Mid-Atlantic Council of Federation of Fly Fishers
One of 13
regional councils of the Federation of Fly Fishers, a national
non-profit organization devoted to fisheries conservation and
fly fishing education which is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana.
The Mid-Atlantic Council (MAC) has hundredes of individuals and
more than numerous local fly fishing clubs as members in
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia
and the District of Columbia.
Each year FFF provides conservation grant money to member
clubs sponsoring stream improvement or conservation education
programs. A Youth Camp for aspiring fly fishers has been
held for several years in verious locations within the MAC states.
Other outreach activities include an annual
banquet and regional meetings to raise funds for MAC’s
conservation and education programs. These outreach efforts
provide unique opportunities for MAC members to meet other
fly fishers and to gain a perspective on fisheries issues in
our region and across the U.S.
MAC affiliated and charter clubs are the backbone of the Council.
Each of these clubs usually meet once a month with speakers
and frequent instruction in fly tying, fly casting and fly
fishing techniques.
Many beginning fly fishers learn the sport and improve their
skills by joining these local clubs and participating in
their activities. Many clubs schedule fishing outings and
trips. Additionally, members have an opportunity to participate
in conservation and stream improvement projects or teach
children and adults about fly fishing and water
resources protection.
This web site will provide you with more information on MAC
and its member clubs as well as contact information.
Please take a look.
Letter from our President
Dear MAC Members,
I wanted to introduce myself as the new President of our council. I am an avid fly fisherman,
both fresh and salt water as well as an avid kayak fisherman. I have always had a love for the
outdoors even as a young child. I attribute my passion for fishing to be the key factor for the
success I've had in life and as a business professional.
I know things have gotten off track the last few years and I'm taking on this role to help get
the Mid Atlantic Council back on course and focused on our goals of education, conservation,
and preparing the next generation of fly fishers to care for our fisheries better than we and
our predecessors have.
Changes will not happen over night, but we hope to achieve several key goals for the remaining
year of 2010 and then build upon that entering 2011.
The main goals we look to accomplish are as follows:
Communications
- Reestablish the monthly news letter beginning in June 2010 and make
it available on the MAC website. In addition there will be hard copies provided
for the member clubs to distribute at their meetings.
- Create an email distribution to announce new newsletters when
they are published.
- Reestablish and increase direct communication with the area MAC clubs
with the intention of helping build their membership and the Federation of
Fly Fishers as well. We will ask for feedback to better meet the needs of the
clubs and their members.
- Develop more online collaboration within the fly fishing community by
improving our website and integrating with social media sites.
Education
- Improve attendance at the June 6th Youth camp.
- Improve attendance at the September 22nd Adult Learn to Fly Fish Clinic.
- Develop a plan to provide future educational opportunities in each region
of the MAC for 2011 and beyond.
Conservation
- Construct and deploy 50 monofilament recycling stations through the MAC
region by December of 2010.
As members of the MAC, your feedback and participation are critical to its success.
Please contact me at anytime and I will promptly respond and always listen to your
needs and issues. Please connect with me on
Facebook and
LinkedIn as well.
Sincerely,
James Porter
443-472-5092
jim@portergroup.com
IN THE NEWS
Please read our July 2010 Newsletter
Big trouble for the Casselman River
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is considering providing a permit to
the Maryland Energy Resources LLC, Indiana, Pa to discharge of an average of 500,000
gallons per day of mine drainage and variable volumes of storm water from the proposed
mine. The site is located along Durst Road southwest of Grantsville to the north
branch of the Casselman River.
Written comments will be accepted until Wednesday, May 26. They can be sent to the
Maryland Department of the Environment, Water Management Administration, 1800
Washington Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21230-1708, Attn: Michael Richardson. For more
information, persons may call 800-633-6101.
More information is available on the "Citizens Against the Proposed Casselman Basin
Mine Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54985728147
Because we only have 2 days to send comments, Mr. Richardson's email address
is m.richardson@mde.state.md.us and his phone number is 410-537-3654.
2010 Youth Fly Fishing Camp
On Sunday, June 6, 2010, FFF’s Mid-Atlantic
Council will hold its Eleventh Annual Youth Fly Fishing Camp at
Catoctin Fish and Game Protective Association in Myersville, Maryland.
Please see the
Education page for details.
2010 Teach Me To Fly Fish
On Saturday, September 18, 2009, FFF’s Mid-Atlantic
Council will hold its eighth Learn to Fly Fish
Course at Devils Backbone County Park in Maryland.
Please see the
Education page for details.
Potomac River on FFF 2008 Endangered Fisheries List
Press Release
FFF Potomac River Fact Sheet
Didymo (Didymosphenis geminata)
is an invasive freshwater alga ...
READ MORE
Trout In the Classroom (TIC) ...
READ MORE
2010 Mid-Atlantic Region
Conservation Events