President’s Message
The year 2007 has been consistently busy for the Hokendauqua Chapter. WE completed our 22nd annual Fly Tying course
with 43 student participants ranging in ages from 9 to 75.
Applications for the 23rd annual Fly Tying course (January-February 2008) are available from Dale Ott, 4487 Memphis Drive,
Whitehall PA 18052-1403.
For the first time this year Chapter members aided a national program, Casting for Recovery, where we tied and contributed
approximately 200 flies to this group of women. Women recovering form breast cancer are being introduced to the sport of fly
fishing which aids both their physical and psychological outlook in the recovery process. Our flies went to an event held
at Sky Top Lodge in September of this year. At our November meeting we will again be tying flies for the Casting For Recovery
program and donate them for a 2008 event.
Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Inc., an organization started by a retired military officer and member of FFF and T.U.,
is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active duty military personnel and veterans through
fly fishing and fly tying techniques and frequent fly fishing trips for participants. This is being done primarily in military
hospitals and had its start at Walter Reed Hospital. We have contacted this group and would request that we could do something
similar here in the Lehigh valley through the VA clinic in Allentown where there are veterans who are still in recovery but
outside the acute care process. Thanks to Phil Hublitz for working on this with our chapter and the Lehigh Valley Military
Affairs Council. We are offering some free fly tying courses for a start. We see this as a great opportunity to help veterans
on their road to recovery.
Trout in the Classroom: This past year was our first adventure with TICR and it was a great success. We owe many thanks
to Dave Abraham, students and science teacher of Northampton Middle School. We obtained 100 brown trout fry of about 1 to
1 ½" in length from PA F & B C Huntsdale Hatchery along with necessary equipment for maintaining water temperature and
testing kits for evaluating pH and ammonia levels. The students had 93 trout survive and these were stocked in the Hokendauqua
Creek with the guidance of Dave Abraham. This coming year we hope to get fertilized eggs and raise them again in the Northampton
Middle School where students can benefit in this live and rewarding science project. They look forward to the sight of hatching
eggs and the swimming fry.
Youth Days: Many chapter members participated in two youth field days this year. The first was the Delaware River Shad
Fisherman’s Association Youth Fishing Education Day, June 16, 2007, at Point Phillips R & G Club. The event was
spearheaded by Dave Carl. There were 75 youth participants.
The second youth event was JAKES Youth Field day sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Lehigh County
Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs held at Ontelaunee R & G Club, August 4, 2007. We helped run the fishing contest.
There were 100 participants.
Our Chapter sponsored Joshua Steventon to the Rivers Conservation Fly Fishing Camp in June which was held at Allenberry
on the Yellow Breeches. There were 32 students selected from 65 applicants from Pennsylvania and several out of state. Josh
presented a program at our October meeting about his experience and education learned. We look forward to having another successful
entry to sponsor for 2008.
In the summer of 2008 the chapter will be expanding its Adopt-A-Stream project on the Hokendauqua Creek in the Borough
of Northampton. Karl Lutz, PA F & BC, met with several members of the chapter along with officials of Northampton Borough
and the Northampton Water Authority at the site of the bank collapse. They are welcoming our effort and offered assistance.
We gained permission for trespass from land owners whose property adjoins the stream. Karl drew up plans and submitted them
to us so we can begin the work project and Dave Abraham has secured several corporate partners to help with the project which
will occur during the summer of 2008.
A second project is also planned for the summer of 2008 and is located in Allen Township along the banks of the Indian
Creek, a major tributary to the Hokendauqua Creek. This project will involve removing a large log jam which has dammed the
creek and has caused flooding on surrounding properties. Allen Township has expressed an interest in partnering with the chapter.
Chapter members along with Jeff Sabo, the newly appointed PA F&BC WCO, are contacting neighboring land owners to secure
permission to access the site.
INVASIVE SPECIES:
The Federation of Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited Join Together and Call for Action in Fighting Invasive Species.
The FFF and TU challenge every angler to join the fight to help prevent the spread of invasive species in our country’s
waterways by committing to cleaning their fishing equipment after every use.
Recently, didymo, an invasive algae that is sometimes called "rock snot" has been discovered in several eastern
rivers – the Upper Connecticut River in New Hampshire and in Vermont’s White River and the Batten Kill River.
Could the Pocono’s be next? The algae, which thrives in clean, cold waters, attaches itself to gravel and rocks at the
bottom of the river bed. When the algae blooms, it forms massive mats which create a barrier for native organisms and may
result in their decline.
Although not a health hazard to humans, the effect of this invasive algae on native insect and fish populations has been
documented in rivers and streams in Quebec, New Zealand and South Dakota. Studies suggest that wild trout populations could
be severely affected. The cost to control these invasions can be staggering – the United States spends billions of dollars
each year to control invasive species. "What we need right now is for every angler to understand that they are part of the
issue of invasive species, but more importantly, we need them to be involved," challenged Leah Elwell, of the Federation of
Fly Fishers.
Although it may seem like a hopeless battle in protecting our lakes, streams and rivers, it’s not. "To get involved
in this fight against invasives means cleaning your gear after a day of fishing is part of the routine. The good thing is,
it’s actually easy," said Elwell.
Learning about invasive species and committing to inspect, clean, and dry, are basic things every angler can do. When leaving
a river or lake, anglers should check boots, waders, float tubes, boats and other equipment for any plants or dirt. Because
the algae are very small, they absorb easily into clothing, wading boots, and sandals as well as stick to hard surfaces like
tubes, kayaks, and fishing gear. If these items are not cleaned and dried completely, the algae can live and be spread the
next time the item is used. These simple measures are part of a new campaign called the Clean Angling Pledge (
