| Pee Vee's News Bits:
2010
Anglers Successful In the course of four hours, I received reports of anglers who were successful catching two very sought after gamefish. The first came from a passing motorist who exclaimed out his driver's side window as I was entering my residence door, "I just caught three nice pike at High Point this morning." A pedestrian walking on Ligonier St near my house stopped to tell me he recently caught an 18-inch crappie from Loyalhanna Dam. That's a dandy. There are definitely some big ones in that basin of water. And third, one gent called me to relate he had caught 15 carp at St. Vincent Lake, but returned them to the waters. "I would have had two more, but my line broke and I never got to see them!" Pity... No jealousy in my family... Hey guys and girls. There are fish out there just waitin' to be hooked. Hopefully you may be the one to shout out your car's window and scream, "Hey Paul, want to see the fish I landed from Loyalhanna Creek?" Now, that may be just what this doctor is ordering! -Paul J. Volkmann, July 02, 2010 Carp Big Thrill at St. Vincent Lake Reports have been coming in that anglers are doing more than just getting their lines wet. They are trying again to tag carp, not for eating as may be the case for trout, perch, or bluegill, but for the thrill of seeing whether or not they can tire these lunker fish and actually land them. Imported from England many years ago, these "nuisance" fish are beginning to inhabit many area waters to the extent that they are taking over many of the waterways, in some cases, shoving out other aquatic species and making their homes in pools, expecially along the lower Loyalhanna. Fishermen still make a point of it each year to challenge the waters of St. Vincent Lake, for the basin is loaded with these scaley fish, and many have grown to be huge in size. One angler related that there are many baits that have won favortism including a mixture of cornflakes and cherry soda, worms, small hotdogs, and even pieces of French fries. I guess if a fish is hungry, it may go for anything that pleases the palate, if indeed one of these monsters has one. A word of caution. After casting out the line, open the bail. One may even hold the rod, just to be safe. Many times people bobber up their lines, keeping their bails closed and lay their rods down. Once a carp inhales the bait, it takes to the open waters. Many people's rods are lying in the depths of that area lake. Even if a person is not fishing for carp, it may be under advisement to use this stradegy. There is no telling what one may hook into at St. V. One more tip. If one plans to fish for carp, go with a little heavier line. The monofilament used for trout falls short of what will land a carp. Plan on something two to three times that weight - 10 pound and up. If an angler does hook a carp, let the fish run with the bait. When it stops, let it go a bit farther until the line become taut. Then set the hook, and prepare for thrills that comes with the sport. One of the techniques I've begun advocating this year is fishing with barbless hooks. As long as there is tension on the line, the fish will be landed, that is if the line doesn't break first. It's a fine eating fish, but first learn how to clean and fillet it. It's not the same as bass, for example. OK, now go for it. I'll be waiting for a follow-up! -Paul J. Volkmann, June25, 2010 Opening Day Trout Season Productive I received a report over the weekend that, even though the temperatures were a bit chilly, and the wind was blowing a bit that added to anglers’ discomfort, there were some pretty nice fish harvested at Keystone State Park in New Alexandria. Joe Kucinski, Indiana, passed along a report that his friend from that area whom had taken him out on his boat to the middle of the lake just left of the boat ramp, got his limit of five trout. Kucinski also got a few. But as the two friends sat in their boat looking toward shore, both fishermen observed one enthusiast haul in what they considered to be an alleged 24-inch rainbow. They also reported many others catching trout of all sizes. -Paul J. Volkmann, April 19, 2010 Latrobe High School Trout in the Classroom Project Releases Brook Trout Once again this year Greater Latrobe Senior High School students in Mr. Brad Wetzel’s Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program successfully raised more than 250 Brook Trout from eggs to fingerlings in a classroom aquarium. TIC is an environmental education program in which students learn about coldwater conservation. It has interdisciplinary applications in science, social studies, mathematics, language arts, fine arts, and physical education. TIC programs end the year by releasing their trout in a state-approved waterway. GLSH students released their trout into Mill Creek in Waterford. TIC has become an integral part of the school’s CAPSTONE environmental science program. -Paul J. Volkmann, April 13, 2010 Wilderness Guide to Address FTTU Mar. 17 Dennis Hanson will be the guest speaker at the Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s monthly meeting, Mar. 17, at the Winnie Palmer Nature Center, St. Vincent College, Latrobe. Born and raised in Greensburg, he and his wife have resided in great Falls, Montana, since 1995. They started working as guides on a specific backpacking/flyfishing trip in the Frank Church Wilderness of No Return in Idaho. He will give a talk on fishing the west. The meeting will begin promptly at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend. For additional information, contact Monty Murty, 724-238-7860. -Paul J. Volkmann, March 10, 2010 FTTU Members Award Recipients Three members of the Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited were presented prestigious awards Saturday night at the 37th Annual Banquet and Raffle that took place at the American Legion, Latrobe. Richard Rohrbaugh, Ralph Koscianski and Dr. Lou Izzo, were all handed certificates by FTTU President Monty Murty before a sold-out crowd. Rohrbaugh, owner of The Angler’s Room, 333 Route 217, was handed the Ed Bordas Memorial Award which was presented to the Latrobe resident honoring the contributions he made to the local chapter by a business or organization. According to Scott Minster, secretary, “ As owner of The Angler’s Room, proprietor Rohrbaugh has been instrumental in the planning of our banquets. His business has donated many fly fishing rods and other items for banquet raffle prizes and has served as an outlet for ticket sales for over a decade,” he said. Ed Bordas had a keen interest in FTTU. As a member, he not only believed in, but also supported the organization’s goals of conservation, restoration of resources and education of youth. He contributed much to the organization as well. The former industrial arts teacher for Greensburg Salem Junior High School taught members and youth how to tie flies to catch steelhead, in particular, a fish he enjoyed catching the most. Everything he learned while out in the streams he shared with members of the organization. Each year someone from the chapter is given the Don Robb Memorial Award recognizing a member for long term service to the chapter. This year it was given to Koscianski. The Greensburg resident served as an FTTU officer for two terms and has worked hard for the chapter as the coordinator of the Rock Run and Linn Run Projects since 2004. “Don Robb,” Minster revealed, “ran a fly fishing shop in Ligonier for many years,” he told me. “He was one of the founding members of FTTU and came up with the name for the chapter. He introduced many locals to fly fishing, fly tying and rod building, and in turn, got numerous folks involved with Trout Unlimited.” Also annually, someone is given the Russ Mowry Silver Trout Award for volunteer service to the chapter. Dr. Izzo, from Jeannette, was this year’s recipient. From 2006 – 2009, he served as chapter president. “During his tenure as president,” Minster stated, “FTTU completed work on our Mill Creek Projects and won The Best Pennsylvania TU Chapter Award in 2008.” Russ Mowry was a legendary fly tier from Latrobe. He was president of FTTU and long time active member. He and Latrobe’s Ken Igo invented the Green Weenie, a popular trout fly that has been in demand across the United States of America for many years now. All proceeds taken in from the Banquet and Raffle will benefit the projects of FTTU. -Paul J. Volkmann, March 8, 2010 Youth Exploring the Outdoors in Southwestern PA Pennsylvania may be known as the Keystone State, but when you consider our mountains and valleys, streams and rivers, lakes and ponds, parks and forests, trails and hills; we should be known as the state of the great outdoors. Whether you love hunting or fishing, rafting or rock climbing, Pennsylvania has it all and we want to promote these recreational opportunities to you and your families. On February 6, 2010 from 10am until 2pm at Twin Lakes County Park the Westmoreland County Sportsmen’s League, along with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will be hosting a free youth day. Children will be able to learn about boating safety and whitewater rafting, orienteering, tree identification, rock climbing, ice fishing, field dogs demo, awards and much more. The event will provide parents and the children the opportunity to see what great wonders and recreational opportunities are available and how they can be accessed. Should you have questions regarding the event Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer John Kozubal can be contacted at 724.744.7344. -Paul J. Volkmann, February 2, 2010 FTTU Banquet Tickets Available Tickets for the 37th Annual Banquet for the Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited is now available for sale, it was announced recently by Monty Murty, president of the organization. General admission and dinner is $25 per person. That includes a choice of either a stuffed chicken breast or stuffed pork chop dinner. Tickets may be obtained at:
or by contacting me via email at peevee73@verizon.net. Please include a phone number where one can be reached. Keep in mind, all proceeds will go toward the restoration of resources and conservation of land in Westmoreland County and the education of youth. Why not take a friend, spouse or a business associate. Don’t delay, buy your tickets today. FTTU is counting on you. -Paul J. Volkmann, January 29, 2010 |