Potomac Valley Fly Fishers Goals

(1) To promote fly fishing as a sportsman like and enjoyable way of fishing, and the most consistent with the preservation and wise use of our resources

(2) To provide advice, suggestions and assistance to club members

(3) To publicize the best practices and techniques of fly fishing, fly tying, fly casting and other related subjects and

(4) To maintain liaison with other organizations of sportsmen and conservationists.

Please feel free to drop in and join us!

You don't have to know how to fly fish, just have the enthusiasm. We are a group who get together and talk about fly fishing and plan trips. Experience is not necessary. It's the enjoyment of the outdoors, conservation and fishing. Our meetings last approximately an hour and a half.

The Potomac Valley Fly Fishers meets the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7pm to 9pm. Our next meeting will be at Maryland School For The Deaf, Frederick, Md.

Check the Trips and Events page for upcoming happenings you won't want to miss.

Current Events and Issues

WARNING DIDYMO DISCOVERED IN THE GUMPOWDER!!!
Didymo(Didymosphenis geminata) is an invasive freshwater alga that can form massive blooms. Didymo can smother streambeds and adversely affect freshwater fish, plant and invertebrate species by depriving them of habitat.

We can not stop the infestation in the Gunpowder, but we MUST prevent the spread into other streams in Maryland. Spores are transported on fishing gear. We must make every effort to stop the spread by thoroughly cleaning and THOROUGHLY drying boots (especially felt sole boots that may take several days to dry) and ALL other gear, including your fly line, before moving to another stream.
LEARN MORE

May 13 Meeting 6:00PM - Bob Stouffer - Improve your fly-casting skills
Special Start Time: 6:00pm at our meeting room.

On Tuesday, May 13, we welcome back Bob Stouffer -- FFF certified casting instructor. This year's casting clinic will be new and improved. First, we will start at 6:00pm. Bob will start with a classroom casting presentation for an hour. After that, we will move outside for the casting portion of the clinic.

Bob is a native Marylander, who learned about fly-fishing on the Potomac River and streams around the Clear Spring area. During the 1970's, Bob lived in Montana and refined his casting techniques on famous rivers like the Yellowstone and the Madison.

Today, he spends much of his time teaching casting techniques to many in the area. He is a Casting Instructor at Shepherd College and he is an instructor at the Antietam Casting Club. He received his Casting Certificate in2003. You will not want to miss this month's meeting!

For the clinic, Bob will focus on the following:
(1)Foundation Casting Stroke for beginner to Advanced level
(2)Presentation casts,
(3)In-the-air mends building on the foundation.
(4)Plus, he will have many practice suggestions.

Bring your rod and reel. For the clinic, Bob recommends either a 5wt or 6wt rod with WF or DT line with 2X or 3X leader. A 7 ½' rod would be ideal, but an 8' or 9' would be fine.

So, if you want to improve your casting skills, join us at our May meeting on the 13th. This will be an informative class for everyone. So, bring your rod and reel and come prepared to learn something new about fly-casting.

Dusty Wissmath at the Kelly's White Fly Shoppe
Dusty Wissmath, certified casting instructor, will be demonstrating casting techniques and providing FREE instruction at Kelly's White Fly Shoppe in Shepherdstown, W. Va. Dusty will be at the shop on Friday May 9th and Wednesday May 21 starting at 6:30PM. Please call Bryan Kelly at the White Fly to notify him if you plan to attend - 304-876-8030.

Mid-Atlantic Council - FFF
Youth Fly Fishing Camp
On Saturday, June 7, 2008 FFF’s Mid-Atlantic Council will hold its Nineth Annual Youth Fly Fishing Camp at Harford Glen near Baltimore. Kids and teenagers, ages 10 to 15, are invited to receive instruction in Fly Tying, Casting, Entomology, Knots and Equipment and will have the opportunity to fish with a fly rod on nearby ponds. This fun program will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and lunch is provided. For more information and a registration form click here.

For additional information please contact:
Pete McCall
P.O. Box 24
Pylesville, Md. 21132
education@macfff.org

Getting started, Loan a rod Program
  The club has several 5-weight 7 1/2 foot fly rod and reel combs and 1 8-weight 9-foot fly rod combo available to check out and use.  This program, started  last year, was designed to give the young members of the club a chance to use a rod that is a bit shorter and youth friendly. We have 5 combos and anyone interested in checking one out please see Jon Thames  The rods are  available now for the upcoming season on a first come basis.  The 8 weight is ideal for any member wishing to try a larger rod on the Bay or any of the larger waters in the area.  This rod is normally checked out for 2  weeks at a time to allow more members a chance to use it.
  See Jon Thames or call 301-788-2482

Antietam Fly Anglers Casting Club featuring
FFF Certified Casting Instructor Robert Stouffer
Information on the AFA web site

Check out the latest on our
Outings

Conservation Projects
All conservation/restoration projects for 2008 (other than PVFF projects) are now on the Mid-Atlantic Conservation web site. Please click your browser "Back" button to return here after viewing -
2008 Conservation Projects

Gypsy Moth - NOT for fishing
The Gypsy Moth has returned to Frederick County and last year devastated hundreds of acres of hardwood forest. This year the outbreak could be much worse. A Task force was established by Mike Kay with Maryland Forestry to help land owners with this problem. The group has obtained a contractor to spray and is currently sending out contracts to the land owners. If you have forested land and wish to obtain additional information please go to the Frederick County Gypsy Moth Web site.

Didymo (Didymosphenis geminata)
Didymo is an invasive freshwater alga that can form massive blooms. Didymo can smother streambeds and adversely affect freshwater fish, plant and invertebrate species by depriving them of habitat ...
LEARN MORE

Maryland Stream Waders 2008 Free water quality Monitoring
FOR INFORMATION AND TO FIND OUT HOW TO PRE-REGISTER CLICK HERE

WHO TO CALL WHEN YOU SPOT POLLUTION

Bring your Son and/or Daughter along on one of our outings

Don't have enough equipment for you or your youngsters? Our club members will be glad to help you get started by lending equipment and helping you make decisions on equipment to purchase.