girls aged 12 – 18. The theme is “Describe the Moment You Felt a Responsibility to Become Involved With Conservation. There are two judging catagories, 8th-10th grade and 11th-12th grade. Entries must be between 600-800 words and must be submitted by the deadline, October 31, 2020.

Click HERE for more information and to submit your entry. All Youth who enter are given a free 1-year membership to Trout Unlimited.

At our annual meeting on October 7, 2020, members approved the proposed line-up of Directors and Officers for the next 2-year term.

Directors – 1-year term
Hank Balles – Ligonier
Lou Izzo – Jeannette

Directors – 2-year term
Rod Cross – Acme
Doug Yocabet – Acme

Directors – 3-year term
Milt Claney – Greensburg
Ron Rodgers – Greensburg

Directors Emeritus
Tom Evans – Ligonier
Ralph Koscianski – Greensburg
Drew Banas – Ligonier
Bob Shusko – Ligonier

Officers
President – Larry Myers – Greensburg
Vice President – Denny Hess – Irwin
Treasurer – Monty Murty – Laughlintown
Secretary – Scott Minster – Bradenville

Committee Chairs
Finance – Bob Shusko – Ligonier
Conservation – Denny Hess – Irwin
Rock Run – Ralph Koscianski
Women & Diversity – Angela Schultheis – Latrobe
Loyalhanna Watershed Association Liaison – John Albright – Youngwood
Newsletter/Website – Scott Minster – Bradenville
Facebook/Social Media – Doug Yocabet – Acme, Angela Schultheis – Latrobe
Fundraising – Monty Murty – Laughlintown
Veterans – Larry Myers – Greensburg
Youth Education – Drew Banas – Ligonier
Education – Rod Cross – Acme
Membership – Bonnie Robinson – Ligonier

Here’s the readings taken at the mouth of Rock Run on October 4, 2020.

Air Temperature – 39 Degrees F
Water Temperature – 50 Degrees F
Alkalinity – 9
pH – 7.2
Linn Run Gauge – 1.4
Linn Run Discharge – 1.8

Samples were taken upstream above the limestone sand piles.

pH – 4.8
Alkalinity – Zero!
Water Temperature – 50 Degrees F

The Outdoors Swap Meet/Flea Market Sale scheduled for October 7 at the Annual Meeting has been postponed for a later date.
Check back for a revised date for the sale probably sometime in 2021.

FTTU’s Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at 6:00 pm at the Bear Rocks Community Club, 161 Big Springs Road, Acme, PA. Note that the location has been changed from the Nimick Center in Ligonier as listed in the Trails newsletter. We realized we would need a larger room to allow for more distancing. Attendees are asked to wear a face covering.

At this meeting we will elect a new slate of officers and directors, review a budget for the next year, and discuss possible projects for 2021.

Click HERE for directions.

Those wishing to learn how to tie flies or learn techniques and new patterns will want to check out live fly tying sessions on FTTU’s Facebook page. Doug Yacobet along with a panel of guest tiers will tie two patterns each Sunday evening at 8:00 pm. One pattern will be for beginners and the other will be for advanced tiers.

Here’s the link FTTU Facebook Fly Tying

You can ask questions or comment live during the session.

Check it out Sundays at 8 pm.

Due to limits on groups at our usual meeting place, the Nimick Center in Ligonier, we have decided to move the October meeting to the Bear Rocks Community Club located at 161 Big Springs Road, Acme, PA 15610. Take Route 31 east from Mount Pleasant and turn right on to Bear Rocks Road, make another right to stay on Bear Rocks Road, another right on to Big Springs Road. The club is a short distance on the right. The club is only about a mile off of Route 31. Click HERE for the map.

The date is Wednesday, October 7, 2020 and the starting time is 6:00 pm. This is the chapter’s annual meeting and members are encouraged to attend. According to state guidance, attendees should wear a mask.  At this meeting, will elect officers and directors for the next term.

Also, the outdoors flea market originally scheduled for this meeting has been postponed for another date.

Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

Since 2009, September 11 is recognized as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. On this day Americans across the country volunteer in tribute to those lost and injured in the September 11, 2001 attacks, first responders, and the many who have since risen in service.

In honor of this year’s National Day of Service and Remembrance, TU is offering a free 1-year membership to our local first responders and members of the military community to introduce them to Trout Unlimited through the TU Service Partnership. Every community across America has service-oriented leaders who can benefit from our approach – and through whom Trout Unlimited can better protect, reconnect, restore, and sustain healthy waterways throughout America.

Each year, Forbes Trail Trout Unlimited honors our military veterans with a fishing outing for disabled vets (See the Community Service Page).

Membership includes a full year of TROUT Magazine, local chapter activities like fly-fishing lessons, discounts on travel and fishing gear, opportunities to win trips, prizes and more!

If you are a first responder or an active member of the military, or know someone who is, you are encouraged to take advantage of this offer.

To sign-up on-line, click HERE.