SNP - Wildlife and safety

[samuel newcomer]

Hello, 

I just went out to SNP for the first time today and claimed the dignity of over 20 brookies on the fiberglass 3wt.  What a blast!!  However, I have seen some stuff on the boards about snakes and other somewhat nefarious creatures out that way. I realized later, being so immersed in fishing a bear could have smacked me upside the head and I don't think I would have noticed. 

 I was curious what precautionary items you folks that fish out that way may take along or recommend taking.  

I appreciate the advice in advance and if you want to head out that way let me know!!!!

[thanl...@gmail.com]

Although I'm no wildlife expert when I'm in the SNP I'm always aware of 2 threats; Copperhead snakes and black bears. For the snakes, since they do not have rattles to give  a warning like rattlesnakes, it is always important when you leave the trail or stream en route to the other to always walk slow and watch where you step and try to walk heavy since if they detect the vibrations of your approach they will try to get away. As for the bears I always carry bear spray and since I usually fish by my self I try to make noise while on the trails, usually by picking up  a rock a banging it against some metal that I am carrying so they know I am coming and have a chance to get out of my way. I have only surprised a mom and cubs once but we were both so mutually surprised that before I could  get my hands on the bear spray they had ran off (thank God).

[Gadsden Merrill]

I second the copperhead warning.  Those things have scared me so bad that I've fallen backwards off a rock and landed head first (didn't break the rod though!).

When you go to step over a log or rock, definitely step close to the near side then step way past the far side cause you never know what's behind it.

[TurbineBlade]

Despite NPS using the term "poisonous" to describe what are actually venomous snakes, I think they've done a good job providing a very brief warning on their website:

http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/your-safety.htm

Black bears are generally fairly shy and avoid people -- carrying bear spray (capsaicin is an EPA registered pesticide by the way) is really not necessary.  

Snakes, including the pit viper species native to this region, are equally shy and are not inclined to strike things that they're incapable of eating.  Venom serves several functions, one of which is actually to 'sanitize' the nasty gut flora of rodents (at least for the local pit vipers, which generally eat warm-blooded prey at some point in their lives).  

When you finish reading this thread, consider how much more likely you are to be killed driving on I-495 or 66 or simply waiting for a scrapple sandwich or half-smoke anywhere in NE, and don't worry about fishing in SNP.  

Gene

[TurbineBlade]

Oh -- and as much as I enjoy the word "nefarious", it is put to better use to describe poachers in my opinion.  Like this jerk here -- 

Spearing fish illegally, without any pants on.  

Gene

On Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 9:28:12 PM UTC-4, samuel newcomer wrote:

[namfos]

ROFLMAO

[Carl Z.]

Gene,  Ya got it all wrong.  

There are tons of snakes,  They bite and they are nasty.  

That and there aren't any fish.

Carl

ROFLMAO

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[Yambag Nelson]

The black bears aren't going to bother you.  You would have to do something really dumb to have one attack you.

 

As for snakes, I pay attention to wear i am walking and putting my hands and wear waders even when it is warm. 

On Sunday, May 3, 2015 at 8:36:17 PM UTC-4, Carl wrote:

Gene,  Ya got it all wrong.  

There are tons of snakes,  They bite and they are nasty.  

That and there aren't any fish.

Carl

On Sun, May 3, 2015 at 11:20 AM, namfos <mark....@gmail.com> wrote:

ROFLMAO

On Sunday, May 3, 2015 at 3:24:01 AM UTC-4, TurbineBlade wrote:

Oh -- and as much as I enjoy the word "nefarious", it is put to better use to describe poachers in my opinion.  Like this jerk here -- 

Spearing fish illegally, without any pants on.  

Gene


On Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 9:28:12 PM UTC-4, samuel newcomer wrote:

Hello, 

I just went out to SNP for the first time today and claimed the dignity of over 20 brookies on the fiberglass 3wt.  What a blast!!  However, I have seen some stuff on the boards about snakes and other somewhat nefarious creatures out that way. I realized later, being so immersed in fishing a bear could have smacked me upside the head and I don't think I would have noticed. 

 I was curious what precautionary items you folks that fish out that way may take along or recommend taking.  

I appreciate the advice in advance and if you want to head out that way let me know!!!!

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[Aaron O]

And btw TurbineBlade ( if that is what your calling yourself?!?) watch what you say about NE. I may have to have some of my neibors come kick your butt for badmouthing us. 😜

[TomS]

poison ivy is the biggest threat. 

On Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 9:28:12 PM UTC-4, samuel newcomer wrote:

[TurbineBlade]

Oh -- no offense meant to NE!  I was thinking of that one place in NE where you can go get scrapple sandwiches up there by that Howard Johnson.  I think it's off New York Ave.  

Tom -- yes!  Agreed.  I get poison ivy like crazy out there, and everywhere else.  I somehow got it on my skull this past weekend.   

Gene

[Casey Peltier]

Did you all know that Anbesol, the teething medicine, makes excellent poison ivy relief? Calms the itching, reduces swelling, and generally cleans it up faster than anything else. Good for bug bites too.

I speak from extensive experience...

Sorry to hijack the thread--can't find my password to post properly.

C

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Date: Mon, 4 May 2015 06:52:27 -0700
From: doubl...@gmail.com
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: SNP - Wildlife and safety

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[Rob Snowhite]

I despise stinging nettle up in the park. Jewel Weed is a cute for poison ivy. Crush stems and put on infected area. 

Sent from my iPhone

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[Scott Stankus]

Best cure for stinging nettle is Gold Bond (not sure about the gold bottle, but definitely the green)! Carry a small bottle of it with you and put it on the area as soon as you feel the itching/burning. In just a few minutes all will be better!

--Scott

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/AAB86B01-D620-44A7-9376-28F1A106E3B4%40robsnowhite.com.

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"There are 10 types of people in this world, those who know binary, and those who don't"

[Parker]

I sing aloud to myself when walking around blind corners, but as others mentioned, the bears are mellow and used to the presence of people. I have yet to see a rattlesnake, but I have had the misfortune of snakes dropping from branches and logs past my face (which is about as terrifying as it sounds). To avoid this, I now double check for sunning snakes before walking under downed trees. 

On Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 9:28:12 PM UTC-4, samuel newcomer wrote:

[Andy Thomas]

I've been inside the park hiking and fishing on many occasions and never seen a bear.  I know they are there but are clearly scarce and avoid people.  I would guess that bear spray is about the only precautionary measure you need to take in that regard (although I never take any).  As for snakes, they are definitely there--copperheads and rattlesnakes--as well as other non-venemous species.  The best precautions you can take for snakes is watch your steps, be careful stepping over logs and rocks because you often can't see the back side, and it is very helpful to carry a wading or hiking staff and beat the ground in front of you, especially when walking through thick cover.  You can also use it to test out the area over a log or rock if you can't see behind it.  You'll either entice a strike or scare away what is there before sticking your foot in striking distance.  It's true that copperheads or rattlesnakes won't seek you out, but they are often hidden and the strike occurs when you startle them or they feel cornered--which, if they are under a rock or log and your foot/leg is blocking their exit, they are cornered.  I grew up in Mississippi and have had my fair share of run-ins with rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths (these are the worst).  Compared to the South, snakes are scarce up here.

 

 

 

On Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 9:28:12 PM UTC-4, samuel newcomer wrote:

[Brendan]

Things that do scare me - ticks and poison ivy. unfortunately had a tick that formed a very personal relationship with me and have twice had to get steroid shots for poison ivy. 

i'm not sure how much they actually do, but even during the late spring and early summer i like wearing high ankle leather boots if not waders/boots. thankfully never had much of a problem with venomous (happy gene? :) ) snakes... even with tons of fishing and backpacking I rarely see copperheads/rattlers east of Missouri. Almost every trip between April 1st and October 1st I come across non-venomous species and almost had to change pants while climbing some rocks along one park stream after I put my hand within inches of a fat 4ft water snake that at first look appeared to be a copperhead.  Thankfully tho, no serious problems.  

Not afraid of bears around here. Have seen several in and around the park and never had a problem. Most didn't even care, either stayed focused on what they were doing or simply kept moving. Definitely get a little anxious when seeing a mother and cubs but always managed to keep a good distance and avoid splitting them up. 

[Joe Mathews]

Funny that Andy remarks that he's never seen a bear, because David Hart in his book Fly Fisher's Guide to Virginia says the exact same thing--that he's never seen a bear in many visits to SNP.

Maybe I'm just lucky, but I've seen at least one bear on my last 2 trips to the park (including yesterday, off Skyline Drive as I was driving out).  In my experience, there are a LOT of black bears in SNP.  Perhaps more than usual in recent years.  http://www.breezejmu.org/news/article_f5bf396c-035a-11e1-a738-001a4bcf6878.html 

That said, black bears are not aggressive unless they have been fed by humans or you surprise them or their cubs.  So if you make noise (especially at blind corners), and try not to get so "in the zone" fishing that you're oblivious to the sides of the river.  I really don't think it's necessary to carry bear spray in SNP.  Glacier or Yellowstone, on the other hand....

On Monday, May 4, 2015 at 1:36:26 PM UTC-4, Andy Thomas wrote:

I've been inside the park hiking and fishing on many occasions and never seen a bear.  I know they are there but are clearly scarce and avoid people.  I would guess that bear spray is about the only precautionary measure you need to take in that regard (although I never take any).

 

 

On Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 9:28:12 PM UTC-4, samuel newcomer wrote:

[TomS]

Seen bears in the park, natl forest lands, and out by the Laurel streams. Usually in the early spring or late fall.  Never any trouble, barely a second look.  Don't carry smelly food with you anytime in the woods.  

On Saturday, May 2, 2015 at 9:28:12 PM UTC-4, samuel newcomer wrote: