Events
Dave Arrington to Present at December Meeting
Nov 14th
Meeting Notice
Little Elkhart Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Wednesday , December 14 at 7:00 P.M. at the Middlebury Public Library
Map: http://tinyurl.com/2tygvg
Little Elkhart Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Wednesday , December 14 at 7:00 P.M. at the Middlebury Public Library
Map: http://tinyurl.com/2tygvg
At the December 14h chapter meeting Dave Arrington will speak to LECTU members. Dave is the President of LGL Natural Resource Associates and a senior wildlife ecologist. He is in charge of putting together a watershed management plan for the Little Elkhart River drainage system and then implementing best management practices. Please join us to hear an update on the progress of the Little Elkhart watershed.
Dave’s project started in 2005 with water quality testing and a land use inventory. Dave and his crew test the water quality in a variety of ways however it is the automated sampling machine that can give him data every two minutes and is recorded on a computer. The auto sampler is a very effective way to monitor the water quality and the changes it goes through during a high water event.
Dave explained that the major problem with the water quality of the Little Elkhart River is directly attributed to livestock and farming practices. The Little Elkhart River contains levels of phosphorous, nitrates and E-coli that are far above target levels. Manure run off during high water events confirms these findings.
Sediment levels in the Little Elkhart River elevate drastically during high water run off due to live stock having direct access to the river proper and the ditches that feed the river. The livestock will trample the banks causing erosion and sedimentation run off. This sedimentation of the river covers the rocks and gravel inhibiting bug life that are key to trout survival.
Dave has identified the major sources of these problems and is now in the restoration phase of the project. In his presentation Dave showed photographs of a barnyard before and after a restoration. The creek was fenced off 20 feet from the waters edge, preventing cattle direct access. Seasonal grasses were planted in the buffer to build up a natural filter between the pasture and the creek. A crossing was then constructed with fencing and lined with stones. Cattle do not like to stand on the stones and will prevent the livestock from standing directly in the water, as they often do in the heat of the summer. The stone prevents sediments from running into the creek during rains and keeps the banks intact on either side.
Dave has his work cut out for him. In the headwater area alone he has identified over fifteen miles of river and creek that will require fencing improvements like he outlined. Thanks to Dave and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts of LaGrange and Elkhart Counties our home waters will see water quality improvements that will have a lasting effect.
September Meeting
Sep 13th
Meeting Notice
Little Elkhart Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Wednesday , September 14 at 7:00 P.M. at the Middlebury Public Library
Map: http://tinyurl.com/2tygvg
Stream Cleanup
LECTU has scheduled Stream Cleanup work days this summer. Our goal is to move log jams out of the main channel of the river to keep the water moving and cool. This provides better habitat for the trout that we are trying to protect. The more volunteers we get the more we can accomplish. I would like to start to spread out and tackle areas outside the catch and release section in the coming years. We need help in identifying problem areas, securing permission from property owners and volunteers to work on improvement projects. If we continue to work as a team I believe we can accomplish a lot. Please consider volunteering some of your time this summer to help LECTU make a difference for the river and for the trout.
Saturday September 17th
Stream Cleanup – 8:00am Riverbend Park Map
We will be working in the river. Bring your waders, water, gloves, garden rake, bug spray and long sleeves.
Stream Cleanup – 8:00am Riverbend Park Map
We will be working in the river. Bring your waders, water, gloves, garden rake, bug spray and long sleeves.
Catch Report
Don’t forget to report your catch at lectu.org
© 2010 Little Elkhart Chapter Trout Unlimited http://www.lectu.org
17585 Ireland Road
South Bend, IN 46614
2011 River Clean Up Projects
May 25th
LECTU will be holding four workdays this summer. The focus of the clean up is to open up the main river channel and clean out some of the logjams that impede the flow of the river. The logjam clean out accomplishes several objectives.
We need volunteers to assist in these projects. The camaraderie is good and we always have a blast. I would encourage you to come and help out. Bring someone with you especially if they are young and strong. The work may be hard but the rewards can be fulfilling. It is a great way to get to know the river and it’s secret spots. It will make you a better fisherman once you are in tune with the river.
We meet at Riverbend Park in Middlebury at 8:00 am for all work days. You will need to come ready to get in the water. Waders and bug spray is a must. I would recommend a garden rake and some rubberized gloves.
2011 Work Days:
June 11 8:00 am
July 23 8:00 am
August 13 8:00 am
September TBD 8:00 am
Chris Wood Trout Unlimited CEO at Spring Outing
May 5th
Little Elkhart Chapter Trout Unlimited will hold their 6th Annual Spring Outing on Saturday May 7, 2011 at the Riverbend park in Middlebury, IN from 8:30am to 2pm.
The Little Elkhart Chapter of Trout Unlimited is very excited to welcome Chris Wood, CEO and President of Trout Unlimited to the outing. Mr. Wood will speak about the national organization at approximately 10:30am followed by the LECTU President’s address at 11:30. The Days events include a Little Elkhart River Access Tour, Fly Tying, Fly Casting Instruction, Fly and Spin Casting Competition, and Raffles. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about the conservation being done on the Little Elkhart as well as tips and techniques for fishing this span of water. Attendance is free, for members and non members, we are asking for a $5 donation to cover the cost of the cook-out style lunch which will be served at noon. For more information and a map to the event please visit our event page http://lectu.org/outings/.
Indiana on the Fly
Jan 5th
Looking to get out of the house this weekend? Come enhance your flyfishing knowledge and visit LECTU at Indiana on the Fly this Saturday.
LECTU at Indiana On The Fly 2011
Dec 3rd
The first fly fishing show of the 2011 season is fast approaching. Indiana’s premiere show, presented by Patti Beasly and Reel Women and Reel Men of Indianapolis, Indiana, is on January 8 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Ag/Hort Building.
Last year was the first time LECTU attended this show. We were able to spread the news about the great resources that we work so hard to protect. We spent the day showing off pictures of some of our work projects, and the fish that have been thriving in our streams.
Some of the featured presenters include: Joe Humphreys, Tim Holschlag, Kevin Feenstra, and April Vokey. There are casting and tying demonstrations going on throughout the day. Guide shops from many great fishing destinations.
We encourage you to attend this year’s show. Check out all of the new gear, learn about new fly fishing techniques, and don’t forget to stop by the LECTU booth to buy a hat or t-shirt to help further our efforts to protect and enhance Indiana’s only catch and release trout waters.
Dave Arrington to Present a Program
Dec 3rd
Dave Arrington Ph. D. is the president of LGL Natural Resources Associates and a senior wildlife ecologist. LGL Natural Resources has been contracted through La Grange County Soil and Water Conservation District to formulate and implement a Watershed Management Plan for the Little Elkhart River drainage system.
Dave’s study and focus is on water quality. He and his team are now in the implementation stage of “best management practices” in an effort to protect the river from contaminates such as siltation and pollution. Large amounts of grant monies have been utilized to protect the Little Elkhart River and a lot of data has been gathered and processed in this effort.
Point sources of contaminants have been identified and are being addressed. Correction of these issues has lead to cleaner water in the Little Elkhart River and it’s feeder streams. These improvements will equate to better habitat for our trout.
Dave is going to address our chapter at our December 8th Wednesday evening LECTU meeting. Dave will present his latest findings and outline the project’s future as they work their way down stream from the headwaters. Dave’s presentation is always interesting and informative. His work is crucial to our chapter’s mission and goals.
This is a meeting you do not want to miss if you want to know what is going on in the Little Elkhart River and what improvements are being made in the water quality of our home waters. The chapter meets at 7:00pm the second Wednesday of each month at the Middlebury Library.
Meeting Notice
Dec 3rd
Little Elkhart Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Wednesday , December 8 at 7:00 P.M. at the Middlebury Public Library
Map: http://tinyurl.com/2tygvg
