The Patuxent between the reservoirs

Quick trip. Caught just fallfish.

September colors are underrated

Yes, as fall progresses and the leaves change, the colors are flashier. But I've come to appreciate the early autumn with the wildflowers still in bloom.


Mr. and Mrs. Mallard seem to enjoy the season too.

Late summer days at Bethany Beach

While Pam read, I just laid down and looked up at the sky.


And took pictures of gulls who would stop and pose.

Carl Oglesby

There was an excellent obituary in The Washington Post of Oglesby who died Tuesday at 76.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/carl-oglesby-antiwar-group-leader-and-outspoken-critic-of-vietnam-dies-at-76/2011/09/14/gIQAwDbvSK_story.html

In the 1960's there were two political activists who I admired most and, co-incidentally, they shared the same first name: Carl Oglesby and Karl Hess. I was fortunate to have heard both speak at separate occasions 1969 or 1970.

When Oglesby became leader of Students for a Democratic Society in the early 60's, the group's focus was on civil rights, the elimination of poverty, and a re-direction of American foreign policy. My first reading of Oglesby was a rousing speech he gave to a Vietnam War demonstration in 1965. Although I lived only a few miles from the demonstration in Washington, DC, I was only vaguely aware of it and would have had no interest in attending. It would have probably have been about three years later when I would I read that speech in a collection The New Left Reader. I later bought his book on foreign policy, Containment and Change.

The picture is still clear in my memory of Oglesby making a speech at the University of Maryland to a crowd of students in front of the Student Union Building. He wore glasses and was tall and lanky, and as he spoke he would sweep back his longish hair as it fell over his forehead. His voice was crisp and his tone passionate as he urged the crowd to activism against the Vietnam War. It was not just rhetoric, however, and whether speaking or writing he would build his arguments systematically with facts that invariably later proved accurate when I checked them.

When the violent Weatherman faction of the SDS took over the organization, they ousted Oglesby and dismissed him as "a hopelessly bourgeois liberal." To radical leftists the word "liberal" was just as much of in insult as it was to later become to TV and radio conservative commentators. Oglesby responded that the Weathermen's politics were all "road rage and comic book Marxism."

Unlike the most of the student radicals, Oglesby came not from wealth and privilege but from a working class background in Akron, Ohio, from southern parents who migrated north to work in factories. I was unaware of his background until the obituary, but it made me wonder if his background made it easier for me to relate to as opposed to other radical leaders of the time who came from a different world than I did.

Karl Hess died in the 1990's. He was a speech writer for conservative Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater and wrote the infamous words "Extremism in the pursuit of liberty is no vice...", words that helped opponents label Goldwater as too much a radical conservative to be president. I saw nothing wrong with those words then and still don't. A few years later Hess gravitated to the New Left and shared their opposition to the Vietnam War. He maintained that his political principles never changed as he moved from what was conventionally perceived as the political right to the left. Those principles helped form the basis of the Libertarian Party who look to Hess as an early inspiration. I saw him speak also at the University, at the mall in front of McKeldin Library. I remember his speaking manner as subdued, but he made his points firmly and eloquently.

After the 60's Hess moved from DC to West Virginia and made a living as a welder, bartering his services rather than being paid in cash because he refused to pay taxes that would primarily go to defense spending. Stories sometimes appeared about him in newspapers and magazines, so I was able to keep track of him generally until his death. Oglesby, by contrast, dropped from my sight but apparently earned a living from writing, teaching, and music.

These two men contributed to our world which is lessened by their absences. Their deaths make me feel closer to my own death.

Activities fair on campus

On the mall today at the University of Maryland where I'm back for another semester.







The theme is "First Look" because the purpose is to introduce





new students to the variety of campus organizations.

Catoctin mountain stream

Big Hunting Creek is such beautiful waters I was sorry I forgot my camera yesterday. I'm out of practice on trout fishing on moving waters and didn't do well. Also, I should start setting aside more time for these trips because I was just starting to get good drifts with my dry flies when it was time to start heading home.

Pond and reservoir notes

Made good use of nice late summer day. Fished the pond this morning and picked up a couple of bream quickly on our side. Walked over to the other and caught probably the biggest largemouth I've taken from the pond this year, 14 to 15 inches. He took the balsa wood surface slider deep, so it took a while to unhook him to put him back.













In the afternoon, Pam and I paddled around the reservoir. Seeing some rising fish, I rigged up the fly rod and cast a few times but no strikes. Saturday when I drove up the check on the canoe after the storms, I watched many rises in Scott's Cove. I think there's some hatch going on but don't know what. Both pictures taken at the reservoir.

Rain over?

Hope so.









It's been days.

At least the rain makes the garden look good

It's been a few days of almost constant rain which interferes with fishing and other outdoor activity. The weather is blamed is being blamed on the remnants of Hurricane Lee which hit the Gulf states and continued north inland. Hurricane Irene caused us to lose power for about 24 hours, but we were lucky in comparison with many. Although Katia appears to be heading too far east to be a problem, we're keeping an eye on tropical storm Maria.

Mountain streams, a reservoir, and a pond

Last week I fished Owens Creek in the Catoctins and not very succesfully. In April my friend Andy introduced me to an "unknown" stream in those mountains, but we didn't do well there either probably because it wasn't completely unknown, and another fisherman was there ahead of us. For a tiny brook trout stream that's too much pressure.

Also one day last week I drifted around in the canoe in Rocky Gorge trolling a fly on a sinking line and caught one perch.

This week have twice been to the pond in the park and each day caught small bass and bluegills on dry flies.

Had a 5.8 earthquake three days ago. This one was about twice as powerful as the quake a year ago. Two earthquakes in my 64 years, and they came a year apart. A hurricane is moving up the coast and will hit us this weekend.

The County Fair was nice...

At least I'm assuming it was. I don't know for certain because when we set out to attend it this afternoon we neglected to verify that the Fair was still going on. It wasn't. We learned later that it closed two days ago. Oh, well, we had a nice time listening to music during our drive up to the fairgrounds

So we had a laugh at our own expense, took a few pictures of the abandoned fairgrounds and drove home.

The fish aren't where they usually are

At Nolands Ferry on the Potomac. The locations which are generally reliable for me this time of the year aren't producing. Saturday I tried everything at the near-side of the island, and nothing worked. Finally caught a few bream when I moved into slow water on the Maryland side. Hooked one bass but he jumped and threw the hook. The only effective fly was a damsel nymph. Water level .99 at Point of Rocks. No grasses at all.

Note to self: Next year more Vinca...

They seem to do well in our yard, and I prefer them over Impatiens for color.


Also, get the purple flowers again, whatever they are.

Michele Bachmann performs a solo Full Ginsburg

Rarer than a no-hitter in baseball, the Full Ginsburg was named for Monica Lewinsky's attorney who appeared on all the major Sunday political shows in one day back in 1998. Since then, the feat has been equaled by only six other people.

Yes, I know there are some out there whose statistics credit 14 Full Ginsburgs, but some of these were part of a group consisting of two or more other people. To me, as a Full Ginsburg purist, this is like giving credit for a no-hitter when relief pitchers were involved. No, the only authentic Full Ginsburg is the solo performance.

Although it is a political act, no American president has achieved a solo Full Ginsburg, but former VP Dick Cheney did. People speak in hush tones when they cite the only double winner of the solo Full Ginsburg, Hillary Clinton, a record that some feel will stand forever. Among political media hounds, Clinton certainly stands out, but Bachmann is relatively young in her career and I feel is up to equaling or surpassing Clinton's mark, as impressive as it is.

Patapsco Graffiti

Too many of my pictures taken when fishing look the same; upstream or downstream a Maryland river. After a few hours fishing on the far upper Patapsco, I decided to look for something different to photograph while scouting out new locations.

Bridge underpasses are common places for teenagers to hang out and do the things they want to do away from adult eyes. Some talented music lovers among them must have been responsible for the artwork.

The fishing got better the further away from the road crossing I traveled. The catching was bream (I'm not sure whether they were bluegills or red breasted sun fish, so I going to used the general southern term) and a couple of small bass. As usual on that river, the most effective fly was a beaded marabou streamer; this time olive. Some of the bream were pretty hefty.

Reviewing Outdoor Basics: Wildlife Identification and First Aid

Two fishing trips this week indicated reviewing these subjects might be in order. After fishing a small tributary of the Potomac in midweek. I realized many of the fish I've been carelessly identifying as bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) are actually red breasted sunfish (Lepomis auritus). I caught at least a dozen on the brief outing but no bass. The stream is pictured below.

Friday I fished the Patuxent above Rocky Gorge and was surprised but not shocked to catch a couple of yellow perch on a crystal bugger. I was not shocked because I've caught them in the two reservoirs and in the river where it empties into them, but it was unexpected where I was fishing yesterday. I also caught a fallfish which are common in the trout section of the river that I was just below.

Just before leaving I cut my leg while wading near the bridge crossing where I was parked. The cut was not deep, but I was anxious to treat it to ward off possible infections, and since I was only 20 minutes away I decided to wait until I got home. Although the incident was minor, it did make me consider how it would have gone if it had happened in one of my remote fishing spots. Later I examined my first aid kit for the first time in years and decided that, while I give myself credit for always having it in the car on my fishing trips, I have to improve on checking everything regularly because many items in the kit should be replaced.

The Stringer

It must have been about 25 years ago that I took the teenage boy fishing. David was the second son of a couple that I have known since junior high school. The couple had married and had children young, but even in the late 60's and 70's when my life was very different from theirs we remained friends. Having gotten into the baby business much later than they, my own children were too small to fish at the time the mother suggested a fishing trip with their son.

We went to nearby Rocky Gorge Reservoir, the same lake where I now keep my canoe. At that time I was car-topping that canoe whenever I used it, so I guess David and I loaded it on whatever car I was driving 25 years ago. We had a good day fishing and kept the bass, catfish, and crappie on David's metal stringer. When I drove him home, neither he or his mother wanted to keep and clean the fish, so it was agreed I would take them. David insisted I keep the stringer as well as the fish. I did and my young family ate fresh fish that evening.

David and I never fished again. He grew into a man, and his family moved from Maryland to the mid-west. I stayed in loose touch with his parents and saw them periodically over the years, the last time at a high school reunion just over a year ago. Although most of my fishing since that trip with David has been catch and release, when I keep fish to eat I use that same stringer that he gave me years before. At those times I sometimes remember how I got it and the fishing that day. Since I last used it a few months ago, the metal stringer has been lying on the downstairs floor where I often sort my fishing tackle while watching TV.

Last night I received an e-mail from the couple informing me that their son David just died. The funeral will be back here in Maryland very near the lake we fished that day. I've thought about taking the fish stringer in the pocket of my suit when I attend the services. It might seem a strange thing to do, but somehow I think it's appropriate.

The Potomac, the Monocacy, and Thomas Wolfe

I read Look Homeward Angel and the other novels of Thomas Wolfe about half a century ago. An English professor in college said to read Wolfe while you're young because otherwise you won't, and I think that's true. It was in Of Time and the River, I believe, that Wolfe wrote a lyrical passage about how pleasant the native names of American rivers sound when spoken. I thought about that passage today when I fished these two rivers.

Fishing results were mixed because although I only caught two, one of them was the best bass I've caught this year, a fat 16 inch smallmouth. The fly was a B Damsel created by Joe Bruce of Baltimore. No sign of grasses. Water levels were 1. 09 at Point of Rocks, 2.77 at Little Falls, and 2.21 at Bridgeport on the Monocacy.




The Monocacy, looking downstream near the confluence with the Potomac.

Ellicott City

The old section of town is frequently described as picturesque with its quaint old buildings, and I remember taking both black and white and color photographs there when I was into photography in the 1960's and 70's. Ironically, on my first visit to the town in years yesterday I forgot to bring a camera. Even if I had remembered, I might not have taken any pictures because I came there primarily to scout fishing locations along the Patapsco River.

In addition to finding new places for future trips. I got in an hour or so of actual fishing and caught a nice little smallmouth bass as well as numerous bluegills, all on a B & B fly. The trip back was highlighted by a violent thunderstorm which decreased in severity as I drove south to home.

Car show

Although I'm not a car hobbyist I attended a show in Edgewater, Maryland yesterday because my friend, Pat, was displaying some of his cars, one of which is pictured with him above. The show specialized in Nash Ramblers and other cars made by American Motors Corporation so I learned a lot about this collecting niche. Basically for me it was a good opportunity to sit outside on a nice day, drink beer, and talk cars, fishing, and any other subject that might arise.




Under the hood:





This one belongs to Pat's father and is one of only about 12 1957 Rebels in existance:

Caught in the rain on the Patapsco

I seldom take rain gear when I fish in hot weather because feeling the rain on my body is cooling and refreshing. I don't want to be caught outside during a thunderstorm, however, so I began the 40 minute paddle back to the car soon after the rain started. I didn't mind ending the trip because I had been out for 5-6 hours and caught many panfish and a few bass. Thunder sounded distant while I was on the water but both it and the rain picked up strength on the drive home.

Most effective fly was a red and pink bead head marabou streamer. I have no idea what made me tie that color combination. Water level was 1.44 at Hollofield.

Before the rain:

The Book of Job and Recent Movies

Two days ago I saw The Tree of Life, and it's still in my head. The movie's quote from the Book of Job in the Old Testament made me think of another movie from just a few years ago, A Serious Man, that I also associate with that biblical book. I did some prowling around the internet to refresh my memory of A Serious Man and noted that, although critics often referred to the central character as a modern day Job, the Coen Brothers deny they were consciously referencing that story.

The story of Job is of a righteous man who is subjected to great suffering. This mystery of why bad things happening to good people is a question that has perplexed religious thinkers for hundreds of years, and that theme is an important element of The Tree of Life but not the only one. The movie examines the harshness of nature in contrast to spiritual grace and also the inter-relationship of all living things. In its own way, it may be the most religious movie I've ever seen.

Last night I napped in front of the TV which at the time happened to be showing The Da Vinci Code, a much inferior movie than the other two, and at one point I awoke to see a biblical verse shown on screen. The verse was Job 38:11. Apparently, movie makers of recent years are obsessed with that book over all the others in the Bible.

Patapsco Afternoon

Didn't get out until mid-day to the Daniels area. Many, many bluegill but no bass. Grasses coming in throughout the slack water above the dam which makes it look less barren. Lots of minnows too. Water level 1.45 at Holofield.

Hometown Tourists

About a month ago, Pam was introduced to the gardens at the Franciscan Monastery In Washington, DC by Susan, a friend who is well known in area gardening circles. Yesterday, we glanced briefly at an internet map, and Pam and I set out to visit there.

Now, Pam and I are lifelong DC area residents, and Pam was actually born in the District. Nevertheless, we had trouble finding the Monastery although it covers considerable ground in Northeast. From our general notion of the location, we blundered into an area of sufficient proximity that the view started to look familiar to her and we finally found it.

The gardens and buildings are beautiful. I'm only posting the one picture because my photos don't do it justice. There are bee hives on a section of the grounds not open to the public, and Pam has contacted them about volunteering there although we are not Roman Catholics.

Like any tourists, upon leaving we made a wrong turn and got turned around again. When we corrected our course, we drove back into Maryland on Michigan Avenue which took us through the Queens Chapel area of Prince Georges County. It wasn't an efficient route to our home in Silver Spring, but the drive did revive memories of that neighborhood for both of us.

Baseball road trip

Friends Bill and Stan picked me up yesterday morning, and we drove to Philadelphia to watch the Phillies play the Red Sox. Bill is a Red Sox fan and Stan a Phillies fan, and I'm just a baseball fan.


David Ortiz (Big Papi) at bat for the Sox.




On the way home, we stopped in Baltimore for the Orioles/Cardinals evening game.

Red Winged Black Bird

Last two days fishing

Caught a few bluegills on a foam spider during yesterday's brief trip which took a little of the sting out of today. Normally Nolands Ferry on the upper Potomac fishes very well for me this time of year but not today. Only managed one undersized smallmouth for the day. Hooked another one but lost it. Tried many flies, but Joe Bruce's B Damsel was the only one that produced at all. Water level was 2.01 at Point of Rocks and 3.32 at Little Falls which is high for this time of year. We haven't had much rain lately, but they must be getting some in the upper part of the watershed. Water clarity was slightly muddy, and grasses not yet in evidence.

Bethany Beach 2011

Bottom floor apartment. Three bedrooms.








Bethany night life-























Father's Day dinner at Bethany Blues. That's Sean with Becka. Greg wasn't there at that time.




She may not look 64...




...but he does.

Reservoir and pond notes

Taking advantage of the beautiful weather, Pam and I went canoeing again yesterday at Rocky Gorge. While she read, I paddled around with one eye on my portable depth finder in hopes of learning something that will be helpful the next time I fish there. That section of the lake drops off quickly so that many spots close to shore are 20-30 feet deep. Marked a lot of fish suspended 4-5 feet down.

Just returned from an hour fishing the pond and hooked two bass and a good sized bluegill, all very close to shore. The second bass jumped and threw the hook. Like always, I laughed with joy when the fish jumped. I was using a black spun deer hair surface fly.

First Upper Potomac Trip of 2011

Since there was no access to the Potomac from the ramp on the Monocacy last year, today was my first trip to the Mouth of the Monocacy in two years.





The debris which had piled up on the near 200 year old Monocacy Aqueduct had been cleared sometime, somehow during the past year.

Fishing was good, about eight smallmouth bass, two rock bass, and a half dozen or so fat bluegills, all on subsurface flies.














Water level was 2.37 at Point of Rocks and 3.54 at Little Falls which is higher than I'm used to in the area generally because my first trip was sooner than most years.

Early afternoon at the pond

Hot weather fishing

Got out three times last week when the temperatures well into the 90's, but none of the trips were very productive. One trip was to the nearby pond and caught a few bluegills on a B & B fly. Then I tried Morgan Run for trout but caught nothing, maybe because a large number of young people were there swimming and sun bathing. Then I went out in the canoe to Rocky Gorge hoping for bass but only managed a couple of bluegills. I think that was the first time I was out in the canoe by myself.

I didn't fish on the short trip to the mountains but tried the pond when we returned home. The weather cooled off and I got a couple of bass and and some bluegills also on the B & B. Now it's very hot again.

A couple of more days in the mountains...

...of Maryland and West Virginia.








In Gormania, West Virginia, sister-in-law's husband supervises their grandchildren on the trampoline.



The women share their wisdom...







Waterfall on Laurel Run in Maryland. The pool is also a local swimming hole, and native brook trout can be found in the more secluded sections of the stream.




Pam relaxes along the stream.