Help is needed with a genetic population study of sheepshead. The study is being conducted out of the University of South Alabama. They need anglers willing to collect fin clips when they return to the Chesapeake Bay next summer.

If you fish for sheepshead and are willing to help, contact Pearce Cooper at pcooper@disl.org and he will get you a sampling kit.

Thank you for your sheepshead fishing 🙂

DNR Helps Build New Public Access Site On Elk River
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has awarded a grant to Cecil County to construct a new boating facility on the Elk River and dredge the adjoining channel. The facility will provide recreational boaters with access to the Elk River and Chesapeake Bay, and other residents will enjoy the landside facilities.

“Everyone at the federal, state and local level pulled together to make this project happen,” Said DNR’s Boating Service Director Bob Gaudette. “This new boating facility will be enjoyed by local residents as well as boaters throughout Maryland.”

The Elk River Park Boating Facility was substantially completed and opened in July 2009 with $437,700 in Waterway Improvement Funds. The entire project, including dredging, will cost just over $2.3 million and also includes funding from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cecil County, and Program Open Space. $86,000 in Program Open Space funds helped provide landside park facilities including a picnic pavilion, barbeque pits, and a swing set. Boy Scout troop 131 designed and installed the pavilion and swings.

The facility boasts a new two-lane boat ramp with a 5 feet by 60 feet floating dock, two ADA accessible car/trailer parking spaces, and a new access road and turning area. Additionally, DNR included Continue Reading »

1. Measure a little more than twice the footage you’ll want for the double-line leader. Bring end back to standing line and hold together. Rotate end of loop 20 times, putting twists in it.
2. Spread loop to force twists together at about 10″ below tag end. Step both feet through loop and bring it up around knees so pressure can be placed on column of twists by spreading knees apart.
3. With twists forced tightly together, held standing line in one hand with tension just slightly off the vertical position. With other hand, move tag end to position at right angle to twists. Keeping tension on loop with knees, gradually ease tension of tag end so it will roll over the column of twists, beginning just below the upper twist.
4. Spread legs apart slowly to maintain pressure on loop. Steer tag end into a tight spiral coil as it continues to roll over the twisted line.
5. When spiral of tag end has rolled over column of twists, continue keeping knee pressure on loop and move hand which has held standing line down to grasp knot. Place fingers in crotch of line where loop joins knot to prevent slippage of the last turn. Take half-inch with tag end around nearest leg of loop and pull up tight.
6. With half-hitch holding knot, release knee pressure but keep loop stretched out tight. Using remaining tag end, take half-hitch around both legs of loop but do not pull tight.
7. Make two more turns with the tag end around both legs of the loop, winding inside the end of line formed by the loose half-hitch and toward the main knot. Pull tag end slowly, forcing the three looops to gather in a spiral.
8. When loops are pulled up neatly against main knot, tighten to lock knot in place. Trim tag end about 1/4″ from knot.

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