MUDDY MATTERS
The Newsletter of the Muddy Creek Chapter #575 of Trout Unlimited
TO CONSERVE PROTECT AND RESTORE THE MUDDY CREEK WATERSHED.
From the President’s Vest
As I write this, the hillsides are aflame with color and trout have begun to spawn a new generation. And because of you, MCTU continues a tradition of accomplishing great things for the watershed and people that enjoy it. We recently completed a large riparian buffer zone planting along Leibs Creek. New fingerlings have begun to develop in the co-operative nursery. And a handful of Red Lion Boy Scouts recently received an education in fly fishing. Even in the midst of “2020”, I believe our future is very bright. I couldn’t be more proud to serve alongside you.
The ongoing pandemic forced us to cancel or post-
pone a number of our annual engagements – Trout in the Classroom and our Fall Fest/Landowner Picnic being two of them. In addition, Jim Keirn had planned a women’s fly-fishing clinic which we decided to table until next year.
In September, Adam Miller was elected for his second term as a chapter Director. Adam represents the chapter well and has a passion for conservation and trout (and a great beard). He has also fostered our newfound relationship with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. And as our webmaster he continues to impress with his creativity in communication. I look forward to Adam’s ongoing contributions to the chapter.
Stream conditions remain low, though in comparison to much of PA, Muddy Creek has fared better than most. We’ll hope for a wet fall and winter to replenish the water table. If you’re fortunate enough to find yourself on the stream in the near future, remember to thank a landowner. Much of the water that we fish is on private property, and access should be considered a privilege, not a right. Cleaning up after your fellow anglers, respecting property as you would you own, or simply saying Thank You go a long way toward maintaining great landowner relationships.
Our chapter schedule of activity for the Fall/Winter may be quieter than in years past due to the pandemic. Trust that we’ll be planning and gearing up for a big year in 2021. I look forward to running into you on the water or at a future chapter event. In the meantime, if you have any questions about how to get involved, or our future plans, don’t hesitate to reach out: president@muddycreektu.org or 717-451-5200.
Tight Lines, Jimmy
Upcoming Events
December 16 – General Meeting CANCELLED
January 20 – General Meeting To Be Determined
February 17 – General Meeting To Be Determined/
March 17 – General Meeting To Be Determined
Fall/Winter Meeting Locations
Our Fall and Winter Meetings Are on the bubble for 2020-21. For now the November Meeting will be held at the Chanceford Township Building Nov. 18 at 7pm.
The December meeting is cancelled based on poor turn out and January and February 2021 are to be determined.
We hope to see you soon. Look for updates on Facebook and our website.
Fishing News
REMEMBER: THE MUDDY CREEK WATERSHED HAS OVER 9 MILES OF STREAM UNDER THE STOCKED TROUT WATERS PROGRAM WITH THE PAF&BC.
ALL OF THIS WATER IS OPEN BY THE GRACE OF GENEROUS LANDOWNERS. PLEASE RESPECT THEIR PROPERTY BY NOT LITTERING AND PICKING UP ANY TRASH YOU MAY FIND ALONG THE STREAM.
THE WATERSHED HAS BEEN STOCKED WITH OVER 600 HOLDOVER TROUT THIS FALL. IN ADDITION TO THE ANNUAL C&RFFO AREA STOCKING. WATER LEVELS ARE RETURNING TO NORMAL MAKING FOR GOOD FISHING. GET OUT THERE AND ENJOY SOME FALL FISHING.
RIPARIAN BUFFER PROJECT UPDATE
Our TU mission is to Conserve, Protect, and Restore. On an overcast Saturday morning in late October, we did just that. After months of planning and replanning (due to the pan- demic), nearly forty volunteers took to the field to install a riparian buffer zone on nearly three acres along Class A Wild trout water in Stewartstown – a tributary of Muddy Creek. Pennsylvania is often criticized for the sediment shipped downriver to the Chesapeake. We are an organization making a positive impact on our watershed and the larger estuaries downstream. Nearly 25% of our membership showed up to put a shovel in the ground that day. For a volunteer organization, that level of engagement speaks volumes of our character.
Riparian buffer zones are an important instrument to conserve, protect and restore. They provide stream bank stabilization to reduce sedimentation, maintain cooler water temps, and go a long way toward fostering a habitat for natural trout food. Streamside pastures and fields lacking of riparian zones threaten the cold clean water necessary for the watershed to thrive.
This project was the result of some beautiful MCTU partnerships. The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay supplied the plants, materials, and guidance for the project. Ryan Davis represented the Alliance well and was a great partner throughout. Tim and Susan White, the landowners, are incredible stewards of their land and were very gracious hosts. When first discussing the project with Tim he expressed interest in a pollinator friendly planting. Ryan from the Alliance specializes in designing pollinator friendly
buffer zones. This project was the perfect marriage, and through the hard work of many of our volunteers, MCTU ensured that there was reason to dance.
Get a behind the scenes look at the buffer planting
STREAMSIDE INCUBATOR PROGRAM CONTINUES
Again this year we have planted eyed brown trout eggs in all four of our incubator sites throughout the watershed. Our work groups did a fantastic job cleaning out the boxes and setting up water flows in preperation for the eggs. Eggs were picked up and distributed to all of our incubator sites in early November. Eggs are currently hatching. Due to covid we are currently keeping the work crews to a minimum but if you want to volunteer to help with this program in the future please call or text Fred Hess at 717-818-9026 and we’ll get you involved in the project as your schedule permits.
HANDICAPPED FISHING AREA UPDATE
Two years ago during the Labor Day weekend our nursery and handicap areas were devastated by flooding. The nursery was repaired last year. This year the handicap area was repaired. The parking area, part of the side walk, and the deck were washed away. We built a new deck and had a concrete company do the side wall, the parking area and repair the wall across from the deck, which had been damaged.
Pat Stolz and I built the deck. Restuccia Excavating did the parking area, the sidewalk, and repaired the wall. York Concrete Co. donated all the concrete that was used in the project. Everything was completed this summer.
We extend a special thank you to the York Concrete Co. for donating all the concrete and a grateful thank you to Sarah and Ryan Shaull, the landowners, who continue to support our efforts to provide an area for trout fishing to those who are handicapped.
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FLY FISHING MERIT BADGE PROGRAM
The chapter recently completed a program to assist members of Boy Scout Troop 35 at St. John’s UCC Church in Red Lion begin preparing for their Fly Fishing Merit Badge.
The program included an overview of equipment, casting techniques, hands on fly-tying, and a video demonstrating various casting and fly presentation skills. We were also able to coordinate with their annual camping event on Muddy Creek and provide an on-the-stream casting experience.
Thanks to Adam Miller, Dan Dellinger, Jim Keirn, and Bob Shaffer for assisting with this program.
COOP NURSERY REPORT
The nursery operation is going smoothly thus far this fall. First, we had 600 holdover trout to be stocked. Average size was 14 plus inches. In late September we stocked below the Forks. Then the Fly fishing section and Bridgeton to the power lines below Woodbine were stocked. It was somewhat challenging because of the low water. The North branch was also stocked using the Ma & Pa railroad. It was much easier be- cause we were able to bucket the trout to the deeper holes. Finally, no holdovers were stocked in the South branch. Low water made it impossible to float stock it.
FYI – No trout were stocked at the forks. It is now posted between the bridges. There were many problems with young people partying, etc. Hopefully in the future it will be open again. Parking on the grassy area below the bridges is still permitted.
On September 30 we received approximately 8,000 trout fingerlings from the state. We have not encountered the massive kill thus far that we had last fall. Total trout lost in 6 weeks was over 2,200. So with fingers crossed we will have a normal year and be ready to stock a lot of trout in the spring.
Finally, with the Covid 19 still upon us, there is some uncertainty about what next spring will be like. You will be kept informed as to my plans for the preseason and in season stockings. Schedules should be out sometime in February once I know what the state has planned.
Thank you to all the volunteers who assist at the nursery and help to stock the trout. Without you we would not be able to accomplish all we do!
CHAPTER VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION
Make no mistake, we have tremendous appreciation for all supporters of Muddy Creek TU and the cooperative nursery that we sponsor. A few members have been particularly active, and their time and commitment are undoubtedly deserving of recognition:
Bob Shaffer and Dan Dellinger: As our treasurer and secretary, their behind the scenes blocking and tackling efforts ensure that our chapter operates efficiently and has the ability to deliver our mission. Bob also recently led our merit badge engagement with a number of boy scouts, and Dan champions our TIC program.
Fred Wilt and The Crew: Chances are that if you’ve caught a trout in the North, South, or main branches of Muddy, Fred and The Crew had something to do with it. Kevin Baughman is one of those individuals, though there are many. THANK YOU.
Fred Hess and John Snyder: These gentlemen co-chair our incubator program to introduce thousands of nearly wild trout into the watershed, in addition to contributing in many other ways.
Pat Stoltz: Pat’s contributions are numerous, though highlighted by his recent work with Fred Wilt to rebuild the handicapped area on Tom’s Run that was destroyed in the Labor Day weekend flood of 2018.
Dale Hinkle: Where MCTU is active, Dale Hinkle is active. When he isn’t hunting, Dale can be found helping at the nursery, with stocking efforts, and with a variety of other activities.
Nate Cozzens: Nate does an incredible amount of work to administer our co-op program behind the scenes and is a willing volunteer in many other aspects.
Edgar Perez: Rarely do we have an individual join the chapter and immediately take an active role in volunteering. Edgar joined our cause earlier this year and has made an invaluable impact early on. Rumor has it that he has a few siblings interested in getting involved as well.
Don Jones: Each year, the sale of MCTU patches is a significant fundraiser for the chapter. Don is a big part of the fundraising program and has been for years. Chances are you’ve seen him making his rounds somewhere in Southern York County.
Adam Miller: Adam partnered with Bob Shaffer in a big way on our recent boy scout merit badge engagement, maintains our digital communications, and was a huge part of our recent conservation project along Leibs Creek.
Maurice Chioda: Known for his years of involvement and leadership with the chapter, Maurice continues on as the editor of this newsletter, a font of knowledge in everything conservation and trout, and a perennial active member.
Watershed Landowners: The silent contributors. Thank you for opening your property to allow others to enjoy it and for engaging with our chapter on conservation and stocking efforts.
President: Jim O’Connor 451-5200
Vice Pres: Fred Hess 818-9026
Secretary: Dan Dellinger 495-0602
Treasurer: Bob Shaffer 668-1490
Directors:
Fred Wilt: 309-8098
Maurice Chioda: 747-5613
Walt Lister: 993-3491
Adam Miller: 324-7820
Jim Kiern
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Muddy Matters is a publication of Muddy Creek Trout Unlimited, Chapter no. 575.
Questions or comments about the content of this newsletter can be submitted through regular mail:
Muddy Creek Trout Unlimited #575 P.O. Box 211 Dallastown, PA 17313
Or email muddycreektu@comcast.net Members may also contribute chapter related stories or articles to this newsletter by submitting them to the above addresses. This is your newsletter, help make it the best it can be. Thank you.
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Report Water Pollution
PA Department of Environmental Protection 855-FISH-KIL
Report Fishing Regulation
Violations
PF&BC Waterways Conservation Officer SC Regional Office (717) 486-7087
Committees
Incubator Program Coordinator:
Fred Hess 818-9026
Environmental Chairman:
Maurice Chioda 747-5613
Riparian Buffer:
Adam Miller 324-7820
Water Quality Specialist:
(Vacant) Volunteer!
Stocking Coordinator:
Fred Wilt 309-8098
Co-op Sponsor Chairman:
Nate Cozzens
Co-op Nursery Manager:
Fred Wilt 309-8098
Communications Chairman:
Maurice Chioda 747-5613
Webmaster:
Adam Miller 324-7820
Newsletter Support Staff:
Maurice Chioda – Editor
Copywriting – Fred Hess, Jimmy O’Connor Bob Shaffer, Dan Dellinger Fred Wilt
