Dry Run Creek Youth Trout Fishing and Education Program
Steve Blumreich is a fishing mentor at Dry Run Creek most weekends in the spring and summer. He hangs out with a tenkara rod, flies and samples of the creatures on which the trout feed in the creek. He helps children catch fish, teaches them a little while they are there and awards medals to the successful anglers. This is not a scheduled event, but he is there most Saturdays late morning - early afternoon.
Steve also offers an expanded version of his mentoring program. It includes learning basic fly fishing, catching world class trout and an introduction to macro invertebrates that live in Dry Run Creek. These are favorite trout food and include aquatic sowbugs, scuds, aquatic worms and leaches.
Steve has many stories to tell and finds the experience very rewarding. He invites volunteers to join him. Just give him a call.
If you would like to learn more about this program or schedule a time to attend, please contact Steve Blumreich at 417-839-0193 or [email protected]. There is no cost for participation.
A project we've taken on is vegetation management at Dry Run Creek. Many TU members found it disheartening when overzealous prisoners whacked weeds and small trees with no regard for the riparian zone at the creek. Tom Emerick was instrumental in getting an agreement between the folks at Norfork Fish Hatchery, A.G. & F.C. and Corp of Engineers that addressed this issue. They agreed to use civic and environmental volunteer works groups as the first line of defense against weed control. Our chapter and other volunteers conducted both spring and fall workdays.
Because we use the DRC access every year for our youth camp, it is only natural that we want to maintain the facilities. Again, Tom Emerick spearheaded a painting project in the fall of 2019. The Handicap Access was power washed and painted thanks to the efforts of Mike Engers, Mike Jirka, Gary Flippin, Steve Blumreich, Tom Emerick, Ron Hulstein and the Care Ministries. As Gary remarked “ it is a lot of wood.” Steve brokered a deal with the Care Ministries for $1200.00 to finish the painting and was approved by the four groups involved with the DRC Fund. The painting was completed on Wednesday. Oct. 23.
The Trex boards have been installed on the handrail that parallels the walkway to the second staircase. Hatchery Volunteer Roger Connady worked with Tom on this installation.