Throughout its modern history, the Lackawanna River has been at various times a trash dump, waste-water disposal site, mine water drainage site and a slaughterhouse waste depository. It has been the catch basin for generations of acid mine water, and to this day parts of it cannot sustain aquatic life. Despite 120 years of neglect and abuse, Mother Nature has created a gem; a trout fishery that regularly produces trophy trout. This waterway runs through a landscape so ravaged by past mining it boggles the mind that anything can live in the water. Yet, despite conservation by a few dedicated individuals, abuse continues. This rare fishery needs protection, and sportsmen in the area responded by forming a new Trout Unlimited Chapter that builds on the previous chapter. Thus, Lackawanna Valley Chapter 414 was born in the fall of 2008 with a membership of approximately 150 dedicated sportsmen.

The mission of Lackawanna Valley Trout Unlimited will be to conserve, protect, restore and sustain the coldwater fisheries throughout Northeastern Pa., with a special interest in the Lackawanna Valley especially the Lackawanna River. Reclaiming the past, protecting the present and preparing for the future shall be our battle cry.