Members:
There will be NO January membership meeting.
Tentatively, we will resume meetings this Spring, hopefully March or April. At that time, our focus will be on using outdoor venues, such as the pavilions at Illick's Mill, finding programing that is outdoor oriented (stream cleanups, plantings, on-stream demos/ instruction) or possibly returning to indoor meetings.
Thank you for your patience.
Midges are one of the most prolific food sources in all of the Lehigh Valley streams, and they are available all year long. Check out this really good video from RIO about fishing midges in winter. As a side note, the Al's Rat (fly), is probably the best midge pupa imitation locally. Al's Rat was designed by local fly fisherman Al Miller who fished the Little Lehigh 6 days a week for years.
Al's Rat:
Midge Fishing Winter:
Winter fishing on Monocacy and other LV streams can be really good, but don't forget to purchase a 2022 Fishing License and Trout Stamp before you head out. You can purchase them online HERE, and print them out at home. Best wishes for the new year and good luck if you head out!
Sunday, November 14, at 12:30 pm: Park at Quiet Core (1440 Schoenersville Rd., Bethlehem)
Monday, November 15, at 11 am : Gertrude Fox Conservation Area. Park in the Oasis Community Center lot (3410 Bath Pike, Bethlehem) just across Center Street from Panera.
Planting
live stakes is a simple process of inserting a tree branch into the stream
bank,no digging required!
We need about 6 volunteers for each day, and expect to be done in about one hour.
If you have waders or hip boots, bring them. We have four pairs of waders and boots to loan you, if needed. Gloves are recommended. This is an outside activity, so dress accordingly.
Please email Jane Cook of the MCWA :monocacycrkwa@gmail.com to RSVP.
While not a Trout conservation video, the work we do in our watersheds has a positive impact on downstream environments.
Check out this Simm's produced video about the state of the East Coast Striped Bass fishery.
The Monocacy Creek Watershed Association (MCWA) will be organizing 2 planting days on the creek this month and this is a great way to help our stream, and maybe check out some new fishing spots 😉. Details below:
Saturday Oct. 23: around 3pm at
the Quiet Core parking lot (1440 Schoenersville Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18018) Transport shrubs for planting Sunday. Wear waders if you have them.
Sunday Oct. 24th: 9a to 12n. Meet at Quiet Core (1440 Schoenersville Rd. parking lot Bethlehem, PA 18018) by 9am. We plan to plant 20 shrubs along Monocacy Way. Bring gloves, a shovel, and Waders if you have them as we will be crossing the stream
Monday, Oct. 25th: 9a to 12n. Meet at Gertrude Fox Conservation Area parking area (3410 Bath Pike, Bethlehem 18017). Bring gloves and a shovel. No Waders needed.
Meeting will be held via Zoom, and a link will be emailed to members on Tuesday.
Meeting starts promptly at 7pm.
While a virtual meeting lacks the things we enjoy about in person meetings, it does make for a very accessible and still interactive presentation. The Zoom platform works on your phone, iPad, tablet, laptop or desktop and is very easy to use. If you have any questions about using Zoom, please reach out to monocacytu491@gmail.com prior to Tuesday, and we can walk you through the steps to get up and running.
Tim's presentation:
Trout Spey
Trout Spey is nothing new, it’s just a more effective way to swing flies like streamers, soft-hackles and classic wets. Yes, you can use it for nymphing and dry fly fishing, but swinging and stripping is where trout spey works best. The real difference comes when you employ either single-hand or two-hand spey casting techniques. These make for no back casts to worry about, much longer casts, easy, fast changes of cast direction, more effective mending and generally more relaxing fishing. Presentation is largely video-based but includes an equipment show-and-tell at the end.
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