Get in on the Black Flyday fly fishing invitational Nov. 23 to benefit 3CU trout conservation and stocking programs.

Fish from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with black flies only; best combined length wins. Record your witnessed steelhead catches and take your result tally to Crowley’s Restaurant & Irish Pub, 8844 Route 18, Cranesville, from 4-5 p.m.

The $10 entry fee includes appetizers at Crowley’s; the $25 fee includes a steak dinner. Call (814) 774-8450 for details.

Bob Hetz of Fairview was awarded the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Ralph W. Abele Conservation Heritage Award.

Bob Hetz, third from left, was presented with the Ralph W. Abele Conservation Heritage Award Thursday near the mouth of Trout Run. Present for the presentation were, from left, S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie President Jerry Skrypzak; Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission District 1 Commissioner Ed Mascharka; Hetz; Erie County Executive Barry Grossman; Patricia Norcott Miller (on behalf of state Sen. Jane Earll, R-49th Dist.); and Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director John Arway. Contributed photo

It is the commission’s highest recognition for individuals “who have distinguished themselves in the cause of conservation,” commission Executive Director John Arway said.

Arway and Ed Mascharka, the District 1 commissioner, presented the award Thursday at the commission’s public access area at Trout Run, Fairview Township.

Hetz is a charter member of the 3-C-U Trout Association, which cooperates with the commission on raising and releasing fish. “He is the individual who provides the leadership and effort to maintain the raceways, feed the fish, and stock them, Arway said. “The success of Pennsylvania’s steelhead program is largely due to the effort of the 3-CU Trout Club and Bob.”

Hetz was nominated by Jerry Skrypzak, president of S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie.

Also participating in the ceremony were Erie County Executive Barry Grossman; Fairview Township Supervisor Pete Kraus; S.O.N.S. President Jerry Skrypzak; and Patricia Norcott Miller on behalf of state Sen. Jane Earll, R-49th Dist.

The Pennsylvania Steelhead Association will have its membership meeting Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 773, 4109 W 12th St.

Bob Hetz, nursery manager and treasurer for 3CU, will give an update on steelhead stocking and raceway cleanup. Waterways conservation officers from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will give stream updates.

Members and the public are invited to attend.