Shenandoah Riverkeeper (Blog Ninety-four)

It is late Saturday evening as I write this, as I just returned home from the annual Shenandoah Riverkeeper Rodeo.  The event is held to raise money to support the Shenandoah Riverkeeper Jeff Kelble and the hard work he and the Potomac Riverkeeper's staff to protect and improve the streams that make up the watershed.

This year's event was typical - good natured jousting between Jeff and the audience about the day's tournament where participants were penalized mightily if they caught a largemouth, a blue grass band played throughout the evening, and lots of good food was served.

My favorite part of the function this year and every year is talking to fellow fishermen about what patterns are working on the various rivers and what concerns they have about the health of our Mid- Atlantic rivers.

As always, I held a book signing with part of the proceeds going to benefit the Riverkeeper program.  The point of this post is that although the rodeo is over for this year, it is good for river enthusiasts to keep in mind the hard work that the these folks do the entire year.  There is no question that the fishing and water quality have improved the past few years - and the Riverkeeper program has more than a little to do with that.

For more information and/or to donate: www.potomacriverkeeper.org/shenandoah.