Trout for Cheat, Inc. (TFC) was incorporated under the laws of West Virginia on May 2, 2003, as a not-for-profit organization. TFC has received tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service under §501(c)(4). That section describes an organization which operates to promote the common good and general welfare of the people of the community as a whole.

Contributions to organizations exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue §501(c)(4) are generally not deductible by donors, however, they are greatly needed and appreciated. Exceptions to that rule apply to donations to fire and rescue squads and certain war veterans organizations.   TFC's purpose is to promote the joy of fishing along the Cheat River from Pringle Run to about 5 miles upstream from the Route 50 bridge. Since 2001, TFC, or its predecessor, The Cheat River Restoration Committee, has stocked the Cheat 6-8 times each year at 18 locations throughout the season with Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Golden Trout, Walleye, and/or Catfish. The Brook Trout is the State Fish of West Virginia.   In 2000, Delegates Larry Williams and Stan Shaver called a meeting of local residents interested in stocking the Cheat River. Out of that meeting, a committee was formed, $20,000 was raised, of which $12,000 came from the state, and the Cheat River was stocked for the first time in 2001. Since then, Senator Jon Hunter and the Preston County Commission have added their fund-raising assistance to the committee. The committee evolved into Trout for Cheat, Inc. and the Cheat has been stocked several times every year since.   Without the financial assistance over the years from various state agencies and our donors, and without the manpower provided regularly by the Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy and our other volunteers, regular stocking would not be possible.   Before Fishing in WV, be sure to have a valid WV Fishing License