Author Archives: Kris

March Meeting – Scott Johnson

Scott Johnson will speak to us about about seasonal patterns and fishing tactics on the Susquehanna River.

• Where: Vienna Fire Station, 400 Center St South, Vienna, VA 22180
• When: March 28, 2018 at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7:00 for socializing)

Scott Johnson, owner of SJ Fishing Adventures

About Scott Johnson

Scott was born and raised outside Myersville, MD., where as a kid he would spend many days riding his bike to local farm ponds and creeks to fish and catch other wildlife. As Scott entered his teens his thirst to learn more about fishing really took off and he spent many hours following and reading In-Fisherman, Bill Dance, and other professionals. His fishing experiences broadened with his older brother, fishing local reservoirs and lakes from a canoe, bank fishing, Canadian fishing trips, and of course wading local rivers as much as possible. From here Scott’s love of fishing for river smallmouth began.

Scott continued to fish as much as possible through his twenties, from canoes, kayaks and of course wading the local rivers and streams. Canadian fishing trips were an annual event, from canoe trips in Algonquin Provincial Park to fly in trips in remote sections of Northwest Ontario. Traveling to fish was not limited to Canada, as Scott made trips to Lake Erie, North Carolina to surf fish, and many other locations. As happens in life, family and a career take priority over fishing so Scott channeled his energy into a newly found interest in teaching and coaching. He spent many years coaching girl’s lacrosse and acting as den leader for his son’s pack.

Today, with older children Scott is able to again pursue his passion of fishing and has combined that with his interest in teaching others by guiding. Scott guides on the upper Potomac, Susquehanna, and Juniata rivers, fishing year round when possible. With the support of his family and loving wife he now spends as many days as possible guiding others to experience the thrill of fishing for river smallmouth, or fishing for fun. After guiding for Ken Penrod, Scott has opened his own business, SJ Fishing Adventures, and is licensed in Maryland and Pennsylvania, fully insured, and certified in First Aid. Scott proudly promotes the following great companies; Under Armor, St. Croix Rods, Seaguar, Snagler Tackle, and Anglers Express.

February Meeting — Duncan McGrath

Duncan McGrath will speak to us about pre-spawn techniques and equipment, as well and discussing his guiding service on the New and Potomac Rivers.

• Where: Vienna Fire Station, 400 Center St South, Vienna, VA 22180
• When: February 28, 2018 at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7:00 for socializing)

Duncan McGrath

About Duncan McGrath

Duncan Mcgrath has been guiding the rivers of the Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic since age 17. He is based out of Fayetteville, WV and is an expert on the New and Gualey rivers. Raised on the Potomac he started smallmouth fishing as a child and still guides the same waters.

Duncan fishes from large Maravia rafts and is an expert white water oarsman and class 5 kayaker. He has worked with the white water rafting industry for over a decade as a safety specialist and guide. Duncan is a trained Wilderness First Responder and has received extensive training in white water safety. He is a Certified IFFF Fly Casting Instructor and prides himself on teaching anglers to Fly-fish for smallmouth bass and giant musky.

Duncan specializes in finding his customers trophy smallmouth, many avid fishermen have caught their personal best in his boat. He fishes a wide swath of some of the best smallmouth, striper and musky fishing in the country. Depending on the season Duncan can be found using variety of tackle from heavy tubes and jigs on spinning rods to large cork bugs on fly rods. He chases large striped bass on tidal rivers and coastal fisheries as well as traveling to the Rockies to guide the upper North Platte River in southern Wyoming.

January Meeting — Mark Frondorf

The featured speaker for our first meeting of 2018 is Mark Frondorf, the official Shenandoah Riverkeeper. He will be speaking to us about the state of the Shenandoah River, an update on the EPA lawsuit (of which PRSC is a co-plaintiff), efforts to address excessive nutrients entering the Shenandoah, the DuPont mercury settlement, and attempts to stop the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

• Where: Vienna Fire Station, 400 Center St South, Vienna, VA 22180
• When: January 31, 2018 at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7:00 for socializing)

Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper

About Mark Frondorf

Mark joined Potomac Riverkeeper Network in 2015. Having guided on the Shenandoah and Potomac for almost twenty years, Mark Frondorf comes to the Shenandoah Riverkeeper position used to hard work and recognizing the importance of a hands-on approach to protecting our rivers. His passion for the water, combined with his people and analytical skills, honed over 25 years as a think tank senior policy analyst tackling some of the most vexing issues facing our nation, make him ideally suited to defend the Shenandoah against pollution, protect our right to clean water, and promote the recreational use of this beautiful river. Mark was the principal investigator and author of a government study that examined the ocean dumping of U.S. chemical weapons and explored the full-range of issues, challenges and potential solutions to this complex problem.

As a former president of the Potomac River Smallmouth Club (early 1990’s), he successfully lobbied both Virginia and Maryland officials to implement and expand catch and release regulations. He was also instrumental in getting the federal government to revise the Code of Federal Regulations to permit wade fishing on portions of the Potomac. Mark also served on the Board of Directors for the Mid-Atlantic Federation of Fly Fishers. He holds an M.A. from the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs.

Please join us and learn more about issues that pertain to our local waterways.