Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2020 - 43

in fall/winter, Mondays
in spring/summer) to
maintain the wells, a
privilege for which they
are grateful.
"It has been a
community effort," said
Doc Fritchey Chapter
of Trout Unlimited's
Dennis Coffman, who has
volunteered at the well
for 17 years, knowing full
well the nature of the work
at hand. "Sometimes the
wells clog up; we have to
keep the intakes clear of
debris; and the stone is
frozen. Trees fall across
the road, snow or ice
makes it impassable. So, I
Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited members work to loosen frozen limestone from the pile, have cross-country skied
a chore they complete weekly through the wintertime.
or walked into the wells.
You never know what
Mother Nature will throw at you, but it is never hard to go
But, these results come at a cost. Members of the Doc
back there. When I cannot go, I miss it."
Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited and other local
"Hurricanes have made a mess in recent years, and one
volunteers maintain these wells weekly, through gritty
time we even had a tree fall and puncture the pipe, which
manual labor. They fill the wells by hand-shovel with
made a lot more work for us," said Fran Barilar. "But, you
high-cal limestone, which has been graciously donated by
go, because you know you are making an impact. You can
Pennsy Supply from its Lebanon Quarry for the duration
see the results."
of the original well's existence, and delivered by Reigel
Jim Rauch, who cut his teeth fishing Stony Creek 50
Trucking for 30 years, and Mike Sensenig recently.
years ago, said, "the fishery is more viable now than ever."
Since the wells are located several miles from the
George Dobson said, "giving back is the right thing to do." Joe
nearest State Game Lands 211 parking lot off Goldmine
Notarangelo joked that he shows up for the donuts, though the
Road, Lebanon County, their work requires special access
camaraderie through conservation is as appealing to him as
permission from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to
Joe Connor, who pointed out this legacy has no end as long as
drive in along the old railroad grade once a week (Sundays
there are future volunteers to sustain it.
At age 37, Andy Link is one of the youngest
regulars on maintenance day. Two years ago,
he stumbled upon the group while fly fishing
Rausch Creek. They showed him the wells, and
he was amazed by how something so simple but
influential could be sustained with no electric
pumps, only gravity and dedicated manual labor,
for over 30 years. Link is now a Doc Fritchey
Chapter of Trout Unlimited board member and
brings along his 4-year-old.
"It is an awesome group of guys, and I look
forward to contributing to the preservation of
this amazing place every week," said Link. "If
anyone wants to help, Trout Unlimited member
or not, we happily welcome you into the fold.
Check the www.DFTU.org website for meeting
times. We would love to have you join us for this
meaningful conservation work."
Doc Fritchey Chapter of Trout Unlimited members Joe Connor and Andy Link
Indeed, there is hope for the future as this
work to clear the intake pipe of debris.
success story continues to unfold.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * January/February 2020

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2020

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