September Meeting

September Meeting

The LJRA met Thursday, September 8th at the Edgewater Inn.  Mike Grim, President/CEO of American Eagle Paper Co. Tyrone, was our guest. The paper mill is the largest consumer of spring water in the watershed. Mike discussed the technological advances at AE that has led to a ~440% reduction in water usage, including eliminating the need to spray heated water into the Bald Eagle. This, and other initiatives (see above) have made the paper mill more environmentally friendly. 

September minutes

Bass flies

Fly of month- Bass flies

bass flies

With the extremely low water conditions and a non-stop heat wave in place (we have 7 more days of temps in the high 80s to mid 90s coming!), it is appropriate that the fly of the month be something used to catch bass. I recently went back to fishing for bass and its  good way to get your fly fishing fix while protecting the resource. The Upper Juanita and Raystown branch are  great places to start and fishing can be done with a 6wt. No need to tie many exotic flies or buy new materials. Heavily hackled wollybuggers and other streamers  are quite effective. Give it a shot and give our trout a rest! Visit the fly of the month page for a materials list. If you have a favorite bass fly please consider submitting the pattern for publication on the site!

Water temperatures

rest

The end of June through August is a tough time for our trout.  Water levels are incredibly low and the temperature on the upper J exceeded  83 degrees yesterday! (July 14)  upstream of Tyrone. It’s going to at or near 90s for the next 6 days. This is upstream of the springs but this water mixes with the springs and warms the water throughout the river. Regular updates on water temperatures and conditions are important for the trout as well as your fellow anglers deciding whether or not to travel to the area. Share your observations and current conditions in the forum. Better yet, leave the trout alone!

Electroshocking survey on the upper J

Wild trout survey on the upper river yields encouraging results

PAFBC electroshocking
PAFBC electroshocking

We are pleased that Kris Kuhn, Fisheries Manager for the south central district, and his PFBC crew  electroshock surveyed two 300 meter stretches of the upper J between Bellwood and Tyrone (upstream from the DHALO) on June 10th. Large numbers of brown trout were found at both both locations. (During the survey they captured one of our telemetry study fish -see picture below).

Observers, including  LJRA officers, are hopeful that, once the results are totaled, more than a Class A population will have been found at both locations. Being declared a wild Class A fishery is a requirement for gaining high quality cold water (HQCW) Designated Use and the added protection that follows this designation by PADEP. Adding this very significant section of the upper J to HQCW designated use list is one big step forward towards meeting the LJRA  goal of obtaining HQCW designation for the entire river.

42.5 cm brown
A 42.5 centimeter telemetry study brown captured during the survey. He looked to be in fine shape. There was no sign of the sutured wound for the transmitter, however the antenna exit point was reddened for a small area around it (you can see it in the close up).

These observations,  together with the increasing presence of pollution intolerant mayflies and stoneflies throughout the river, are very exciting developments indeed!

Gorge float clean up

Natural Area (Gorge) River Bank Float Clean-up

some of the items pulled out of the Gorge by boaters in 2014
some of the items pulled out of the Gorge by boaters in 2014

The boating and kayaking members of the LJRA once again are organizing a float cleanup of the Little Juniata Natural Area from the Spruce Creek Church to Barree on Saturday, May 7th, 9:00 am to noon. Meet at the Spruce Creek United Methodist Church parking lot at 8:45 AM. Groups (church, office, clubs, etc.) are welcome.   We will have johnboats and canoeists for hauling the trash but need kayakers and hikers to access the riverbanks. Car shuttle service provided. All bags, gloves and vests furnished by LJRA. (we go rain/snow or wind)

Download a printable flyer

Contact: John Corr  johncorr51@gmail.com or Bill Anderson  bjuniata@verizon.net