Taking the lead in organizing the Club was Al Boyer, owner of Schneider’s Meat Market, in Marsh Hill. The club planned to raise both large trout and fingerlings. The club bought 200 brownies between 12 and 16 inches in 1977 to raise in a pond two miles North of Ralston, in Abbotts Run, to be stocked next trout season. There were also plans that year to build an 85-foot raceway for $2,200.

The club is a non-profit, co-op nursery, currently raising 10,000 yearling trout to be stocked in Lycoming Creek and its tributaries.

“Our mission is to promote youth anglers and support family fishing fun by raising trout and stocking our local streams,” the Lycoming Creek Anglers’ Club noted.

The club will be hosting its 24th annual Kids Fishing Derby on June 6 at Squarewood Acres Campground. It will be for kids ages 3 through 13.

PHOTO PROVIDED Shown is the Lycoming Creek Anglers’ Club’s nursery where it raises fish before releasing them. The club’s nursery currently raises 10,000 yearling trout.

“We solicit donations from individuals, clubs and businesses to support the nursery operations,” the club noted. “To grow the membership and recruit youth members for future generations to enjoy.”

Joe Knerr is the club’s current president and Richard Packer was the late vice president. The treasurer is Sam Caldwell.

This year marks the 25th year at the Slacks Run Co-Op Nursery. Numerous dedicated members and officers over the years, including sponsors and businesses, volunteered their time and resources along the way to make it happen.

On July 19, 1977 the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission delivered 2,000 fingerlings to be raised in the new Edward L. Gruber/Albert E. Boyer Nursery, which was completed June of 1977. The first meeting was held April 3, 1978, with 1,800 brook and brown trout being stocked in Lycoming and its tributaries.

At the time, membership was at 400. Today, membership stands at 819 members. Trout was raised and stocked until 1999 before the nursery was damaged by high water and ceased operations.

The Lycoming Creek Anglers’ Club moved to Slacks Run Road and a new nursery was constructed in 2000. Secretary/treasurer Sam Caldwell took the lead in organizing the Slacks Run relocation project and operations. The Hakins family provided the grounds. Mike Holdren does maintenance work at the nursery, which the club is thankful for his help.