Fly Fishing Monocacy Creek 5/22

As we bring our 2011-2012 meeting/presentation schedule to a close, we invite you to fish with your fellow TU members.  This is a super time to fish the sulpher hatch on the Monocacy, and while this is not a "formal" meeting, it is a chance to see how other people approach this hatch and fishing in general.  Meeting place is the Illicks' Mill parking lot, along the stream on Illick's Mill Rd.  We will meet @ 6pm and fish until the fish stop biting.  See you there!

Bethlehem gets state grant money to improve Monocacy Creek

By Lynn Olanoff | The Express-Times 

Bethlehem has received a $119,789 state grant for stream bank stabilization on the Monocacy Creek north of Illick’s Mill Road.

Bethlehem will have to come up with a 15 percent match to accept the state Department of Environmental Protection grant, said Ralph Carp, Bethlehem’s director of parks and public property.

The additional $17,968 will give Bethlehem about $137,757 for the project. That money can be used to pay for some stream bank stabilization and riparian buffer installation on the creek north of Illick’s Mill Road, Carp said.

The city hopes to conduct the work this year if it gets the state grant money before the start of trout spawning season in October, Carp said. Monocacy Creek is a class A wild trout stream.  

Stream Clean up a success.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to clean up the Monocacy on Saturday morning. The weather was perfect, and the enthusiasm of of those involved was great. Although we had a few less participants than in years past, lots of trash was collected and the improvement to the stream and surrounding areas could be seen right away. Many of those involved were thanked by the fisherman on the stream that morning, which goes to show how much projects like this are appreciated. Thanks again to those who helped out, and if you couldn't make it this year please consider putting this event on your calender for next year.

April 24th Meeting Moved to May 1st

The April 24th Chapter meeting has been postponed until May 1st due to elections.

Annual Stream Clean 4/21

Our annual stream clean up will be on Saturday April 21st,  8:30 am.  We will meet at the Illick's Mill parking lot.  Free coffee and doughnuts!  Please join us and help keep our home water clean.
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April Chapter Meeting 4/24 7PM

 April - Group Discussion and Fly Tying - Spring Fishing Patterns for Monocacy Creek. Members will share situational experiences and fly pattern selection. All welcome to tie fly patterns with members. Bring vises and tools, members will share materials for this program.  Programs are free and open to the public.

Opening Day Poll

Check out our Opening Day poll to the right of this post.  Did you fish on opening day?  What type of fishing do you do on opening day?  May of us have some very specific traditions surrounding this event, but one thing we all have in common is that many of us got out and enjoyed this wonderful resource/pastime.  Hope you enjoyed your opening day no matter how you spent it.



(KEVIN MINGORA, MORNING CALL FILE PHOTO)

10th annual Spring Event March 24th!

The Lehigh Valley Chapters of Trout Unlimited (Forks of Delaware, Hokendauqua and Monocacy) proudly present our 10th Annual Spring Event this Saturday, March 24 at Stockertown Rod and Gun Club. Doors open at 9am. Program starts at 10am. This years presenter is Loren Williams with his program Nymph Tricks...taking it beyond the dead drift. Loren runs Fly Guy's Guide Service in Syracuse , NY. He guides for trout, salmon and steelhead and is a Fly Fishing Team USA member.

Admission is still free even after 10 years and open to the public as always. Continental breakfast and of course, one huge, awesome raffle! Come on out and support TU in the Valley.

 LINK to the official flier.

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March 27th Chapter Meeting

Join us as chapter member Erik Broesicke presents:

Saltwater Fly Rod Tactics - Fishing the Sandy Hook , NJ Area, Fly or Otherwise.  Erik will discuss the Sandy Hook, NJ area, access spots, techniques, gear, seasons and general info.

As always chapter programs are free and open to the public.  Meeting starts at 7pm at the DAR Log cabin in the Bethlehem Rose Garden Park.  A map of the location can be found on the right sidebar of the main page.  

February 28th Chapter meeting

Please join us as we welcome chapter member Bob Signorello as he presents:


Great Lakes Fishery - Bob will discuss his vast experiences on the rivers and orient the members to the different seasons (salmon in early fall, steelhead in Winter & Spring).

As always chapter programs are free and open to the public.  Meeting starts at 7pm at the DAR Log cabin in the Bethlehem Rose Garden Park.  A map of the location can be found on the right sidebar of the main page. 

New Reports page

Check out the new "Reports" page to find links to studies done on our home water.

Bethlehem Township Board of Commissioners Meeting

The BTBC will meet Monday, February 6th  @ 7pm in the township building to discuss a 400+ unit apartment complex that is proposed along Christian Springs Rd.  This project will require a change to the current zoning ordinance for that property.  The Monocacy creek flows along the northern part of the property.  This is one of the most important parts of the creek, as a majority of the spring fed water enters the stream in this area.  At one time 70+ springs were counted by chapter members in that location.  Any high density development in that area could have major negative impacts.  Please consider attending the meeting if possible.  The meeting is held @ 4225 Easton Avenue, Bethlehem, PA. 18020.

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Water Quality Data

Check out the "Projects" page for a link to water quality data that has been collected by some local institutions.  A big thank you to new chapter member Vio Dragan for collecting and compiling the data.

January 24th Meeting and Presentation

Join the Monocacy Chapter of TU on January 24th as we welcome Don Baylor.  Don will be presenting:  The Poconos: The Cradle of American Fly Fishing.  Don will discuss some of the destinations and influential fly fishers who helped mold the American fly fishing tradition in the Poconos in the late 1800's and first half of the 1900's.  Meeting time is 7pm at the DAR Log Cabin, located in Rosegarden Park, Bethlehem, PA.  Admission is free and open to the public.


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PA Fly Fishing Heritage

On January 30th, 2012, the PFBC will be hosting a day dedicated to the storied history of fly fishing in PA.  Registration is required but free, and can be done on the PFBC website.  The official flyer is located after the break....