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.