Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Conserving, protecting, and restoring Spring Creek’s coldwater fishery and watershed
SCCTU accomplishes our mission through advocacy, conservation projects, and community outreach programs.
This event is free for all. Families and children are welcome!
2025 Speaker Series
We are excited to launch our 2025 speaker series with a big splash! Join us on Wednesday, January 22nd at 6pm at the State College YMCA in the Community Room for a two-part event:
1. The first half of the evening will feature elections of the Board of Directors of the Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited, followed by an update on Chapter activities, accomplishments, and plans for the future from the President.
2. In the night's second half, board member and USFWS biologist Richard Novak will present "Endangered Species in PA and The Spring Creek Watershed." Pennsylvania is home to a unique diversity of plants and animals, some of which are under threat. Richard Novak, an endangered species biologist, will present on the threatened and endangered species in Pennsylvania and close to home in the Spring Creek watershed. This talk aims to celebrate these animals' ecological and cultural values and share interesting information about their biology. From freshwater mussels, to turtles, to bats, Richard will discuss what individuals can do to participate in the conservation of our rare species. Joining us will be a LIVE TURTLE for attendees to meet!
Chopped Fly Tying Contest
THIS IS A FREE EVENT. To compete, please RSVP to Richard Novak at rnovak2016@gmail.com. ALL PARTICIPANTS, PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN VISE AND TOOLS. A limited number of tying kits are available from the chapter.
Fly Tying Contest
February 6th, 6:30 pm open, tying starts at 7:00 pm at the
Happy Valley Brewing Company
137 Elmwood St. State College, PA 16801
Join the Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited as we host the third installment of the famed "Chopped: Fly Tying” contest. Test your fly-tying skills and creativity in three rounds of competition. In each round, participants will be given a mystery bag of materials and tasked with tying a fly using only the items given to them. A panel of celebrity judges will select prize winners for each round. Even if you don’t tie, this is a great event to hang out and socialize with other chapter members!
Fly Fishing Film Tour 2025
We are proudly hosting the highly anticipated 19th Annual Fly Fishing Film Tour at the State Theatre in State College, PA on Thursday, April 10th!
The 2025 Fly Fishing Film Tour features an exciting lineup of films that capture the spirit of adventure and perseverance in the world of fly fishing. More information regarding the event, the film lineup, and tickets to come in 2025 🍿🥤
2024 Spring Creek Redd Count Results
The results are in! This year we counted 2,087 redds in Spring Creek, a new record! The previous year's count, 2023, was 1725 redds, and the previous record was set in 2004 with 2077 redds counted.
Thank you to the 40+ volunteers, the @pafishandboat, and @usfws for participating in our annual Redd Count! It was a chilly day, but you showed up and helped us count:
44 sections on Spring Creek
8 sections on Slab Cabin Run
Check out our Citizen Science page for more details on the redd counts.
Save the Date: The SCCTU 2025 Annual Fundraiser & Banquet will be held on March 22nd
Mark March 22nd, 2025 on your calendar to participate in our our biggest fundraising event of the year! Our Fundraiser & Banquet will take place at @mtviewcountryclub.
📣We are looking for donations for our live and silent auctions! If you would like to donate an item, please contact Ford at FordStryker@gmail.com
Friendly Competition at the CHOPPED Fly Tying Contest at the Happy Valley Brewing Company
Thanks for participating in our friendly CHOPPED Fly Tying Competition on October 10th at the Happy Valley Brewing Company. 10 contestants competed in this 2nd CHOPPED installment and everyone was hooked on winning! Contestants were challenged to tie a nymph, dry fly, and streamer using only the materials given to them in a mystery bag. In each category, winners were chosen for "most likely to catch a fish" and "most creative use of materials" by our celebrity judges. Thanks to all the participants and everyone who came to show their support and joined us for dinner and drinks!
SCCTU Celebrates a Triple Triumph with 3 Prestigious PATU Awards!
Ken Sink Award for Outstanding Service to PATUs Conservation Mission:
This esteemed award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to PATU’s mission. It recognizes someone with a long-standing commitment to coldwater conservation, protection, and restoration, as well as exemplary volunteerism and leadership.
Recipient: Bob Vierck
Diversity Award:
This prestigious award honors a chapter that exemplifies diversity among its members. It is vital for chapters to actively engage youth, women, and men, ensuring a vibrant and inclusive environment. Such diversity not only strengthens the chapter’s sustainability but also allows seasoned members to share their knowledge with newcomers.
Recipient: Spring Creek Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Outstanding Coldwater Conservationist - Professional:
This esteemed award recognizes an individual from a governmental agency, private enterprise, or non-profit organization who has made exceptional contributions to advancing TU's mission of conserving, protecting, restoring, and sustaining Pennsylvania’s coldwater fisheries and watersheds.
Recipient: Adam Smith
Slab Cabin Run at Millbrook Marsh Habitat Improvement and Streambank Stabilization Project
Work continues at our stream and habitat restoration project on Slab Cabin Run at Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. Project benefits include improved fish habitat, pollution reduction, stream access synergies for a future boardwalk replacement project, and improved Wildlife and FEN protection. The project has been progressing nicely, and we'll share more updates in the coming weeks.
The team has installed a toe wood-sod mat, sometimes called a brush mattress, to repair and protect part of the stream bank from erosion. The toe wood-sod mat is designed to look natural and is comprised of logs, branches, and other woody local vegetation. It also provides in stream cover for fish. Over time, the wood will deteriorate leaving a vegetated, stabilized bank.
Construction started on 07-26-2024. Initial construction was the access road and temporary bridge crossing starting at College Township and extending down to the confluence of Slab Cabin and Thompson Run.