Outings

Lou Reichel is our Outings’ Chairperson for PPTU. Periodically, photos and descriptions of the monthly outings will be posted to this section of the web site and to our monthly publication, The Conservationist. If you plan to attend an outing, please complete the Outing Registration form. Please add This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to your contacts list.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, summer is a great time for outdoor events and activities where social distancing and responsible recreation and conservation can occur.

For our chapters and councils looking to return to conservation, community and fishing activities, deciding when to move forward with in-person events and how to do so safely is daunting and challenging. While in-person activities are permitted by TU at this time, every chapter, council and volunteer leader is required to follow all federal, state and local laws, regulations, ordinances and best practices for gatherings and group events.

At the same time, we encourage our chapters and councils to carefully consider whether holding any in-person event at this time is appropriate or necessary and if so, whether those events can be held exclusively outdoors or in spaces where social distancing is easily maintained.

For more information on these outings, please contact Lou Reichel at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 443-745-0313.

2023 - 2024 Outings Schedule

DESTINATION PERIOD*
Erie, PA Steelhead + December 5-9, 2024
Western MD Campout, Savage River, Monroe Pavillion October 11, 12, 13, 14, 2024 Fri-Mon, 4 Days, 3 Nights
Big Spring, PA # September 14, 2024
Gunpowder, MD 1-Fly Contest June 1, 2024
Spring Creek, PA Sulphur hatch, Near State College, PA # CANCELLED May 24-26, 2024 3 days, 2 nights
Casselman, MD Grannom - Mother's Day Caddis April 27-28, 2024 2 Days, 1 Night 
Erie, PA Steelhead + November 16-20, 2023
Western MD Campout, Savage River, Monroe Pavillion October 7, 8, 9 2023 Sat-Mon, 3 Days, 2 Nights
Gunpowder, MD 1-Fly Contest September 30, 2023
Camp Buffalo Bill, WY (not an official PPTU Outing) August-September, 2023
Yellow Breeches, PA White Fly Hatch # CANCELLED August, 2023 TBD
Catskills, NY @ CANCELLED June 8-11, 2023 4 Days, 2 Nights
Spring Creek, PA Sulphur hatch, Near State College, PA # May 19-21, 2023 3 days, 2 nights
Casselman, MD Grannom - Mother's Day Caddis April 22-23, 2023 2 Days, 1 Night 
Gunpowder, MD 1-Fly Contest CANCELLED April 15, 2023
Patuxent River (upper), MD March 25, 2023
Yellow Creek, PA Near Loysburg, PA # March 4, 2023
Big Spring, PA # February 18, 2023
Big Hunting Creek, MD Little Black Stoneflies CANCELLED February 4, 2023
* All dates subject to change and dates may be added or deleted due to weather
+ Requires Non-resident PA License and Lake Erie Permit or Combo Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie Permit
# Requires Non-resident PA License and Trout-Salmon Permit or Combo Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie Permit
& Wyoming, Montana, and/or Yellowstone NP License Required
@ NY License Required
! DC License Required

 

Valid New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia Licenses with Trout Stamps are required for out-of-state trips. (The cost of a seven day non-resident New York freshwater fishing license is $28.00.  The cost of a non-resident one day Pennsylvania license and stamp is $26.70. The cost of a non-resident Pennsylvania license and combo Trout-Salmon/Lake Erie Permit is $68.40. The cost of a non-resident Virginia five consecutive day license is $21.00. You do not need an additional $47.00 Non-resident Trout License to fish the Rapidan River in Virginia or streams in Shenandoah National Park.)

Remember, your feedback and participation are needed in order to make our outings’ program a success

One Fly Contest Winners

The One Fly Contest has become an annual outings tradition. The honor roll of winners are listed below along with the inches of trout landed and the fly used.

  • 2024 Bob Dietz, 34.5”, #14 Tup's Spider
  • 2023 Scott Cernick, 47”, #16 Blow Torch
  • 2022 Scott Cernick, 17”, #16 SOB Czech nymph
  • 2021 Roman Petruniak, 70”, #16 olive perdigon nymph
  • 2020 Roman Petruniak, 8”, Pink Squirmy Worm
  • 2019 Bob Dietz, 19”, Hares Ear Flymph
  • 2018 Sean Beck, 94”, Chartreuse Mop Fly
  • 2017 Bob O’Donnell, 39”, Hot Spot Pheasant Tail
  • 2016 Bob Kaiser, 48”, #14 Flymph
  • 2015 Zack Dingus, 9”, Stimulator
  • 2014 Bob O’Donnell, 43”, #18 BH Midge
  • 2013 Lou Reichel, 17”, #22 Midge Emerger
  • 2012 Bob O’Donnell, 23”, Titanium Head Peasant Tail Prince Nymph
  • 2011 Dennis Covert, 40”, #14 Crane Fly
  • 2010 Bob Dietz, 8.5”, #14 Grouse & Herl
  • 2009 Bob Dietz, 18”, Grouse & Herl
  • 2008 Bob Dietz, 90” , Grouse & Herl
  • 2007 Nick Weber, 19”, Brassie
  • 2006 Ken Bowyer, 45”, #14 BH Brassie

COMING EVENTS

September 14, 2024 Big Spring

Where: Big Spring Creek, PA (south of Newville, PA)

When: Saturday September 14, 2024,  9:00 am to whenever

Our next outing is September 14, 2024, at Big Spring Creek, PA. As the name indicates, this is a spring creek/limestone creek just south of Newville, PA. which has moderate water temperatures and is a good creek to fish in the winter and in the hot summertime.

As with all our outings, we welcome new members and those new to fly fishing to come and join us. We also encourage everyone to bring their friends and family members. There will be plenty of seasoned fly anglers on hand to happily offer assistance to any new members.

We will also plan on cooking brats and beans for lunch, so bring your drinks and shared desserts.

Fly Fishing Guide to Big Spring Creek

Like most spring creeks, Big Spring is not an easy stream to fish. It has lots of large trout, but the water is crystal clear and catching trout takes some special techniques that must be executed correctly. You must stay hidden from the trout; use long leaders and light tippet, and you must make good presentations. A 3-5 wt. rod, 7-9 ft, is perfect. This is one of the finest limestone streams in the United States. Its upper section is full of beautiful, large brook and rainbow trout. Unlike the brook trout you find in small mountain streams, these grow large and become very selective in what they eat. This stream challenges everyone. When you can catch trout from its waters, you are able to catch trout anywhere. Unless the trout are hidden under the grass, you can see them, the problem with that is that they can also see you.

Read More Here! http://www.perfectflystore.com/wbigsprings.html

Useful flies include cress bugs, cress bugs, and cress bugs. You may also use scuds, wooly buggers, midges, ants, beetles, egg patterns, BWO patterns and anything else in your official PPTU fly box, that can be purchased at a chapter meeting. I’m sure some type of soft hackle is also useful, but not sure what type.

Required: PA trout fishing license required.

This is a Catch and Release fishing area.

Meeting Area: Meet at the large, second parking lot, around 9:00 am. There is a large sign there and a private driveway bridge over the creek. We will meet back here around 1:00 pm for lunch. If you can bring desserts or anything else, that would be fine. Let Ron K. know if you are bringing anything to share.

Directions: There are many ways to get there. Two directions are stated. Also, if you need any flies, the first way takes you through Mt Holly Springs where there is a fly shop (Precision Fly and Tackle, 502 N, Baltimore Ave, Mount Holly Springs). Big Spring Creek is about 45-60 min west of Boiling Springs and the Yellow Breeches creek.

1. (I prefer this way) Take 15 N at Frederick, Md, and take the exit for Rt 94 N, near York Springs, PA. Follow Rt 94 N onto Rt 34 near Mount Holly Springs. Just past Mount Holly Springs at Rt 174 turn left. Follow Rt 174. At Rt 465, be aware there is a quick right and left turn, follow signs for Rt 174. Stay on Rt 174 and turn right onto Rt 233 N towards Newville and toward I-81. Follow Rt 223 to Rt 11 (Ritner Hwy.), at the light turn left on Rt 11, you’ll recognize Rt 11 by the fact there is a Sheetz on the far-right corner (this is a good place for a pit stop if needed). Follow RT 11 and after about 1 mile, turn right on to Big Spring Rd (it’s a small road and sign). Within 4 miles, you will come to a bridge over the creek near Springfield Rd, and will see on your right, the “Ditch” (first) parking lot. Go another 1 mile and you will see on your left the second parking area where we will meet (near Rd T351). The GPS address for the meeting area is 610 Big Spring Road, Newville, PA

2. Take I-70 W to Hagerstown, Md and turn onto I-81 N. Stay on I-81 N and take exit 37 near Newville, PA onto Rt 233 turning left (north) toward Newville. Follow Rt 233 onto Rt 11 (Ritner Hwy.), at the light turn left on Rt 11, you’ll recognize Rt 11 by the fact there is a Sheetz on the far-right corner (this is a good place for a pit stop if needed). Follow RT 11 and after about 1 mile, turn right on to Big Spring Rd (it’s a small road and sign). Within 4 miles, you will come to a bridge over the creek near Springfield Rd, and will see on your right, the “Ditch” (first) parking lot. Go another 1 mile and you will see on your left the second parking area where we will meet (near Rd T351). The GPS address for the meeting area is 610 Big Spring Road, Newville, PA

Drive Time: From Silver Spring to Big Spring Creek 1:45 to 2 hrs.

To Sign-up for the Outing: Please fill out the Outings Registration form for the Outing.

Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Ron K. Interim Outings Coordinator

Cellphone: (240) 423-8375

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MOST RECENT TRIP REPORT

June 2024 One Fly Contest

Outings Photo Album

These first ones are from the December 2022 Erie Steelhead outing

 

Below are some photos from some previous PPTU outings.


Savage River Brookie

Savage River Gold

North Branch 23" Brown

NB 20" Rainbow

Savage River

PPTU Members along NB Potomac 06

Youghiogheny

Fish Camp Fire

Tim Bowers 20 Incher NB Oct 06

Mike Abramowitz's Big Brown NB Oct 06

Dennis Covert 18" NB Rainbow 06

Tim Bowers 24" NB Brown 06

Fish Camp Fall 06

NB Fall 05 22" Brown