Guys....thanks for attending the meeting and showing your interest in what is going on with the Lehigh. Kray's take away is pretty much spot on. As for the fishery being "cool"water fishery, the PFBC is correct and that it really doesn't meet the criteria for a year round "coldwater" fishery. That said, it doesn't mean its not a good trout river and that decent populations of wild trout can't survive in the river. As someone stated last night, currently this fishery is both a mixed wild trout and stocked trout fishery. Sometimes the PFBC can't see the forest through the trees, but Daryl P. (PFBC rep) is taking much more of an interest and greater enthusiasm towards the Lehigh than he has in the past.
The one thing I did not express to the group prior to the meeting is the next steps and where we need to focus on going. The one recreational kayaker did bring it up and that was the Feasibility Study that the ACOE is looking to get funding for and a co-sponsor. This will need political support and assistance from cooperating agencies (i.e.- DCNR, PFBC, DEP, DRBC and possibly NYDEC). Unfortunately we ran out of time and the meeting started before I could elaborate more about.
Closing note, Thanks NICK R for organizing this event. Next time, I will take time off and fish the river with you guys. That said, I want everyone to know that this was the FIRST meeting that Anglers outnumbered the whitewater enthusiasts. Great showing!!!!!!
Lets try to keep the moment rolling. Please send comments to ACOE for next years Plan. I will post the email address when I can find where I wrote it down.
