Vol. 40, No. 3 November 2005

NCC-TU CHAPTER MEETING --- Wednesday November 9, 2005

TOM BRTALIK ON

FISHING THE LEGENDARY TROUT STREAMS OF PENNSYLVANIA: A PRACTICAL APPROACH

A Federation of Fly Fishers Certified Instructor and a full-time professional fly-fishing guide with over 30 years of fly-fishing experience, Tom describes himself as having fly fished since he’s had conscious thought.

Emphasis will be placed on techniques, equipment, flies, fish biology & behavior, hatches, etc. - as well as locations of specific streams in PA.

You can learn more about Tom Brtalik by visiting www.tomsflyfishing.com/instructor.htm . If you'd like more info on the streams go to, www.tomsflyfishing.com/streams.htm .

The meeting opens at 7:15 PM with some social time followed by any official business and Tom Brtalik’s presentation at 8:00 PM. The meeting is open to the public at no charge. Bring a guest, and introduce them to the excitement of fly-fishing for trout in the Mid-Atlantic region. All are welcome to have dinner with the speaker at 5:30 PM at McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant at 7401 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda, MD, just a block from our meeting location.

Join us on Wednesday, November 9th for an informative and enjoyable evening. Our meetings are held at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Services Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane in downtown Bethesda (across the street from the back of the Bethesda Metro Station). A County parking garage is in the basement of the building. For directions, a map, and further information go to our Chapter website at www.ncc-tu.org or call 202 363-0437.

The 2005-06 Chapter Meeting Schedule:

October 12 Jay Sheppard on Fall and Winter trouting in the D.C. regional area. 301-725-5559

November 9 Tom Brtalik, Pennsylvania fly fishing guide, on North Central PA trout streams. www.TomsFlyfishing.com

January 11 Bill Horn on fishing the Florida Keys, including his 2004 grand slam!

February 8 SHAD Night: panel TBA

March 25 31^st Annual National Capital Angling Show featuring Gary Borger and a team of nationally recognized anglers. To register for casting clinics contact Brian Durkin at (301) 341-3575 or email at BDurkin@copper.net. See details on the show below.

April 12 Ken Pavol, former head of MD DNR fisheries in W. Region, now retired and doing part time guiding, presents an update on Western MD trout waters

May 10 Jeff Kelble, regional fly and light tackle smallmouth guide out of Boyce Virginia, on smallmouth and carp tactics. www.FishinginVirginia.com

The President’s Roll Cast

Board and Officer elections. This is the first time in many years that George Gaines does not write this column. In case you missed the last Chapter meeting, George has “retired” from the President’s position, to take on a supporting role as Vice President. Though I’ve warned him that as incoming President, I plan to lean on him for advice and backup, I hope he has many opportunities to use the Ross reel the Chapter awarded him for his dedication to NCC-TU.

George has done yeoman’s work as Chapter President for what seems forever, at least for as long as I have been a Member. We all owe him much, having benefited greatly from his constant watch over Chapter activities, and his ability to keep us moving and improving. Under his stewardship in the last three years alone, we’ve taken up several important new programs and activities; for example, the always successful and popular shad night, restoration and conservation activities on Beaver Creek, the Chapter’s co-sponsorship of the TU conservation and fishing camp, and the Healing Waters project, to name just a few. I hope I can be at least as prolific, dedicated, creative, and energetic in the time I am able to serve as his successor. Thanks, George. I look forward to continuing work with you and with the new Board.

As announced in the last issue of Riffles, the Chapter held its annual elections during the last meeting. Several old-time Members were elected for the first time as Directors or Officers; several incumbent members of long standing were re-elected. Congratulations to all. Please welcome them when you see them at the next Chapter meeting, and by all means, let us know what’s on your mind. Or what should be on ours. You can get a blow-by-blow account of the election, the results, and Jay Sheppard’s very interesting presentation, following shortly in this issue of Riffles.

New Riffles Editor. We have a new editor for Riffles. Andrew Janssen has undertaken to produce your newsletter as of this issue. Andrew is a new Board Member (see the related story below), as well. He was Riffles editor from approximately 1989 to 1993, and we are lucky to be able to rely on his experience to produce a quality newsletter. Please thank Andrew, or let him know your thoughts and suggestions, at ajanssen@verizon.net. Better yet, please contribute articles of your own. Andrew can supply many ideas and concepts if you would like to share your experiences and thoughts and see your name in print. Many thanks to Doug Gaines and Tom Mann, who have done great work as Riffles editors in the recent past.

Volunteer activities. Our Chapter lives or convalesces according to how much our Members can volunteer to give a bit back to our community. All our activities are directly or indirectly related to education and conservation awareness, whether the activity is an outing, casting or tying lessons, or streamside conservation projects. Look for information in this issue on our next streamside restoration event at Beaver Creek, on November 12^th, and about our 31^st Annual National Capital Angling Show, scheduled for March 25^th, 2006. Please decide today to contact us as a volunteer. We plan also to organize several popular activities that have lain dormant for want of leaders, particularly school and youth programs. Look for details about these in future issues of Riffles.

And the fishing… MD-DNR recently stocked many of the area streams and lakes with larger and stronger fish than usual. The stocking, greater stream flows, smaller crowds, the foliage, and crisp weather, all combine to produce some of the best fishing of the year. Take the opportunity to show a novice a local stream, or better yet, sign up to lead a Chapter outing. No experience leading outings is required. Give us a call, drop us a line, and we will help you with the organization and suggestions. Lynn Scholz (lscholz@starpower.net) is our outings coordinator. Are you hard pressed to think of a place to fish? Read all about current hotspots in this issue as well.

For a full list of our chapter meetings and information on our programs and speakers, see our web site at www.ncc-tu.org.

I hope to see you streamside.

Alfredo

asuescum@compuserve.com

31^st Annual National Capital Angling Show – March 25^th, 2006

Featuring Gary Borger as Headline Speaker

The next iteration of our principal fund-raiser, the “Show,” will take place at the Landon School, on March 25^th, 2006. Your Board has been busy already lining up an all-star team of presenters, instructors, and exhibitors. Our headline speaker will be fly-fishing superstar Gary Borger. As always, however, we rely on the efforts of our Member volunteers to really get the show on the road, and make it a growing success. We need volunteers for all sorts of activities, from shaking down attendees at the door, to obtaining raffle donations, to running the raffle tables, to giving fly-tying instruction. It is not too early to let us know you would like to help again or for the first time. No one will be turned away. Please contact me (asuescum@compuserve.com), or George Gaines (gwgaines@earthlink.net) to volunteer.

We have a terrific bargain and gift suggestion for everyone on your Holiday, New Year, Valentine's Day, even Birthday list who is, or wants to fly fish, man, woman, or youth (and don't forget to include yourself!).  Give a one-hour personal instruction FLY CASTING CLINIC at our 31st Annual National Capital Angling Show on Saturday, March 25th, 2006, at The Landon School, in Bethesda.  For the bargain price of only $30 for adults or $20 for youth 16 and under (that's a $5.00 per clinic discount) beginners will learn the basics; intermediate and advanced casters will improve and strengthen their casting skills.  Clinics will be taught by master casting instructors.  We will have special youth clinics.  For additional information or to purchase a clinic, contact Brian Durkin at (301) 341-3575 or email at BDurkin@copper.net.

Purchase a casting clinic now, and we'll contact you in February with full details.  Payment for clinics must be received by March 1st, 2006.  After March 1st, clinic fees will be $35 for adults and $25 for youth 16 and under.

At the October Chapter Meeting:

Jay Sheppard Presented the Best Local Waters; Election Results

At our last Chapter Meeting, on October 12th, we were lucky to have local fishing legend, Jay Sheppard, as our featured speaker. Jay, a retired biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has explored, fished, developed, and improved our local waters for over 30 years.

Jay’s presentation prompted second thoughts among those in the audience who had put their tackle away until “next season.” As Jay explained, Maryland trout waters are open all year, and in this area trout can be taken on the dry fly year round, if you know where and when.

Jay covered many of the local regional waters within a day-trip of the Washington metro area. He discussed tactics learned from his many years of experience, including best times, places and methods. Jay had this information at his fingertips, and gladly passed it on to the Members present.

Jay has been a member and frequent officer and committee chairman in our neighboring Potomac-Patuxent TU Chapter for some 30 years. He has long contributed to the protection and improvement of our Maryland streams, both as a member of his chapter and of our Mid-Atlantic Council. Jay is particularly recognized as the principal protector, promoter, and expert of the Patuxent River Special Regulations area. Jay created the Patuxent Special fly for this water, a pattern that has proven its worth as a year round, world wide, producer.

Jay Sheppard (left) reacts to NCC-TU Treasurer Scott Faley’s fishing story

during the pre-meeting dinner at MCCormick & Schmick’s

This meeting marked a departure of sorts. George Gaines stepped down as Chapter President, after many years of dedicated and fruitful service. We are lucky to count on his continued presence, however, as Vice President for at least one more year (see details of election results, below). Our Treasurer, Scott Faley, presented George with a Ross reel engraved with the Chapter’s initials, in recognition of George’s outstanding service. May the fish come in schools. We expect detailed expeditionary reports!

Also at the meeting, the Membership elected new Directors and Officers. New to the board are Brian Durkin, Eduardo Feller, Andrew Janssen, and Mark Schifrin. The Chapter’s Officers for 2005-2006 are Alfredo Suescum, President; George Gaines, Vice President; Scott Faley, Treasurer; and Robert and French McConnaughey, Joint Secretaries. The slate was presented and approved unopposed. Congratulations to all!

Cast to the gold --- Get the drift now on local trout streams

Are you new to trout fishing in the National Capital area, lack confidence in your stream-reading abilities, or have avoided fishing new streams because they are unfamiliar? Well, get your tackle ready: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has done you a big favor over the last few weeks to help you along. As part of their un-announced fall stocking efforts, DNR has release thousands of trout in area streams, many of them larger and stronger than the usual standard issue hatchery fish. And to simplify further matters for you, they also stocked many Palomino Rainbow Trout.

The Palominos’ bright amber color contrasts with the streambed, and makes them easy to spot. Many experienced fishers look down at these fish as a novelty; cute, but smaller than other fish, and just another hatchery product. These fishers are missing a grand opportunity for learning about trout lies in their local streams, and for helping a novice fisher get some positive reinforcement and a sense of achievement.

A Palomino’s color does not make it any dumber than other fish. If anything, their visibility has taught them to be warier than camouflaged trout. They have learned to hang out in the best places for trout survival. They will likely be in the best feeding lanes compatible with good cover. Other harder-to-find trout like these spots as well.

If you are unfamiliar with a stream that has Palominos, or new to stream-craft, look for these oversized goldfish. Once you spot them, and look a little harder, you probably will also see several normal rainbows camouflaged in the same location. Study these areas for clues as to why they are there. Memorize the locations. Chances are you will find trout there again in the future.

Whatever their color, the trout released by DNR are still new to their environment. They currently seem to be concentrated in locations most like a hatchery pen; that is, deeper slots and pools. As the fish acclimate to the streams, more of them will move to riffles and pocket water.

There does not seem to be much surface feeding among the stockies, and most of these fish are hugging the bottom. Occasionally, though, a fish will rise to a dry. To double your chances of attracting a fish, tie a sub-surface fly on a long tippet off the bend of a visible dry fly. An Elk hair caddis will work well this time of year, with a Pheasant tail nymph. A dead-drifted wooly bugger or Patuxent Special will also work nicely. If you are not getting any strikes, you are probably not sinking the sub-surface fly deep enough. Before poking around in your box for a different fly, try adding weight, or lengthen the tippet between the nymph and the dry. If you are not snagging bottom occasionally, you are not getting the fly to the fish.

There are several freshly stocked streams within 40 minutes of Washington, and many more within an hour’s drive. You can find Palominos in the Savage Mill area of the Little Patuxent River, and Great Seneca Creek. Also nearby (though without Palominos) is the delayed harvest area of the Middle Patuxent River. A little further afield, but still within an hour’s drive, Owens Creek, was stocked with Palominos. Other streams about an hour away include Middle Creek, and the Daniels and Avalon areas of the Patapsco River. All of these are readily accessible, and suited to a brief outing.

The numbers of fish, higher stream flows, smaller crowds, the foliage, and crisp weather -- all of these combine to produce some of the best fishing of the year. Don’t forget to take a novice fisher, or forget to remark to yourself or your buddy that this opportunity is made possible by the volunteer activities of fishers like you.

Local color: Carpe à la Provençale

By Tom Mann

This story is not about food. Camaret sur Aigues, Sérignan du Comtât, and Ste. Cécile des Vignes are three quiet towns in Provence, where I now live for part of each year. Each town has a fishing club, with its own stocked pond (étang, or plan d’eau). Some of these Provençal anglers specialize in fishing for carp.

Essentially an overgrown goldfish, carp were introduced to North America from the Old World by immigrants who thought they were doing a kindness. But the hardy, omnivorous carp quickly invaded the habitat of native freshwater game fish, and came to be maligned as “bottom feeders” whose flesh was shunned by most Americans as “muddy-tasting.” However, the carp’s reputation in the US as a sport fish has grown in recent years. Carp routinely grow to 44 pounds (20 kilos), and they are now recognized by American fly-fishermen as a worthy quarry, strong fighters, as picky and hard to fool as any fish that swims. Indeed, the golden carp can peel off scorching runs like a bonefish, the legendary “gray ghost” of the tropical saltwater flats. Whenever I caught the occasional carp while fly-fishing for trout or smallmouth bass in the Appalachians near my stateside home in Washington, DC, I noticed they outfought those more glamorous species. Four years ago, two of us hired a guide for a day of Pennsylvania carp fishing in the Susquehanna River’s West Branch, but the fish were too skittish in the clear water, they snubbed our flies, and we failed to catch one. So when my French neighbors in Provence told me about an upcoming three-day marathon carp-fishing contest, I had to see it for myself.

Any Provençal carp fisherman worth his pastis has a secret formula for bait. They are as tight-lipped about these aromatic concoctions as a three-star chef is about a signature dish. The bait begins as a paste, which is molded into a ball, and boiled to maintain its shape. Carp fishers use telescoping fiberglass rods of 11 to 12 feet (3.5 meters), and spinning reels spooled with stout line. The baited hook is cast into the depths on a weighted line that may be suspended under a bobber. The angler waits patiently on the bank for something to happen. Once landed, the carp are weighed, then released to fight again. As far as I know, fly-fishing for carp, which entails attracting a strike by sight rather than scent, has yet to catch on in Provence.

The three-day marathon pitted teams of carp anglers at the three ponds. I visited Ste. Cécile’s étang de Bel Air each day. On Friday night, I arrived to find some of the anglers comfortably ensconced in tents pitched around the shady banks of the pond, lines in the water, their rods ready to grab in the event of a bite. The resident pair of swans, one black and one white, paddled majestically about. A map was posted in the étang’s rustic shelter, showing each fisher’s territory. These zones were also marked off on the ground with plastic tape like that used to delineate a crime scene. Another group of anglers was enjoying a picnic, while little boys stood sentry duty and watched their lines for a bite. A strapping young fisherman named Sebastian was methodically flinging bait pellets into the water around his lines, hoping to chum up some action. His bait did smell appetizing, but I can’t divulge its secret scent. I left at 9:00 p.m. when the sky was still light, assured that nothing would happen for hours. Apparently, big carp in the étang feed only at night.

I returned to the étang the following day around 6:00 p.m. Walking around the edge of the pond, I saw a large pod of carp swimming around nonchalantly in the middle, clearly visible in the bright midsummer evening. A member of the team reported that one fisherman had caught two carp the previous night, weighing over 26 and 28 pounds (12 and 13 kilograms), respectively. From all three ponds, those were the only fish taken in the first two days of the marathon. The team earns 1,000 points per kilogram for each fish. The anglers of the étang de Bel Air held a commanding lead, which they padded the final night by adding two more carp to reach a total catch of 88 pounds (40 kilograms). The same fisherman, a facteur (postal worker) in Vaison la Romaine, caught all four fish. Evidently he had the best spot on the étang, the je ne sais quoi that makes one fisherman better than his peers, and of course, the most alluring bait recipe. No prize was awarded, but according to my neighbor, Richard, “the winner had the satisfaction of knowing he was the best.”

The carp marathon has opened my eyes to a new sport fishery I overlooked during a decade of long summer vacations in Provence. Bien sûr, I will start by conferring with the facteur from Vaison to figure out what kind of flies might appeal to carpe à la Provençale. Perhaps I can visit the étang de Bel Air with my fly rod when the light is low and even the score for that carp-less day in Pennsylvania. There are also carp in the Rhône and its tributaries, and thus many potential venues in Provence for pursuing carp on the fly.

This work originally appeared in the International Herald Tribune.

From the Vise: Cress Bugs

By Luca Adelfio

Cress bugs are small crustaceans that inhabit spring creeks and other fertile waters. Cress (or sow) bugs often hide in protective cress beds; however, if they lose their footing and drift out of the weeds, they are an easy and energy-packed meal for any nearby trout. Because cress bugs are so abundant, trout look for these drifters as a staple in their diet. Cress bug imitations are my first choice when nymphing in nearby spring creeks. I have caught more Letort and Falling Springs trout on cress bugs than any other pattern. The beauty of the cress bug pattern, is that it works in all types of water. The trout in the deeper, faster water, as well as the selective fish holding in shallow water, take cress bugs readily. Trout will even dig their noses in the weeds to loosen the bugs and swim just downstream of the weed bed to eat the flailing prey. Fishing for trout feeding in this manner is particularly exciting. This is the nymph angler’s version of dry fly fishing! When a trout is rooting in the cress, the angler must match the hatch and sight cast to the fish. Another benefit of the cress bug pattern is that the fly will catch fish every day of the year. Unlike most insect nymphs, cress bugs are active in the stream year round.

Fishing cress bugs is just like dead-drifting nymphs. It is key to get them near the bottom. I fish mine with a split shot five to eight inches above the fly (5” in fast and/or deep water, 8” in “skinny” water). Unless I am sight fishing, I use a small indicator that is placed about two times the water depth up from the fly. Two to five weight rods that are between eight and one half and nine feet in length are preferable. A nine to twelve foot leader that tapers to 4x or 5x tippet is ideal. If the fish are being picky, try fluorocarbon tippet.

Materials:

Hook: standard length shank, #12-18 (I tie most of mine in #14&16)

Thread: olive or tan, 6/0-8/0

Body: Orvis scud dubbing (I like the “olive-gray” color)

Centerline: olive 6/0 or G thread.

Rib: fine copper wire

Tying Steps:

First, tie in the materials for the rib and center line so they stick out over the hook bend, ready for action. Then wrap the thread forward to near the hook eye. Dub liberally back to the bend, and forward again (this technique of dubbing cress bugs was shown to me by Dave Rothrock, by dubbing this way instead of making a ‘dubbing loop’, I save time). Once the body is dubbed, pull the centerline straight over the back to create one vertical stripe down the center of the fly’s back. Tie in the centerline with the thread (which is at the head after finishing the body). Wrap the rib. Tie down the rib and whip finish. Cement the head if desired. Next, use a bodkin, T-pin, or needle to pick the dubbing out from between the rib. Pick out both sides of the fly to create a flat body. Trim the picked-out dubbing into an almost football shape (mine end up in more of a “Twinkie” shape). The ratio of length to width should be about 2:1. A size 14 is approximately 1/2 an inch long and 1/4 of an inch wide.

This fly is a cinch to tie. Because they are so quick to produce, I am more willing to cast to tough lies (such as under trees and sunken logs) with this pattern. Remember, big fish live where they are protected. Try to target the risky areas, even if you lose a fly or two.

Want a few cress bugs but don’t tie?

Here is a list of spring creek experts. All three are guides and commercial tiers.

Dave Rothrock (central PA) (570) 398-7004

Don Bastian (central PA) (570) 998-2481

Mike Heck (south-central PA) (717) 261-0070

This article was first published by Riffles in the 20^th century.

We Need Volunteers!

Beaver Creek Streamside Restoration and Planting

November 12, 2005

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The new habitat restoration project at the Baker farm on Beaver Creek is almost done. You won't believe how much habitat was created until you see it. In order to stabilize the banks, and provide shade for cool water temperatures, one of our partners in this project, the Beaver Creek Watershed Association, has put out a call for VOLUNTEERS, Saturday, November 12, to plant about 1000 shrubs and 60 trees. The project will begin at 9:00 a.m., and carry on until we are finished.

We need a good turnout of NCC-TU Chapter members to help us complete the project. The holes will be pre-augured, so we don't have to do much digging.

These events are fun, and provide an opportunity for individuals and families to learn a bit about stream ecology, and how local actions can provide widespread benefits. The events may also qualify as community service hours for students. We encourage adults, families and community groups to come out for a day to help improve the largest spring creek in Maryland.

Dress for the weather. Rubber boots or waders would be handy. Refreshments, lunch, and tools will be provided, but bring work gloves, shovels and rakes, if you have them.

Project partners include the Beaver Creek Watershed Association, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Antietam Watershed Association, Mid-Atlantic Council of the Federation of Fly Fishers, Trout Unlimited, US Forest Service and the US Fish & Wildlife Service. To sign up, please contact David Thompson (davidt1967@aol.com), or Alfredo Suescum (asuescum@compuserve.com). You may also simply show up at Beaver Creek on the day.

Directions from Washington: Take I-270 to Frederick, then I-70 west to exit 35, Maryland Rt. 66, South towards Boonsboro. Turn right in less than a mile onto Beaver Creek Rd. Turn right again in about a third of mile onto Beaver Creek Church Rd. Please park at the church, and walk the remaining quarter mile to the work site. There will be signs to lead you to the worksite.

Please identify yourself at the worksite as a NCC-TU member!

NCC-TU "Let's Go Fishing!" Program

The outing to Big Hunting Creek was canceled due to inclement weather, so no report on it is available.

Upcoming Outings:

None planned in the short-term.

A Rapidan outing is planned for the Spring, probably in late April, early May. The trip will run for two nights and can accommodate approx. 10-15 adults, depending on the number of cabins available. The cost is usually $55 per adult, with a current NCC-TU member per family.

Please volunteer to organize an outing by contacting Lynn Scholz, lscholz@starpower.net.

General Information About NCC-TU Outings:

Trip organizers are prepared to offer an introduction to the water and instruction in effective fishing techniques. Each organizer will determine the number of people that can be accommodated on the trip depending on the size of the water and the availability of personnel for guiding and instruction. Participants will furnish their own fly-fishing gear, be responsible for their own food and drink, have a valid fishing license, and will sign the Chapter’s liability release. Contact the trip organizer to reserve space, and mail the trip organizer any required fee for the trip. Your spot will be confirmed upon receipt of any required fee. --- Participants who are not TU members will be assessed a fee of $25, which will credited to TU and NCC chapter membership. TU members of other chapters will be charged only the NCC chapter membership assessment of $15.00. These payment will entitle you to participate in all special Chapter activities free of charge for the remainder of the membership period ---

Information on some of these streams, local lodging and dining, etc. can be found in The Mid-Atlantic Budget Angler by Ann McIntosh, The Trout Fishing Guide to Maryland and South Central Pennsylvania by Members of the Patapsco Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Guide to Maryland Trout Fishing; The Catch and Release Streams by Charlie Gelso and Larry Coburn; and Shad Fishing: The Complete Guide to Species, Gear and Tackle by C. Boyd Pfeiffer.

For up-to-the-moment future outings lists, schedule changes, and additional information, consult the “Outings” tab at our website, http://www.ncc-tu.org. Stay tuned: we will be planning future trips to some great locations within a three hour drive of Washington, DC such as:

Falling Spring PA Big Spring Creek PA Little Juniata River PA

Yellow Breeches Creek PA Potomac River MD/VA Savage River MD

Big Hunting Creek MD Rapidan River VA Casselman River MD

Letort Spring Run PA Youghiogheny River MD Morgan Run MD

Mossy Creek VA Gunpowder Falls MD Shenandoah Nat'l Park VA

N. Branch Potomac MD Shenandoah River VA Chesapeake Bay MD/VA

2005 TU Youth Camp Successful – Looking Forward to 2006 Camp

The 2005 TU Conservation & Fishing Camp sponsored by the TU chapters of MD, VA, WV, and DC was very successful. A total of 22 high school-age campers—19 boys and 3 girls from throughout the region—attended the camp that was held from June 26 to July 1, 2005, at Graves’ Mountain Lodge in Syria, VA, adjacent to Shenandoah National Park. Our National Capital Chapter contributed funds and volunteers to support the camp, as well as providing scholarship funding for two students from DC to attend the camp.

A number of major fishing gear manufacturers followed the lead of L.L. Bean in donating equipment to the camp. While many individuals and companies supported the camp, the leadership and special effort of The Angler’s Lie in Arlington, VA, was instrumental to the success of the camp. An outstanding camp staff of nearly 30 volunteers was led by Camp Director Paul Kearney.

Work is already underway to organize and plan next summer’s camp, which will be held June 25^th – 30^th, 2006. Financial support and volunteers are needed. And, of course, help in identifying and recruiting students to attend the 2006 camp would be greatly appreciated. If you’d like to volunteer, please contact Paul Kearney at (540) 229-0563, or George Gaines at (202) 363-0437 or online at gwgaines@earthlink.net. It’s a great way to support the camp, and help young men and women learn to appreciate fishing and fisheries conservation.

For more info on the camp, visit http://www.tucamp.org.

Officers and Directors

President – Alfredo Suescum

Vice President – George Gaines

Treasurer – Scott Faley

Co-Secretaries – Robert and French McConnaughey*

Board of Directors:

Eleanor Adkins

Steve Bell

Mark Binsted

Brian Durkin*

Eduardo Feller*

Doug Gaines

Andrew Janssen*

Tom Mann

Irene Petrlik

Mark Schifrin*

Lynn Scholz

Frank Smith

Andrew Spence

Dave Thompson

* New Officer or Member of the Board of Directors

ENVIRONMENTAL LECTURE SERIES

Tuesday, November 15, 2005 at 7:30pm

Howard County Department of Recreation & Parks Headquarters

7120 Oakland Mills Road

Columbia, MD 21046

Text Box: Come see local author Sandy Burk’s exciting slide show on her new award winning book Let the River Run Silver Again! Hear how local area schools helped restore the threatened American shad, trout, wetlands and their schoolyards. Learn how you can join these efforts in our local rivers, from the Patuxent to the Potomac, from helping restock fish to building rain gardens in your neighborhood. Hear secrets to funding and equipping restoration programs! Also get the latest updates on fishing for American shad and on the exotic new fish that is invading our rivers: the snakehead.

This story follows the progress of the successful shad restocking program from its beginning in 1995 through the subsequent eight years. It features an exciting adventure story told thru the eyes of students and their mentors as they help to bring back the American shad. It also provides information useful in devising waterway and watershed projects, reflects and discusses the Westbrook project and provides steps to create a successful watershed project anywhere.

About the Author

Sandy Burk was born along the banks of the Potomac River in Washington, DC, and has always regarded the river as her home. As a child, she fished and canoed the river with her family. She climbed the same rocks at Great Falls that students from Westbrook Elementary did in the story, to look for the silvery glimpse of fish in the waves below.

Sandy has an undergraduate degree in Biology at Duke University, and a Masters degree in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina in Wilmington. Her expertise is in educating the public about water quality and how they could improve it including training teachers on how to monitor water quality and do river and wetland restoration projects.

“My purpose in writing the book was to inspire people to become involved in their local environment by showing them a successful environmental story achieved by a local school and its community. I hope that this story lets people know that they really can make a difference in their world,” states Ms. Burk.

Sandy is a consultant in educational outreach programs, she writes articles and teacher training manuals, as well as contributes to and reviews other environmental educational books. Sandy lives in Chevy Chase, MD.

Sandy’s book will be available for purchase that evening.

General Call for Volunteers (this means you!)

The NCC-TU is always organizing and discovering new volunteer opportunities to improve our local waters. We are investigating several new possibilities for a new project along Little Bennett Creek, for which we need the advice and experience of Members on topics such as erosion, streamside plants, stream-bed improvements, environmental law, easements, etc. No one will be refused.

To sign up, learn more, or to be added to our conservation mailing list, please contact Alfredo Suescum at asuescum@compuserve.com or 301-565-2505, or David Thompson, at david081567@yahoo.com. You are also encouraged to attend our regular Chapter meetings every second Wednesday of the following months: October, November, January, February, April, and May.

Other Chapter Committee News

The NCC-TU sponsors a variety of activities in addition to our annual Show. We always need volunteers to work on our committees:

Communications: work on the web site, write for the newsletter, work on advertising and publicity for the Show.

Education and Outings: work on “Fly-Fishing 101” classes, organize outings to regional fishing spots.

Chapter Operations: work on membership, speaker programs, and liaison with National TU.

Show: work on organizing and running the Annual Angling Show.

Conservation: work on regional stream improvement projects such as the Antietam Creek watershed (PA and MD), Beaver

Creek (Washington County, MD) and Little Bennett Creek (Montgomery County, MD).