Category: Events
Military Veterans and First Responders Enjoy Day of Trout Fishing
Mist lifts off the lake in early morning
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
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.
2024 FTTU Summer Picnic
Trout cake from the Pie Shoppe
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.
Laurel Highlands Trout Trail Poker Run
Announcing the first annual Laurel Highlands Trout Trail Poker Run!
Here’s how it works:
- Fly-Fish all 10 of the top ten Laurel Highlands Trout Trail streams
- Take a photo of participants at each of the Top Ten Stream signs and submit the photos to us at info@trouttrailtu.org
- Participants submitting all ten photos will be included in a drawing for the prizes
- Adult prize is a Douglas ERA fly rod with Cheeky Preload 375 reel with line and backing
- Youth prize is a Echo Gecko youth outfit with rod, reel and line ready to fish
- Registration fees are $20 for adults and $5 for youth 15 and under
Visit the Laurel Highlands Trout Trail website laurelhighlandstrouttrail.org for all the details and locations of the LHTT top ten streams and signs.
- The Poker Run goes from April 6th to July 31
- Photo submission deadline is August 7, 2024
Download the Flyer: Poker Run Flyer
Download the Rules and Registration Form: Poker Run Rules and Registration
Spring Events Rescheduled
Steady rain and a soaked parking area at the Nimick Center forced us to cancel the April meeting scheduled for April 3rd, and with it the “Slide Show ‘n Tell” program. We have decided to reschedule the “Slide Show ‘n Tell” for the May meeting on Wednesday, May 1 and push the swap meet/flea market to Wednesday, June 5. Both of these events will be held at the Nimick Education Center in Ligonier. Check back for details on the swap meet/flea market.
Prospects For Opening Day?
Local streams were running fast and extremely high earlier this week, but have begun to recede. Be careful wading strong currents if you venture out on opening day.
FTTU Presents Member’s Vietnam War Experience
On March 13, Monty Murty, past president of FTTU, put on a presentation covering his on-the-ground experiences as an infantry army commander in Vietnam in 1968, the deadliest year of the war.
The event, held at the Westmoreland Conservation District barn, was attended by 64 veterans and guests.
So what does this have to do with Trout Unlimited anyway?
Trout Unlimited started a “Service Partnership Program” many years ago to teach military veterans and first responders to fly fish as a means to heal the body and soul. This has been a time-proven, effective healing technique. Forbes Trail has held five fishing events beginning in 2018. Veterans and first responders are invited to attend the event this fall at the Kingston Veterans Sportsmen Club, east of Latrobe, on Saturday, October 5th from 9AM to 3PM. The event is free and fishing equipment, lunch and mentors will be provided. Preregistration is required. Details and registration instructions will be provided here on our web site in the spring.
Veteran's and First Responder's Fishing Day Registration Now Open
Our Veteran’s Fishing Day date has been announced for Saturday, September 16, 2023 and registration is now open. This year, we are opening the event to First Responders as well.
You must register to participate.
To register, go to the Veteran’s and First Responders Fishing Day page, fill out and submit the form. We will email you with confirmation.
FTTU Assists with 2023 Envirothon
Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited was invited to participate in this year’s Westmoreland County Envirothon at Twin Lakes Park in Hempfield Township. Westmoreland Conservation District organizes the annual event and seeks local businesses to help sponsor it. One hundred and twenty-five students were tested on their knowledge of Current Issues, Aquatics, Forestry, Wildlife and Soils. Trout Unlimited provided a separate station where students learned to cast a fly rod and tie a trout bug pattern called a Green Weenie, designed by a former Forbes Trail tying instructor Ken Igo.
Groups of 20-25 students spent 30 minutes at each of the stations being tested on what they’ve learned in each of the subjects. Some school districts provided up to three teams. Each team consisted of five students who would collaborate on the tests. TU teaches coldwater conservation, fly tying and fly casting in schools, to scout groups and to adults on a regular basis. They even take classes of students on local fly fishing field trips.
The Envirothon is quite different. It’s like speed dating where instructors have just 30 minutes to teach a very concentrated lesson on either tying or casting. A group of ten students would sit at a table with a vice, tools and materials and follow along as an instructor explained the tying process step-by-step. Most of the students produced a final product that any trout would chase.
Another group of ten would watch a casting demonstration by experienced castors, then grab a fly rod and try to emulate the instructors. The students were taught the “back cast” and “roll cast”, the two most common casts used on trout streams. Students eventually learned the hand placement on the rod, line control and the arm rhythm to where they could hit their target…most of the time. For many of the students, this was their first exposure to fly tying and casting, which was TU’s intent…plant a seed and watch it grow.
50th Anniversary Celebration
The Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited celebrated its 50th anniversary on March 18th at Ferrante’s Lakeview in Greensburg with 200 guests in attendance. The Chapter was formed in 1973 in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Anges the summer before. The storm damaged much of Ligonier driving the waters of Loyalhanna Creek over its banks and destroying everything in its path. The creek was left looking essentially like a lifeless canal.
Local sportsmen and businessmen chartered a new chapter of Trout Unlimited to work with the PA Fish Commission, Penn DOT and the Army Corps of Engineers to redesign the creek into the premier trout stream that it is today. The section of stream running through Ligonier is designated Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO) and also a PA Select Stream which qualifies it to receive more and larger trout. It is included as one of the top 10 streams in the Trout Unlimited Laurel Highlands Trout Trail www.laurelhighlandstrouttrail.org A true success story for the region!
Many of the Chapter’s original leaders and members, captured in the news clippings, slideshow and photos on display at the event, shared stories of their stream remediation work and the beginning of their education and outreach programs. Guest speaker, Alan Stansbury, was a close friend of one of the early leaders, Don Robb, and spoke of how Don helped fuel the interest in fly fishing in the region. Don operated a tackle shop in downtown Ligonier where he built custom bamboo fly rods and tied flies for local anglers, some who traveled worldwide pursuing trout and salmon.
Westmoreland County Commissioners issued a proclamation to the Chapter for their service in the community and for protecting coldwater fisheries. Commissioner Doug Chew attended the event and presented the award. Monty Murty, past president for the Chapter, was Chair of the Banquet Committee and Board Director, Rod Cross served as Master of Ceremonies.
Forbes Trail is one of 49 chapters in PA and has over 500 members. About 50 active members teach coldwater conservation, fly tying and fly casting in local schools. They sponsor an annual clinic for disabled military veterans to teach them to fly fish as a means to heal the body and Soul. And 40 volunteers recently completed a two-year study to develop a Cold Water Conservation Plan for Linn Run.
