T r o u t L i ne s

The Little Elkhart Chapter of Trout Unlimited

President’s Message Inside This Issue:

The opening day of Indiana’s trout the opening night camp out. He was Volume 2, Issue 2
season will soon be upon us. This by being treated for cancer in Chicago April 2008
far is one of the most meaningful and my dad was there with him. Dad
events in my life. As a youngster this was expected at the camp sometime
rated in my top three favorite days of that night, when he got back in town, Presidents Message............... 1
the year, along with a birthday and but didn’t make it by midnight. I was
Christmas. camped out with Harold Hartzler, one Spring Outing ......................... 2
of my dads fishing buddies. Harold
My father, brother, grandfather and I didn’t want me to fish until dad March Fishing Report ............ 3
would camp along the banks of Rowe arrived but I wasn’t going to wait. I
Eden Ditch and await the stroke of may have only been seven years old Report Your Success In the
midnight with great anticipation. but my dad had taught me how to rig Catch and Release Section ... 3
Around the campfire stories of my own rod and I didn’t need him to
opening days passed would be told baby sit. All the good spots were Fly of the Month From
and retold. The lore of a big brown taken so I had to fish off the cement Justin Phillips ......................... 3
trout lost at the net, the night my wall of the three-foot high dam. I
uncle Jack fell in the creek and jokes dangled my night crawler beside a Adopt-A-Trout......................... 4
that made your sides ache with cement ledge right next to the
laughter where all part of the evening spillway and the current would pull Adopt a Trout
festivities. Hot dogs roasted on a cut the bait under the ledge. Fundraiser............................... 5
willow branch never tasted so good. I
remember my grandpa taking a nip “You’re not going to catch anything in Meeting
on a bottle when he thought no one there but suckers, it’s too shallow” Minutes.................................... 6
was looking to “keep off the night’s Harold said. The words no sooner
chill” he would say. came out of his mouth than I felt a
solid tap signaling a bite. I jerked and would get razzed for catching the first
At midnight we would all grab our the fight was on. The trout darted out trout then going straight to bed.
rods and start fishing a pool below an into the swift current then around the My father didn’t arrive until sun-up.
old dam that has long since been pool. The sound of my drag told the Even though my grandpa was in bad
removed. In those days we used the other fisherman to reel in. I was shape and my dad had a lot on his
standard night crawler, hook and suddenly the center of attention when mind he managed a smile when he
sinker rig drifted along the bottom. moment’s prior everyone around the saw my midnight catch. “Too bad
Some guys would use canned corn pool viewed me as the orphan kid Gramp wasn’t here to see this” my
but my dad always said it wasn’t that was going to screw up their dad said and I could tell he was a
natural so it was forbidden in our fishing. The brown jumped. In the little shaken up.
family. The Coleman lanterns dim lantern light the trout looked
illuminated the stream and attracted huge. I remember Harold’s squeaky
voice trying to coach me on the finer My grandfather never made another
small clouds of bugs that would burn opening day outing. He passed away
to the glass globe. We all wanted to points of landing a fish but I wasn’t
listening. Someone eventually netted later that year but not before I was
be the one to land the first trout and I able to tell him my embellished tale
cannot remember a year that the the fish and I put it on my stringer
and tied it off to a root. about my midnight brown brute and
honor didn’t go to my grandpa. It was how I was the one to take the first
a big joke that my grandpa would trout of the season.
always get the first trout! I think now I had finally done it. For the first time
it was because he was “keeping off I was the guy to catch the first trout of
the night chill”. the season and a nice brown to boot. May you all have a great season!
I proceeded to go to bed. It was way
One of the best memories I have was past my bedtime; I was tired and had Michael L. Beachy
the year my grandfather didn’t make nothing more to prove. In later years I President Little Elkhart Chapter

Volume 2, Issue 2 - April, 2008 Page1

 Little Elkhart Chapter’s Spring Outing 2008
May 10th will mark the third annual techniques for the Little Elkhart out in
spring outing for the Little Elkhart small groups and giving
Chapter of Trout Unlimited. The demonstrations. Bring your fishing
outing will be held a Riverbend Park gear because there will be plenty of
in Middlebury, Indiana on the banks time to try out your skills.
of the Little Elkhart River and within
walking distance from the “Catch and We are going to have a lunch and fly
Release” section of the river. casting instructions around noon and
possibly a fly casting contest for
This year we plan to hold special those wishing to show off in front of a
events for first time visitors to the crowd. The festivities will end with
Little Elkhart River. We realize that the Adopt-A-Trout raffle drawing.
many of our members live a ways for
this little gem of a trout stream. We Our chapter has decided to sponsor
would like to introduce it to you, in this spring outing as opposed to the Schedule of events:
two ways. We will be giving stream normal banquet type fund-raiser seen 9:00 am River Access Tours and
tours to show you access points and by most T.U. organizations. We feel Fishing Technique Demonstrations
giving a short explanation on what to that as outdoorsmen most of us are
expect at each access point. We will “banqueted out” through other
also be giving fishing demonstrations 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Lunch, Fly
organizations and this outing is a Casting Instruction and Contest
on how to catch trout on the Little good way to get our members
Elkhart. together and learn what the Little
Elkhart Chapter is all about. Feel free 2:00 pm Adopt-A-Trout raffle drawing
The Little Elkhart River is a small to bring a guest along, even if they
stream with a lot of woody habitat. are not a member of T.U. We will 2:00pm-? Fish the river if you wish
Fly fishermen expecting to see a blue have membership applications
ribbon type trout stream will be available and we would be happy to Directions:
disappointed however there are still invite them to join at the outing.
ways to take trout in this stream with From St. Road 20 go north on St.
fly gear. You just need to know how Road 13 to stoplight (only one) in
We encourage you to attend this downtown Middlebury. Turn right
to do it and we plan on doing a little outing to learn about the Little Elkhart
coaching. We will be taking (east) at stoplight on C.R. 16. One
River and the T.U. chapter. block , Riverbend Park is on the right
fishermen wanting to learn fishing
(south).

From St. Road 120 or Toll Road take

St Road 13 south to stoplight (only
one) in downtown Middlebury. Turn
left (east) at stoplight on C.R.16. One
block, Riverbend Park is on the right
(south).

What to bring:
Fly fishing or ultra-light spinning gear.
(no live bait in Catch and Release)

Indiana fishing license with trout

stamp, and $5.00 lunch donation.

Recommend fly gear:

7-71/2 foot 3 or 4 weight fly rod
Waders, net, assortment of nymphs
and streamers.

Volume 2, Issue 2 - April, 2008 Page2

 March Report Fishing Fly of the Month
Fishing Report Success on Catch Justin Time
Late winter fishing is not for the faint- and Release Section: I originally designed this streamer as
of-heart. The intense cold can limit We need detailed reports from you a smelt pattern for Atlantic salmon
your time on the water. But area on your success or failure this year but have been experimenting with
streams and lakes can on the catch-and-release section of smaller sizes for trout. So far the
provide memorable hook-ups at a the Little Elkhart River. This results have greatly exceeded my
time when less adventurous anglers information is essential for our expectations. The fly has produced a
remain housebound, as you can see reports to the Indiana Department of lot of tight lines over the past year. In
by the rainbows taken recently by Natural Resources. The data allows addition to Atlantic salmon, it has
Mike Beachy, top, and Justin Phillips, the IDNR to assess the continued taken brown trout (including an 18-
bottom. viability of the program. The Little pound brown on Torch Lake in
Elkhart River is only one of three Michigan), rainbow trout, largemouth
streams with designated stretches bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and
of catch-and-release fishing. even a catfish. I will soon be putting
the Justin Time to work on our spring
run of steelhead. It is fairly easy to tie
We need the following information and looks alive in the water.
from you for each outing this season:

1. Date of outing.
2. Number of hours fished.
3. Number of rainbows caught
and released
4. Number of brown trout
caught and released.
5. Number of brown trout with a
clipped right pectoral fin. HOOK: Daiichi 1870 Swimming
The action is never fast or furious but Larvae Hook, size 4-6 for salmon and
success sometimes happens making 6. Fishing satisfaction: (poor,
okay, completely satisfied). steelhead, size 8-10 for smaller
you hopeful for warmer days of species. I use these hooks because
spring. For diehard trout fly fishermen they swim with the hook point down
it is “the only game in town” in late Please send your response by e-mail even with the lead eyes tied on top.
February and early March. to Jim Phillips at [email protected]
EYES: Small lead bar-bell eyes tied
on top of the hook a bit behind the
eye

THREAD: 6/0 clear mono

BODY: White cross cut rabbit strips

wrapped from just above the hook
point to behind the eyes.

WING: A small layer of white

bucktail extending just past the
rabbit. Add small amount of
Flashabou on top of the bucktail.
Add another layer of white bucktail.
Top off with peacock herls tied from
just behind the hook eye. These
should extend just past the bucktail.

HEAD: Wrap mono thread into a

head shape, whip finish and cement
the entire head area.

-- Justin H. Phillips

Volume 2, Issue 2 - April, 2008 Page3

 Adopt-A-Trout
Raffle
As you should all know by now the Little Elkhart Chapter of Trout Unlimited is now in the midst of a fund raiser to finance
our brown trout stocking of the catch and release section of the Little Elkhart River.

It has become evident that in order for us to establish a quality year round trout fishery on the Little Elkhart River we
require a greater population of brown trout. The state-stocked rainbow trout do provide an outstanding fishery for the first
several months after the April stocking. Our studies have shown that the warmer water temperatures in July and August
cause a rapid reduction in the number of rainbows brought to net during the summer heat. No one seems to know exactly
what happens to the rainbows but theories are they perish in the warmer water or migrate down stream searching for
cooler habitat.

Brown trout, in contrast, are able to withstand the warmer waters of July and August and attribute to the bulk of trout
brought to net by fishermen after the summer heat. The Little Elkhart Chapter has plans to stock 500, eight to ten inch
brown trout each year for the next three years. This is an effort to “jump start” the brown trout population in the catch and
release protected area of the Little Elkhart River.

This stocking comes with a price tag of nearly $1,400.00. That includes fish, transportation and fin clip tagging. The fin tag
is required by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and will provide data on migration patterns and growth rate of
these brown trout.

We need your help in raising these required funds. Please purchase one or several raffle tickets in our Adopt-A-Trout fund
raising campaign. The prizes are only a secondary reason to purchase a raffle ticket. Your primary goal should be to help
sponsor this important effort by your chapter. As an added bonus each raffle ticket purchaser will receive a copy of
“Fishing Guide to the Little Elkhart River”. This guide contains information essential to any person wishing to trout fish the
Little Elkhart River and was written by local trout fishermen in this chapter.

http://www.pmlodge.com

Volume 2, Issue 2 - April, 2008 Page4

 Adopt–A–Trout Fundraiser
Sponsored by the Little Elkhart Chapter of Trout Unlimited

LECTU received approval from the IDNR to stock 500 eight-to-ten inch browns each year in the Little Elkhart catch-and-
release section for the next three years. This program study is designed to “jumpstart” the number of quality size trout in
the Little Elkhart River. In each of the three years, the 500 tout will be fin clipped so that each year is represented. The
left pectoral fin in 2008, right pectoral in 2009 and the left ventral in 2010. This will give IDNR fisheries biologist critical
information regarding survival rates and migration during shocking studies. Creel survey by anglers will be very helpful.

In order to fund this program, LECTU is asking each member to “Adopt” at least one trout for stocking. The Cost is
$10.00 for each Trout.

As an added incentive to this exciting opportunity, LECTU will be offering the following:

1. Each contributor will receive a copy of our “Fishing Guide to The Little Elkhart River”. This guide gives
detailed descriptions to all of the fishable sections as well as access points.
2. Each Contribution will be entered into a raffle drawing for the following prizes:
st
a. 1 Prize = 8’ 6” 3 wt. Orvis Frequent Flyer Rod with an Orvis Battenkill Mid Arbor II reel
nd
b. 2 Prize = Cabela’s 4’ 6” Trout Series Spin Rod with Cabela’s Prestige PT1500 Spinning Rod.

Instructions: Please complete the form below for each Trout you would like to “Adopt”. Photocopies are o.k. If you do not
provide an e-mail address, please enclose an S.A.S.E. so that we may send you the fishing guide. Mail the form and
SASE along with $10.00 for each trout to:

Adopt A Trout
13777 C.R. 8
Middlebury, IN 46540

The Drawing for the Rods will be held at the spring outing May 10 at 2:00 pm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adopt A Trout Fundraiser
Name
Phone
E-Mail
$10 for EACH trout you would like to adopt

Adopt A Trout Fundraiser

Name
Phone
E-Mail
$10 for EACH trout you would like to adopt

Adopt A Trout Fundraiser

Name
Phone
E-Mail
$10 for EACH trout you would like to adopt

Volume 2, Issue 2 - April, 2008 Page5

 March Minutes
The following subjects were Volunteers will be needed to help
The cost of this stocking will be
discussed at the March 12, 2008 with this effort.
around $1,350. An anonymous
meeting of the Little Elkhart Chapter
corporate sponsor has generously
of Trout Unlimited: -- ROWE-EDEN DITCH. Chapter
president Mike Beachy has agreed to match our fund-raising
-- SPRING OUTING. The club will volunteered our chapter to increase raffle effort dollar for dollar, up to a
hold its spring outing May 10 at maximum of $650. First prize in the
the flow of Rowe-Eden Ditch by
Riverbend Park in Middlebury. Lunch raffle is a nifty 7-piece Orvis travel fly
snagging, dragging and anchoring
($5) will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 rod and reel. The drawing will be held
downed timber to the bank – a
p.m. A new feature has been added during our Spring Outing on May 10.
stream-improvement project that will
that should be especially attractive to take place this summer. Some local If you haven’t purchased a raffle
beginning trout fishermen or out-of- ticket(s), now is the time to do so.
residents had complained the timber
towners unfamiliar with the area.
slowed the current and caused
Beginning at 9 a.m., local members -- COMMUNICATION. Continued
basements to flood. The state progress is being made on our efforts
will offer guided tours of the Little
blocked efforts to have all timber to e-mail meeting notices, chapter
Elkhart River to individuals who want removed from the ditch, which then
to familiarize themselves with the newsletters and establish an easily
would be dredged, resulting in
stream. This is designed for those accessible website. As all of us
considerable loss of trout habitat. Our
who want to accelerate the learning know, computers have failed to live
effort should help both the
process. In addition, fly casting and up to their promise of simplifying our
landowners by accelerating the lives. Glitches are commonplace –
fishing lessons will be offered.
current and the trout by maintaining and frustrating. It now appears we
critical habitat.
-- BROWN TROUT STOCKING. have triumphed over numerous
Saturday, April 12, is the date for glitches, routed them from our
-- RAFFLE. Approximately $400 has
planting 500 brown trout (8-10 inches been raised through the sale of raffle electronic landscape, and can see
in length) in the catch-and-release tickets to pay for the brown trout to “the light at the end of the tunnel.”
section of the Little Elkhart River.
be stocked in the catch-and-release
-- James H. Phillips
section of the Little Elkhart River.

Little Elkhart Chapter Officers Directory

President ............................ Michael Beachy.......... [email protected] ................................574-534-1123
V. President........................ Leonard Gustin........... [email protected] ..................260-463-5020
Secretary............................ Lee Troyer.................. [email protected] .........................574-875-5432
Treasurer............................ Chris Miller ................. [email protected] .......................574-825-4467
Newsletter Editor ................ Brandon Rasler .......... [email protected] ..............................574-522-5066

The Little Elkhart Chapter of Trout Unlimited

13777 C.R. 8 Middlebury, IN 46540
Editor Email: [email protected]

Meeting Notice
Second Wednesday of every Month at the Middlebury Public Library
Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 9 7:00 P.M.

Archives online at: http://groups.google.com/group/little-elkhart-tu

Volume 2, Issue 2 - April, 2008 Page6