C and O Canal Big Slackwater Towpath Restoration

For the 2013 outdoor season, hikers, bikers, and other enthusiasts will finally have access to the entire Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath.

The Big Slackwater section of the 184.5-mile hiking and biking trail was closed after flooding in 1996. The stretch along the Potomac River near Williamsport had been the only disruption of the famous towpath from Cumberland, Md., to Washington, D.C.

Prior to the completion of restoration work, towpath visitors had to detour off the trail and onto a dangerous route with no shoulders following 4.5 miles along Dam 4, Dellinger and Avis Mill roads.

The Big Slackwater project was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) as a Line Item Construction (LIC) project.

Historically, the Big Slackwater portion of the C & O Canal allowed barge traffic to move up and down the river proper in the slack water above Dam Number 4. 

source: C&O Canal Association

Maryland Blue Crab Landings

Maryland Blue Crabs

For 2011, Maryland led the USA in blue crab landings, according to the latest economic report from NOAA Fisheries. The report, Fisheries Economics of the United States 2011, indicates that Maryland watermen harvested 50 million pounds of blue crabs worth more than $59 million in 2011. Overall, the U.S. seafood industry generated $129 billion in sales impacts in 2011.

source: NOAA Fisheries

Commercial Fishing Boat Sinks off Assateague Island

On Wednesday, March 6, 2013 the 67-foot fishing vessel Seafarer capsized, broke apart and sank off Assateague Island, according to reports.

U.S. Coast Guard 5th District reports that Wednesday, March 6, Patrick Small of New Bern, N.C. was rescued from a life raft following the capsizing of the Seafarer. Listed as missing were Steven and Walter Tate of New Bern, N.C.

Coast Guard 5th District watchstanders initially received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon alert from the 67-foot fishing vessel Seafarer at 10:39 a.m. Wednesday.

source: United States Coast Guard 5th District

Maryland Shad Fishing

Hickory Shad

In Maryland, fishing for shad is a springtime tradition. In most locations, shad fishing usually begins in March and continues into early May. Maryland anglers catch hickory shad or American shad during spring spawning runs. In some watersheds, fishermen also catch river herring together with shad.

Popular shad fishing rivers in Maryland include the Susquehanna, Gunpowder, Patapsco, Patuxent, Choptank, Nanticoke, Pocomoke, and others. In addition to mainstem river systems, a number of tributary streams and creeks are known for their shad runs, including Marshyhope and Tuckahoe Creeks on the Eastern Shore.

Productive shad fishing spots often occur along narrow, fast moving stretches of rivers and creeks. In some areas, fishing access is available within national, state, or county parks. In other locations, shad are caught from fishing piers, bridges, dams, dykes, or other man-made structures. Anglers also wade to catch shad or traverse rivers and creeks by small boat.

No bait is required in order to catch shad and river herring. Instead, anglers use small, flashy jigs, spoons, or flies. Depending on the location and other factors, anglers may choose to cast extensively or simply lower their lure into the water and work lures with jigging motion. Bridge and pier anglers often employ specials rigs which feature multiple lures.

In 2012, Maryland, along with most Atlantic states, enacted a moratorium on the harvest of all shad and river herring. Although keeping fish for the table or bait is no longer an option, many anglers still enjoy catch and release fishing for these exciting fish. 

2013 Lefty Kreh TieFest

Lefty Kreh's TieFest
Saturday, March 9th
Prospect Bay Country Club
Grasonville, Maryland

CCA's Kent Narrows Chapter will host Lefty Kreh's TieFest at the Prospect Bay Country Club in Grasonville.

For more information, visit: www.ccamd.org

Maryland 2012-13 Deer Season

During Maryland's bow, muzzleloader and firearm seasons combined (September 7, 2012 through January 31, 2013), hunters harvested 87,541 deer.

According to MD DNR, biologists attribute the 11 percent decline compared to last year’s total to multiple factors, including reduced hunter participation, an abundant acorn crop, and a lower deer population in some areas.

Maryland's 2012-2013 deer harvest includes:

29,366 antlered white-tailed deer

55,763 antlerless white-tailed deer

1,127 antlered  sika deer

1,285 antlerless sika deer

Frederick County led the harvest totals this year with 7,634 deer, followed by Baltimore County with 5,991 and Washington County at 5,762. Montgomery County and Carroll County completed the top five counties with 5,598 and 5,579 deer, respectively.

source: MD DNR