October 2020 KSTU board Meeting Minutes

 The following is a link to the October 2020 minutes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HtCx-1z1vH4ZqNiIwb5sb13XQ2-DK0UF/view?usp=drivesdk

Ken Sink Trout Unlimited COVID-19 update

                                             December 5, 2020

To KSTU Chapter Members,

As we continue to work through the COVID-19 issues we hope everyone is keeping healthy and safe. The KSTU annual fundraiser banquet has been cancelled for this year and member chapter meetings will continue to be cancelled until further notice. We are hoping that in the near future conditions will improve and we can get back to a somewhat norm. In the interim the board continues to meet and we have continued to have a couple of small group outdoor activities such as Little Mahoning and Twolick Creeks macro invertebrate surveys and water quality sampling’s while following established health and safety guidelines. 

We are excited to have the KSTU blog site / newsletter (kstupa.blogspot.com) up and running thanks to KSTU’s Secretary Bob Sagely for developing this much needed communication tool. This blog site will be the primary communication tool used to keep members informed of future chapter meetings, programs, and events. In the interim we will also be notifying members by email or postal notice for those members without emails of when chapter meetings will resume. Your Ken Sink Trout Unlimited membership is appreciated and helps to protect and preserve cold water fisheries. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact us by email (kstupa12@gmail.com) or through the above mentioned blog site.

The KSTU board wishes everyone a safe and healthy Christmas and New Year.

KSTU Board Members

Little Mahoning Creek Canoe/Kayak Access Grant

The attached link provides background and application information in reference to applying for grant funding for a Little Mahoning Creek public canoe & kayak public access site upgrade and sponsorship. KSTU is currently in process of contacting and meeting with the landowner. The landowner must sign a ten year agreement for public access in order to receive grant funding. If you are interested in becoming involved in this project stay tuned here for further developments. 

https://waterlandlife.org/watershed-conservation/canoe-access-development-fund-cadf/

Two Lick Creek Trout Stocking

Approximately 400 fingerling trout (4” - 6” long) were stocked in Twolick Creek under the leadership of past KSTU President Dan Cardelino’s Twolick Creek Angler Project. A special thanks to Dan who raised the funding by selling Twolick Creek buttons and donations that he solicited  and received from businesses (Indiana Angler). I also want to thank the KSTU members and friends who participated with the stocking - Dan Cardelino, Roger Phillips, John Ferraro, Robert Metella, and John Painter. Your support and participation continues to make this a very successful project.

Keith Ewing, President

KSTU

 The KSTU Board will be meeting at the Homer City Firehall (25 W. Church Street. See map below.) at 6:00 PM on October 13, 2020. All members are welcome. There will be no general membership meeting afterwards.

We will ask you to observe Covid-19 protocols (Wear a mask; 10 feet separation; no fever or others symptoms.) if you attend. Thanks.

Bob Sagely, Secretary

Ken Sink Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Post Your Catch!

 If you been doing some fishing during these strange times,we’ll, good on ya’! If you want to share some of your good fortune and experiences with the rest of us just drop me an email. Give me the particulars you want to share and attach a photo or two and I will post them up to the blog. Email to the following: kstupa12@gmail.com

Tight lines!

Bob Sagely, Secretary

Ken Sink Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Members Notice from the KSTU President

 Click here for a message on our general meetings and activities during the Covid-19 situation.

October General Members Meeting

 Hello Members,

While the Board is continuing to meet monthly the chapter will not be holding general membership meetings at this time. This is likely to continue into 2021 and is dependent on how the pandemic proceeds through the coming months. There will be a message from our chapter president coming soon to explain the situation further. Thank you for your patience.

KSTU ANNUAL FUNDRAISING UPDATE

The annual fund raising banquet, postponed due to the COVID pandemic, is still tentatively being rescheduled to late September. However, due to recent concerns about increased infection rates across the country the banquet date is very uncertain. 

If you wish to have your reservation and check cancelled, please email kstupa12@gmail.com .Your 2020 secretary, Bob Sagely, will see to your need.

We hope this finds all of yours safe and healthy still and that you all remain so. 

Tight lines and stay smart, stay safe, stay healthy!

KSTU ANNUAL FUNDRAISING BANQUET UPDATE

The annual fund raising banquet, postponed due to the COVID pandemic, is tentatively being rescheduled to late September. The venue could change as well so keep informed by checking in here periodically. We hope this time finds all of yours safe and healthy and that you all remain so. Hopefully we will have a handle on this by the fall and we can join together to share a meal and celebrate the thing we love to do. Tight lines and stay smart, stay safe, stay healthy!

COVID QUARAN-TYING

Have you been observing a little social isolation time lately? Have you taken advantage of it to replenish your fly supply? I have... click on this link (Bob’s Flies) to see the fruits of my feeble efforts to fool Mother Nature.

If you would like to display your efforts on the KSTU BLOGSPOT, just drop me an email and I will get you set up here. Tight lines in these trying times!

LITTLE MAHONING MACRO STREAM ASSESSMENT

The assessment will take place today at 6 pm. Meet at the Grist Mill Stone on East Creek Road. All CDC COVID outdoor activity guidelines are expected to be followed by participants. Anyone is welcome to attend and help with the assessment. If you have never been part of one of these now is your chance.

KSTU LITTLE MAHONING CREEK SPRING MACROINVERTEBRATE SURVEY

The delayed annual Spring macro survey is being tentatively scheduled for May 12, 2020. Time is still to be decided but is generally scheduled for the afternoon hours. CDC social distancing guidelines for COVID-19 will be in effect for participants, as will the use of mask and gloves. The group will meet at the Millstone marker on East Creek Road upstream of Rochester, Indiana County, PA. Stay tuned to the blog for final decision and time if we can conduct the survey.

Little Mahoning Creek Macroinvertebrate Spring Survey on hold.

Due to the observance of social distancing required by the current Coronavirus pandemic, our spring water quality testing and macroinvertebrate survey is postponed to a date to be announced later.
Stay distant, stay safe and stay healthy!

Saltsburg Middle/High School TIC Release

Unfortunately, due to the closing of our local schools and cancellation of all school events, the annual SMHS Environmental Field Day, which included their “Trout In The Classroom” program’s fish release, will not happen this year. KSTU volunteers help out with fly tying demonstrations, fly casting lessons and macroinvertebrate presentations. Students rotate through various learning stations that include stream insect survey sampling’s, pH and other water chemistry measurement and the negative biological impact of Acid Mine Discharge from our coal mining history.

Linsey Palazzi, SMHS Gifted Program Teacher, and her children took care of the release of this year’s fingerling crop. The fish were planted at the Blackleggs Memorial Park site and will hopefully someday help in the restoration of a population in that stream.

KEN SINK FUNDRAISER BANQUET IS POSTPONED!!!

March 16, 2020

To KSTU Chapter Members & Guest,

I have received a communication from Chris Wood, President & CEO of Trout Unlimited strongly urging TU chapters to consider postponing banquets and chapter meetings until we get a better handle on the best way to minimize exposure to COVID-19.

As we continue to feel the increased impact of Corona virus and in the best interest of our valued chapter membership, guest, officers, and board members we are going to postpone our April 4th fundraiser banquet in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. The event will be rescheduled early fall (September), date to be determined. If you are currently registered and have submitted payment there will be two options.

1. We can keep your paid registration until the event occurs. Or
2. If you would prefer a refund at this time, please contact Bob Sagely (kstupa12@gmail.com) or Keith Ewing (goirish50@gmail.com).

KSTU will also be postponing chapter meetings until further notice.

Thank you for your patience as we navigate this challenging situation one day at a time and attempt to mitigate the Corona virus.

Keith Ewing

KSTU President

KSTU Board and Member Meetings

Dennis Goodlin, PA licensed guide from Northern Cambria, will present a program on Tues. March 10, 7:00pm at the Indiana Golf and Country Club, detailing the restoration efforts that lead to the recovery of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River from once being an acid mine impacted river into a self-sustaining wild trout fishery. These improvements resulted in Pa Fish and Boat designating 26.1 miles of the West Branch as wild trout catch-and -release all tackle regulated fishery. Goodlin will also discuss the hatches, fly patterns and fishing techniques relative to the river.

2020 Event Calendar
April 4th Annual Banquet: Indian Springs Golf and Country Club.
May 12th Little Mahoning/Cessna Run macro invertebrate survey.
Our meetings are open to the public. Board meets at 5:30

KSTU Spring Fund Raising Banquet Meeting

There will be a meeting of the banquet committee on Wednesday, February 26th, at 6:00 pm.
The location is the Homer City Fire Hall. All members are welcome to attend. We will be finalizing preparations and prize/raffle listings.

The Annual KSTU Spring Banquet Fundraiser is coming!

Keep this date & time open: Tuesday, April 4th, 2020 at 4:00pm. Why? That is the date for our annual KSTU Spring Fund-raising Banquet at the VFW/ Indian Springs Country Club in Indiana, PA. Food, drink, door prizes and raffles galore. Come on out and support our chapter by attending the only major fund raising effort of the year. Cost is $30.00 per person. Dinner will be served around 6:00 p.m. Beverages are available but not included in the banquet price. Seating will be first come first seated. If you wish to seat a group at a single table (maximum of eight people) you must make it there early to assure your spots.

Our annual awards ceremony and raffle drawings will follow dinner. There will be a grand array of high dollar prizes as well as smaller items that can help to round out your outfit. Rods, reels, fine art prints and fly fishing accessories are already donated and just waiting to fill out your collection.

Help us continue to advocating for cold water fisheries, both here and nationwide.

For directions to the VFW/ Indian Springs Country Club please click on this link.

KSTU Fly Tying Class

This Saturday, February 15, will be the final session of our 2020 KSTU Fly Tying Class. This year we began the class with 18 students, both young and old. Our participants 12 years to 18 years old get free tuition with our adult tyers paying a nominal fee of $25.00. They enjoy skilled instruction in over a half dozen patterns, some classic and some newer types. All materials and tools, including vises, are provided. Most students finish the six week class with at least 20 individual flies and a wealth of technique at their disposal, so these folks have a good start on their fly collection by the end of the class sessions.

Chief instructors for the class are Ted Pluchinsky and Dan Cardellino. Ted is actually a product of the course having taken it as a youth back in the late seventies. Both are well-versed in the art and pass on their knowledge with a lot of enthusiasm. We have a good bunch of assistant instructors as well. Keith Ewing, Roger Phillips, Deb Heggenstaller, Mark Domenic, Jeff Uschak, Barrie Mann and Bob Sagely are typically on hand to help students on an individual basis. Other members drop in on occasion so a newbie fly-tier never has to struggle alone for long.

Keep your eye on this site for news of the next class. Advertising and registration will begin in early December. If you are looking to explore this hobby (some end up calling it a "passion"!) in a no pain/ low cost manner this could be the ticket. We hope to see you there.

March General Membership Meeting

KSTU will be holding its March membership meeting on the 10th of the month at the Indian Springs Country Club/ VFW Post 1989. The program commences at 7 pm. The Board of Directors meeting precedes the program and begins at 5:30 pm. General members and non-members alike are welcome to both meetings.

Our guest presenter will be Dennis Goodlin. He will be speaking about conservation work on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River along with the fishing opportunities. Thanks to extensive cleanup efforts, the upper portion of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River now supports a fine wild trout fishery.

Annual KSTU Fly Tying Round Robin

This year's Fly Tying Round Robin, held on Feb. 11th, was extremely well attended, both by the number of demonstrators in attendance as well as by those wanting to see quality fly tying . Over twenty enthusiasts came to strut their tail feathers and tie a few on. Many donated flies to the chapter in support of our upcoming Spring Banquet Fundraiser.  We again want to thank VFW Post 1989 and the Indian Springs Country Club (https://www.indianspringspa.com/) for allowing us the use of their fine facility.

The variety of creations was wide-ranging. From clousers to midges to big, ol' streamers, the crowd watched the techniques and adept skills of fly tying enthusiasts both young and old(er). Professional fly-tyers and a few PA guides were in attendance, along with a couple of retail suppliers. Amateur tyers were not outdone and produced some fine looking "trout candy". There were even some graduates (recent and some not quite so freshly matriculated) of the KSTU Fly Tying Class conducted each winter. They more than held their own at the vise and did their KSTU volunteer instructors proud.

Keep an eye peeled next winter for the date of our 2021 Fly Tying Round Robin. Plan on attending, either as a fly-tier or just to see what is going on  in the world of feathers and fur on a hook. The event is always free with beverages available for purchase from the VFW. We'll be looking for you!

KSTU hosted a large number of fly tyers which drew a nice size crowd.

Shawn Holsinger and his father, both professional tyers and guides, were on hand to share their skills. They own Holsinger’s Fly Shop in East Freedom, PA.