Pennsylvania’s Slate Run recognized in 10 ‘special places’ report

Dec. 3, 2014

Contact:

Katy Dunlap, Trout Unlimited Eastern Water Project Director, 607-742-3331

Mark Taylor, Trout Unlimited Eastern Communications Director, 540-353-3556

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pennsylvania’s Slate Run recognized in 10 ‘special places’ report

Exceptional freestone trout stream is a legendary trout fishing destination.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Trout Unlimited is featuring Pennsylvania’s Slate Run in a new report highlighting outstanding public fishing and hunting areas in the Central Appalachian region that are at risk from shale gas drilling-related activities.

The organization’s 10 Special Places report focuses on areas that are rich in fish, game and natural beauty, and that have for generations provided abundant opportunities for hunters and anglers. It covers threats to the specific regions and offers recommendations for the best approaches sportsmen and women can use to protect these areas from potential risks.

Slate Run is the eighth of the “10 Special Places” to be announced. Trout Unlimited will announce a new place weekly this fall, releasing the full report in December.

“I came upon this area, stumbled on it, absolutely by chance,” said Tom Finkbiner, owner of Slate Run Tackle Shop and Wolfe’s General Store. “I dropped down into Pine Creek and when I saw this valley I knew this was the spot I was looking for.

“Here I could just walk out on this wonderful stream and fish. I didn’t have to pay any dues, check in with anyone or check out with anyone. It was literally public property.”

Originating high among the ridges of a designated state forest, Slate Run winds its way for 7 miles through rugged mountains and valleys before entering Pine Creek in the heart of the quaint village that bears the creek’s name. Slate Run holds hardy populations of native brook trout and wild browns, which reward anglers who can skillfully cast their flies and lures in the creek’s tight quarters. Nearly the entire 45 square miles of the watershed lies in and adjacent to the Tiadaghton State Forest, a popular destination for hunters in search of game such as white-tailed deer and black bear.

“Slate Run is like the ‘hole in a doughnut’, surrounded on all sides by shale gas related infrastructure,” said Katy Dunlap, eastern water project director for Trout Unlimited. “If we can maintain the pristine nature of this watershed, we can help to protect native and wild trout  populations and preserve hunting and fishing opportunities for generations to come.”

Trout Unlimited promotes responsible energy development and, in collaboration with others, seeks to ensure that all reasonable efforts are made to avoid or mitigate the impacts such development may have on important coldwater resources, such as Slate Run.

The Slate Run watershed is largely untouched by man, but industrial shale gas development is encroaching from the south, north and east. In order to protect hunting and fishing opportunities and critical fish and wildlife habitat, Trout Unlimited is calling for protection of Slate Run, especially the public lands that comprise a significant part of its watershed. Where mineral rights are privately held, the state must ensure through the planning process that impacts to critical fish and wildlife habitat in Slate Run are avoided or minimized.

The report and related content are available online at tu.org/special-places.

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Trout Unlimited is the nation’s largest coldwater conservation organization, with 155,000  members dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring North America’s trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds. Follow TU on Facebook and Twitter, and visit us online at tu.org.