Penn's Woods West Trout Unlimited

Spring Steelhead and Suckers! Or Delayed Harvest Trout - Women and Diversity Event
2025-03-29
Women and Diversity Event
Fishing license,.Erie Permit and trout stamp required. Waders, Boots, Staff required. Come prepared for cold weather. Location will depend on weather and water conditions
Difficultly Level: Difficult
Registration: Registration is via an Eventbrite link provided by email approximately 2 weeks prior to the date for all day trips. Weekend events are usually opened for registration at least a month prior. The email contains details regarding the final location as well as any contingencies or back-up options. Registration is free but all attendees must register. Final confirmation of a location is sent to all registered participants Thursday evening prior to the event. This allows us to make any final adjustments due to weather or water conditions. We will also schedule a Thursday evening webinar to introduce ourselves before the easy and beginner events. This allows us to meet newcomers “virtually” before the event.
Difficulty Level: The difficulty levels listed below are based on the location and nature of the activity required including equipment needed, cold weather, wading difficulty, the need to walk into a stream and so forth.

Beginner: These events require no equipment and are designed to help people completely new to flyfishing learn the basics. You should expect to get wet during these events even though you do not need waders or boots.
Easy: These events are held in a location where wading is either minimal or easy. Waders and boots may be needed for these events when fishing for trout.
Moderate: These events require some equipment and wading or walking will be required. Some experience is recommended.
Difficult/Advanced: These events are either very technical or require the willingness to hike or wade in difficult conditions. They will require appropriate gear and preparation. Examples include wading in very cold, slippery conditions during Steelheading or delicate, accurate casting on small, remote streams .Experience with the conditions described is required as well as all equipment.

Bar Flies Monthly Meeting
2025-04-28 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-05-26 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-06-23 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-07-28 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-08-25 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-09-22 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-27 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-24 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) and 8 more dates | Howard’s Tavern, 98 Center Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15229, United States
The group meets the fourth Monday of each month (unless specified) at 7:00 pm at Howard’s Tavern, 98 Center Ave, West View, PA 15229. Some folks show up around 6 pm to get some extra time behind the vise. All are welcome and be assured it is a relaxed, low-key environment to learn and exchange fishing and tying stories. Let’s get those boxes ready for the season!
You can park in the lot, and Howard’s has a handicap ramp and entrance into the dining room on the side of the building. Drinks and a menu are available.
Website: www.howardstavern.com
For beginner tiers, or anyone else:
We’ll be doing a various demo ties, so come learn a few tricks and tips! We’ll have materials ready to go. Bring your equipment, and if you don’t have any – no problem. We’ll have some spare tools you can try out.

For the advanced tiers:
Open tying – bring whatever you want to tie up and your equipment.

NOTE: Good idea to bring your lamp or some sort of lighting and an extension cord.

See ya there!

Little Pine Start Park
2025-05-01 - 2025-05-05
Penn West Fishing Trip: May 1-5, 2025 at Little Pine State Park
Join us for a memorable fishing adventure at Little Pine State Park from May 1-5, 2025! This trip is open to both members and non-members.
For any questions or more information, please reach out to our event coordinator, Joe Hlista, at 724-869-5811.
Please note that attendees are responsible for making their own campground reservations. To reserve your spot, call 1-888-727-2757.
We look forward to seeing you there for a great time on the water!

Unveil the mystery of Fly Rod building and create a custom made rod
2025-05-26 20:00 - 22:00, 2025-06-23 20:00 - 22:00 | Howard’s Tavern, 98 Center Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15229, United States
John Mlakar is well known to the chapter as not only someone with passion for making fly rods, but also with the technical skills and patience for us “novice” rod builders to learn. I have wanted to build a 5 wt. to replace my original and first “Adult” fly rod for some time. If you have a desire to learn the art of building a carbon fiber fly rod, you have an opportunity for direct help in building your first fly rod.
Please reach out to Bryan Mathie at bryanmathie@gmail.com or 708-921-8373 to reserve your place – There is limited space based on equipment but no additional cost other than the rod kit you must purchase. On May 26th and June 23rd from 8-10pm we will be meeting at Howard’s Tavern, where we do Bar Flies to build your first Fly Rod. The address is 98 Center Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15229
You can build any weight rod you would like. We have discussed with Ron at Hook & Hackle to offer a discount it you let them know you are taking the Penn Wood’s West Rod Building class. Please purchase the rod building kit you wish by calling Ron at 1-800-552-8342 or going to Home – The Hook & Hackle Company and ask for your discount as part of PWWTU rod building class. Choose the guides, the grip type, weight and length as you wish. Please bring the rod kit to the first session on May 26th.

Kettle Creek Start Park
2025-06-05 - 2025-06-10
Kettle Creek State Park Adventure: June 6-10, 2025
Join us for a fun and relaxing getaway at Kettle Creek State Park from Thursday, June 6th to Tuesday, June 10th! This outing is open to both TU members and non-members.
Our host for this trip will be Andy Andrews, who can be reached at 971-409-6149 for any questions or more details.
Reservations: Attendees must reserve their own campsite by calling 1-888-727-2757.
What to Bring: Please bring your own transportation, camping gear, and meals. However, on Saturday night, TU will provide a delicious steak BBQ dinner for all attendees. After dinner, gather around the group campfire to share stories and discuss the day’s adventures—bring your camp chair and join in the fun!
Special Activity: During the trip, Andy will be conducting a stream health assessment, capturing aquatic bugs and taking dissolved oxygen and temperature readings from the creek to monitor the river’s well-being.
We hope to see you there for a memorable trip full of good food, great conversation, and a deeper connection to nature!

Fall Fishing for Wild Trout (RESCHEDULED)
2025-10-25
Women and Diversity Event
Yellow Creek, Bedford County or similar
Waders, Staff, Boots required for this event. License and Trout Stamp required. Location will be dependent upon water conditions.
Difficultly Level: Moderate
Registration: Registration is via an Eventbrite link provided by email approximately 2 weeks prior to the date for all day trips. Weekend events are usually opened for registration at least a month prior. The email contains details regarding the final location as well as any contingencies or back-up options. Registration is free but all attendees must register. Final confirmation of a location is sent to all registered participants Thursday evening prior to the event. This allows us to make any final adjustments due to weather or water conditions. We will also schedule a Thursday evening webinar to introduce ourselves before the easy and beginner events. This allows us to meet newcomers “virtually” before the event.
Difficulty Level: The difficulty levels listed below are based on the location and nature of the activity required including equipment needed, cold weather, wading difficulty, the need to walk into a stream and so forth.

Beginner: These events require no equipment and are designed to help people completely new to flyfishing learn the basics. You should expect to get wet during these events even though you do not need waders or boots.
Easy: These events are held in a location where wading is either minimal or easy. Waders and boots may be needed for these events when fishing for trout.
Moderate: These events require some equipment and wading or walking will be required. Some experience is recommended.
Difficult/Advanced: These events are either very technical or require the willingness to hike or wade in difficult conditions. They will require appropriate gear and preparation. Examples include wading in very cold, slippery conditions during Steelheading or delicate, accurate casting on small, remote streams .Experience with the conditions described is required as well as all equipment.

Cabin Fever 2026
2026-02-22 09:00 - 16:00
Cabin Fever 2025
Sunday, February 22rd from 9am – 4pm
Hilton DoubleTree Cranberry  910 Sheraton Dr, Mars, PA 16046
Tickets for Cabin Fever can be purchased at the door! $15 for Adults, $10 for Students, Kids under 10 get in free.
We are excited to offer Southwest PA an amazing Fly Fishing Experience! This is the 25th Annual Cabin Fever Expo, sponsored and run by the Penn’s Woods West Chapter of Trout Unlimited. We have built out an amazing agenda and added top vendors to give you access to materials, equipment and gear. This year we will have a focus on Fly Tying with tying demonstrations, top tyers showing you their tricks and you can visit tyers row to up your own game. Come meet top conservation partners who can teach you how you can make a difference to our rivers by making small changes right in your own backyard.

Introduction to and Essentials of Fly Fishing
2026-03-28 09:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-29 09:00 - 15:00 | Wilkins School Community Center, 7604 Charleston Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15218, United States
Each Spring, Penn’s Woods West TU sponsors a day-long course that covers the essential aspects of Fly Fishing, led by local expert Scott Loughner, PWWTU member Ed Barger, and other PWWTU members. The course is open to the public and free (thanks to generous support from PWWTU). Our free “Introduction to and Essentials of Fly Fishing” class with sessions from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M on Saturday, March 28 and on Sunday,  March 29, 2026 at the Wilkins School Community Center in Pittsburgh Regent Square neighborhood. Join us to learn about basics of fly fishing, including equipment needs, basic knots, flies and the insects they imitate, and basic fly casting. We even provide lunch!
Wilkins School Community Center
7604 Charleston Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15218 (Regent Square Neighborhood)
INTERESTED?
Contact Ed Barger (ed@pwwtu.org) for more information or to sign up for one of the sessions. Please use subject of “Free Fly Fishing School 2026” Don’t wait to sign up, as class sizes are limited to a maximum of 30 per session!
Note: Scott Loughner, our main instructor, is teaching additional classes at Community College of Allegheny County. Classes include

Learn to Fly Fish – a much expanded version of our one-day class
Intermediate Fly Fishing – A course that builds upon skills learned in the introductory course
Several fly-tying courses, including

Introduction to Fly Tying – A course teaching basic tying techniques, along with instruction on how to tie different types of flies such as dry flies, wet flies, nymphs, and streamers that imitate various stages of insect life, as well as bait fish;
Pittsburgh Flies – A course teaching how to tie flies created in the Pittsburgh area that are highly effective in local streams, rivers and lakes.
Tying Flies for Smallmouth Bass – A course targeting the tying techniques and patterns specifically geared to fishing for smallmouth bass;
Tying Streamer Flies – A course covering the proper techniques for creating streamer flies, which imitate the bait fish found in our rivers, lakes and streams
Tying with Deer Hair – A course covering techniques on how to create flies using this unique material; and
Stoneflies Bottom to Top – A course covering the techniques and fly patterns used to simulate the various life stages of these aquatic insects that are important food sources for fish

Details for these courses and others may be found at the CCAC web site covering community education courses related to sports and recreation,
https://shopcommunityed.ccac.edu/Courses/Sports_and_Recreations.aspx
We at Penn’s Woods West TU Hope that you find our introductory course interesting and useful, and that you have been able to use the information provided to increase your fishing skills.
We hope to see you at one of our future monthly meetings, held at the Barn facility of Christ Church at Grove Farm, 249 Duff Road, Sewickley PA, or at our upcoming Cabin Fever event, being held on February 22 at the Doubletree Hotel Cranberry, 910 Sheraton Dr., Mars PA.
Happy Fishing, and Tight Lines,
Ed Barger, Free Fly Fishing School Coordinator
Penn’s Woods West Trout Unlimited
Contact Ed Barger (ed@pwwtu.org) for more information.

Trout Stocking Event
2026-04-08 16:30 - 18:30 | Walker Park, 520 Little Sewickley Creek Rd,, Sewickley, PA, 15143, United States
Fern Hollow will be hosting a trout stocking event at Walker Park, Shelter #3, on Wednesday, April 8, starting at 4:30 pm. This is a youth program and is free.

PWWTU Chapter Meeting
2026-04-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Christ Church at Grove Farm, 249 Duff Road, Sewickley, PA, 15243, United States
This month’s speaker:
Cam Elko is the lead environmental educator at Fern Hollow Nature Center. She began as a volunteer and eventually became a full-time employee. She has been with Fern Hollow for almost five years. She educates children from preschoolers to high school seniors, as well as families. Her favorite subjects to teach are watershed health and conservation, basic fishing skills, and vernal pool monitoring. She is a certified basic fishing skills instructor through PA Fish and Boat Commission, a certified basic archery instructor through the National Archery in Schools Program, and a Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward. She has traveled throughout the tri-state area to continue her education and work on professional development in all watershed-related topics.
Chapter meetings occur September-May on the second Monday of the month. Meeting are currently held at Christ Church at Grove Farm near the Mt. Nebo exit of I-79. Meetings start at 7 pm and generally finish by 8:30 pm.

Youth-Mentored Trout Day
2026-04-18 08:00 - 15:00 | Fern Hollow Nature Center, 1901 Glen Mitchell Rd, Sewickley, PA, 15143, United States
Fern Hollow will also have our youth-mentored trout day on Saturday, April 18th, from 8 am-3 pm at a private residence, with shuttle service.
Please see the link below:
https://fhnc.org/youth-mentored-fishing-day/

PWWTU Chapter Meeting & Flea Market
2026-05-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Christ Church at Grove Farm, 249 Duff Road, Sewickley, PA, 15243, United States
Penn’s Wood West Flea Market
Got fly fishing and fly-tying gear you want to sell?
Our May PWWTU Chapter Meeting will feature a flea market.

Tables are available for $25 each; sellers run their own tables.
Sellers handle pricing, transactions, and removal of unsold items.

Chapter meetings occur September-May on the second Monday of the month. Meeting are currently held at Christ Church at Grove Farm near the Mt. Nebo exit of I-79. Meetings start at 7 pm and generally finish by 8:30 pm.

Kettle Creek State Park Outing
2026-06-04 - 2026-06-10 | Kettle Creek, 97 Kettle Creek Park Ln, Renovo, PA, 17764, United States
June 4th – June 10, 2026-
If you would like to join us, please reserve a camp site at Kettle Creek State Park. There will be a group campfire each evening. On Saturday night we will have a group BBQ with the meat provided by TU. Those attending the bbq are encouraged to bring a side dish, dessert or chips and dip. For more information contact glen@pwwtu.org.
