Stream Lines Fall/ Winter 2015

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Monocacy Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Volume 2, Issue 3 Fall/Winter 2015

Stream Lines the Newsletter of the Monocacy Chapter of Trout Unlimited

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President’s Message

President’s Message

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Featured Stream Gunpowder Falls Tailwater Fishery

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Techniques: The Liserning Liftby Dr. Ted Burger

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Monocacy Summer Directors’ Meeting Report

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A California Fishing Opportunity

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Dates to Remember

Sept16-20 Annual Natiional TU Meeting, Scranton Hilton, Scranton, PA

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Sept. 26- Chapt. Meeting Summer Planning Meeting Report/National Meeting/ 2015-16 Program Plans

Members: As summer comes to a close and the weather gets cooler (hopefully!), I always look forward to the bounty fall has to offer. The colors of autumn, the chill of fall air, football games back on TV, and the start of some great fishing. No matter what type of fishing you do, fall can be a great time to get back on the water of the dog days of summer. I personally look forward to increased action in saltwater, but I have also started trying streamers in hopes of fooling large fall brown trout. I'm not only intrigued by the chance at larger than normal fish, but is there anything as stunning as a brown trout in full spawning colors?

Of course I also look forward to our monthly meetings getting started again.

Last year we tried several new events like our stream side Bugs and Dogs cookout, a fall Joint Chapter event, the super successful Fly Fishing Film Tour, among others.

We will be bringing these programs back again this year, along with the old favorites like the Spring Event, and our monthly programs. We have a great line up planned for this year, we hope you can join us. Meetings will still be held the 4th Tuesday of the Month from September – May at the DAR house on 8th Ave, unless otherwise noted. Meetings start promptly at 7pm. As always you can check our website for more info as it becomes available, www.monocacytu.org.

I hope everyone had a safe and fun summer.

Erik Broesicke President Monocacy Chapter TU

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Oct. 27 Chapt. Meeting Conservation Program with Paula Piatt.

Chapter Elections

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Nov. 21-22-Fly Tying Symposium. Sommerset, NJ Nov. 24 - Chapt. Meeting Program - Pannel Discussion, Program TBD e.g.Winter Trout or Steelhead Fishing

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Dec. 15 “Fall Joint Chapter Meeting” East Bath R&G.

Gunpowder Falls Tailwater Fishery In 1986, the Maryland Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Department of Natural Resources negotiated an agreement with the City of Baltimore for a minimum flow release of cold water from Prettyboy Reservoir. Prettyboy Reservoir has gates at 10, 55 and 100 feet from which water can be released from the reservoir. With the exception of drought years, most of the cold water released from Prettyboy Reservoir comes from the 55 foot gates.

After fisheries biologists planted thousands of fertilized brown and rainbow trout eggs in the gravel and stocked thousands of fingerling and adult brown and rainbow trout, the Gunpowder tailwaters' potential as a self-sustaining, naturally reproducing wild trout fishery was realized. The first natural reproduction of stream bred brown trout occurred in

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Chapter Directors and Officers

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Officers Erik Broesicke - President Mike Recine - Vice Pres Dr. Ed Hart III - Treasurer Bob Signorello - Secretary

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2013 Board of Directors

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Dr. Theodore Burger M.D. Jim Coxe Todd Griffith Steve Vanya Bob Signorello CQ Williamson Ken Young Dr. Ed Hart, III Vicky Bastidas Ron Horwath Phil Burtner Mike Recine Mike Bradley Jose de Jesus Jack Schildt Norm Szymanski

Stream Lines 1989. Rainbow trout natural reproduction was first documented in 1991 and has only been successful in the upper 1.2 miles of tailwater above Falls Road. With implementation of special trout management regulations, the wild trout population took off and the Gunpowder tailwater can truly be classified as a blue ribbon trout river.

Presently, 7.2 miles of the Gunpowder Falls between Prettyboy dam and Blue Mount Road are managed for wild trout under catch-and-return, flies and artificial lures only regulations.

Statewide wild trout regulations (2 trout/day, no size or bait restrictions) apply from Blue Mount Road downstream 4.2 miles to Corbett Road. The remaining 6.1 miles from Corbett Road downstream to a hiker/biker trail approximately one mile below Phoenix Road are stocked with hatchery rainbow trout. This stream section is stocked in the spring and fall and provides a popular put-and-take fishery with a five trout/day limit and no bait restrictions.

There are closed periods during the spring to allow for stocking.

The scenic upper tailwater above Falls Road has a moderate gradient with deep boulder filled pools and runs. The remaining catch and return section has a low gradient with deep pools, long runs and swift cobble and gravel filled riffles. From Blue Mount Road downstream to Corbett Road, the tailwater becomes wider with deep pools and gravel riffles.

Some sand can also be found in the substrate. The lower put-and-take section is characterized as wide and slow with sand and gravel runs and scattered deep sandy pools containing logs and woody debris. The tailwater averages 30 to 70 feet in width.

The upper Gunpowder Falls tailwater consists of 97% brown trout with rainbow and brook trout comprising the remaining three percent. The rainbow trout are found mostly in the 1.2 miles of river between the dam and Falls Road. Brook trout can be caught throughout the tailwater in areas where tributaries populated with brook trout enter the Gunpowder. Wild brown trout can be caught throughout the entire tailwater, however, the highest numbers of wild trout exist upstream of the put-and-take section. Average standing crops of adult brown trout over the past 10 years (1993-2002) have ranged from 56 pounds/ acre to 109 pounds/acre in the catch and return section. Densities of brown trout averaged between 1286 adults/mile and 2663 adults/mile over the past ten years and have averaged 2038 adults/mile over the past five years (1998-2002). Although some of the adult brown trout reach 12-15 inches in total length, most are in the 8-11 inch range. Results of a tagging study conducted by DNR biologists found very little movement of tagged wild brown trout and found growth rates to be average in trout between 9 and 10 inches and very slow for larger trout. Trout reach 11 to 12 inches in approximately five years. Rainbow trout exhibit much faster growth and attain sizes in excess of 12 inches in far less time. Poor natural reproduction of rainbow trout appears to be the reason for limited numbers of rainbow trout above Falls Road. In response to this limitation, DNR biologists have begun to re-establish the rainbow trout population by stocking marked fingerlings in the 1.2 miles immediately below Prettyboy Dam. The objective is to improve rainbow trout density and standing crop to within historical capacity while maintaining the wild brown trout fishery. The trout fishery will be monitored annually to assess effectiveness. This stream section has successfully held up to 250 pounds of trout/acre, which has been evenly split between brown and rainbow trout.

Gunpowder Falls tailwater is managed under catch-and-return, statewide wild trout and put-and-take regulations. Please consult the Maryland Freshwater Sportfishing Guide for details. The first 0.4 miles of the Gunowder Falls tailwater from Prettyboy dam downstream flows through Baltimore City watershed property. Gunpowder Falls State Park - Hereford Area surrounds the next 6.6 miles of river. Much of the remaining tailwater flows through private property. Although most of the tailwater is accessible through the private property, please be aware of all private property signs and do not trespass where it is posted. Hiking trails parallel the tailwater from Prettyboy dam downstream to Big Falls Road. A hiker/biker trail parallels most of the tailwater from Blue Mount Road downstream to Phoenix.

Directions: From the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), take I-83 north 12.4 miles to Exit 27, Mt. Carmel Road. Turn right on Mt. Carmel Road. At traffic light, turn left on York Road. Just pass Hereford High School turn left on Bunker Hill Road and follow to parking lot above the river. Other parking areas are located at Falls Road, Masemore Road, York Road, Big Falls Road, Blue Mount Road, Monkton Road, Glencoe Road, Sparks Road and Phoenix Road.

Special Thanks to Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service for the information provided and to the assistance of: Backwater Angler A Full Service Fly Shop Steps from the Gunpowder River in Monkton, Maryland 16938 York Rd. Mdonkton, MD 21111 410-357-9557

Streamlines

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The Liserning Lift - Dr. Ted Burger Important Information

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Trout Unlimited Annual Meeting

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Trout Unlimited will be holding its 2015 national annual meeting from September 16 through September 20 in Scranton, PA. The host hotel will be the Scranton Hilton. Activities will include meetings, conservation tours, local history and attraction tours, award presentations, a banquet, an auction, as well as some fishing.

Chapter president Erik Broesicke will most likely be attending on S a t u r d a y.

Anyone interested in attending, contact Erik.

If there has ever been one method of fishing Wet or Soft-Hackle Flies that has been incorrectly described and utilized, the Leisenring Lift tops the list. Numerous descriptions by authors both in articles and books seem to confuse Gary La Fontaine’s Technique of fishing to emerging caddis with that of the Leisenring Lift. I am not sure the authors have either not taken the time to read Leisenring’s description of his method, The Art of Tying the Wet Fly, or have misinterpreted his description to imply there is an active lift on the part of the angler.

If one closely reads Leisenring’s description, one will realize it has several conditions that must be met to be effective. First and foremost it requires you to be able to pinpoint the trout or its prospective lie. The method works best if the trout is holding in 2-3 feet of water and you are positioned upstream and across from his lie at about a 30 degree angle. Your cast is made with an un-weighted fly, upstream 5-20 feet from the lie depending on the current speed and depth. In The Art of Tying the Wet Fly, Leisenring wrote “the fly comes straight down to him bumpety-bump over the gravel and stones along the bottom with the current.” Proper mending is essential in order to allow your fly to achieve the correct depth. As I noted in Fly Presentation, you must follow the drift with your rod tip, keeping it high, but do not tighten the line between the rod and the fly. Once the fly reaches where the trout can see it (one may have to envision this in one’s mind), merely stop the rod. You do not lift the rod!! Stopping the rod, as pointed out by Dave Hughes,“tightens the line, with the result that the fly lifts off the bottom and swims up in the sight of the trout.”

Leisenring does not mention any lifting of the rod!!

The Gary La Fontaine Technique is similar in that it requires “high sticking” and proper mending to achieve depth. It is not restricted to 2-3 foot water depths, a visualized trout or that an angler be positioned upstream of the lie and in fact he maybe directly across from the lie. When the angler feels or envisions his fly is at the proper depth and within the trout’s vision, he lifts the rod tip and may impart the slightest twitch to the rod, thereby imitating the somewhat erratic swimming motion of an emerging caddis pupa or diving adult.

As one can see, there is a stark difference between the two methods. It can also be understood how the two methods are often confused. One requires little to no handling, with the exception of mending, while the other requires the angler to lift the rod to impart the motion of an insect lifting off the bottom of the stream.

Both methods are highly effective for mayfly nymphs, mayflies that emerge on the bottom e.g. Quill Gorgon, Sulpfur, etc., caddis pupae and diving caddis adults e.g. Rhyacophia and Hydropsyche on their way to the surface. The Leisenring Lift is not a method to be used in searching of water but is highly effective in exploring small sections of water known to hold fish at shallow depths. The La Fontaine Technique is more of a searching method, not dependent on water depth or angle of presentation.

So the next time you hear a fellow angler say he has been using the Leisenring Lift, politely question or correct him. It may make you both better Fly-Fishermen and at the same time give you each an opportunity to share some knowledge.

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Theodore Burger, M.D. I would like to thank Dr. Burger for the third in a series of articles he has made available to me for publication in our news letter. More of his informative articles to come in future editions.

Mike

Streamlines Report: Monocacy Chapter Summer Directors’ Meeting

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On August 18 Chapter Directors lead by chapter president Erik Broesicke meet on the back deck of Mike Recine’s house to discuss chapter plans for the upcoming year. After a meal of sausage pepper and onion sandwiches and friendly talk about past and future fishing trips, the directors got down to the business of planning the upcoming year’s activities and projects.

Programming was the primary topic, as that is what brings members to our meetings. Bob Signorello, our programs director, proposed that we continue with an assortment of programs that include Conservation, Techniques, Destinations, Entomology, and Fly Tying. Newly proposed activities include some sort of informal chapter outings to local streams, a fly tying get together, and a Holiday Gathering. More information will follow as we progress through the year. Also, “Bugs and Dogs” night on the Monocacy will be expanded to offer casting instruction to local folks interested in taking up fly fishing. Information will be posted around the creek prior to the event.

Highly successful events including the Fly Fishing Film Festival (which sold out last year), the “Fall Event” and the “Lehigh Valley Chapters of TU Spring Event” will continue. We are especially interested in continuing to partner with the other local chapters for selected events, as we can combine our resources to bring you the best programs possible. With interesting speakers, (George Daniel will be speaking at the Fall Event) great films, and fantastic raffles, we expect our programming to continue to improve.

With conservation of our streams being a strong concern, directors discussed the ongoing project of dam removal on the Monocacy. As of now, the chapter and the Monocacy Creek Watershed Association (MCWA) have secured the funding to remove the Bridal Path dam adjacent to the St. Francis property in the Trophy Section. This will open the flow of the stream from the bridge down to the dam allowing the stream to revert back to it’s free flowing nature, thus restoring the health of the stream. Director Steve Vanya brought up a concern about increased siltation in the same area. It seems that the Traditions development continues to allow silt to flow into the creek from their holding ponds after heavy rains. The Conservation District has met with Traditions and a remediation plan is in place. We will continue to monitor..

We are hopeful that the City of Bethlehem will begin the restoration of the creek within the boundaries of Ilick’s Mill Park sometime in the late summer and early fall of 2016. The project was put on hold with the concern that the public needed to be educated about the benefits of the proposed changes to the stream and the surrounding riparian land. In conjunction with this project, director Mike Recine sited the need to look into stream restoration projects through out sections of the stream. These proposals include stream bank restoration, silt mitigation , and habitat improvement. Concerns were brought up about the brown trout population, especially in the Trophy Stretch.

A suggestion was made to request a shocking survey.

Communications to chapter members is an integral part of chapter success. The chapter newsletter “Streamlines” will continue to be published three times a year. As in the past, the newsletter will contain information about chapter activities, state and national TU information, how to articles, destinations, and other stream related information. A suggestion to place signage around heavily used sections of the stream, especially in Ilicks’ Mill Park, was made. Signs highlighting the importance of the wild brown trout as well as information that highlights the importance of a health creek were suggested. Other information about the chapter, membership, and activities can also be included in signage. Business Cards with chapter information are available from Erik. They are a great way to spread the news about the chapter and our activities.

Outreach activities are also an important part of our communication. Directors stressed the importance of cooperating with outer chapters and organizations on fishing and conservation related activities. Joint chapter activities such as the Fall and Spring Events, Casting for Recovery, and stream improvement projects will continue as well as chapter support for area conservation groups, Scouts, Trout in the Classroom, and other related activities.

Bob also stressed the need for the chapters to support each other by attending meeting and events sponsored by other area chapters. As was last year, a calendar featuring all of the activities and meetings of the four Lehigh Valley chapters has been compiled and is continually updated throughout the year.

The meeting was a great kickoff for the upcoming year. We look forward to seeing more of you at our meetings and activities. As always, suggestions that will make us a stronger chapter and better advocate for our local streams and the fish are always welcomed. Contributions to our newsletter can be made by contacting Mike Recine at mrecine@aol.com.

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Thank You Mike Recine

Stream Lines

A California Fishing Opportunity with Help From a Local Fly Shop

The Monocacy Chapter of Trout Unlimited #419

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The Monocacy Chapter of Trout Unlimited meets the fourth Tuesday of the month from September through June with the exception of December.

Chapter meetings are held at the DAR House located at 717 Eighth Ave. Bethlehem, PA 18017.

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Information about the chapter can be found on our web site located at http://www.monocacytu.org Information about Trout Unlimited National can be found at their web site at:

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www.tu.org/intro.

Membership information can be obtained from either of the above mentioned web sites or at a monthly chapter meeting.

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*You receive this publication as a benefit of membership in the Monocacy Chapter of Trout Unlimited. This newsletter is published three times a year, Winter, Spring, and Summer/Fall. You will receive the newsletter via email

Early this summer my wife and I ventured out to California for a family vacation touring the national parks and wine country. Since I get many days on the stream both locally and around the country, I don’t make this a “fishing” trip. I did, however, bring a rod along just in case I came across a stream that needed to be fished.

While in Sequoia I saw a couple of nice streams, but didn’t get a chance to fish them. I did, however, get to fish the Merced in Yosemite National Park. We stayed at the Ahwanee Lodge in the park, and the Merced flowed right behind the hotel. While on a ranger led talk we walked over the creek. As always, I looked for any signs of feeding activity and did see a couple of rises. I checked with the concierge and the report I got was “I think people fish, but I don’t know what they catch”. Not much help. I grabbed the rod, tied on an Adams and went down to the creek. I managed to hook three fish, with a nice rainbow being the most exciting, but was unable to land any. I returned the next night around 8:00pm and tried again. The water was up a bit due to some rain earlier in the day and a few fish were rising. Again, I hooked 3 fish, but this time I was able to land two of them. The first was a 10” Brown, but the second was a nice 15” Brown taken on the Adams from a tricky run.

From Yosemite we traveled to Lake Tahoe. Our time in Tahoe was very flexible, as we scheduled this stop more for relaxation rather than touring.

I figured that I could get some time on one of the Sierra Nevada streams in the area. I stopped by Tahoe Anglers fly shop to rent waders, pick up supplies, and get some direction. I talked with Joel and a few of the other folks at the shop.

We talked about all of the great fishing opportunities in the area. Famous streams such as the American, Trinity, and Truckee rivers. They were a bit further than I wanted to travel, and did not have more than a few hours to fish.

Knowing that I had limited time, Joel sent me to the Carson. It was close, about 40 minutes from the hotel, easy access, I didn’t need waders, and the flies I needed were an Adams with a Pheasant Tail Dropper. The stream was about the size of the Monocacy, but boulder studded with pockets, pools and runs. Most of the creek was less than three feet deep. After fishing for about an hour and a half, I landed about a dozen wild rainbows averaging 9”.

It was a great experience and a lot of fun.

Heading back to the hotel, I stopped by the shop to report in and thank the guys for the help. Its always nice to deal with shop owners who are knowledgeable, helpful, and just great people. We talked for about a half hour more, and I left thinking that I definitely wanted to return to fish the larger more famous rivers in the area.

If you plan to visit the area, stop by the shop. They have a great guide service, a fully stocked fly tying assortment, plenty of flies, and some great stories. I highly recommend them.

!The First Monocacy TU Holiday Gathering

During the Summer Director’s meeting the subject of a chapter gathering came up. It would be a time to get chapter members together to share stories and camaraderie while celebrating the Holiday Season. Anyone interested in attending would purchase a ticket that would include a buffet dinner with a possible location of the Brew Works in Bethlehem, PA. As always, spouses and significant others would also be welcome.

Once we solidify the plans, price and more information (menu, date, timer, room, etc.) will follow. We are only in the planning stages and are looking for input on interest in this type of activity.