Again, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, FTTU’s April meeting scheduled for Wednesday, the 1st, has been canceled. Check back here for more updates and schedule changes.

Also, the Thursday afternoon fly tying group meetings at the Tin Lizzy have been canceled until further notice.

This just in from the PA Fish & Boat Commission. In compliance with limits placed on public gatherings due to the COVID 19 outbreak, the Fish Commission has asked that volunteers do not come out to help with trout stocking this year. They are reassigning personnel to take care of the stockings as thoroughly and efficiently as possible but request that all helpers stay home this year.

From area WCO Dan Wilson, “I want to personally thank every volunteer that has come out and assisted with stockings within the county this year and every year in the past. Amid all of the other changes, I will ask that you note that due to restrictions, volunteers will not be permitted to assist with stocking activities for the 2020 season. I hope to get this information to all members within the county to make people aware of this restriction. I want to avoid having volunteers show up and being informed at the stockings that they will not be able to participate. I know that this will be a concern and disappoint many anglers within the state, but I am trying to do my part to inform as many participants as I can before anyone makes the trip. I also appreciate everyone’s understanding during this uncertain time. If anyone has any questions please let me know. Thank you and I hope everyone is well”

See the PAF&BC website for updates on the trout stocking schedules as they are subject to change.

Here is a link to the official statement from PAF&BC. https://www.fishandboat.com/Pages/covid-19.aspx

Due to the school shut downs, the March 25th and April 1st Youth Outdoor Club sessions have been canceled. The on-stream casting and fishing session is still on, but has been rescheduled for April 9th on Loyalhanna Creek’s DHALO section.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the ladies fly tying event scheduled for Sunday, March 29 has been cancelled. Those who have already paid will receive refunds. The event may be rescheduled for a later date.

Recent rains have brought the flow up high and fast but, as always, clear. Here’s the results of our water quality testing done March 4, 2020.

Air Temperature: 48 degrees F
Water Temperature: 41.5 degrees F
Linn Run Gauge: 2.31
Linn Run Discharge: 48.8
Alkalinity: 3.0
pH: 6.8

Spring is almost here! Come celebrate with us at our March meeting where we will feature our popular “Slide Show n Tell”. Bring photos or video of your outdoors adventures and we’ll put them up on the big screen. Anyone can participate and topics from any locale from Loyalhanna Creek to Patagonia are welcome.
You can also learn about ongoing and future FTTU projects. Meeting begins at 6:00 pm, Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at the Nimick Education Center in Ligonier.

Water testing was performed on Monday February 3rd.

Air Temperature: 56 Degrees F
Water Temperature: 41 Degrees F
pH: 6.8
Alkalinity: 2.8
Linn Run Gauge: 1.95
Linn Run Discharge: 19.9

There is still time to sign up for the 2020 Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp held each year at Messiah College in Grantham, PA. The camp is open to boys and girls aged 14 to 17 and will run from June 21 to June 26, 2020.
Various conservation and fly fishing classes will be taught both in classroom and on-stream settings by expert instructors. There will be plenty of opportunities for fishing on Yellow Breeches Creek.
There are a total of 32 spots available for the camp and the deadline to apply is February 29, 2020.
For more information and an application, visit the camp’s website at www.riverscamp.com.

FTTU members have been meeting Thursday afternoons for fly tying at the Tin Lizzie in Youngstown.
Dan Speicher of the Tribune Review did an article and video on TribLive which you can view here.
Trib Article
Sessions will continue probably through March.

FTTU volunteers traveled to Benner Springs hatchery near Bellefonte PA to help with the 2nd phase of Trout in the Classroom fish packing. The 1st phase was the packing and shipping of trout eggs to TIC aquariums across Pennylvania which occurred in late October. This 2nd phase involved packing and shipping rainbow trout to those TIC aquariums that start with fish in the fingerling stage.
FTTU volunteers Ron Rodgers, Monty Murty and Denny Hess helped PAF&BC staff and TU’s Rachel Kester, the new Coldwater Heritage Partnership Director, with the work of packaging the fish. The fingerling trout were packed in double plastic bags along with a shot of oxygen and ice and shipped overnight to the schools.