Meeting Attendees
Tom Vanderputten Ted Larrison Jim Mauck Mike Beachy
Meeting Minutes
- The meeting minutes for May 8, 2024 were approved.
Fishing Reports
- The Little Elkhart received a stocking of 4,100 brown trout from the state. The trout were 13” to 17” and very healthy solid browns.
- Stocking sites: Bonneyville, CR 35, CR 10, Riverbend Park, CR 43, CR 1150 and CR 100S.
- Water is clear and full. There are still many rainbows in the river with the browns mixing well.
- WATER TEMPERATURE WARNING: Night temperatures are 70 degrees, when fishing if you are planning to catch/release do not fish above 64 degrees (at this temp the trout will be too stressed)
Treasurer’s Report
- The combined balances in Everwise and Interra at the end of May 2024 was $ 26,016.49
Rowan Bannwart
- Rowan is a North Liberty 14 year old participating in the Kalamazoo Valley TU youth camp.
- LECTU is sponsoring Rowan at the camp with a $ 350 donation for waders.
Cobus Creek County Park (reprinted from May Meeting)
- Mike Beachy and John Law (from the original permit/stream restoration) will survey the Creek and report with a recommendation for future work.
Middlebury Old Mill Park
- Mike spoke with Tom Enright about doing some habitat work at the Mill Park.
- The city has a large pile of logs ready to go.
- Mike has completed preliminary measurements for the stream restoration.
- The next step will be submitting an application to the state for approval.
Summer Work Days
- The first work day of June 22nd and LECTU cutting a trail through Hoover Woods is postponed due to a conflict with the Middlebury youth fishing contest.
- The other work days are July 13, August 3, and August 17th
- The workdays will involve maintenance work at The Meadow.
- Back Country Outfitters and Angler’s with assist LECTU on August 3rd
Reel Recovery Update
- Due to a request from the Reel Recovery Executive Director there will be a Special Retreat held in Middlebury (The Essenhaus) on September 23- 25 (Monday to Wednesday).
- The National Reel Recovery will provide the funding. LECTU will provide the needed Fishing Buddies. Mike reported the following SJRVFF volunteers as fishing buddies; Todd Ezell, Jeff Stanifer, Tim Scott, and Brandon Rasler.
- Ted and Tom reported that the Retreat currently has 5 participants registered for the Retreat.
Duneland Fly Fishers
- Mike presented a Fly Fishing the Little Elkhart to the Duneland Fly Fishers Club on May 21st at Valparaiso University.
- The meeting was well attended with real interest and great questions.
Middlebury Riverfest
- The Riverfest is scheduled for Saturday August 24th.
- The event this year will be in the afternoon/evening (3:00pm to 7:00pm)
- LECTU will be present as an Educational Exhibitor, and Tom V will be the contact person.
Middlebury Youth Fishing Day
- The youth fishing contest will be held on Saturday June 22nd from 9:00am to 11:00am.
- Tom Enright has requested LECTU run the event since he and his staff are committed elsewhere.
- LECTU has agreed and will provide the volunteers (Mike, Tom, Mark, and Jim Mauck).
Fly Fishing 101
- LECTU conducted a Fly Fishing 101 instruction at Bonneyville County Park on June 1st at the request of The Elkhart County Parks.
- The program had 8 participants and was well received.
Enviro-Tiles
- Dominic Chaloner (The 2024 Outing Speaker) biologist at The University of Notre Dame worked with Chris Miller to place tiles in The Little Elkhart.
- LECTU is grateful to Dominic to include The Little Elkhart in his program, and very willing to assist.
Library Key Pickup
Wayne, Keith, and Mike have been listed by the Library being able to secure a building key for our monthly LECTU meetings. One of them will pick up the key prior to Wednesday of the meeting.
LECTU Meeting Place and Date
- Middlebury Library in downtown Middlebury IN.
Next Meeting – Wednesday – July 10, 2024
Tom Vanderputten – LECTU Secretary