Rotary clubs hear from fishing expert during riverside meeting

Ron “Pete” Cartwright discussed river safety, preservation and numerous other topics.

Several members of the White Oak, Belle Vernon and Blairsville Rotary Clubs sat beside the Youghiogheny River Thursday evening to hear from local fishing specialist Ron “Pete” Cartwright.

White Oak Rotary club president Autumn Dougherty said Cartwright is a good friend, and that the river is a place she can come for peace.

So she decided they could have a meeting at the Buena Vista Boat Launch in Elizabeth Township with Cartwright as a speaker.

“May the river of life wash away our worries, and nourish our spirits,” Dougherty said in an invocation. “May we find peace in our steady flow, strengths in its currents and grace in every twist and turn. Just as the water carves its paths, may we carve a path with kindness, connection and gratitude. May we learn to grow with the flow, trusting that the current will lead us exactly where we need to be.”

A White Oak native, Cartwright is a highly experienced and qualified guide registered with the state of Pennsylvania with a decade of professional experience. He gave an informational presentation about the river, what he does and how people can get involved.

Cartwright does catch and release wade fishing on the Youghiogheny and Allegheny Rivers and their tributaries all throughout Pennsylvania, teaching people how to properly catch a fish.

Cartwright, who opened Smallies on the Yough Guide Service 12 years ago, said he has been fishing his whole life, and fishes throughout the year. He noted that there are more than 50 species of fish in the Youghiogheny River.

“It’s my favorite thing to do. Get people on the river, get them out of the house, get them out in the wilderness, especially kids,” Cartwright said. “Not many people in Pennsylvania are wade guides for smallmouth bass. There’s hardly anyone.”

Cartwright, who typically makes 30 to 50 fishing trips from June to October, revealed specific spots to wade in the river like areas near Smithton.

They use barbless hooks, he said, because he does not like killing the fish, and prefers to teach people a proper way to catch and handle a fish. Cartwright said he stopped fishing for three years because he killed a fish.

His rates are $300 for half a day with at most two people, and $500 for a full day. It is four to eight hours with most of the gear provided, but people need to bring the proper footwear.

“Depending on the capability of people, sometimes we will walk two miles (in the river),” Cartwright said. “Other people, they can’t do that. I talk to everybody before I take them out, see their abilities, what they want to do, what they want to get out of the trip and try to customize it for them. I love it.”

To guide on the Youghiogheny River in a boat, Cartwright needed a Coast Guard captain’s license because, while shallow, it is technically a commercial traffic river. He prefers to walk in the river, even though it is physically challenging as he gets older.

Among the people he has taken out to fish are members of the Savannah Bananas baseball team, Pittsburgh Steelers players and more.

In the summertime, water levels are usually lower, so it’s easier to walk into the river to fish.

Several organizations have worked to bring fish and ecosystems back to the Youghiogheny River, according to Cartwright, and to help improve the water quality. The river lacks vegetation, so there’s still a long way to go to get more fish into the river.

Cartwright said the biggest threat to the river is acid mining, along with people dumping tires. The river is stocked with trout, but they are dying because they are not in the right environment.

“Acid mine drainage is the biggest impact here,” Cartwright said. “There’s one in Sutersville, and it’s orange that’s coming into the river, and there is one in Turner Valley. If they cleaned those two up, the river would be way better. One of my goals here is to get funding to close one of these acid mines that are flowing in.”

Cartwright’s advice for on a kayak/canoe or who cannot swim is to wear a life vest, have the right gear, don’t go into the river if it is not clear and to be aware near the river.

“Safety on the river is most important,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons I like to guide because I like to teach them the safety of the river. I see so many people out here without life vests. I think a lot of people hire me because they don’t think they can just walk into the river. If you don’t know, you are going to sink into waist deep mud.”

Cartwright said Pennsylvania is one of the best places to fish and teach people how to fish. He encourages everyone to try out river fishing.

“Fishing brings moments, moments that you will remember,” he said. “There’s something about it I don’t know. Being out on the water on a beautiful summer day, and having a good time not worrying about anything. That makes me happy. That makes me feel like I’m doing my job, and that’s what I really like to do.”

More information about Cartwright’s business can be found at www.smalliesontheyough. com. He can be reached through email at pete@smalliesontheyough. com or by calling 412-2156254.