We are starting to acquire prizes for the raffle at our fund-raiser picnic.

The prize line-up so far includes:
Headwaters 7′ 6″ Bamboo Fly Rod & Reel
Orvis 9′ 6 weight fly rod
Regal Medallion Fly Tying Vise with Bronze Base

The picnic is scheduled for Saturday, June 29, 2019 at the Kingston Sportsmen’s Club.
Members will be receiving a mailing with raffle tickets in May.

The Rivers Conservation Fly Fishing Youth Camp is now taking applications for the 2019 camp. The camp runs from June 16 to June 21 at Messiah College along Yellow Breeches Creek in Grantham Pennsylvania. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 14-17.

Classes include principles of ecology, hydrogeology, wetlands, trout stream entomology, aquatic invertebrates, hydrology, watersheds, the biology of pollution, reptiles and amphibians, trout behavior, and riparian corridors.

Instructors lead streamside programs to collect aquatic invertebrates, review angling history, electro fishing, and conducting field identification of riparian corridors.  The Camp provides a balance of instructional material and hands-on learning.

And of course there is fishing every day.

See the Rivers Camp web site for more information and on how to apply.

FTTU will consider sponsoring a local youth who is accepted into the camp.

Don’t delay, applications are accepted through March 31, 2019!

Monthly water testing at the mouth of Rock Run was done on Saturday, March 2.
Air Temperature – 30 degrees F
Water Temperature – 35.5 degrees F
Linn Run Gauge – 1.94
Linn Run Discharge – 23.7
pH – 6.2
Alkalinity – 2.4
Flow/Conditions – Medium, Clear

FTTU’s March meeting will be Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at the Nimick Family Education Center.
This month, representatives from the Loyalhanna Watershed Association, Westmoreland County Conservation District, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will update us on ongoing and future projects in our area. This is a rare and unique opportunity to hear from all these major conservation groups at one time in one place!
FTTU business meeting starts at 6:00 pm, the program starts at 7:00.

See “Meeting Info” on the sidebar for directions to the NFEC.

You can help support FTTU’s Veterans Programs by buying and selling fund raiser buttons. The buttons are $5.00 and all proceeds will benefit our disabled vets fishing outing and any future events with veterans.

Contact us about obtaining a bag of buttons to sell to your fishing buddies, family and neighbors at info@forbestrailtu.org.
You can pick up some buttons to sell at our March meeting on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.

FTTU’s Disabled Veterans Fishing Outing is set for May 11, 2019 at the Foggy Mountain Lodge.

Mark your calendars, the Forbes Trail Chapter picnic fundraiser and raffle will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at the Kingston Club in Latrobe.
Members will receive a mailer with raffle tickets and details in May.

It was a beautiful winter day in Linn Run State Park with several inches of fresh snow.
Here are the results of water testing at the mouth of Rock Run recorded on Saturday, February 2, 2019.

Air Temperature – 30 degrees F
Water Temperature – 30 degrees F
pH – 6.5
Alkalinity – 2.2
Linn Run Gauge – 1.82
Discharge – 16.9

We also collected some snow in the area, allowed it to melt, and tested that.
The snow melt had a pH of 5.8 and an alkalinity of 2.2.

FTTU’s February meeting will feature our popular annual “Slide Show n’ Tell”. Members will have photos and/or video of their fishing or outdoors adventures to share with us. In the past we’ve had shows from Alaska to Patagonia and from the Blue Ridge to the Rocky Mountains. Our members get around! The show is open to all, just bring your media on a flash drive and we’ll put it up on the big screen. Your trip need not be from an exotic location, anything from Loyalhanna Creek and beyond is acceptable and of interest to us.

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 6:00 pm at the Nimick Family Education Center in Ligonier (see “Meeting Info” in the sidebar for directions). Business meeting at 6:00, slide shows begin around 7:00. Come for the meeting and learn about FTTU’s exciting projects and activities for 2019.

Should we need to cancel due to inclement weather, a notice will be posted under “Announcements” on the homepage of forbestrailtu.org by 4:30 pm the day of the meeting.

See you there!

A one-day beginner’s fly tying class for women will be offered on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the Westmoreland Conservation District Barn in Greensburg.
This program is co-sponsored by FTTU and Miss May Fly. FTTU volunteers will be the instructors.
Here are the details.
• Location: Westmoreland Conservation District Barn – 218 Donohoe Road, Greensburg
• Date: Saturday, March 23, 2019
• Time: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
• Lunch: Provided by FTTU (pizza, chips, water)
• Participants: Up to 20 Women on a First Come First Served Basis
• Cost: FREE No Fees or Charges
• Equipment, Tools and Materials will be Provided by FTTU
• Registration is handled by Miss Mayfly through Social Media. Click Here to Register.
Spots are filling up fast, so get registered today!

The 2019 FTTU/Ligonier Middle School Youth Fly Fishing and Conservation program got underway on Wednesday, January 9.  The first meeting covered an introduction to fly fishing and the kids tied their first fly – a green weenie.
This year, there is also an advanced class for kids who went through the beginners program last year. Both classes are held at the same time in separate rooms.
The classes run from 3:00 to 4:30 pm.

There are 17 kids signed up for the beginners class and 4 in the advanced class.

See the Community Service page for a complete schedule for 2019.