Gunpowder Stream Report and Great Feathers Fly Shop Blog

In light of the thread http://www.greatfeathers.com/forums/index.php?topic=52.0 relating to misuse of the Gunpowder by a canoe club...or at least members of one I thought I'd share a few thoughts.

I caught my first trout in the gun 40 years ago, a wild brookie on Micky Finn and my first fly rod a horrid South bend glass with an equally horrid martin automatic fly reel and level line. he fish must have been suicidal but it mattered not...we were both hooked.I've seen changes I still can't believe, hell as teens we skinny dipped at falls road on Sundays with no fear of being seen as no one was ever there...now parking can be a problem .

The fight in the 80's to get a minimum flow left many "bloodied and scarred' but it lead to the fishery we have today, a fishery we must share and can share with those who use it differently then us. I know many canoeists and kayakers can be a pain...so can horse riders and dog walkers that ignore leash laws. But we in the Fly fishing community must understand that these folks have as much right to enjoy the park as us...and in most cases are our allies in keeping the park well preserved.

We must stay vigilant and report those that abuse the rights of others and break laws that protect the resource but always....we should take the high ground and go thru proper channels. We live in an area that has grown dramatically over the years and need to work together with all users to protect what little open wild spaces we have here in Baltimore county.

Remember, the next canoeist you see is probably not a law breaker...but as concerned for the resource as we are, treat them accordingly.

Regards,
Mike K