Monthly Archives: February 2019

Environmental Scholarship Opportunity for Students Residing within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

The Terry Newendorp Environmental Scholarship for the Gunpowder River 2019 Criteria and Application Guidelines
What the award is: The Terry Newendorp Environmental Scholarship is a gift that was established by Terry Newendorp, an avid fisherman and conservationist who with generosity and foresight knew that “protection of the Gunpowder River had to come from future generations.”

Founded in 2018, the Award’s purpose is to assist college-bound high school seniors who excel in their studies and who plan to use their talents and expertise in the service of environmental protection. Each year, one winner will be chosen from among the current year’s graduating class. The award will provide $1,000 towards college costs for students with strong connections to the Gunpowder River Watershed.

Eligibility: Students must reside within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and have a clear connection to the Gunpowder River Watershed. Qualifying connection examples include: A connection to drinking water or recreational, aesthetic, and/or environmental attributes of the Gunpowder River Watershed.

In addition to the above restriction, all applicants must:

a. Plan to major or minor in one of the natural sciences or other appropriate subject, and;
b. Demonstrate a strong personal commitment to protecting the Gunpowder Watershed.
The application procedure: The application must be submitted by the student.
A complete application will include all of the following:
1. The student’s name and complete contact information including phone and e-mail.
2. The name of the school and complete faculty contact information.
3. A short essay (450 words total) written by the student answering all three of the following questions: 1) why the Gunpowder Watershed matters to you; 2. how conservation fits into your future career goals; and 3. what you plan to study in college and why.
4. A copy of the student’s current high school transcripts.
5. A letter of recommendation from a student’s guidance counselor or science teacher.
6. A description of the student’s extracurricular activities regarding environmental / conservation issues (e.g. Environmental Club membership, Scouting merit badges & awards, participation in local conservation efforts, membership in environmental organizations, applicable hobbies, etc.)

Disbursement: In order for the scholarship to be disbursed, the student must have been accepted by an accredited college or university for the Fall 2019 Semester and provide a copy of the letter of acceptance from the college or university where the nominee will be attending to Gunpowder Riverkeeper.

All applications may be accepted between November 15, 2018 and must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2019 and mailed to:
Terry Newendorp Environmental Scholarship
C/O Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER ™
PO Box 156
Monkton, MD 21111

For questions regarding the scholarship application please contact Theaux Le Gardeur, Gunpowder Riverkeeper at keeper@gunpowderriverkeeper.org

The decision-making process: A panel comprised of Gunpowder Riverkeeper Director, Trustees, and Board Members will review all applications. The winners of this year’s Terry Newendorp Environmental Scholarship will be chosen no later than May 1, 2019; and the award presented no later than May 30, 2019. If possible, the award will be presented publicly at the school’s annual awards event.

Award Recipient’s Opportunity: For a period of two years after the award a student may take part in an unpaid internship with the Gunpowder Riverkeeper.

February Report on the Gunpowder

The Gunpowder is clear, 240 cfs and 40 degrees F.

This winter 300 cfs has became the new normal on the Gunpowder, these high levels have limited good fishing opportunities.  When the river is at this level the water temperature doesn’t climb much even on a sunny or mild day – bad news for those looking to find fish rising to midges. Trout will eat a slowly worked streamer or a midge pupa, pheasant tail or prince nymph dead drifted close to the bottom. Given the river volume and temperature getting your fly down to the bottom is important as the fish won’t generally move much. The trout in the Gunpowder are in great shape post spawn and some beautiful fish are being caught by those willing to work for them.

With snow thawing out the trails are very slippery so take care getting in the river. Wading staff and studs in your boots are recommended to keep your footing in these higher flows.

If you’ve been out lately on the Gunpowder submit a fishing report and photos to backwaterangler@gmail.com, we’d love to share your experiences on the website. Thanks!

Gunpowder River Streamer Clinic

Need to fine tune your streamer fishing techniques? Please join us on Sunday March 3 for a streamer clinic with a Backwater Angler Guide on the Gunpowder river. This course will cover gear selection (suitable rods), leader selection and construction, knots, fly selection and their imitations, casting mechanics (casting heavy lines/flies, shooting line) and multiple presentation scenarios and techniques (streamer retrieves and dead drifting). Class is 2 hours long and starts at 2pm. Cost is $100 per person. A Maryland non-tidal fishing license and trout stamp is required and may be purchased at the shop with check or cash the day of the clinic. Class size is limited to 3 and pre-registration is required. Please give us a call at 410-357-9557 to pre-register.

Gunpowder River Nymphing Clinic

Join us for a nymphing clinic on the Gunpowder river on Sunday, March 3. Even in the worst of conditions, having the ability to nymph effectively can help you bring fish to the net 365 days a year. There is an abundance of literature and theories on nymphing that can be bewildering to anyone deciding to invest time in this. In this clinic a Backwater Angler guide will break down the main techniques on the river that will give you the confidence to catch fish subsurface consistently. This will cover tight lining (euro nymphing) methods, indicator fishing, rig/leader set up, gear and fly selection. Cost is $150 dollars per angler. The clinic is 3 hours long and starts at 10 AM. Group size is limited to 3 anglers per session. Call the shop at 410 357 9557 to reserve a place.

Beginners Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Saturday March the 2nd a Backwater Angler Guide will be teaching a fly fishing school that is ideal for beginners. If you’re planning on fly fishing in Maryland, or anywhere else for that matter, this course is a great introduction to the sport. The school covers knots, casting, gear and fly selection. Class is held from 11:00 – 2:00pm. Cost is $125 per person and includes the use of gear. A Maryland non-tidal fishing license and trout stamp is required and may be purchased at the shop with check or cash the day of the school. Class size is limited to 4 and pre-registration is required. Please give us a call at 410-357-9557 to pre-register.

Streamer Fishing in Maryland?

Maryland Streamer Fishing

Streamer fishing in Maryland? These beauties including Near Nuff Sculpins, Supper Buggers, Baby Gongas and Slump Busters are ready for a swim! The Gunpowder River is at a steady 245 Cfs and warming to right at 40 degrees. Bring along a sink-tip and some studs and focus on the wood and any jams that you can find. Limit your wading watch those muddy banks-especially while getting in and out and enjoy sunshine and milder weather while it lasts…

Streamer Fishing in Maryland

Nymphing Clinic on the Gunpowder

Join us for a nymphing clinic on the Gunpowder river on Sunday the 24th of February. Even in the worst of conditions, having the ability to nymph effectively can help you bring fish to the net 365 days a year. There is an abundance of literature and theories on nymphing that can be bewildering to anyone deciding to invest time in this. In this clinic a Backwater Angler guide will break down the main techniques on the river that will give you the confidence to catch fish subsurface consistently. This will cover tight lining (euro nymphing) methods, indicator fishing, rig/leader set up, gear and fly selection. Cost is $150 dollars per angler. The clinic is 3 hours long and starts at 10 AM. Group size is limited to 3 anglers per session. Call the shop at 410 357 9557 to reserve a place.

Nymphing Clinic on the Gunpowder

Join us for a nymphing clinic on the Gunpowder river on Saturday the 23rd of February. Even in the worst of conditions, having the ability to nymph effectively can help you bring fish to the net 365 days a year. There is an abundance of literature and theories on nymphing that can be bewildering to anyone deciding to invest time in this. In this clinic a Backwater Angler guide will break down the main techniques on the river that will give you the confidence to catch fish subsurface consistently. This will cover tight lining (euro nymphing) methods, indicator fishing, rig/leader set up, gear and fly selection. Cost is $150 dollars per angler. The clinic is 3 hours long and starts at 10 AM. Group size is limited to 3 anglers per session. Call the shop at 410 357 9557 to reserve a place.

Streamer Clinic on the Gunpowder River

Need to fine tune your streamer fishing techniques?  On Sunday February the 10th please join us for a streamer clinic with a Backwater Angler Guide on the Gunpowder river.  This course will cover gear selection (suitable rods), leader selection and construction, knots, fly selection and their imitations, casting mechanics (casting heavy lines/flies, shooting line) and multiple presentation scenarios and techniques (streamer retrieves and dead drifting).  Class is 2 hours long and starts at 10 AM. Cost is $100 per person. A Maryland non-tidal fishing license and trout stamp is required and may be purchased at the shop with check or cash the day of the clinic. Class size is limited to 3 and pre-registration is required. Please give us a call at 410-357-9557 to pre-register.

Streamer Clinic on the Gunpowder River

Need to fine tune your streamer fishing techniques?  On Saturday February the 9th please join us for a streamer clinic with a Backwater Angler Guide on the Gunpowder river.  This course will cover gear selection (suitable rods), leader selection and construction, knots, fly selection and their imitations, casting mechanics (casting heavy lines/flies, shooting line) and multiple presentation scenarios and techniques (streamer retrieves and dead drifting).  Class is 2 hours long and held between 10 – 12 am. Cost is $100 per person. A Maryland non-tidal fishing license and trout stamp is required and may be purchased at the shop with check or cash the day of the clinic. Class size is limited to 3 and pre-registration is required. Please give us a call at 410-357-9557 to pre-register.