Photo by Dennis Harmon
Penns Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited members Gary Parzanese, left, and Larry Winey, right, help youngsters with fly tying at Reeds Gap Fall Fest on Oct. 12, 2024.

BURNHAM — When it comes to conservation, the Penns Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited believes today’s youth will determine the future of healthy streams.

Officials contend young people will become the next generation of conservationists, which is especially important to the chapter which is dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring the coldwater fisheries throughout much of the Juniata Valley.

“We are fortunate to have many high quality streams in our coverage including Penns Creek, Kish Creek, Jacks Creek, Honey Creek, East Licking Creek and many of their tributaries,” said Kevin Lutz, president of Penns Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

The Penns Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited is a local non-profit organization with the primary mission of promoting and protecting clean streams in central Pennsylvania, primarily in Mifflin, Juniata and parts of Snyder counties.

The chapter is actively engaged in education and outreach to all members of the community, especially youth. Members provide hands-on activities that introduce aspects of fly fishing like casting, fly tying and stream ecology.

The chapter has supported schools participating in the Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program for more than 15 years.

The Penns Creek Trout Unlimited Chapter was formed in Mifflin County in March 1971. The club was instrumental in protecting Penns Creek from private development, allowing it to become the world class trout fishing stream that it is today.

“We are one of 49 Trout Unlimited Chapters in the state of Pennsylvania with over 180 members,” Lutz said. “We are a conservation organization that works on cold water stream habitat improvement projects, environmental education, youth outreach, and stream cleanups.”

Throughout the year, the club holds an annual stream cleanup event, multiple youth fly tying and fly casting programs and assists with the TIC program where eight different schools are currently participating.

“This program allows students to raise trout from eggs in aquariums in their classroom, which they later release into area waterways at the end of the school year,” Lutz said.

The club is also involved in many stream improvement projects throughout the year. In the past, they’ve worked with local conservation districts, PA Fish and Boat Commission, PA Game Commission and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

“These projects improve fish and wildlife habitat and reduce erosion on local streams that are both stocked and Class A waterways,” Lutz said. “We have assisted with projects on Kish Creek, Honey Creek, East Licking Creek and Jacks Creek, just to name a few.”

The club meets monthly in the board room at the Juniata Valley YMCA, 105 First Ave., Burnham. Their meetings are open to the public.

Throughout the year, they also host two or three special meetings with speakers or demonstrations. Their first one will be March 11 in the Happy Valley Room at the Holiday Inn Express, Reedsville, featuring George Daniel. He is a U.S. National Fly Fishing Champion, guide, author and is currently the director of the Joe Humphreys Fly Fishing program at Penn State.

On Feb. 22, the club will also hold its annual banquet at Belleville Mennonite School, Belleville.

“We typically have around 200 attendees for this event, prizes are raffled, a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings and we have Dave Rothrock as our speaker this year,” Lutz said.

Admission is $25 for ages 16 and up and $15 for under age 16. Anyone interested in buying tickets can email pennscreektu@gmail.com.

“Our annual banquet is our only fund-raising event of the year, which supports all of our conservation and education work,” Lutz added.

Since the club is a volunteer organization, they are always seeking volunteers to help them conserve local waterways and encourage anyone to join them at their meetings or events.

For more information, visit www.pennscreektu.com or find them on Facebook.