Santa’s elves are hard at work again, preparing for the return of Garrett County’s holiday kick-off event, the Festival of Trees.
The event will be held Nov. 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall along U.S.. 219 in McHenry. General admission is $5 per person.
Celebrating its 16th year, this joyful family event has become a tradition for hundreds of locals and visitors to the county. Benefitting the Dove Center, Garrett County’s domestic violence and sexual assault services program, the Festival of Trees was developed by its board and staff to serve as the organization’s major fundraiser.
Since its inception, it has raised well over $200,000, helping the agency to leverage additional state and federal grant funds by acting as a match. The community’s love for the event prompted rapid growth, and soon necessitated a change in venue from the Armory to the Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall, where it has been held since.
Trout anglers continue to enjoy good fishing in many put and take trout management waters this week and some of the catch-and-release designated waters. The trout will spread out as time goes by, so anglers can benefit from exploring areas away from the sites that were stocked this month. Using small lures in the form of spoons, spinners, and flies is a great way to cover a lot of water when looking for that trout that has found a spot to its liking.
Trout stocking is expected to resume around New Year’s. “Pre-season” stocking will be announced and more information can be found on the trout stocking website.
Anglers are enjoying good fishing for a mix of species at Deep Creek Lake this week. Cooler water temperatures have spurred smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, and northern pike to feed more aggressively. Fishing for smallmouth bass on the upper Potomac is also good due to cooler water temperatures.
Largemouth bass are perhaps one of the most popular freshwater fish pursued by anglers and fishing for them this week is providing excellent opportunities. Cooler water temperatures and less hot sun has the largemouth bass out roaming and feeding throughout most of the day. A wide variety of lures can be used but lures that imitate crayfish and small baitfish will top the list. Small crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, craw jigs, spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and jerkbaits are all good choices when covering open water or near diminishing grass beds. Wacky rigged stick worms are always a good choice when fishing near structure.
Northern snakeheads are seeing their coveted thick grass beds decline and can now often be found near shoreline brush or treetops that have fallen into the water. Sunny shorelines where the water will be slightly warmer is a good place to target. White paddletails and chatterbaits rigged with soft white plastics are two of the best lures to use. If you’re fishing from a boat and casting to shoreline structure, dead sticking a large minnow under a bobber in open waters can reap rewards.
A Maryland woman shot a 643-pound black bear on the opening day of the state’s short bear hunting season, and officials at Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) say it is the heaviest hunter-harvested bear on record.
The hunter, identified only by her first name, Melissa, shot the bear on October 23 near her home in Garrett County, according to an MDNR tweet posted October 25. “This Garrett Co. male bear is the largest bear ever harvested during Maryland black bear season and is a new state record,” MDNR reported. The previous record was a 615-pound Garrett County bear tagged in 2007.
The Board of County Commissioners may close a portion of this public meeting and move into Executive Session to comply with a specific constitutional, statutory, or judicial requirement that may prevent public disclosure about a particular proceeding or matter.
Appointment – Garrett County Soil Conservation District Board – 1 Member
Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc. – Request for Fiscal Year 2024 County Property Tax Abatement
Mr. Null will review a number of administrative and managerial matters under his authority and jurisdiction with the Board of County Commissioners
4:00 Call to Order of Public Session, Invocation, and Pledge of Allegiance
County Administrator – Additions/Deletions to Public Meeting Agenda
Approval of Public, Administrative, and Executive Meeting Minutes
4:05 Governor’s Appointment – Samuel Grant, Director, Garrett County Department of Emergency
Management
4:10 Garrett County Department of Financial Services – Purchasing Division
#23-1005 – Fire Prevention System Services
#23–1005W – Winter Abrasives and Road Salt
4:15 Public Commentary
ADJOURNMENT
Public issues or concerns that are to be presented to the Board of Garrett County Commissioners during any Public Meeting should be scheduled with Carol A. Riley–Alexander, Executive Assistant to the Board of County Commissioners/County Administrator.
The Board of Garrett County Commissioners next scheduled Public Meeting will be Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at the Garrett County Courthouse beginning at 4:00 PM.
Recent chilly temperatures are causing anglers to replace their sneakers and T-shirts with rubber footwear and flannel shirts. Cooler water temperatures have fish in a very active feeding mode, which makes for great fishing.
Forecast Summary: October 25 – October 31:
The upcoming week should provide cooling temperatures as the week progresses with low winds. Bay surface water temperatures continue their decline down to the low 60s. Salinity is average and there are suitable oxygen conditions down to the bottom in all areas of Maryland’s portion of the Bay.
Expect average flows in Maryland rivers and streams all week. There will be above average tidal currents all week as a result of the upcoming full moon on October 28. Expect average water clarity for most of Maryland’s Bay, rivers, and streams. To see the latest water clarity conditions, check Eyes on the Bay Satellite Maps.
As always, the best fishing areas could be further refined by intersecting them with underwater points, hard bottom, drop-offs, and large schools of baitfish.
For more detailed and up-to-date fishing conditions in your area of the Bay, be sure to check out Eyes on the Bay’s Click Before You Cast.
Upper Chesapeake Bay
Anglers are enjoying good fishing action for a mix of striped and smallmouth bass in the boulder-strewn sections of the lower Susquehanna River below the Conowingo Dam pool. It is a strange mix, and it would be difficult to find another fishing location that would provide opportunities for both species. Most anglers are casting soft plastic swimbaits and jigs as well as twitchbaits, jerkbaits, and crankbaits in the deep-water pockets, submerged ledges, and channel edges.
Fishing for blue catfish could only be better if they jumped into your boat. Anglers are using cut bait for the best results. A variety of fish can be used, but menhaden and gizzard shad top the list because their oil content releases a scent line for catfish to home in on. White perch and cut-up eel work well; many anglers use bluegill sunfish, chicken liver and scented baits. In many regards they are a meat-eating angler’s dream because there is no minimum size or daily creel limit. Cleaned and cooked properly, blue catfish can change the minds of most fish snobs. Check out our Angler’s Log to see some suggested ways to clean catfish.
Now that water temperatures in the tidal rivers are 60 degrees or lower, and the upper Bay water temperatures are in the low 60s, striped bass are free to roam wherever they have a notion to go. Their food supply of peanut menhaden is flowing out of the tidal rivers, so staging along steep channel edges at the mouths of the larger rivers is a given tactic.
There is still plenty of good striped bass fishing at the mouth of the Patapsco River and the Key Bridge, but other locations are coming into their own as good places to fish this week. The Love Point rocks provide a good location to jig, as is the mouth of the Chester River. Baltimore Light is always worth checking out if you’re nearby.
Trolling is a very popular way to fish for striped bass during the fall; pulling umbrella rigs behind heavy inline weights is the most common way they’re deployed. Most striped bass are holding in deep water along channel edges, so it takes some weight to get down to them. Stout tackle and braided line are needed unless one is trolling single bucktails or Drone spoons, which can be pulled behind a planer. Umbrella rigs can be rigged with hookless sassy shads or spoons and trailers can be bucktails dressed with a sassy shad or twistertail, a Storm Shad type lure, or a Drone spoon. A few popular channel edges to check are the Triple Buoys area, Love Point, Swan Point, the Dumping Grounds, Podickory Point, and the channels leading out of the region’s tidal rivers.
Fishing for white perch remains excellent this week in the region’s tidal rivers and creeks. Water temperatures have dipped below the 60-degree mark in many areas so the white perch will be moving to deeper waters soon. Casting Beetle-Spins along shoreline structure is an excellent way to fish for them now. Shoreline rocks, marina docks, bridge piers, and bulkheaded shores are just a few types of structure they prefer when looking for grass shrimp or small minnows.
King, Edisel With great sadness, we announce the passing of Edisel Delano “Ed” King, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, dear friend and community member. For decades, Ed’s name has been synonymous with Deep Creek Lake. He had a deep love for the lake and everything surrounding it and recently said, “I have never had a bad day at Deep Creek Lake.” Ed peacefully departed this world on Monday, September 11, 2023, at the age of 90, in the comfort of his Deep Creek Lake home, where he has been a full-time resident for 39 years. Born on August 4, 1933, in Hopwood, Pa., Ed was the son of the late Frank A. and Ada (Rankin) King. He grew up in a tight-knit family and from an early age developed a strong work ethic. Ed’s dedication to education led him to earn bachelor’s degrees from both West Virginia University and Carnegie Mellon University. Ed’s adventurous spirit led him to honorably serve his country as part of the United States Air Force. Stationed at a NATO base in France, he contributed to the defense efforts during a critical period. Following his military service, Ed pursued a successful career as a structural engineer at the American Bridge Division of U.S. Steel in Pittsburgh. Throughout his 28-year tenure, he played a significant role in notable projects across the country, including the iconic PanAm building in New York City, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and the magnificent New River Gorge Bridge. In 1984, Ed made the life-changing decision to become a full-time resident of Deep Creek Lake, Md. His passion and love for the area led him to embark on a new journey as a Realtor®, working diligently at Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. (formerly A&A Realty). Ed’s knowledge and commitment to the real estate industry earned him respect from his colleagues and clients alike. However, Ed’s legacy extends beyond his professional accomplishments. He had an unwavering dedication to his beloved community, serving as a 50-year active member and former multi-term president of the Property Owner’s Association of Deep Creek Lake and the Deep Creek Lions Club, where he was a member since 1986 and past president As a Lion, he was inducted as a Melvin Jones Fellow, which is the highest award in Lionism and recognizes superlative levels of service to others. Countless people have referred to him as “a legend” around the Deep Creek Lake community. Inspired by his love for the lake, Ed chose to share his wealth of knowledge by authoring several books, including “Famous Boats of Deep Creek Lake,” “Deep Creek Lake The Founders,” and “I Love Deep Creek Lake.” He was diligently working to complete his final book titled “Deep Creek Lake The Founders Book 2”, which will be published posthumously. He poured his all into these works as he preserved the memories and history of the lake for future generations to cherish. Ed’s kind and compassionate nature endeared him to all who knew him. He loved trips and visits with his friends and neighbors, all whom he loved dearly. He was known for his generosity, his love of life and his unmistakable “rooster crow,” bugle reveille and taps. He touched countless lives through his involvement with various charitable organizations, such as Hospice of Garrett County and the Garrett County Regional Medical Center Foundation. For years, he was a fixture at Hospice’s Jail and Bail booth at the county fair. Additionally, Ed dedicated his time and expertise to work with state and local governments on important matters of planning, zoning regulations and lake management. Ed’s memory will be forever cherished by his beloved wife, Lorena “Jean” King, who stood by his side throughout their journey together. He is also survived by his children, Jeffrey King of Kaneohe, Hawaii, Michelle King of Butler, Pa., and Bruce King and his wife Angela of Walnut Cove, N.C. Ed leaves behind several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will always remember him as a loving and devoted patriarch. Additionally, numerous nieces and nephews will remember him fondly. In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his brother, J Darwin King, and his sister, Gloria (King) Breakiron. A memorial service to celebrate the remarkable life of Edisel Delano King, a man who left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew him, will be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Oakland at 11 AM on Saturday, October 28, 2023, with Pastor Tom Omholt officiating. Friends, family and community members will be received for one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Deep Creek Watershed Foundation, P.O. Box 376, Oakland, MD 21550 or the donor’s favorite charity. May his kind soul rest in eternal peace, and may his memory forever illuminate our lives. The C & S Fredlock Funeral Home, P.A., Oakland, Maryland is honored to be assisting with Ed’s arrangements
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds residents that black bears are beginning a period of increased feeding activity in preparation for winter hibernation. As the leaves change and the weather cools, bears become more active as they search for food.
During this time, bears will travel across roads more frequently. They also can become more attracted to human-provided food sources and lose their natural fear of people, which can be dangerous for both people and bears.
Residents and visitors should note that keeping bird feeders, pet food and trash in a place where bears can’t get to them is the best way to avoid problems. Marylanders should also delay filling songbird feeders until the winter months to avoid attracting bears.