STREAMLINES Vol
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STREAMLINES Vol. 27, No. 2 February 2018 www.potomacvalleyflyfishers.club ______________________________________________________________________________ takes immense pleasure showing people this Fly-Fishing the Gunpowder: An wonderful river he knows so well. Evening with Guide Gene Howson The Upper Gunpowder Falls is situated By Larry Forte between Prettyboy Reservoir to Loch Raven At our next meeting, we take a short drive to Reservoir in Baltimore County, 18 mile long, Baltimore County and learn more about fly- with 9 miles managed as a “Catch and Release fishing the Gunpowder, a tailwater stream Only” fishery, it has been producing excellent loaded with beautiful brown trout. Join us as fishing opportunities for wild trout since the we welcome Gene Howson, a guide on the mid 1980's when the MD Chapter of Trout Gunpowder. Unlimited and the MD Department of Natural Resources negotiated an agreement with the Gene Howson is 27 years old and living in City of Baltimore on regulated flow rates and Sparks, Maryland (MD). Gene grew up in the installed new bottom release values at British countryside before moving to MD in Prettyboy Dam. This fishery is dominated by 2006. Since then the Gunpowder has become wild brown trout with a scattering of both his home from home. An Ecologist by training stocked and wild rainbow trout, along with with a MSc in Ecosystem Management & wild brook and tiger (brown x brook) trout. Biodiversity Conservation, Gene taught high school Biology and Chemistry and IB Gene will also give an overview on the Environmental Systems and Socities in an historical background of the Gunpowder. He International school in Lima, Peru. When in will then discuss in detail access points, hatches 2016 Theaux Le Gardeur, owner of Backwater and seasonal changes. Angler Fly Shop in Hereford, MD, offered him th a chance to work at his favorite fly shop, Gene Hope to see you on the 13 ! moved back to MD from Peru. Along with fishing, his hobbies include mountaineering, football (soccer), playing pool and bird watching. Now, working full time at Backwater Angler, he especially enjoys working in such a friendly atmosphere and offering his assistance to customers in the same manner this shop has served him over the years. Gene is in his second season of guiding out the shop and 1 Beginner’s Fly Tying The Roundtable Fly Tying sessions are held in By Don Fine room 109 (upper level) at Trinity United Methodist Church, 703 West Patrick Street. Join us (at 7:00 PM) on February 19 th as we learn to tie the Red Fox Squirrel Nymph. This practical and effective nymph developed by Dave Whitlock has been a staple in many a fly fishers trout fly arsenal. Changing the hook size and style, addition of legs, or bead head provides versatility to this fly for fishing both still and moving water. Don Fine will lead the tying that evening. In the tradition of PVFF’s Beginner Fly Tying sessions all materials to tie the pattern are provided. Basic tying equipment is also available for those who do Streamer Saturday – Recap: not already own tying equipment. By Don Fine The Beginner’s Fly Tying sessions are held in PVFF's Winter fly tying event entitled; room 207 (lower level) at Trinity United th Methodist Church, 703 West Patrick Street. “Streamer Saturday”, held January 20 , was a tremendous success with 26 members and guests attending. This was the second Winter fly tying event, the first (a Cork Popper class), being held in January 2017. As last year, PVFF provided all materials and each tier had the opportunity to tie a number of different streamer pattern variations based on the Woolly Bugger, Clouser Deep Minnow, Rabbit Strip Leach and Lefty's Deceiver or create their own variation of one or more of these classic streamer patterns. Considering the great turnout, probably more than 140+ streamer flies Monthly Roundtable – February 21 st were tied. Several ideas are already being By Jon Thames discussed regarding what to do next January, perhaps tying "foamy flies"? Join us at the Roundtable and welcome Ray Gano back to the vise as our guest tier. It is early to be thinking of fishing hoppers but I know they will be on the list of things I need to be a "prepared" fly fisher. The hopper patterns are varied and this looks to be a good option. The "Krystal Hopper" will be offered in green, yellow and black and that should cover everything we see in this part of the country. Ray will be solving my question of what hopper pattern to tie. Please bring your tying equipment and white New EVENTS Feature on Our 3/0 thread on the 21 st . All tying material will be supplied and loaner vises and equipment are Website: available. Troy Kitch, our Website Administrator, has See you at 7:00 PM in room 109. added a new feature to our website, called EVENTS . 2 Click on EVENTS and you will be directed to For more information contact: Steve Weinstein a calendar of upcoming events. This includes at (410) 978-1455 or [email protected] club events and other events of interest. PVFF “Home Waters” Clean Up Upcoming Fishing and Outdoor th Shows: When: Saturday, April 14 , from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM It is that time of year again when there are Where: Catoctin Creek Nature Center – “Our plenty of fly-fishing and other outdoor shows in Home Waters” the area. This includes the Great American Stream: Catoctin Creek Hunting & Outdoor Show and the Lancaster Meeting Point: We will be meeting in the Fly-Fishing Show. Check out our website for parking lot and then headed out to clean up the more information. banks of Catoctin Creek. Here’s an easy link: For more information contact: https://www.potomacvalleyflyfishers.club/even Dave Keane at (240) 367-4905 or email him at ts/2018-02/ [email protected] Conservation News Natural Resources Careers Camp By Dave Keane Accepting Applicants Below are some dates to put in your calendars Students entering grades 9 through 12 for 2018: High school students interested in forestry, 2018 Project Clean Stream Events fisheries, wildlife, or park management are invited to join teens from across the Mid Frank Burt Smoot Commemorative Event Atlantic at the week-long Natural Resources The MD Chapter of Brotherhood of the Jungle Careers Camp (NRCC), being held from July Cock (BOJC), is teaming up with the Thurmont 22 nd to 28 th at the Hickory Environmental Green Team to host the Frank Burt Smoot Education Center in Garrett County, MD. Commemorative Stream Cleanup project and Students will explore related college studies they are asking that our PVFF membership and professions through hands-on activities might choose to participate and support the with experts from a variety of conservation event. If you can attend, consider recruiting a fields. youth, or two, to participate as well. As Frank would probably remind us, “Since example “This program is perfect for young adults who alone is the one certain teacher” and since are planning a career in conservation, and those "They are the future stewards of our who may be interested in forestry or natural environment.” resources and want to see if this line of work is a right fit,” said Donna Davis, project forester When: Saturday, April 7 th , from 11:00 AM to for the MD Department of Natural Resources. 2:00 PM. Where: Cunningham Falls State Park, Students work in groups of six or eight led by Thurmont MD wildlife biologists, foresters and other natural Stream: Big Hunting Creek, from the parking resources professionals throughout the week. lot across the road from the Catoctin Mountain National Park Headquarters, to the Visitors’ Another exciting part of the program is College Center for Cunningham Falls State Park. Night, where representatives from West Meeting Point: Frank Bentz Memorial Pond Virginia University, Penn State, University of parking area (where Route 77 enters parkland Maryland, Frostburg University, Allegany just outside Thurmont); shuttle service will be College of Maryland and Garrett College speak provided. about their programs. 3 Professors and department heads will share years, or so by BSA Troop 270 in Thurmont, information and material with interested MD. Saturday, April 21 th is the big day! students. The event will feature shooting, archery, primitive cooking and tools, falconry, and The NRCC is sponsored by MD’s Forest fishing among other activities. In the past, the Conservancy District Boards, Allegany College PVFF and Bass Pros have taken the lead in of Maryland, the MD Department of Natural teaching scouts to tie flies and cast. This year Resources – Forest Service and the MD the fishing stations have been modified and The Forestry Foundation. The camp has been held BOJC has volunteered to take the lead, but we annually for over 45 years. still need PVFF volunteers to help. There will be two fishing venues. Fly Tying Students who will be entering grades 9 through demonstrations will be presented by BOJC and 12 next year and are interested in Natural PVFF volunteers in a 10ft by 10ft walled tent. Resources careers are eligible to apply. Applications are available at The second venue is a casting contest using www.marylandforestryboards.org . Local spinning rods and reels, at which scouts will Forest Conservancy District Boards interview, cast to buckets or hula-hoops for points. This recommend and offer scholarships for students event will be held rain or shine, so as the to attend the camp. Space is limited so Scouts say, “Be Prepared”. interested participants are encouraged to apply online today! We are in need of club volunteers for this event – please come for a couple of hours, or for as Dan Neuland visited the camp back in 2015 long as you can stay.