Late night television talk show host David Letterman recently spoke about his love of fly-fishing during an interview on comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s show: “I’ve been doing it for 30 years and I’m no good at it and I don’t care. I just like standing in the river.”

It’s a refrain I’ve heard from fly fishermen, but one that seems to contradict the image of anglers proudly showing off their largest catch of the day or tabulating their catch totals for the year. I’ve always been curious about this quiet sport. I love hiking and often emerge into a trail clearing along a river or stream and have to quickly hush my cohorts when I spot the lone figure of a fly fisherman, standing nearly hip deep in the cold rushing water, unaware of our presence as he elegantly casts and recasts his line. The sight conjures in my mind the 1992 movie A River Runs Through It where Robert Redford and Brad Pitt co-star as the sons of a Presbyterian minister who share a passion for fly- fishing growing up in Montana in a “land still untouched.”

32 / FREDERICKGORILLA.COM FEBRUARY_MARCH 2013 / 33 I have limited hopes of finding someone willing she was looking for a way “to fill that space left he says. As the youth representative on PVFF’s board, I wonder aloud. Who first had the idea that wrapping to teach a woman in what many view as traditionally behind” after her children had left the nest; he recently gave some tips to 13-year-old Scott Cover of tiny hairs to mimic the shape of insects would a man’s sport that casts back hundreds of years into • Devin Angleberger, a 16-year-old from Frederick Middletown, who says he likes the sport because “it is so actually catch a fish? At the end, I proudly hold up the past. (Many writers and anglers date the first who joined the club last year and has become elegant and the way you do it is so neat.” a little brown “Muddler Minnow” used to simulate a reference back to the end of the second century by one of its most active members; and The PVFF club also promotes the calming and large stonefly. I post it that night on Facebook and am Roman Claudius Aelianus, and describe later practices • Karen Baker, 64, of Frederick, who became healing powers of the sport, encouraging members twice cheered by my friends. in England, Australia and North America.) enthralled watching fly fishers in Wyoming a year to provide fly-fishing lessons to injured military Two days later, I dress in hiking attire and my So I cautiously approach the Potomac Valley Fly about 15 years ago, took up the sport and joined veterans as part of its Project Healing Waters program. waterproof backpacking boots, drop my fly in my Fishers Club (PVFF), a local organization founded in 1967 the club soon after. backpack and head out with Baker and Montgomery that introduces local fishers — a term meant to include Their fishing experiences are all varied, just like The tie that binds to a private pond in Thurmont, where they have both men and women — or aspiring fishers to the sport their ages and backgrounds — a retired microbiologist, graciously agreed to give me my first lesson. As we along the waterways of Frederick County and western a conservationist, a retired AT&T technician and Many of the newest members learned during one of drive to our destination, Baker explains that they , and even remote sites around the country. manager, a biologist, a high school student and a retired the club’s annual fly-fishing workshops, but everyone typically don’t keep the fish they catch, but prefer to nurse among them. But they are united in one aspect: continues to help one another. “I think it’s cool that “catch and release.” their love of fly-fishing, something they share with I can learn from people who are twice my age and “I do it just for being out in beautiful places Lured in by the passion BEST TIMES about 95 other members of the club. people who are half my age,” says Montgomery at one and trying to outwit the fish,” says Baker with a TO FISH During an afternoon chat over coffee, 69-year-old Don Another member, 38-year-old Michelle Eugeni of of the club’s monthly meetings — a roomful of, yes, matter-of-fact smile. With my plans for a fish dinner Fine of Middletown, a member of the club’s board of Frederick, joined after her father passed away in 2010. mostly retirement-age men, but a crowd that increasingly dashed, I am now slightly perplexed as to the goal of Year-round, of course, according directors, describes the sport and the club. He can’t They had been fishing buddies her whole life, and he is dotted with women and youth. Evidence that I — this adventure. to almost any avid fly fisherman! specify why, but he offers a friendly warning that once had taken up fly-fishing in his retirement, joining the a 45-year-old mother — just might fit in. We head off the main road onto a long drive “Fish are like humans in that we you get addicted to fly-fishing, you don’t do regular spin club and eventually giving her a few lessons before he I first attend one of the club’s monthly “fly tying” meandering into dense woods toward the pond, fall are less active in both hot and cold weather, but we still eat,” rod fishing anymore. Further intrigued, I agree to later was too feeble with illness. “I fish because I love the round tables at Hobbytown in Frederick, where a leaves lingering on the trees and covering the grounds. says Don Fine of PVFF. attend several meetings and activities, where I meet: peace of it. It reminds me of my dad, and I continue guest instructor teaches the steps to tie one of the Climbing through brush and weeds to the edge of the • 30-year-old Heather Montgomery of Frederick, to work to learn to fly-fish and tie so that I can pass it thousands of various types of flies. Fine provides me pond, we peer into the water where we have been told a Otherwise, check the solunar tables who had grown up fishing but first learned fly- along to my nieces and nephews, if they are interested,” a box of supplies and I take a seat along with about variety of fish are thriving and impossible not to catch. for the best times of the day and fishing from the club in 2011; she says. a dozen others. With a “pincher” set up in front of best days of the month to fish, • Fine’s longtime friend John Brognard Sr., also 69 Teenager Angleberger can relate to the peace of me, he shows me how to set a fish hook in the clamp. Now it gets reel recommends John Brognard Sr. of and from Middletown, who grew up fishing and being outdoors. “When you’re stuck in school or work I follow a series of demonstrations by that month’s has been a longtime member of the club; instructor, Chris King of Damascus, on cutting, Baker — a trim woman in the early years of her retirement PVFF. These tables can be found in six or eight hours a day, you don’t care about how many many fishing magazines like Field • Myra Derbyshire, 54, a Scottish resident of threading and tying hairs from squirrel tail, turkey and full of stories about fishing trips to Wyoming, fish you caught the day before or how well your drift was and Stream and In-Fisherman. Thurmont who grew up fishing and took the ... all you care about is that feeling of being in a stream,” quill and deer hide, as well as gold tinsel. Really? Montana and other places — unzips a case and begins club’s annual fishing course last September when

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German St. 301-371-4205 Shepherdstown, West www.bfcustomfishingrods.com 304-876-8030 www.kellyswhitefly.net 34 / FREDERICKGORILLA.COM FEBRUARY_MARCH 2013 / 35 Teaching the Art of CONSERVATION to assemble a two-piece rod — something I repeatedly That’s great bass! call a “pole.” Each time Baker reminds me, “It’s a ROD!” Members of the Potomac Valley Fly Fishers (PVFF) Club want to be thought of Lindsey Donaldson, a park ranger and biologist at WHERE THE About 40 minutes later, as we chatter away and The rod assembly appears simple, except for the running not just as fishermen, but as conservationists. They take seriously the protection National Park, recently informed the club about the dangers of Didymo, FISH ARE BITING repeatedly recast, my fly is pulled down hard under the explanation of the different lengths and weights of rods, of local waterways and the , trying to ensure a healthy stock of commonly called “rock snot,” an invasive algae that can contaminate riverbeds FREDERICK COUNTY surface. “Yank your tip up, quick!” Baker commands. the threading of the fishing line — the backing, fly line, fish for each season. and kill fish, insects and other organisms. It is commonly spread by fishing Big Hunting Creek, , I try, and she quickly grabs hold of some of the extra Catoctin Creek, Friends Creek, leader and finally tippet to which the fly is tied with a It’s not just the immediate catch they have in mind; it’s the catch of years equipment and waders, as well as boats. The club helped build and set up line near the handle of the pole (rod, I mean rod!) and (near Thurmont), Little Hunting special knot. Then there are extra accoutrements, such to come, and the continuation of their sport for future generations. With that in about 20 wader washing stations in prime fishing areas. The stations provide Creek, Owens Creek helps me reel it in until up out of the water comes about mind, they lure in newcomers —particularly youth — with lessons in the art information on the algae, instructions and materials for cleaning gear before as a greasy substance called “floater” to help the fly an 8-inch bass wiggling on the line. Woo hoo! of fly-fishing alongside education in conservation and entomology. “We hope anglers leave the waterway. WASHINGTON COUNTY float. (The club offers an annual five-session rod building , Beaver Creek, They instruct me in the art of posing for the picture the kids of the next generation will have the same values ... will treasure the Last October, club members responded to the Catoctin Creek Nature , Israel course, taking advantage of the colder winter months — holding the fish so it’s facing the camera — before I environment,” explains Don Fine, a member of the PVFF board of directors. “We Center’s call for volunteers to help collect and sort “small stream sensitive insects Creek, Licking Creek when most fishermen stay indoors.) slip the fish off the hook and back into the pond. I have want the youth to keep the interest [in fly-fishing] alive.” called macroinvertebrates,” according to PVFF board director Jon Thames. “We CARROLL CREEK She opens her box of flies, and the women no qualms about releasing the fish and know that while Adults are also welcome at clinics to learn how to protect the stream from were looking for little bugs and little fish, little minnows at the bottom of the food Morgan Run contemplate the best type to employ that day — olive I need more practice to perfect the casting — and get pesticides and herbicides, for example, chemicals that can harm the living chain,” he explains. The goal was to determine the health and diversity of the wooly bugger, popper, grasshopper, prince nymph, REGIONAL the hang of the round cast, back cast and side cast — organisms in the water. “You will be a better fisherman if you understand the smallest organisms — greater diversity indicates strong health, something they , copper john or bead head nymph. It’s called “match the the practicing is going to be fun. natural cycle of food that fish eat,” notes Fine. found in the creek, and ensures their plans for spring will move forward. The club hatch,” the women explain — matching the type of fly MONTGOMERY COUNTY “I have to think of every cast as a practice cast,” The club’s efforts range from working alongside and within area conducts the study twice a year, and “we are happy to do it,” he says. that’s found in that location and at that time of year. Great Seneca Creek Montgomery explains. “And I’m getting better.” waterways to raising fish to stock the “home waters” — a waterway that PVFF Meanwhile, several members like former conservation chair John Brognard I ask for a reference book, but they say you just learn as helps protect in partnership with the county and state. The club has operated Sr., a longtime member and the club’s newest president, keeps a close eye on a I watch as she stands on a small dock, waving her line you go. My head spins. a fish hatchery at a springhouse in Frederick for at least 40 years, providing a wide range of conservation efforts and on state and national legislation. The club back and forth in a side cast, nearly picture perfect with Baker takes me to the edge of the pond and regular stock for the Fisheries Service of the Maryland Department of Natural encourages members to join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and keep informed the fall foliage in the backdrop. demonstrates the “round cast” — bend your arm back, Resources to gather and transport for release in the spring. For the past several about the Foundation’s activities and environmental protection concerns. After another hour of casting, we head home, using just your forearm, and do not rotate too far back decades, that’s been Big Hunting Creek in Thurmont. Club conservationists Devin Angleberger, a 16-year-old club member from Frederick who also discussing more about the thrill of fly-fishing. “It’s to avoid hooking the fly in brush directly behind you. have worked to protect that creek, which became one of the state’s first catch- sits on the club’s board, says, “You must have conservation to have fish ... but about being outside,” Montgomery explains. Then cast it forward with a little snap at the end to help and-release trout fishing areas in the 1960s (in 1974, Big Hunting Creek a lot of people don’t care about the actual conservation part.” The teenager “And all the beautiful trips,” Baker adds, noting the fly lightly land on the water. within state and federal parks was declared a “fly-fishing-only trout fishing is now a member of the Trout Unlimited National Council of Youth, and as a that the club makes several weekend outings together I eagerly take the pole (“it’s a rod!” I’m reminded area,” according to the Fisheries Service). board member is working hard to get more youth involved. “We’re trying to make each year. again), grip the handle as shown, toss my reel back, But this April, the club’s new “home waters” — a portion of Catoctin Creek people think differently.” At the end, before I get out of her car, Baker and hurl it forward. The fly plops down in the water within the boundaries of Catoctin Creek Park, between Middletown and Jefferson —Christina L. Lyons turns and says: “I hope this is the beginning of a new just a couple feet before me, the length of fishing line — will be open for “catch and release” year-round, except in the warmer summer friendship.” I smile and nod my head. I’m hooked! bunched in swirls. Evidently what looks to be the most months when trout tend to die off and anglers can keep their catch. graceful part of fly-fishing is much more difficult to do PVFF members began restoring Carroll Creek three or four years ago, says Fine, with some volunteer and financial assistance from the Chesapeake than simply thinking how elegant one must look. Baker POTOMAC VALLEY FLY FISHERS (PVFF) CLUB quickly assures me that I’m doing fine and encourages THE CLUB MEETS AT 7 P.M. ON THE SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH AT Bay Foundation and various area clubs. The project entailed work along a one- TUSCARORA HIGH SCHOOL, 5312 BALLENGER CREEK PIKE, FREDERICK, AND mile stretch of the creek, where cows once waded, to complete some stream me to keep trying, frequently holding my arm to help THE FLY TYING ROUND TABLE TAKES PLACE THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF EACH diversion — providing a weaving path for the creek — and to purchase and me cast. That fly gets ever so slightly further into MONTH FROM 6:30-8 P.M. AT HOBBYTOWN, 919 N. EAST ST., FREDERICK. plant trees, primarily river birch and oak, along the banks to prevent erosion. the pond each time but keeps slapping the surface, FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FLY-FISHING, THE CLUB AND ITS VARIOUS The club also invites local school children to the springhouse and rather than making delicate landings like a real fly. ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS THE YOUTH FLY-FISHING COURSE OFFERED IN THE renovation area as part of a “trout in the classroom program” with Trout Occasionally, she attaches a different fly. And with SUMMER AT CATOCTIN CREEK PARK AND THE TEACH ME TO FLY-FISH DAY IN SEPTEMBER. VISIT THE CLUB’S WEBSITE AT WWW.PVFLYFISH.ORG. Unlimited, in which the students are provided trout eggs and taught how to several more casts, my technique feels ever so slightly protect and hatch them in the classroom, release the trout into area streams, and less awkward. conduct stream surveys. The program, one which the club helped to launch but is now completely operated by Trout Unlimited, operated in 13 county schools last school year.

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