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Adams County Trout Unlimited (ACTU) Chapter 323 was started in 1977 by a group of individuals interested in restoring and enhancing a section of the Conewago Creek in Adams County, PA. Our chapter has grown since its inception, and now includes over 200 members. Our vision is to expand the scope of our efforts and the breadth of the community that we reach.
Over the years, members have enjoyed the benefits of a network of like-minded, knowledgeable anglers. We hone our fishing and fly-tying skills through seminars, talks, and demonstrations at our monthly gatherings. Plus, we have led scores of stream improvement projects and supported hundreds of trout stockings in county creeks. The Chapter's many conservation and habitat improvement projects, which are intended to conserve, protect, and restore the county's fisheries and watersheds, have resulted in recognition from both National and State Trout Unlimited organizations.
Today, the Chapter has taken a broader role in our community and is guided by three tenets: Conservation, Community, and Fishing. Guided by these tenets, our Chapter works to bring together diverse interests to achieve our mission of bettering the conservation-related educational and recreational opportunities in Adams County.
As important as our angling endeavors, many of the conservation and community efforts we now lead, or support, are focused on several annual youth programs in the county. For example, since the Chapter's founding, thousands of students have participated in activities such as the Trout In the Classroom Program, the annual Latimore Creek Youth Fishing Derby, the Southcentral Outdoors For Youth Program, and the New Oxford Middle School Environmental Day.
Please note that ACTU is not strictly a fly fishing organization. We support and promote all types of trout fishing!
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Upcoming Chapter Events
April Gathering Planned
Our April gathering will include only a business meeting. Our next speaker will be the PA Fish & Boat Commission's Rachel Thurner-Diaz, who will answer all your fishing and boating questions at our May meeting.
Upcoming Stockings
The fly fishing-only, catch-and-release section, of the Conewago Creek will be stocked on Friday, April 19. Please contact Dave Swope, [email protected], for details if you are interested in helping float stock.
Latimore Youth Fishing Derby Coming Soon!
ACTU's 19th Annual Children's Fishing Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, at the Special Regulations Fishing Area at the Latimore Valley Fairgrounds. The event is open to all children ages 5-15. Stocking will begin at approximately 7:15 am, with fishing scheduled from 8-11 am. Lunch and prizes will be available. This is a bait fishing-only event, and all participants should bring their own fishing gear.
At the conclusion of the derby, every child gets to pick a prize. This is where ACTU is looking for your help. Our stock of prizes has run low, and needing to replenish it, the chapter has created a gift Wish List on Amazon. The list contains a variety of items for 5-to-15 year olds to choose from. Please consider visiting the Chapter’s Wish List and making a purchase. All items will be shipped to ACTU President Frank Kozak for delivery to the derby. You can really make a difference by supporting the youth fishing derby. Please go to our Wish List and make your selection! Thank you for taking the time to check out the list and helping with the derby.
Chapter News
The Chapter's March Newsletter is now available both at the bottom of this page and in the Newsletters tab. Take some time to read about all of ACTU's current and planned activities!
Local Cooperative Trout Nursery Celebrated!
The 50th Anniversary and Re-Dedication Program
for the McSherrystown Fish and Game Protective
Association's Cooperative Trout Nursery was held
on Saturday, April 13. The Fairfield facility is 1 of
162 such cooperatives in the state involving the PA Fish and Boat Commission and volunteer
organizations, who pay all the expenses and do all
the work. The McSherrystown nursery raises
approximately 5,000 trout per year, which are
stocked into Adams County streams to augment
Fish and Boat Commission stockings.
Guest speakers at the ceremony included Fish and
Boat Commission Commissioner Richard Lewis,
Adams County Representative Randy Phiel, and
long-time nursery manager Dave Swope.
County Students Release Trout Fingerlings
Several hundred fingerling trout were released into Middle Creek at the Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve and Environmental Center on April 10 by Adams County students and staff participating in the PA Fish and Boat Commission's Trout-In-the-Classroom (TIC) Program. The 2-3" rainbow trout were delivered to the classrooms as eggs and were raised for the past several months by high, middle, and elementary school students.
After releasing their trout, the students participated in four learning stations conducted by Strawberry Hill naturalists, Fish and Boat Commission Waterways Conservation Officers, and ACTU members. This is ACTU's first year leading the TIC Program, taking over last fall from the Adams County Conservation District. Six county teachers took part in this year's program. Any additional Adams County teachers interested in joining the program should contact Lynn Rebert, ACTU's TIC Program Lead, at [email protected]
Monthly Newspaper Articles
The Gettysburg Times is now publishing articles detailing ACTU activities which are written by ACTU members on the fourth Friday of each month!
March Gathering Recap
Relentless Fly Fishing Guide Neil Sunday gave attendees
at the ACTU's March gathering a detailed look at year-
round fishing on the Yellow Breeches Creek. He provided
information on popular fishing spots on the stream,
recommended rod/reel set-ups, and major hatches.
Thanks much to Neil for sharing his expertise with us!
ACTU Wins State Award
ACTU's Zeigler Mill Road Access Site project was selected as the '2023 Best Chapter Project' in the state by PA Trout Unlimited! The site includes: a 10-car parking lot, direct access to the fly fishing-only section of the Conewago Creek, and a nature trail with three teaching stations - all open to the public! ACTU also planted over 300 trees and shrubs on reclaimed farmland next to the parking lot. The Chapter has a 25-year lease with the Fish and Boat Commission to maintain the property and will continue making improvements at the site.
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Recent/Important Chapter Information
