Tag: western maryland
Maryland Fishing Report – Winter Preview 2023-24
The pre-season trout stocking program is now underway until late March 2024, when the spring trout stocking program will commence. Anglers are encouraged to check out the trout stocking website to see where they are taking place.
Trout fishing in the put-and-take areas is a wonderful way to introduce anglers of all ages to fishing with some success. During the winter many marginal trout waters in community areas provide cool enough water conditions for stocked trout to survive until the early summer. These sites can usually be reached by most Maryland without too much driving and they are relatively easy to fish. A simple bobber, hook, and bait – either an earthworm or artificial such as a Powerbait – is all that is needed within easy casting distance. There are also some trout management waters that are set aside for our young anglers under the age of 16.
The catch-and-release and gear-specific trout management waters offer plenty of fun for those using fly fishing gear or using artificials. Many of these trout management waters are located in the western region of Maryland, offering solitude and a picturesque setting of mountain streams. In the central region there are a few similar trout management waters, with the upper Gunpowder being one of the more popular locations.
The upper Potomac River is providing good fishing for smallmouth bass and walleye for the coming months. Water levels can change and cause hazardous conditions at times so caution should be taken after heavy rainfall. U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets must be always worn when on the upper Potomac and its tributaries from November 15 to May 15. Deep Creek Lake and the lower Susquehanna River also have populations of smallmouth bass and walleye and Prettyboy Reservoir has a healthy smallmouth bass population.
Fishing for crappie remains good during the winter, and they can be found holding close to deep structure. Bridge piers and marina docks are good places to look for them in tidal and nontidal waters. The tidal Potomac River near the Wilson Bridge is a popular crappie fishing area.
Anglers fishing in the tidal creeks of the Chesapeake are starting to catch yellow perch in some of the deeper areas. Small minnows on a bottom rig or jig head are great ways to catch them.
Largemouth bass can be found during the winter in a variety of waters, tidal and nontidal. One thing they will all have in common is deep water. The largemouth will be holding deep near channel drop-offs and structure. Blade lures and soft craw jigs are good choices for lures, but they must be worked slowly and close to the bottom.
Best places for kayaking or canoeing in Maryland?
Deep Creek lake was recently featured in Energy Portals most recent review of the best places for kayaking and canoeing in Maryland.
Maryland, with its diverse waterways, offers a plethora of fantastic locations for kayaking and canoeing enthusiasts. From serene rivers and tranquil lakes to picturesque coastal areas, the state provides ample opportunities for paddlers of all skill levels. This article explores some of the best places for kayaking or canoeing in Maryland, highlighting their unique features and attractions. Whether you seek a peaceful escape or an adventurous journey, Maryland’s waterways are sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
Deep Creek Lake, nestled in the western part of Maryland, is the state’s largest freshwater lake. Offering over 3,900 acres of crystal-clear water, this picturesque destination is perfect for kayaking and canoeing. Paddlers can enjoy a peaceful journey while surrounded by the stunning beauty of the surrounding mountains and forests. Deep Creek Lake also provides opportunities for fishing, swimming, and other water-based activities.
WISP Resort Opening Day
Wisp Resort is set to unveil the season with a lineup of seven exciting trails and a terrain park that includes Squirrel Cage, Sunset Blvd., Happy Camper, Possum, Grouse Way, Boulder Run, and the Central Park Terrain Park.
Join us for the opening weekend, where the winter magic unfolds with the following schedule:
Friday, December 15:
- Skiing and snowboarding: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Snow Tubing: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday:
- Skiing and snowboarding: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Snow Tubing on Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Snow Tubing on Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Excitement builds with our opening weekend rates:
Online Advance Purchase (Friday through Sunday):
- Adults: $89
- Juniors (ages 6-12): $69
(Up to a 16% discount off the window rate)
Ticket Window (Friday through Sunday):
- Adults: $109
- Juniors (ages 6-12): $89
Snow Tubing:
- $45 per person
Secure your spot for an unforgettable winter kickoff by purchasing your tickets online in advance. Don’t miss the chance to save and maximize the thrill of the season!
Recycle Christmas Trees at Garrett County Landfill
The Garrett County Department of Public Works – Solid Waste & Recycling Division would like to invite Garrett County residents to participate in Christmas tree recycling at the Garrett County landfill location during January and February.
Trees will be accepted for recycling during the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, at the landfill location at 3118 Oakland Sang Run Road, Oakland, Maryland.
Christmas tree recycling is available to Garrett County residents free of charge. A residential disposal permit is not required to participate in this program or any other recycling program in Garrett County.
Christmas trees may also be recycled at home by placing cut branches and needles under trees and shrubs as temporary winter mulch — or by chopping them up and adding them to your compost pile.
Please remove all tinsel, garland, and ornaments before recycling Christmas trees at home or the landfill location.
Note, artificial trees are not intended to be recycled.
Remember that a refuse permit is not required to recycle at any of the seven refuse & recycling sites, including the landfill. Additionally, Garrett County businesses are encouraged to recycle at all seven refuse & recycling sites.
Please contact the office at 301-334-7492 or email the Recycling Coordinator, Kimberly Madigan at kmadigan@garrettcounty.org with any questions.
Yough advisory board to discuss Swallow Falls bridge project
The state’s most recent known approval of activity within the protected Wild Youghiogheny River corridor is among topics to be discussed at a public meeting next week.
The Youghiogheny Scenic and Wild River Advisory Board at 9 a.m. Monday will discuss how it can get notice in advance of actions that could harm the environment the group was formed to protect.
The event will be held at the County Commissioners Meeting Room, Frederick A. Thayer, III Courthouse, 203 South Fourth St. in Oakland.
It will also be live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/garrettcountygovernment/.
The purpose of the meeting is “to discuss the development of a protocol for timely notifications regarding activities and projects within the river corridor to foster communication and collaboration between the Local Youghiogheny River Advisory Board, Garrett County, and the Department of Natural Resources,” a public notice for the event stated.
“This initiative is vital for ensuring that all parties are aligned and that our actions are consistent with the Youghiogheny Scenic and Wild River: Study and Management Plan,” it stated.
“My concern is (for) plans and activities to be presented to the advisory board and discussed before action is taken,” Donald Sebold, chairman of the advisory board, said via email. “This is why the (Youghiogheny River) management plan calls for an advisory board.”
Steve Storck, who owns property in the Wild Yough scenic corridor, said he was pleased to hear the advisory board will meet.
“It is great to hear that the board has decided to take initiative to investigate and discuss recent actions by Maryland DNR in regards to their management of the Wild Youghiogheny,” he said via email. “From what I understand it was always envisioned that this group would be a partner in management of the Yough and their meetings a place to discuss and resolve issues related to its management.”
Bridge
Contributing factors that prompted the advisory board’s upcoming meeting include decisions made by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in the last few months.
DNR in August conditionally approved Garrett County’s application to build a new bridge and road in an offset alignment of the Swallow Falls Road bridge.
Prior to that decision, DNR requested the Youghiogheny River Advisory Board’s recommendation on the issue.
In response, the board said the bridge should follow the same alignment as the existing structure with the road closed for the construction project.
DNR’s subsequent conditional approval contradicted the board’s recommendation.
for more information Yough advisory board to discuss Swallow Falls bridge project | Local News | times-news.com
County Commissioners Public Meeting Agenda Announced
PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Agenda Session Times are Approximate
Meeting will also be Live Streamed at https://www.facebook.com/garrettcountygovernment/
Agenda Session Times are Approximate
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.
*To comment on agenda items – please send to @garrettcounty.org
3:00 Administrative Session
- Board Appointment/Reappointments: Emergency Medical Services – Region I Advisory Council – 3 Members
- 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 Resolution 2023 – 8: Garrett County Water and Sewer Plan Amendment
4:10 PUBLIC HEARING – Garrett County Department of Community Development, Planning, & Business Development – Planning & Land Development Division
Garrett County Agricultural Land Preservation District Seven (7) Applicants:
Charles Custer – 220.28 acres – Fearer Road
Charles Custer – 57.94 acres – Blue Goose Road
Leonard Custer – 91.88 acres – North Glade Road
Darin Carey – 81.3 acres – National Pike
Ellen Housley & Ann McLister – 226.15 acres – Rock Lodge Road
Kathy Lyons – 77.24 acres – Sam Friend Road
David Greenstein – 91.13 acres – Garrett Highway
4:20 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, January 2, 2024 at the Garrett County Courthouse beginning at 4:00 PM.
Maryland Fishing Report – December 6
Fishing for smallmouth bass and walleye has been good – cooler water temperatures always get these two fisheries going and they should last through much of the winter. Deep Creek Lake, Prettyboy Reservoir, and the upper Potomac and lower Susquehanna rivers are excellent places to fish for smallmouth bass. Deep Creek Lake, the upper Potomac and the lower Susquehanna hold good populations of walleye. Most anglers like to use root beer-colored tubes and a mix of soft plastic swimbaits, and crankbaits for smallmouth bass; and soft plastic jigs, swimbaits, jerkbaits, and small crankbaits for walleye.
Trout fishing in many of the specialized trout management waters is very good this week for those who enjoy catch-and-release and fly fishing. The preseason stocking of trout will begin soon, so trout anglers should start checking the DNR trout stocking website.
Largemouth bass are beginning to feel the effects of colder water temperatures and are generally holding in depths of six feet or more. with moving even deeper. Structure is a key item to focus on this time of the year. Sunken wood, steep drop-offs, bridge piers, and rocks are all worthy of extra attention when largemouth bass fishing.
Small, slow, and close to the bottom is your mantra when fishing for sluggish largemouth bass in colder waters. Wacky rigged worms worked slow and deliberate near structure is a proven tactic, pickups by largemouth bass will be subtle. Blade lures are a good lure to use in the deepest waters; slow-rolling a spinnerbait across the bottom can also work well. Craw jigs and small crankbaits worked very slowly along the bottom is another good tactic.
Fishing for crappie is good this week, and they can be found schooled up near deep structure. Sunken brush, bridge piers, marina docks, and fallen treetops all fit the bill. Slowly working a small minnow or marabou jig under a slip bobber near the structure usually works well.
The cold winter months and fishing for chain pickerel go hand-in-hand. Anglers are having fun targeting the fish along shoreline sunken wood or deeper wood such as tree stumps in flooded reservoirs. The upper sections of the Bay’s tidal rivers is a great place to find chain pickerel, often near docks, pilings and fallen trees.
Anglers fishing with small minnows and Beetle-Spins will start to encounter yellow perch in the middle to upper sections of the Bay’s tidal rivers and creek. The fish tend to wander farther up the waterways when water temperatures are as cool as they are. When water temperatures dip below 40 degrees they will travel down river to deep holes and channels where they will hold until warming spring temperatures bring on the urge to head upriver to spawn.
for more information in other areas Maryland Fishing Report – December 6
Dave Ramsey says it's time to buy a house; mortgage rates decline
Ramsey first advises people considering the big decision to keep in mind that it’s not for everybody all the time.
“Ever heard someone say everyone should buy a house? Or that renting is a lot like flushing a whole bunch of money down the toilet every month?” he asked on Ramsey Solutions. “Yeah, we’ve heard that stuff too. And it’s nonsense! The truth is, not everyone should buy a house.”
The bestselling author is not being pessimistic. But he is setting up the financial reality for people who want to purchase a home. And now may well be the time to do it.
“If you sign the dotted line on a new home when you aren’t prepared financially and emotionally, the house will wind up being a curse instead of a blessing,” Ramsey suggested. “It will wind up owning you instead of the other way around. When you are prepared to buy a house, though, it can be a wonderful blessing for your family and a great way to build wealth.”
Ramsey offered a list of the critical things to consider when making the determination that the major financial opportunity is in order.
for more information Dave Ramsey says it’s time to buy a house; mortgage rates decline – TheStreet
