Fly Fishing Museum inducting Chauncy Lively into hall of fame

It’s a celebration of one man’s life. But it’s more than that, too.

The Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Museum Association is inducting Chauncy Lively into its hall of fame in a special ceremony Feb. 29 in Mars. That recognition is really just the centerpiece for a celebration of all things Western Pennsylvania fly fishing, though.

The ceremony, featuring auctions and bucket raffles to raise money for the museum, will include fly-tying demonstrations, recognition of other Western Pennsylvania fly-fishing legends and more.

That Lively should be front and center this time around, though, is deserving.

Born in Greene County, he later moved to Pittsburgh, where he helped found the Pittsburgh Fly Fishers Club and the Penns Woods West Chapter of Trout Unlimited (which is hosting its annual Cabin Fever Expo the day after the banquet). He wrote a regular fly-tying column for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s then-“Pennsylvania Angler” magazine.

“That’s what he’s probably best known for,” said Scott Loughner of Westmoreland County, who serves on the Museum Association’s board of directors.

Still later, he authored a book, “Chauncy’s Fly Box.”

Many also regarded him as “a true gentleman” of fly fishing.

He spent a lot of his own time in the state’s northern tier, fishing Young Woman’s Creek. But he also haunted some central Pennsylvania waters, like the Letort and Falling Springs.

And everywhere, he was an advocate of fly-fishing.

“He was very willing to share his knowledge with everyone and just enjoyed the sport,” Loughner said.

Lively was known far beyond Pennsylvania, though.

And, as it turns out, that’s not all that unusual when it comes to Western Pennsylvania’s fly-fishing heritage. Some of the biggest names in the sport got their start in this region, then became even more famous on a larger scale.

Theodore Gordon, famous as the creator of the Quill Gordon and considered the father of dry fly-fishing in America, is best remembered for his angling in New York’s Adirondacks. But he was born in Pittsburgh.

Likewise, Al Troth, creator of the Elk Hair Caddis, was born in Charleroi in Washington County.

“We have all this history from the area. And that’s what we’re going to celebrate,” Loughner said.

Lively’s family will be a part of that. He passed away in 2000. But two daughters are representing him at the induction ceremony.

The public can attend, too, though time to register is running out. Cost is $30. Anglers can take care of that — but only until Monday — by visiting paflyfishing.org/events.html.

Attendees get appetizers and a buffet dinner. There will be a cash bar, as well.

It all takes place at the Mars Memorial Association, located at 331 Mars Valencia Road in Mars, just north of Pittsburgh. The event runs from 3:30-8:30 p.m.

“We’ve already got a nice crowd coming. But there’s always room for more,” Loughner said.

“It’s going to be a real nice evening.”