May 13 Meeting
When: Monday, May 13, 2024
Online: Zoom information below, login at 7:15 p.m.
Program Start: 7:30 p.m.
Speaker: Ben Harris TU Western Maryland Initiative Program Manager
Program: The TU Western Maryland Initiative Program
The TU Western Maryland Initiative (WMI) was formed in 2019 with seed funding from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). Since its formation, the WMI has focused on implementing habitat restoration and conservation measures for Eastern Brook Trout in the state of Maryland. The foundation for these efforts has been implementing riparian plantings, livestock exclusion, and in-stream habitat improvement projects in the Savage & Casselman watersheds in Garrett Co., MD.
With continued funding secured from NFWF Small Watershed Grants, the TU WMI is planning to reinforce efforts in the Savage & Casselman rivers, while expanding conservation projects to the North Branch Potomac, Youghiogheny, and Monocacy watersheds. Projects are ramping up to include significant fish passage barrier removal, instream habitat restoration, and large-scale upland and riparian plantings. Ben will discuss the TU Priority Waters Initiative, past projects implemented by the WMI, plans for the near future, and ways that the TU grassroots membership can lend support.
About Ben
Ben grew up fishing for trout in eastern WV and has been the Program Manager for TU's Western Maryland Initiative (WMI) since the Fall of 2022. He holds a BS in Fisheries Biology from Humboldt State University, and a MS in Wildlife & Fisheries Resources from West Virginia University. Ben's Master's thesis research studied Brook & Brown Trout movement in restored Appalachian watersheds, tracking fish via radio telemetry through mainstem corridors and headwater tributaries. Ben has worked for fisheries conservation nonprofits on the west coast for over 6 years- focused primarily on the restoration of endangered steelhead and salmon in Central California. Ben has been employed as a fisheries biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service, CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, and NC Division of Marine Fisheries. His career has been focused mainly on the conservation of listed & endangered fish species, with particular emphasis on Eastern Brook Trout, Coho Salmon, and Steelhead.
Ben is dedicated to preserving native trout & salmon through habitat restoration/conservation, public outreach, and advocacy.
Meeting ID: 899 0519 2142
Passcode: 049372
One tap mobile: +1-301-715-8592 -- *049372# US
2024 Fly Tying Sessions
The LAST class
- Monday—April 15—Poppers: This is a fun, hands-on class where you get to design, color and create your very own Bass or Panfish poppers!
Where: In-person only—IWLA-R Chapter House • 18301 Waring Station Road, Germantown MD 20874
Setup time: 7:15 p.m. (feel free to come help if you'd like)
Start time: 7:30 p.m.
SVTU will be providing ALL materials needed for a particular fly. If you have your own tools and vice please bring them. All you need to do is show up!
Shad Fishing Outing on Octararo Creek
When: Saturday, April 27 (all day)
Where: Octararo Creek
SVTU Chapter members are invited to fish for Hickory shad on Maryland’s Octararo Creek, a tributary flowing into the Susquehanna River from the northeast a few miles below Conowingo Dam. The trip is all day on Saturday, April 27, with a backup date of Saturday, May 4 in the event of heavy rains.
We will meet at the Park and Ride lot on Georgia Avenue south of Olney, near the ICC ramps at 4:00 a.m. It is about a two hour drive to Octararo Creek and we want to arrive there near sunrise for the best fishing locations. Parking at Octararo Creek is limited, so car pooling is encouraged.
Recommended gear is a 6-8 wt. rod with a sinking tip line, 0X or 2X leaders 4’-5’ length, shad darts or Clouser minnows or similarly weighted streamers, landing net, waders, wading staff, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lunch and water bottle, rain jacket and other layers for the weather.
A Maryland fishing license is required and the coastal and Bay license is recommended as the dividing line between the tidal and non-tidal section is a little upstream of the mouth of Octararo Creek.
To receive driving directions and any notice of change of date or other updates,—or to ask questions—you must let us know you will be joining us by Monday, April 22.
e-Mail events@senecavalleytu.org. Please include your name, a phone number that can receive texts and number of people in your party.
About Our Membership
Our core membership area stretches from the Washington Beltway to Hancock MD and includes western Montgomery, southern Frederick, and Washington Counties. We also welcome members from anywhere outside this geographic area.
When you join TU, you are a member of a national, council (state), and local organization. SVTU is a local voice. The Mid-Atlantic Council (MAC) speaks for cold water at the state level. National TU works with Congress and agencies at the national level.
What Our Chapter Does
SVTU supports the national vision in the following ways:
- Our chapter helps both financially and with volunteer hours to assist with restoration activities on Beaver Creek in Washington County
- Our volunteers help with maintenance activities on Little Seneca Creek in Montgomery County, southern Catoctin brook trout streams in Frederick County and maintenance of warmwater streams like Great Seneca Creek and areas of the Potomac River
- Youth fly-tying and fishing education events, adult fly tying, and assistance to Project Healing Waters events with our partner organizations
- Social events and our Fly Fishing 101 for members and guests
Join Our Chapter
When you join the SVTU Chapter $15 of every new membership fee comes back to us. Click the button "Join SVTU Button" to get started (you will be redirected to the National TU website to complete registration). You can join our chapter at an introductory rate of $17.50!
News & Articles
Chapter News
The SVTU chapter has lost some of our members. You can read about them at the “In Memorium” page.
Partnerships
SVTU received both the Maryland Division and National IWLA “Honor Roll Award” for our working partnership with the Rockville Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America.
The Adaptive Caster is a series of articles written by Dave Cleaves an FFI-certified fly-casting instructor.
New Article: Winter Casting Practice—Tips & Resources
Chapter Leadership
Officers
President: Noel Gollehon
Vice President: Joe Walther
Secretary: Peter Viechnicki
Treasurer: Nate Wallace
Board of Directors
Jack Higgins
Doug Hutzell
Andy Iams
Bob Irvin
Warren Junium
John Smith
The Seneca Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited (SVTU) is a local voice of National Trout Unlimited.
SVTU is a 501(C)3 organization, so your cash contributions are tax deductible to the level allowed by your tax situation. Direct contributions are always appreciated, and we will occasionally solicit with a direct campaign to fund a special project from time to time. You can easily donate to our chapter, just click the donate button. Thanks!
© Seneca Valley Trout Unlimited, Chapter 369