Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-15

stocked
rainbow trout These gamesters deport them
selves with vigor and abandon amid these fast
flowing and rocky mountainous streams
few of the better known and more popular
streams Big Hunting Creek, Little Hunting
Creek, Fishing Greek, Tuscarora Greek, Bear
Branch Owens Creek, Turkey Run and Wolf
Den Run. These streams all within a
radius of 10 miles of Washington and may be
reached by automobile in two hours or less.
In addition to the streams already named,
there are many others throughout the northern
and western part of Maryland that are very
well stocked. The stocking of these streams
is carried yearly by the Maryland State
Conservation Department, aided by the local
chapters of the Izaac Walton League of Amer
lea, with the result that Maryland trout streams
are fast becoming mecca for devotees OF
the fly and hy-rod.
The open season on fresh-water trout of all
species is from April l to June 30, both dates
inclusive except in the Youghiogheny River,
above Swallow Falls, in Garrett County. where
the rainbow trout season is frcm July to
November 30 Fishing in Deep Greek Lake,
Garrett County, from April to November
80. The minimum size and the number that
may be caught by an angler during the days
fishing are as follows: Trout (al species),
inches, 10 in one day; Deep Lake trout (au
Species) inches. 10 in one day The cost
of licenses is as follows: To residents OF the
State one dollar and twenty-five cents; to nom
residents five dollars and fifty cents. This
includes the fee of the clerk of the court. In
addition, there is a separate license for fishing
in Deep Greek Lake. For non-residents of the
State the license is five dollars and fifty cents,
and for non-residents of Garrett County the
fee is two dollars and fifty cents. In addition,
there is a fee of twenty-five cents on each
license for the clerk of the court.
WITHIN a few weeks an army of Washing
wv ton trout enthusiasts will make their
annual pilgrimage to these streams and many
will return with wel-filled creels, a pleasant
tiredness and wild yarns of the Big ones that
got away Once there, these anglers will match
their wits and skill against the instinct of self
preservation born in the willy trout. Amid
scenes of beauty they will cast their flies and
lures with care. Trout will be caught and
lost by novice and by experienced angler.
For those of you who have never followed
these winding mountain streams in the Ca
toctin Range, brief description OF the beau
ties that await them is in order. Crystal-clear,
the waters of the streams tumble, creep and
glide down their respective bads-now silently,
then with murmur, and sometimes with
impressive roar. Here is a pool, rock-bound and
deep at whose head a small waterfall tnkles
rnerrily; and there, stretch of broad rippes,
shallow with rocks snags and other obstruc-
lions jutting up at all angles, affordng good
hiding places for fish. Great rocks, time and
water-worn, lie about On some OF them car
pet of velvet moss has grown. The beauties
of nature unfold; the crevices in the rocks
forming the banks of the stream harbor ferns
of all varieties; up the nearby mountainside
the shy arbutus fraternizes with fhe lowy
ground-pine and with clumps of pink and
white mountain laurel. The trees that line the
sides form an arch of living green through
which the Spring sunshine Sits upon the cool,
clear waters below, causing them to sparkle
like jewels.
The farther reaches of these streams and
their headwaters seldom reached by the every
day angler have wilder beauty The
stream beds are covered layers of moss some
times nearly foot thick. In these crannies
lie trout wild that only the most skillful
and careful angler may expect results, and
these only meager for the time and effort in
volved A tange of vegetation grows on the
banks ferns shoulder high, reach up to OBJ
struct your passage; rambling bramble patches
and vine-covered bushes make casting strain
on ones skill and patience. And as the higher
levels are reached the low-hanging clouds seem
to brush your head; they feck sky so blue
and deep that it locks infinite.
If you possess a love for the great outdoors
and all the wonders of nature, and also desire
to follow the mountain trout, it is well to con-
slider the question of proper equipment. For
the beginner there is no need to make a vast
outlay of money However, it is well to keep
in mind few essential points. Buy the best
that you afford. SerViceable tackle is not
always expensive. Consult an expert when buy
ing tackle. Study your needs and do not buy
burdensome equipment. Light tackle. if han
died carefully, is not easily broken, and it will
furnish greater sport.
TNASMUCH as the rod is the most important
piece of tackle, that is the first item to be
discussed There is a wide diversity of opinion
concerning the length and weight of fly rods.
For open water casting narrow streams that
are not oyergrown with vegetation there is no
question as to the superiority of the long rod
Whereas, on the narrow, brusky streams, where
casting is practically impossible with the long
rod the short rod is a decided advantage.
KTtao Of flu dcaO no Y4nd