The Adams County Trout Unlimited (ACTU) Chapter was started in 1977 by a group of individuals interested in restoring a section of the Conewago Creek in Adams County, Pennsylvania. Over time, the Chapter grew to expand restoration and conservation efforts to the Conococheague, Latimore, Mountain, Opossum, and Toms Creeks through securing various grants and establishing successful partnerships with: PA Fish and Boat Commission, DCNR, Mummasburg Sportsmen Club, Cadbury-Schweppes Corporation, Northern Virginia TU, Cumberland Valley TU, National Capital TU, Falling Springs TU, and landowners. These partnerships and projects have resulted in special regulations sections being established on the Conewago and Latimore Creeks.
Today, we continue to be more than just a ‘fishing organization’; ACTU supports a number annual events and programs.
- Trout in the Classroom – started in 2009 with a single school, the program has grown to include 11 schools in the 2016-2017 school year; second largest in the state. The Chapter supports 2 release events for the Elementary and Middle School classes at Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve each Spring.
- Annual Fishing Derby – held the first Saturday in May each year in the special regulation area for children and handicapped individuals, many children have a great time being introduced to fishing. Prizes are awarded for the largest fish caught in each age group category.
- Southcentral Outdoors for Youth (SOY) Field day – held the first Saturday in June each year, ACTU is one of many organizations providing activities for the participants to introduce them to a number of outdoor sports and activities. The Chapter hosts a session teaching the youth how to tie flies.
- Stream Clean up and Work Days – held various times throughout the year, volunteers provide countless hours to remove trash and create/repair stream habitats and riparian buffers.
The Chapter and its members have received numerous awards, including:
• Best Conservation Project - 1984; Adams County and N Virginia TU Chapters
• PA Coldwater Conservationist of the Year – 2003; Dave Swope
• Trout Unlimited Silver Trout Award – 2003; Dave Swope
• Trout Unlimited Gold Trout Award – 2004
• Edward J. Urbas Award – 2004
• Gettysburg Chamber of Commerce Stewardship Environmental Award – 2005
• PA House of Representatives Merit and Recognition Citation – 2005
• PA Senate Recognition Citation – 2005
• PA Council Best Restoration Project - 2009
• PA Coldwater Conservationist Professional of the Year – 2014; Adam McClain
• Spirit of South Mountain Award – 2015
• Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence – 2015
• PA Council's Samuel Slaymaker Best Chapter Newsletter Award– 2015
* PA Trout Unlimited Best Small Chapter Award - 2020
The Chapter continues to focus efforts on youth education and coldwater stream preservation/protection. We are looking for all volunteers interested in joining our efforts to improve the water quality of our local streams in Adams County.
