HISTORY OF PERKIOMEN VALLEY TROUT UNLIMITED (PVTU)  CHAPTER NO. 332

Lee Hartman, Rick Ottinger, Don Hillegas and Bob Repholtz founded Perkiomen Valley
Trout Unlimited, Chapter No. 332, in 1979. The chapter by-laws were approved at a
meeting of the members on October 14, 1979, in East Greenville, PA, and formally
approved by Trout Unlimited’s parent organization on December 1, 1979.

Rich Ottinger was elected as the first President of PVTU, and Robert Repholz as the
Secretary. Since Lee Hartman, who was living in Pennsburg at the time, already held
office as SE PA Regional Vice President, of PA Council, when he helped form the
chapter, he was unable to assume a position with PVTU in the early days, though
meetings were still held in his home. Lee also wrote the chapter’s newsletter titled
“Streamside Happenings”. Later, his 16-year old neighbor, Bill Butz, became chapter
President, and was the youngest chapter President to ever serve in that capacity.

One of the chapter’s purposes was and continues to be, to act in a charitable, educational
and scientific manner to preserve, protect and conserve trout and other salmonids as game
fish and to encourage other organizations to this end, through scientific and practical trout
management practices and to promote clean, pure water for them to live in. Since PVTU
was formed, in an effort to support the fishery, it has contributed to significant stream
improvements on the Main and West Branch of the Perkiomen and the Hosensack
Creeks. Our emphasis continues to be restoration of the Perkiomen Watershed, which
has contributed to a noticeable improvement in the quality of the water now flowing into
the Green Lane Reservoir.

March 14, 2018
This chapter history created by:
Lee Hartman, Chair, Delaware River Committee, PA Council of TU
Thomas W. Smith

Chapter Leaders