The Valley Forge Chapter of Trout Unlimited is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and restoring trout habitat throughout Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Its 800-plus members and affiliates are engaged in the fight to preserve our precious cold water resources. All similarly inclined persons are invited to join in our efforts.

Valley Forge Trout Unlimited general meetings are open to the public. They are held the second Thursday of each month, with the exception of June, July, and August. Meetings are held at the Fairfield Inn on Route 100, just north of Exton. Meeting time is 7:30 p.m. Click Here for more information

Valley Forge Trout Unlimited is an active chapter effectively working to advance conservation efforts and the sport of fly fishing.

Project Healing Waters

Project Healing Waters is a nationwide program administered through the Veteran’s Administration that introduces fly fishing to veterans.  Our chapter began this outreach program in 2012 and it is growing rapidly.  Click here for more information how we’re engaging our veterans in this rejuvenating project and how you can take part.

Legislative Action

PATU is in need of your help to oppose HB1576 and SB1047, both of which will have a major impact on Pennsylvania’s wild trout waters, threatened & endangered species.  Through their website, you quickly can take immediate action to contact your legislators and urge them to vote against this unnecessary, unwise and costly law.

Watershed Management

Our primary mission is to protect Chester County’s watersheds – Valley Creek, West Valley Creek and the Brandywine Creek.  As a result, our conservation efforts are many and varied. Below are the projects and efforts we’re working on currently.

Clean Streams Raffle

The proceeds from this annual fall raffle go directly to efforts to keep our streams protected, to ensure that local governments and developments manage their storm water effectively and to engage the community about the critical importance of cold-water resources.

A great list of prizes has been gathered this year.  These prizes reflect our commitment to buying local and supporting local businesses.  Check them out and get some holiday shopping done early – for your favorite fly fisher, or for yourself!

Keeper of the Stream

Valley Creek bisects much of Chester County’s eastern and most populated area.  As such it is most at risk of erosion from storm water run-off and pollution from both point and non-point sources.  A pressurized Sewer Main Line parallels the stream.  This sewer line ruptured in 2011, releasing thousands of gallons of sewage into the creek.

Our Keeper of the Stream program offers assigned “beats” to volunteers who inspect the stream and report quarterly to the National Park Service at Valley Forge Historical National Park, where Valley Creek runs through to its confluence with the Schuylkill River.

Wilson Farm Park

Tredyffrin Township’s Wilson Farm Park is a large, mostly cleared public park bordered by Route 202 on its south side and the Chesterbrook development on its remaining three sides.  Valley Creek bisects much of the Chesterbrook development before it enters Valley Forge Historical National Park.

Such a large, open expanse of land can do more than it currently does to capture and collect storm water before releasing it into drainage systems that ultimately discharge into Valley Creek exacerbating bank erosion.

Our efforts include partnering with other local, like minded community and conservation groups to increase the park’s capacity to hold water.  We have planted trees and have installed and maintain a rain garden to capture storm water and thus replenish the aquifer reducing the amount of water that reaches the storm sewer.