Laughlintown man earns local chapter of Trout Unlimited's highest award

When Monty Murty returned to Westmoreland County after retiring from careers in the Army and as a business consultant in Washington, D.C., he rekindled his love of trout fishing and became more active in the local Trout Unlimited chapter.

“In particular, I love fly-fishing,” said Murty, now 76. “I began fishing at my grandfather’s cabin off of Route 271 on the north fork of Mill Run in Ligonier Township when I was just 9 years old.

“I now live in Laughlintown, and Laughlintown Run flows through my backyard. They’re both wild trout streams.”

Since moving back to Western Pennsylvania, Murty not only fished more frequently, he immersed himself in the Forbes Trail Chapter of Trout Unlimited, based in Westmoreland County.

His involvement in administration, environmental, youth and veteran activities in the organization culminated this month when he was presented the chapter’s prestigious Don Robb Memorial Chapter Service Award for his exemplary service.

The award, the chapter’s highest honor, is named for the late, long-time owner of Don Robb’s Fly Shop in Ligonier.

Robb was among the founders of the local Trout Unlimited chapter. Although known nationally as a fly rod builder, he was best known as the fly-fishing mentor to generations of students, many of whom spent their afterschool hours sweeping out the shop in exchange for his knowledge of the sport, according to Larry D. Myers, chapter president.

A lifetime member, Murty serves as the chapter’s treasurer and immediate past president. He also served as the executive vice president for the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited and as National Leadership Council representative.

“This award is to recognize his many years of dedicated service to lead the organization in its mission to preserve coldwater fisheries and to teach stream conservation practices to students,” Myers said.

The chapter also presented Monty with a $100 gift certificate for Ligonier Outfitters.

He said Murty has led the chapter in teaching coldwater conservation, fly-tying and fly-casting classes to local middle and high school students. He has presented dozens of stream-related programs during field days and field trips for schools in the region.

“For many students, it was their first exposure to collecting and identifying critters in the stream that trout need to survive. And he has organized and helped with programs for adults, including fly-fishing events for ladies and disabled military veterans,” Myers said.

Murty is preparing and developing a coldwater conservation plan for Linn Run. The study includes habitat assessment, water quality sampling, collection and identification of macroinvertebrates and surveying trout populations in the stream and tributaries. A final report will identify stressors and where stream remediation might enhance wild brook trout habitat and populations.

More information on the local chapter that has about 600 members is available at forbestrailtu.org/