Fall in Western Maryland

[greendrake]

I went fishing today on the stream that I started my fly fishing journey on 42 years ago this spring.It was an overcast dreary day and I thought there might be a decent hatch of blue winged olives.They were sporadic at best,all about size 16 and I saw a few of the smallest caddis flies that I've ever seen on this particular stream,about size 18 or 20.I brought one fish to hand which was a brookie about 10" long that made its' escape while I was trying to pose it for a photo.I had only 2 other fish hooked but they got off on LDR so you'll just have to enjoy the pics Through the trees,a promise of things to come.

Out in the open

The weapon of choice




One of only 4 other fisherman that I saw today

The steep falls in the first two photos are of Cunningham Falls which gives its' name to the Md. State Park that it's located in.The name of the stream is Big Hunting Creek.The one side of the road is the Md state park the other side of the road is a national park maintained by the Dept. of the Interior, Catoctin Mt. National Park.


Up this road is an area that most of you in the US have heard of and many of you on the other side of the pond have heard of it as well.3 miles up this road is the presidential retreat Camp David.That is where Jimmy Carter,Yassar Arafat, and Moise Dione(I'm sure all of them except JC are probably spelled wrong and my memory might not be right as Israels' leader may have been Menachem Begin (sp)) held the Palestine and Israeli peace talks.



Monument to Joe Brooks who was instrumental in forming the Brotherhood of the Junglecock on BHC many years ago. This organization is known for teaching fly fishing,sportsmanship, and stewardship of our natural resources to under privileged kids.

We are about a week past the peak for fall colors and with it being such an overcast day what colors that were left didn't jump off the page but it was still a pretty touch.My favorite month of the year is just about over but toward the end of the 1st week of November the whitetail deer will start to rut and I'll trade my fly rod for my bow :D
Hope you enjoyed a little view of one of "my" smallstreams.
Will

[honda 450]

Really enjoyed this post, on a wet cold morning, in Ireland, Has lifted my spirits for the day.

[BrkTrt]

A fine post friend,

Autumn is special.


Thanks


- Brk Trt

[terry]

That stream has a lot of character. Its a beautiful area. Thanks

[greendrake]

Glad you enjoyed it guys.That stream has played a big part in my life and has always been one of my favorite places to fish.
Will

[Mostyn]

I'm just about to put my fishing gear in the car, I'm off to the lower Taff in search of some lovely Ladies of the stream!
I've just read this thread and thoroughly enjoyed it; the beautiful photos; and I loved the sentiments of the CREED!

Autumn is a wonderful season! That is a gorgeous area you've shown us! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[ags]

Hi Green Drake and friends.

Our group was also at your stream yesterday, But, we were not fly fishing. We were helping the Cotoctin Park (federal) staff plant trees in some rather rocky terrain. We planted 50 trees - Maples and Witch Hazels. The reason the Park planted these trees was to replace the Spruce trees which are dying or died from insect infestions along this stream. These insects are and have destroyed trees along other streams here in the Eastern US. The loss of these Spruce trees has already seen water temperatures rise in the section of the stream where we planted.

So, any of you located in this area who would like to help the Cotoctin Park staff save and improve the stream, please give them a call.
Also, since the State also controls a considerable amount of land along this stream, we will be contacting them to see where our volunteers could help improve the stream along the land they control.

Basic fact - is that we anglers need to step up and to invest some of our time in such projects to save and improve our fisheries.

[adam]

Nice.

In the old days, we used to organize streamside meets where we would take a garbage bag and walk the stream cleaning it up. Aterward (or before) we would gather around the campfire or fish.

I really am enjoying the posts, sweet.

I love the picture looking down on the angler and the Joe Brooks memorial and everything...

[Jax]

Awesome! If these posts are anything to go by. I have no boubt our sport is in good hands.
Sort of gets you in the back of the throat some. Jax

[Satoshi]

I am impressed by the statements on the memorial for Mr. Brooks. I am actually impressed by the culture in which people build such a monument like this. In our country, game fishing has not gained so much social status that people would try to build such a monument. Just great!
The scenary of the forest and stream are awesome!