Potomac Valley Fly Fishers

Potomac Valley Fly Fishers The Potomac Valley Fly Fishers is a non-profit organization, in Frederick, MD, dedicated to promoting the sport of fly fishing and conservation.

April Member Spotlight 🎣Let's give a big shout out to the one and only, Pete Ring! From getting skunked to landing 100-f...
04/07/2026

April Member Spotlight 🎣

Let's give a big shout out to the one and only, Pete Ring!

From getting skunked to landing 100-fish days—Pete’s fly fishing journey is one of persistence, passion, and pure adventure.

Fishing since age 5, Pete picked up fly fishing after moving to Colorado and struggled early on. But one unforgettable backcountry trip—catching fish on nearly every cast—changed everything. That’s when he was truly hooked.

After joining PVFF in 2015, Pete discovered a welcoming community of humble anglers who share the same passion—quickly proving that fly fishing clubs are anything but “elite.”

Go-to flies? Circus Peanuts, Blow Torches, and anything he can see on top.
Proudest moment? Landing a 23” wild brown after a 10-month pursuit 🔥
Favorite challenge? Exploring untouched waters—where discovery matters just as much as the catch.

Pete’s also a proud outing host, a self-proclaimed gear ju**ie, and someone who values the experience as much as the fish.

Best advice for beginners:
👉 Connect with a mentor
👉 Be patient (knots and trees happen 😅)
👉 Take in the scenery—trout live in beautiful places

Fun facts:
• Still hasn’t caught a trout in his home state of NY 🤯
• Never fished a hatch
• Doesn’t tie flies... it's not for everyone
• His son's middle name is “Fisher”… but he doesn’t like to fish (he tried 😂)

Drop a 👋 for Pete in the comments and share what got you hooked!



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🎣 April events are here—mark your calendars!Monthly Meeting + Guest Speaker Jeff Green📅 April 14, 7 PM📍 Tuscarora High S...
04/06/2026

🎣 April events are here—mark your calendars!

Monthly Meeting + Guest Speaker Jeff Green
📅 April 14, 7 PM
📍 Tuscarora High School, Room A170 Frederick
Hear from a local guide about fishing the Upper Potomac & Susquehanna, plus tips on gear and techniques for warmwater species.

Advanced Fly Tying
📅 April 15, 7 PM
📍 Trinity United Methodist Church, Room 108 Frederick
Join us for a fun, hands-on session tying the mysterious Sitka Minnow—rumored to catch fish, if we can get the full recipe 👀

Beginner Fly Tying
📅 April 21, 7 PM
📍 Trinity United Methodist Church, Frederick
Perfect for newcomers! Learn to tie the versatile CDC Caddis, a go-to fly for spring and summer hatches. All materials provided. Please give us a heads up if you'll be attending so that we can make sure to have enough materials 🧵

As always, for more information about these events, check out the April Streamlines newsletter or visit our website (link in bio).





BHC ROUND 2! 🎣 Earlier this month, a small but dedicated crew of PVFF anglers braved the rain and made their way to Big ...
03/19/2026

BHC ROUND 2! 🎣 Earlier this month, a small but dedicated crew of PVFF anglers braved the rain and made their way to Big Hunting Creek for another cleanup—this time tackling a more challenging stretch.

Based on the evidence, the official beverage of litter bugs appears to be... *drum roll* 🥁 ... Busch Lite!

Bag by bag, the crew worked their way through the mess, leaving the area a whole lot cleaner than they found it—and proving once again that a few determined folks can make a big difference.

Days like this remind us just how special this community is. Dirty hands, good laughs, and cleaner water at the end of it all.





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TONIGHT! Beginners Fly Tying Night!📅 Tuesday, March 17 @ 7 PM📍 Trinity United Methodist Church, Frederick🧵 Featuring th...
03/17/2026

TONIGHT! Beginners Fly Tying Night!

📅 Tuesday, March 17 @ 7 PM
📍 Trinity United Methodist Church, Frederick
🧵 Featuring the Smokey Mountain Palmer dry fly!

We’ve got all the materials, vises, and tools covered—so whether you’ve never tied a fly or just want to hang out and learn something new, you’re more than welcome.

Give us a heads up if you’re coming so we can have enough gear ready. Come tie, learn, and maybe get a little extra luck of the Irish on your line 🍀

Check out the March Streamlines for more info!





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A special day at Culler Lake celebrating 100 years of a fly fishing legend. 🎣On February 26, a small group of anglers ga...
03/16/2026

A special day at Culler Lake celebrating 100 years of a fly fishing legend. 🎣

On February 26, a small group of anglers gathered beside the bronze sculpture of Lefty Kreh at Culler Lake in Frederick to celebrate what would have been his 100th birthday. Surrounded by friends, longtime admirers, and a few new faces in the fly fishing community, the morning quickly turned into a circle of stories about the man who inspired so many of us to pick up a fly rod.

From memories of fishing trips to stories of Lefty generously helping new anglers get started, one thing was clear—his belief that “knowledge that isn’t shared is wasted” still lives on in the fly fishing community today.

It was especially great to see new PVFF members connecting with fellow anglers and carrying that same spirit forward. A fitting tribute to a teacher, mentor, and friend to so many.





Last Sunday we met up at the Outpost and fished a few local streams. The last time I tried to catch native brookies, I g...
03/11/2026

Last Sunday we met up at the Outpost and fished a few local streams. The last time I tried to catch native brookies, I got completely skunked — which, honestly, felt about right because those little fish are basically underwater ninjas. This time though, with some help from Vince, I actually managed to land three brook trout! Personal best… or at least a personal redemption arc.

At some point I also managed to land face-down in the stream, but we don't need to talk about that. Let’s just call them battle scars and proof of dedication.

After fishing, we regrouped for an absolute smorgasbord: meatballs, pulled pork, adobo (Filipino braised chicken), pancit (a traditional Filipino noodle dish), pasta salad, broccoli salad, potato salad, desserts, and of course… an entirely reasonable amount of beer (and mango sangria).

Sorry we left your fridge like that, Ed. But really, it’s being used for the greater good.

We also had a few highly prestigious competitions: most fish caught, most flies lost, and biggest fish. I was fully confident I’d take home the trophy for most flies lost, but somehow even managed to take the L on that one.

All in all, it was a great day. Ed continues to be the world’s greatest host, and as always, it’s hard to beat spending time on the water with such a great group of people.





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PVFF Monthly Meeting Tonight!Join Potomac Valley Fly Fishers tonight for our March meeting featuring Steve Makranczy whe...
03/10/2026

PVFF Monthly Meeting Tonight!

Join Potomac Valley Fly Fishers tonight for our March meeting featuring Steve Makranczy where he will discuss fly fishing for snakehead — tactics, tips, and stories from the water.

We’ll also hear briefly from a representative of Frederick County’s Division of Energy & Environment about their programs and ways our club can support local conservation efforts through volunteer activities.

📍 Tuscarora High School – Room A170
🗓 Tuesday, March 10
⏰ 7:00 PM





PVFF Membership Spotlight 🌟We’re kicking off our first Membership Spotlight of the month with none other than Pete "Moss...
03/04/2026

PVFF Membership Spotlight 🌟

We’re kicking off our first Membership Spotlight of the month with none other than Pete "Moss" D'Adamo! 🙌

From casting lines at Liberty Reservoir as a teenager to epic trips across the country — the Ozarks (White & Norfork Rivers), Colorado River, Green River, James River, New River, Roanoke River, and right here at home in Maryland — fly fishing has been a journey filled with beautiful water, amazing fish, and even better fellowship.

✨ Member for: 3 years
🎯 Go-to flies: Green leech, Clint’s Sunday Special nymph, and poppers for bass
🐟 Memorable catches: Multiple brown trout on the White River + a 6-lb rainbow in the Missouri Ozarks
🌎 Dream destination: New Zealand

Even at 70, Pete is still kayaking miles on the Potomac and Monocacy chasing smallmouth bass. 🚣‍♂️ Fishing, camping, hiking — and no plans to slow down anytime soon.

What challenges him most? Perfecting casting techniques. “Still learning.” (Aren’t we all?)

Beyond the river, his passion for water runs deep. After earning a biology degree, Pete later completed both a master’s and Ph.D. in environmental engineering while working — finishing his doctorate at 47. He retired as a national water treatment director, dedicating his career to water quality and treatability. His philosophy? Water is life.

His advice for beginners:
👉 Join a club like PVFF
👉 Learn your flies, knots, and casting
👉 Find a mentor (we’ve got some great ones!)

And one more fun fact — his wife Pauline is from County Clare, Ireland, and they visit every other year with hopes of exploring fishing opportunities there too. 🇮🇪🎣

Thanks for being part of the PVFF family, Pete!





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🎣 PVFF March Events Are Here!📅 March 4 | 10am–12pmBHC Clean Up Part 2 (EVENT FULL)We will wrap up the cleanup efforts in...
03/04/2026

🎣 PVFF March Events Are Here!

📅 March 4 | 10am–12pm
BHC Clean Up Part 2 (EVENT FULL)
We will wrap up the cleanup efforts in the Canyon Area of Big Hunting Creek. It’s steeper terrain this time — bring boots/waders and gloves. We’ll provide supplies, plus food and drinks at the Outpost afterward.

📅 March 7 | 10am–2pm
Saturday Spring Fly Tying
All skill levels welcome! Learn basic patterns, tackle a challenging fly, or sharpen specific techniques. Coffee + pizza included ☕🍕
Register via our website (link in bio).

📅 March 8 | 8am–12pm (EVENT FULL)
Northern Frederick County Creek Fishing Outing
Shake off the winter blues and fish the Catoctin area creeks — Big & Little Hunting, Fishing, Little Fishing, and Owens — before spring stocking. Food and drinks to follow.

📅 March 10 | 7pm
Monthly Membership Meeting
Guest speaker Steve Makranczy returns to talk fly fishing for snakehead
Plus a Frederick County Division of Energy & Environment rep will share conservation opportunities and how we can get involved.

📅 March 17 | 7pm
Beginner Fly Tying
Featuring the Smokey Mountain Palmer Dry Fly. Materials provided — perfect for first-time tyers!

📅 March 18 | 7pm
Advanced Fly Tying
Bradley Bennett ties the legendary “20 Incher” Stonefly — a big trout favorite.
Can’t attend in person? Join us via Zoom!

As always, for more details about these events, please check out the March Streamlines newsletter or visit our website. Link in bio.





Advanced Fly Tying Night – TONIGHT at 7PM Join us for a hands-on session geared toward intermediate and advanced tiers. ...
02/18/2026

Advanced Fly Tying Night – TONIGHT at 7PM
Join us for a hands-on session geared toward intermediate and advanced tiers. We’ll be tying a new pattern together, refining techniques, and swapping insights. Bring your vise and tools — materials provided.

📍 Trinity United Methodist Church, Frederick MD
📅 TONIGHT, February 18 at 7pm
🧵 Want to join via Zoom? Email Larry Forte. His contact can be found on the February Streamlines.

This is a members-only event.

Not a member yet? We’d love to have you join our fly fishing community! Check out our website to learn how you can become a member. Link in our bio.





Beginners Fly Tying Night is TONIGHT! We’ll be working on the Griffith’s Gnat and Flashback PT Nymph — perfect patterns ...
02/17/2026

Beginners Fly Tying Night is TONIGHT!

We’ll be working on the Griffith’s Gnat and Flashback PT Nymph — perfect patterns for winter trout.

🧵 All skill levels welcome
🎣 Materials provided (upon request)
📍 Trinity United Methodist Church, Frederick MD
🕖 TONIGHT, Feb 17 at 7pm

If you plan to attend, please contact Don Fine — his info is listed in the February Streamlines newsletter.

This is a members-only event. If you’re not yet a member, we’d love to have you join our fly fishing community! Details on how to sign up are available on our website. Link in our bio.




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🎣 PVFF February Events 🎣Cold weather, hot plans. Here’s what’s on deck this month—check out the February Streamlines or ...
02/10/2026

🎣 PVFF February Events 🎣
Cold weather, hot plans. Here’s what’s on deck this month—check out the February Streamlines or visit our website for more info. Link in our bio.

📅 Feb 10 | Monthly Meeting
🕖 7:00 PM | Tuscarora High School, Frederick, MD
Members: Get an up-close look at local macro-invertebrates with guest speaker Britton Reed and learn how preserving them helps protect our fisheries.

📅 Feb 17 | Beginner Fly Tying
🕖 7:00 PM | Trinity UMC, Frederick, MD
Members: Winter is for tying. Learn to tie the Griffith’s Gnat & Flashback PT Nymph—perfect for newbies. Materials provided, vises available.

📅 Feb 18 | Advanced Fly Tying
🕖 7:00 PM | Trinity UMC, Frederick, MD
Members: For intermediate & advanced tiers—refine techniques, try new materials, and tie alongside experienced anglers. Bring your tools; materials provided.

📅 Feb 26 | Celebrating Lefty Kreh (open to public)
🕙 10 AM–12 PM | Lefty Sculpture, Baker Park
Coffee, donuts, and stories as we honor Lefty Kreh at his sculpture in downtown Frederick. All are welcome.

Not a PVFF member? 👀

👉 Join the Potomac Valley Fly Fishers and be part of the community, the knowledge, and the fun. 🐟





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