First Trout Festival ties river and town together

On Saturday, June 3, the first White Haven Trout Festival sponsored by Western Pocono Trout Unlimited will be held at the White Haven Area Community Library and adjacent Railyard Park, 121 Towanda Street, Noon to 6 p.m. (rain date Sunday, June 4).

The Lehigh River has long been recognized as a legendary waterway for commerce, industry, native American culture, and natural scenic beauty as it flows through the western Poconos past the riverside community of White Haven, with which it has been associated for over 200 years. The river and its watershed have also been known for many years to trout fishermen as a prime wild trout fishery. From its headwaters at Lehigh Pond near the village of Gouldsboro in the northern Poconos to its gentle meander through historic Stoddartsville, to its impounding of millions of gallons at Francis Walter Dam, to its releases flowing past White Haven, to its roaring flows through Rockport’s Lehigh Gorge and beyond to the towns of Jim Thorpe and Walnutport and finally its terminus at Easton and confluence with the Delaware River wild and stocked trout can be found. Many of its valuable tributaries also hold wild trout and serve as vital spawning grounds that sustain quality trout populations.

The Western Pocono Chapter of Trout Unlimited has been at the forefront for over 50 years in protecting, preserving and enhancing the river and its trout and recognizing its enormous historic, cultural, recreational, economic and environmental value. To that end Western Pocono Trout Unlimited is proud to sponsor the first White Haven Trout Festival to be held at the historic White Haven Area Community Library and Railyard Park. It is fitting that the library, a converted railroad engine house, with its original stone wall structure intact and making for a unique historic site itself, should be the festival’s location.

Given the town’s rich history the library is the perfect venue to hold the event that honors the river and the trout that inhabit it. The festival hopes to increase awareness of the importance of the river and its trout and their contributions as a vital part and living symbol of the area’s and town’s economy, history, culture and healthy environment. The festival will hopefully serve as a celebration of White Haven’s deep connections to the river, its trout and its importance as the Western Gateway to the Poconos.

The town’s strategic location on the mid-section of the river makes it a prime destination for trout fishermen from around the Pocono area and indeed the midAtlantic region of the country. Many fishermen and women have strong ties here to the past and WPTU hopes the festival can serve as a homecoming for many who have left the area but harbor great memories of special outings on the river fishing with family and friends. The festival offers a special opportunity for families and children to learn about trout fishing and river ecology creating a safe, environmentally and emotionally positive activity that engages them, and will indeed last them a life time and hopefully, be passed on to future generations.

Day long activities will include displays by over two dozen river connected conservation groups and businesses, trout fishing experts, land conservancies, other TU chapters, river trout guides, rod builders, fly tyers, experts on the biology of the river and the life cycles of trout and aquatic insects that sustain them, along with speakers on a wide range of topics on environmental factors affecting the river and trout.

A variety of accomplished artists and craftsmen will be selling their beautiful work that reflects the sport, ecology and art of trout fishing on the river. The Pa. Fish and Boat Commission, the Pa. Game Commission (PAGC speaker to explain wetlands and their importance to the trout and river) and DCNR State Parks representing nearby Hickory Run, Nescopeck, and Lehigh Gorge State Parks will be present.

Outdoor related children’s activities and rod raffles for kids and others will be held. Fly tying demos and fly casting and spin casting demos will be held throughout the day for folks of all ages.

The rich history of fly fishing for trout will be presented explaining its mystery without sacrificing its mystique. Learn what Royal Coachmen, Green Drake and Rat Faced McDougal flies are and how they catch trout. Appreciate the artistry, craftsmanship and literature of the grand sport of fly fishing for trout with its beautiful artificial flies, lyrical names and unique rods that go back centuries.

Spin fishermen and fly fishermen can also learn from many experts at WPTU some “secret” fishing holes along the fertile river. Become aware of the interplay trout fishing provides between science and art. Most importantly folks will learn how the river works and what it takes to maintain a healthy river and trout fishery with adequate dam releases and elimination of pollution sources.

The White Haven Area Community Library will be sponsoring a special Fish Fry Dinner (haddock) with advance tickets available by contacting the library at 570-443-8776 . Other menu items that can be purchased on site and enjoyed at the festival or for take-out are pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, hot dogs and ice cream. All food proceeds go to the children’s library. Light music will be provided throughout the day.

Please join us on this special day that highlights and connects the welcoming hospitality of the residents of White Haven, the historic White Haven Area Community Library/ Railyard Park and the incredible natural resource that is the ancient, legendary Lehigh River that has been flowing for thousands of years, and of course help celebrate...the trout.

For more info call the White Haven Library at 570-443-8776, Mike at 570-454-4862, or Janet at 570- 5101189 Admission is free.