Welcome to
Valley Forge Trout Unlimited

The latest issue of our newsletter BankNotes is available HERE

About Us

The Valley Forge Chapter of Trout Unlimited is dedicated to protecting and restoring cold water streams and their watersheds throughout Chester County, Pennsylvania. Valley Forge Trout Unlimited is an active chapter working effectively to advance conservation efforts. With over 600 members we are engaged in the fight to preserve our precious cold water resources and their watersheds. 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 from September through May.

Please note: No public general meetings in June, July and August

Our next public general meeting
will be held at
The Barn at Upland Farm Park
301 Pottstown Pike
Chester Springs, PA 19425
Thursday, September 10 – 7:30 pm

All are welcome
VFTU membership not required to attend

Click HERE for Directions

Recordings of some of our membership meetings can be found here

Click HERE for the Calendar of Upcoming Events

VFTU’s Mission

Protect and restore cold water fisheries and their watersheds, principally in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
Encourage proper land, water, fish and wildlife management and conservation.
Promote and assist in the education of all citizens as to the need for preservation of the environment in as natural a state as possible.
Promote the philosophy, objectives and activities of Trout Unlimited.

VFTU Initiatives

Brook Trout in Chester County

Brook trout are under significant pressure in Chester County, PA due to habitat loss and degradation that started with deforestation and agricultural development in the 1700s, and increased with more recent suburban development.

Our overarching goals are to preserve current brook trout habitat where populations currently occur in Chester County, and to reestablish brook trout where conditions are appropriate. Read more here.

Stream Data Monitoring

Partnering with Stroud Water Research, we have placed monitoring devices in several locations in Valley Creek. Data is fed back to Stroud for analysis. These sensors require periodic maintenance, so if you would like to get involved, send an email to valleyforgetu@gmail.com

Macro Invertebrate Study

Aquatic insects are being collected and sent for identification from sites in Valley Creek, Pine Creek, Pickering Creek and two tributaries to Pickering that run through the Bryn Coed Preserve annually. If you are interested in participating, send an email to valleyforgetu@gmail.com

Trout In The Classroom

Valley Forge Trout Unlimited sponsors a number of TIC programs in local schools. Click here to learn more.

Road Salt Pollution

Salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) used in winter de-icing is dramatically increasing the salinity of Valley Creek and many other streams in Chester County.

“Salt is of concern as an emerging fresh water contaminant.” according to John Jackson, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, at the Stroud Water Research Center. Click here for more information.

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 participating in this outreach program in 2012 and it is growing rapidly. Click here for more information on how we’re engaging veterans in this rejuvenating project and how you can take part.