Counting down to the TriAnglers Celebration

By: Danielle Levsky, Communications and Media Coordinator
On Wednesday, September 30 from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM, Venture Outdoors will be hosting a celebration to commemorate another year of fishing with our favorite weekly, lunchtime fishing group – TriAnglers! We’ll be having potluck style snacks, singer-songwriter performances from the Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle, an appearance by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s John Hayes and, of course, fishing!

To prepare for this upcoming celebration, today’s blog will feature interviews with TriAnglers, information on a new freshwater fishing class, and details on John Hayes’ Friday Fish Report in the Post-Gazette.

Ask The TriAnglers

Iris Bejgrowicz and Alex Keim spoke with TriAnglers Ella Lipchick, Chet and Jenn Strohman, and Tommy Lippert to learn about their experiences with fishing and the program.
Ella Lipchick:
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Penn Hills and I’m 58 years old.

How long have you been coming to TriAnglers? What do you enjoy most about the program?
I’ve been coming to TriAnglers since 2003. I’ve also been deep-sea fishing off Virginia Beach and fishing in the Chesapeake Bay area. TriAnglers is great because we get free rods and bait and there’s good companionship, especially with another Angler, Judy, who always brings jumbo shrimp for others to use.
Any memorable catches?
Down at the Point, I caught 5 different species in an hour. September 2, 2015 was also very memorable: I caught a 16-inch bass, a 19-inch catfish, and a 12-inch flathead cat.
What’s your favorite part about fishing?
I like the scenery: the water, buildings, and bridges. I like the entire ambiance and the thrill of catching a fish.
Chet and Jenn Strohman:
How long have you been coming to TriAnglers? What do you enjoy most about the program?
We’ve been coming to TriAnglers for about 10 years and are Venture Outdoors members. We come for the people. It’s memorable to see all that’s come back to the river over the years. Chet also likes it as his social outing time.
What’s your favorite part about fishing?
It’s tactile and religious.
Chet’s mother, Carol Tabas, has been a generous supporter of TriAnglers to make it more accessible for people with disabilities. She is our champion!

Tommy Lippert:
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Spring Garden and I’m 54.
How long have you been coming to TriAnglers? What do you enjoy most about the program?
I’ve been coming to TriAnglers since it began, so around 2004 or 2005. The program is great because I like fishing, being around people, showing off the big fish I catch, and teasing others with my catches.
Any memorable catches?
My memorable catches are the 38-inch carp I caught at the Point and the 30-inch catfish I caught at North Shore.
What’s your favorite part about fishing?
I’ve fished since I could hold a rod at 12 years old. I have fished on Lake Ontario and throughout Canada with my dad.

Basic Freshwater Fishing Classes

For those interested in bettering their freshwater fishing skills, TriAngler and Fishing Instructor Karen Gainey offers a Basic Freshwater Fishing class beginning Monday, October 5 and running through Monday, November 23 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at King’s Family Restaurant in Wexford for $95.00.
Topics will include finding fish, tackle and bait, and techniques for Pennsylvania game, lake trout, walleye, bass, pike, musky, stripers, and more.
Call Karen for details at 412-310-7523.

Friday Fish Report

Every Friday, John Hayes of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette publishes a District Fishing Report, that often features our own TriAnglers in it. In the September 4 edition of the Friday Fish Report, John Hayes reported on Venture Outdoors and Trianglers in his Allegheny River section:

“Fishing instructor Karen Gainey of Avalon showed how it’s done Wednesday when a 24-inch flathead took her minnow off the North Shore during the TriAnglers lunchtime fishing break. Minnows were the go-to bait during the Venture Outdoors program as Mike Kirshenbaum of Squirrel Hill released an 18-inch flathead and Ella Lipchik of Penn Hills caught a nice smallmouth.”

And that’s a wrap!

Stay tuned for a new blog next week on David Bennett, recipient of the Mt. Washington Community Development Corporation (MWCDC) Outstanding Volunteer Award.