![]() ![]() Bob conducted all the 3CU stocking operations in the westside tributaries, sometimes by himself,” Gzasko recounted. He faithfully made sure the raceways were clean and free of obstructions to stream flows and insured vital aeration to the fish during low oxygen periods. “He became the raceways manager, the prime fund-raiser, the doctor to his fish babies when they became afflicted with disease and more. ![]() Hetz spent countless hours raising fish through the 3CU cooperative. As his founding brothers passed away, Bob never despaired or hesitated and gladly took on all the aspects of running the largest fish cooperative in Pennsylvania,” Grzasko remembers. Those forward-thinking individuals created the beginnings of what is now the best steelhead fishery in the country and possibly in the world,” Marty Grzasko, former president of the Pennsylvania Steelhead Association, said. “Everyone should know that Bob Hetz was one of eight founding members of 3CU (fish cooperative nursery) in 1966. Inside advice: Experts offer insights on catching steelhead trout in Erie, here's what you need to know Volunteers make the difference: Angling associations work to improve Erie steelhead fishing opportunities “If you made a phone call to him, he would take care of it.”Īnother fisherman who developed a friendship with Hetz over several decades remembers Hetz’s dedication to raising fish for the public to enjoy. Anytime you wanted information or help with something, he would do it,” Dombrowiak recalled. “I met him in the mid-1980s while stocking trout. “That’s a big thing now,” Dombrowiak said, as the steelhead attract anglers from many states and countries to Erie. Hetz was one of the partners who helped change the stockings several decades ago from salmon to steelhead trout in the area. ![]() Ron Dombrowiak, president of the 3CU Trout Association, believes Hetz helped to raise about 4½ million fish over the past 56 years. The 3CU is a cooperative trout nursery with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and supplements what the agency stocks in the region. ![]()
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