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| Conservation
Issues |
Washington Pennsylvania club exemplifies B.A.S.S. Conservation
ethic
[November 14, 2002] - By Jim Matuga
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| Submitted photo. |
The Washington, Pa. Bassmasters "Conservation and Youth Days" held at Cross Creek Lake in Avella, Pa.
on Saturday, September 28, 2002 was a success on many fronts.
This was the 5th year of a 5-year project working with the Pennsylvania Fish Commission. At approximately 350 acres,
Cross Creek Lake is about 15 miles west of Washington, Pa. and about the same distance - if not closer - to the
West Virginia border near Wellsburg, WV.
Since becoming part of the West Virginia BASS Federation last year, this B.A.S.S. club has shown leadership by
the example they set. And this worthy project can now be added to the many terrific projects the West Virginia
Federation is involved in.
This project was started 5 years ago with the County Parks and Recreation Committee and the Pa. Fish Commission
(PFC) after it was determined that additional habitat was greatly needed at Cross Creek Lake. This lake was formed
in 1982 as a Conservation Lake. A conservation lake in Pa. has limited harvesting and size limits (4 - 15"
fish per person rather than 6 - 12" fish per person) This year ended the project with 20 bass habitat cribs
being built and placed in the lake by the Washington, Pa. Bassmasters and the PFC. During the 5 years they built
and placed about 100 of these structures in Cross Creek. They also built 5 turtle platforms for the red-bellied
turtles so they could also thrive in this lake.
"We worked each year with Dave Houser the Chief Biologist with the PFC. He is very pleased to get the turnout
we do to construct these structures. Although this ended the initial project he is going to work out additional
plans for this lake to continue to improve it, which we will gladly be a part of," said Henry Likar, President
of the Washington, Pa. Bassmasters.
"After the construction and placement of these habitats we held a short educational presentation of fishing
to two groups of scouts. Overall we had 20 - 25 scouts fishing around the lake. Many of the scouts didn't have
equipment but we were able to provide them with some. This was the first time fishing for some of the scouts and
even the parents. I have to say proudly that it ended very successfully; every scout caught some type of fish.
No one went home disappointed and no one got a hook in them," said Likar.
The Washington, Pa. Bassmasters have now run the full range of fishing outings. Earlier they took the seniors from
a nursing home fishing at Cross Creek, - now to the very young members of these 2 scout troops.
"There are bass clubs that exist for fishing and then there are B.A.S.S. Clubs that get what it is all about.
This is a fine group of individuals who really exemplify the meaning of B.A.S.S. and what we stand for. They work
with the young and old and do conservation projects and the members I have met are darn good fishermen. It is a
pleasure to have them as a part of our Federation," said Jim Summers, West Virginia Bass Federation Conservation
Director.
"I want to compliment the West Virginia Federation for all the hard work you do. We came on board part way
through last year and had a lot of our schedules already established for the year and couldn't participate as much
as we would have liked, but in 2003 our schedules will be built around what the West Virginia Federation is doing.
Each member of the West Virginia Federation should be proud of all their accomplishments and should also appreciate
the fine organization you have. We are thankful to be part of this great federation," said Likar.
Indeed, the West Virginia Bass Federation appreciates the fine organization the Washington Pa. Bassmasters have
too - and the WVBF is thankful to have a group of dedicated individuals working toward the same goals in our state
federation. This is truly "leadership by example."
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| Submitted photo. |
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| Submitted photo. |
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