Crestwood High School Creates Float Stocking Barrels
September 06, 2012
The FSB Project
The FSB Project is an initiative started by the students from Crestwood High School’s Watershed Team and myself. FSBs are Float Stocking Barrels that are used to stock trout in streams. It is a project that local TU chapters can undertake by themselves, with their partner TIC schools or other groups.
The FSB Project started in October 2011 when we found out our Luzerne County Waterways Conservation Officer was in need of a float stocking box. We agreed to build one for him and went about trying to find blueprints.
After contacting the PFBC and searching the Internet we realized that there were no FSB blueprints on file anywhere. We finally turned up a photo of a FSB on the Internet and a friend that works for the PFBC at Pleasant Gap sent us a photo of a FSB that they use. From these photos we compiled a materials list and got a price estimate (roughly $100 not including the cost of the barrel).
In December, we approached the Stan Cooper Sr. Chapter of Trout Unlimited about funding our FSB Project. They agreed to provide the money to build two float stocking barrels. The Mountaintop Joint Sewer Authority donated two 30 gallon plastic barrels for the project.
In January 2012 we built the two FSBs and presented them to the WCOs in Luzerne County and Wyoming County. WNEP- TV “Pennsylvania Outdoor Life” and the Times Leader (the Wilkes-Barre newspaper) covered our story. In March we went with the PFBC to stock trout on the Big Wapwallopen using the FSB we built for them. In April we built a third FSB that we donated to the Carbon County WCO with funding provided by the Pohopoco Rod & Gun Club.
It seems that every WCO in Pennsylvania would like to have a FSB at his/her disposal. It is a way to help improve trout stocking in our local streams. It is a great project for TU chapters to get involved with. Below are the instructions on “How to Build a Float Stocking Barrel”.
FSB MATERIALS LIST
All Hardware Should Be Stainless Steel:
2 hinges (3”)
1 hasp (3”)
1 hasp clip
2 hatch stops (3” flat brackets)
6 eye rings
4 Six inch hose clamps
23 Screws (8/32 x ¾”)
23 Nuts (8/32”)
23 Washers (#10)
4 Washers (1/2”)
4 Four inch Sch 40 PVC end caps
5 feet of four inch Sch 40 PVC pipe
One 30 gallon plastic barrel. Be sure the barrel did not contain any hazardous materials.
CONSTRUCTION INTRUCTIONS
1. Assemble the PVC Pontoons
Cut the PVC pipe into two 2.5 foot sections. Glue the 4 end caps to the ends
of the pipe sections. Be sure to CLAMP the end caps to the pipe sections as
they will slide off due to pressure inside the pontoons.
2. Prepare the Plastic Barrel
Orient the barrel so the seam around the sides will serve as the mounting
location for the pontoons.
Cut a 15” x 18” hatch into the top of the barrel once you have it oriented
properly.
Drill 10 to 12 one inch holes into each end of the barrel.
3. Construct the Float Stocking Barrel
Attach the two hinges to the upper part of the hatch and the hatch opening in
the barrel.
Place the two flat brackets diagonally across the two lower corners of the
hatch opening to serve as a hatch stop to keep the hatch from opening
inward.
Attach the hasp to the barrel and hatch. Lock it with the hasp clip.
Put two eye rings along the seam on the side of the barrel about 8 “ from
each end of the barrel. Do the same thing on the opposite side of the barrel.
These will serve as the mounting points for the pontoons.
Run the hose clamps through the eye rings on the sides of the barrel.
Place the pontoons through the hose clamps on both sides and tighten.
Put the other two eye rings on the ends of the barrel (near the top) to serve as
attachment points for tow ropes while in use.
Site:
http://www.patroutinthecl..._Stocking_Barrels.aspx