Submitted by paula_piatt on Mon, 2013-09-09 05:53 Eastern Shale Gas Vote Up Down +5 + Brown Weenie.jpg I could tell that Amos had tied some flies in his day. The directions poured out of him as easily as his name and a welcome to sit down next to him. They were followed by a materials list for which I only wish I had a piece of paper and pencil to write upon. The unnamed fly (aren’t they always the best?) was “guaranteed” said Amos to catch those trout. It sounded much like the venerable Green Weenie, a Pennsylvania creation, first tied by a pair of fishermen in Westmoreland County and – love it or hate it – was, indeed “guaranteed” to catch fish. “Nope, it’s dirt brown,” said Amos, admitting that he added a bit of a tail. “Just like a worm.” Amos’ guarantee is only one of several I’ve learned – and had the pleasure to have heard – as I begin to travel the tri-state area speaking with sportsmen and women at clubs and fire halls about preserving the habitat – and those trout that fall for Amos’ fly. For the most part, Trout Unlimited’s reasonable message of responsible energy development has been well received. I’ve had sportsmen from both sides of the shale gas drilling issue nodding in agreement as I outlined the potential impacts and what we can do to mitigate them – from minimizing habitat fragmentation to stricter controls on erosion and sedimentation that will keep the streams open for spawning trout. It’s a tough message – one of reasonableness – in an emotionally and politically charged atmosphere that has divided towns, neighborhoods and even families. As I travel the states, and even buy groceries at the corner store, I’m not finding anyone who doesn’t have an opinion one way or the other. And most aren’t afraid to express them. But protecting and preserving the habitat for fish and wildlife? That’s something that all sportsmen and women can (and should be able to) get behind. And while there are still so many things that divide the sporting community – whether it be deer management in Pennsylvania, crossbows in New York or fish creel limits in New Jersey – they seem to be willing to come together when it comes to preserving our traditions for future generations. No, Amos isn’t afraid to share – whether it be his “guaranteed” fly patterns or the streams his fishes them in. Now or in the future.