CHAPTER REACHES OVER 450 YOUTH WITH CONSERVATION MESSAGE, FLY FISHING SKILLS

Our Chapter was able to provide fly fishing skills, macro-invertebate studies and a conservation message to over 450 youth this Spring during three events, the Nazareth MS and Wind Gap MS Trout in the Classroom release days and Northampton County Youth Field Day. About 120 students participated in the Nazareth MS release day at Jacobsburg State Park on April 27th. Besides fly fishing skills and macro-invertebrate collection, other events included a stream velocity exercise, geocaching and a nature walk. The school grilled about 200 hotdogs for the students and volunteers. The Wind Gap MS release day was held on the Bolton "historical" side of the park on May 24th. About 140 students identified macro-invertebrates and scored two imaginary streams like a real biologist would do, only on a simplified scale. Other events provided by the Jacobsburg Historical Society included  industrial arts, food preparation and a black powder talk.On June 2nd, about 200 youth went through our "Forks TU Fly Fishing Experience"station at Northampton County Youth Field Day. Again, macros, a tying demo and fly casting were on the menu. We made the connection between stream health and the macros (trout food) and how we imitate them with flies and the necessary equipment needed to cast them.Thanks again to all of our dedicated volunters keeping kids interested in fishing and conservation.