Conservation News: May 2018

By Dave Keane

PVFF “Home Waters” Clean Up

On Saturday, April 14th, members from the PVFF gathered along the banks of the Catoctin Creek to participate in the annual “Project Clean Stream.”

Every spring, tens of thousands of volunteers come together to pick up trash from local streams, creeks, rivers, parks, and neighborhoods as part of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s Project Clean Stream — the largest cleanup event in the Chesapeake Bay region! Cleanups take place across the entire Chesapeake watershed, in all 6 Bay states and the District of Columbia (DC).

As the fishing season heats up, take a few minutes out of your trip and pick up some trash on your way out of the stream. When I was in the Boy Scouts, we were always taught to leave your campsite cleaner than you found it. Just imagine if everyone had this instilled in them at an early age. Nothing is more frustrating than visiting your favorite fishing spot only to find discarded worm containers, beer cans and cigarette butts!

Thanks to the following members that came out and participated:

  • Jon Thames
  • Donald Lee and his Granddaughter
  • Troy Kitch
  • Lynne Ashe
  • Dave Keane
  • Larry Forte

PVFF Teaches Fly Tying at Monocacy Middle School

For the past 3 weeks, several PVFF members have been teaching fly tying to 12 very interested students at Monocacy Middle School as part of Trout Unlimited’s “Trout-In-the-Classroom” Program. Great job goes to Chuck Dinkle for leading the class. A big “thank you” also to Rachel Bernard, Bob Eichler, Ray Ouellette and Bill Cunningham for helping instruct the students. I helped one afternoon and these kids were having a great time and were very proud of the flies they got to take home with them!

2018 Boy Scout Spring Camporee

On Saturday, April 21st, several PVFF members, along with folks from the Brotherhood of the Junglecock (BOJC), helped teach over 300 Boy Scouts from Frederick County fly tying and fly casting at their big Spring Field Sports Camporee held at the Thurmont Conservation & Sportsmen’s Club in Thurmont, MD. It was a beautiful day and it was fun watching many kids cast a fly rod for the first time. A BIG “THANK YOU” goes to the club members that helped make the event a big success for the Boy Scouts.