HARRISBURG — Clearfield County resident Patrick Domico has received the “Resource First” Award from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) for his life-long commitment to protecting and improving natural resources.
PFBC Executive Director John Arway presented the award to Domico at the agency’s quarterly business meeting, held July 12 in Harrisburg. Domico resides in Curwensville and is the founder of Squirrel Tails for Trout Recycling for the Future.
“This is the most prestigious award that I have received throughout my lifetime,” Domico said in accepting the award. “The support from the Fish and Boat Commission has been incredible. We couldn’t have achieved what we’ve done – getting people to fish the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and to recognize it as a premiere fishery – without the Commission’s support.”
Domico’s efforts to stock trout and promote fishing was rewarded when the PFBC in 2014 added another section of the West Branch to its stocking list, creating a 13-mile stocked stream section from Curwensville to below Clearfield.
“Pat has been instrumental in raising funds for stocking numerous streams, rivers and lakes in Clearfield County, including the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, Curwensville Lake, and Parker Dam,” said Arway.
“For over 40 years, he has served as the host of the Kid’s Fishing Derby at Parker Dam State Park, and he has raised funds in order to stock thousands of trout in the West Branch of the Susquehanna River from Curwensville to the Clearfield area.”
“Fishing and the great outdoors offers kids an alternative to many other demands they encounter in their busy lives today,” he added. “Due to Pat’s leadership, enthusiasm, and sincere passion for the resource, today the West Branch of the Susquehanna River runs beautiful for all families to enjoy.”
Squirrel Tails for Trout Recycling for the Future is a non-profit organization that accepts donated squirrel tails from hunters, sells the tails to Mepps Spinners, and then uses to proceeds to purchase trout to stock in local streams open to public fishing.