The reclamation of the North Branch of the Potomac River, through Garrett County to Allegheny, is one of the great comeback stories in Maryland -- a superb natural resource, once left for dead because of mine acid and other pollution, restored and thriving with fish again. I have had some great trout and small-mouth days out there, including along the long, beautiful lower stretch below Luke, a part that I hope many Marylanders will one day be able to see for themselves by foot or paddle. (This photo is from autumn 2004, and that's Os' trainer Richie Bancells in the role of gillie on this brown-trout catch.) The state needs to acquire more access so that more citizens can get in and get a look at this stretch of "the nation's river" and take an interest in it.

One of the men who labored long for the North Branch, former DNR official Ken Pavol, is still fishing there and hiring out for guided trips. He says the trout fishing has been slower this season, but they've been catching bass and big tiger muskie. Ken sent this photo yesterday, from the lower stretch of the restored North Branch, as proof. Go to www.easterntrophies.com and click on the North Branch link for a description of this catch.