On My Mind This Month
January 2015
Nick Miller, President NCC-TU
CHAPTER MEETINGS
February 11, 2015:
Maryland DNR on “Early season trout fishing in Maryland waters.” Fight cabin fever with an evening of inspiring information about fishing in the waning days of winter and early spring in the trout streams of The Free State.
Meetings start with social time at 7:15p, and the programs begin at 8:00p. See "Meetings" page for more information.
SAVE THE DATE: NCC-TU SHAD NIGHT MARCH 11, 2015
The annual shad run in the Potomac River offers exciting fishing readily accessible to the national capital area. Dating back to colonial times, pursuit of the "founding fish" is an important spring ritual for area fishermen. At our March 11 meeting, we will present a special Shad Night program led by Mark Binsted, author of our Shad Reports, and a leader in the effort to have the National Park Service restore access to this fishery at Fletcher's Boat House.
Shad Night 2015 will feature fish tales by Mark Binsted and other notable shad anglers, up-to-date information on the status repairs to the Fletcher's Cove dock, DC fishing licenses for sale, shad fly tying demonstrations (several), and tackle rigging demonstrations for fly fishing and spin casting. There will also be raffles for prizes including guided shad fishing trips, and book sales.
Schedule for Shad Night 2015:
7-7:30 - Doors open, social time, fly tying, tackle rigging demonstrations
7:30-7:45 - Meeting start, announcements
7:45-9:00 - Presentations
The National Capital Chapter of Trout Unlimited (NCC-TU) is a non-profit organization
established to protect, enhance, and restore coldwater fishing resources of North America,
particularly those in the Mid-Atlantic region. SHAD REPORTS
Each Spring, the Chapter publishes email reports on the status of the shad run in the area, particular as it develops on the Potomac River at Fletcher's Cove in DC. These reports are emailed only to those requesting them. If you wish to receive these reports and did NOT receive them last year, send an email from the address you want us to use to contact@ncc-tu.org with "SHAD" in the subject line.
No need to re-subscribe if you received these reports in 2014; you are already subscribed. Nine reports were emailed to subscribers this year, the last dated May 27, 2014.
Updated 24 JAN 2015 by TOM
Kathy Franzel caught this 35 inch, 19 pound striper on October 27 with Captain Mike Critzer of Coastal Fly Fishing out of Kent Narrows on Chesapeake Bay.
"The Big Tuna" from the November Steelhead Trip:
PROGRESS ON
FLETCHER’S DOCK
The National Park Service (NPS), Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, held a public meeting regarding Fletchers Cove river access, Wednesday, December 17, 2014 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the NPS National Capital Region Headquarters located at 1100 Ohio Drive, SW, Washington, DC, 20242. The meeting addressed both interim and long term proposals.
Mark Binsted, NCC-TU Board Member and author of our Shad Reports represented the NCC-TU. This public meeting was a direct result of NCC-TU members and subscribers to the Shad Report actions this last week. Please continue your strong support to the ad hoc Coalition of organizations working toward a solution.
The holidays and New Year are a time to reflect on our past gifts and achievements and to set new goals for the future. This brings to mind so many individuals in the National Capital Chapter who volunteer and work together to preserve our Potomac River watershed and the bounty it brings us all as recreation, beauty and wilderness. I am really pleased that the Mid-Atlantic Council of Trout Unlimited (MAC) has chosen one of our own to exemplify the extraordinary volunteerism of Chapter members. MAC has decided to nominate George Gaines for possible appointment as a National Grassroots Trustee for National Trout Unlimited.
Most of us know George. But few realize the range and scope of his volunteerism and its impact on both our Chapter and region. National TU itself recognized George’s extraordinary efforts on behalf of coldwater conservation with the 2013 National Conservation Distinguished Service Award. Here is a short list of some of George’s achievements. George created, raised more than $300,000, and has been the Executive Director of the TU Mid-Atlantic Fishing Camp for Youth for the entire nine years it has existed. George saw the need, joined others, and co-founded Project Healing Waters for our veterans. He has served the last nine years as the Project Healing Waters coordinator to three TU regional Councils. And, most important, George has remained remarkably and totally active in our local National Capital Chapter of Trout Unlimited. He has continually served in a leadership position, either as Chapter President, Chapter Treasurer, or Chapter Board Member. And he served as Chair of our National Capital Angling Show for five years.
So my wish for the New Year: may we use George’s example to renew our personal commitment to address the needs of the Potomac River watershed and to use conservation, education and the excitement of fishing to restore and preserve the watershed for others.
Tight Lines,
Nick Miller
PS: The Fletcher’s Boat Dock issue remains under study by the National Park Service. Please lend your support by signing the Statement of Concern on-line: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QyB9yqw5MO9evi50uU84OCCs5UfO-MYRd714kAsCShI/edit?usp=sharingPlease spread the word and act NOW to save Potomac river access at Fletcher's Cove.NCC-TU's work on the Fletcher's Dock problem is mentioned in TU President Chris Wood's Blog Post: http://www.tu.org/blog-posts/take-a-bow-tu