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The
COVID-19 virus has interrupted so much for us all.
Our concern and
care goes out to each of you as you, your family, neighbors and friends deal with the stress, inconvenience and loss that has swept through our world.
Some things have not changed. The River continues to be a
resource for us all. |
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Cancellations and Postponements
FOMR’s spring events are cancelled due to COVID-19.
Riverfest
is cancelled.
Earth Day Staunton and Kites & Critters are postponed, with
hopes they can be rescheduled to the fall.
As the spring and summer proceed, if we learn that we can safely
offer events such as float trips or other river events, we will.
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The River Access Program (RAP) A Resource for You
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I paddle or visit the river now amid the pandemic?
Governor Northam's stay at home order Executive Order-55 offers an exception
(section 1e) for engaging in outdoor exercise, provided that social
distancing requirements are met. River
activities with your immediate household members can be done safely with a
little planning and care.
What is the River
Access Program (RAP)?
The RAP is an organized network of private landowners
(hosts) who are willing to allow authorized FOMR users (guests) onto their
private land along Middle River for the purposes of parking, putting in and
taking out of paddlecraft. Enrolled participants receive instructions on how to
contact the participating landowners, the vehicle placards necessary to park
and river information that allows the user to create a variety of trips of
varying lengths along Middle River, which otherwise has no public access sites.
How do I sign up to
get access?
Email Kate at fomr.guenther@gmail.com and let her know when would generally be a
good time for her to call you to discuss the program for 5-10 minutes. She’ll
call you. Read more HERE! |
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Wild Virginia Film Festival
This event has been rescheduled to the following dates and you can get more information about the showings HERE.
- Staunton: Rescheduled to September 13. At the Visulite Theater at 6:30pm.
- Charlottesville: Rescheduled to September 15. At the Violet Crown Theater at 6:30pm.
To see a preview of the movie to be shown, Hidden Rivers, about the rivers and streams of the Southern Appalachian region, click HERE!
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Manure and Macroinvertebrate Research
Before the schools closed down in mid-March, Ezekiel Esteban (above) and Westley Siemers (not shown) of
the Shenandoah Valley Governor's School participated in the Shenandoah Valley
Regional Science & Engineering Fair held at James Madison University. FOMR members Joe McCue and Tom Shapcott mentored these young men in
their research comparing macro-invertebrate and E. coli analyses of a
local stream, North
River watershed's Naked Creek. Congratulations on a great project! Photo by Tom Shapcott.
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E. coli Monitoring Report
March results look very good with the exception of three sites on Christians Creek which had elevated E. coli levels. See the detailed results for all our monitoring sites HERE.
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Loaner Tree Planting Tools
The Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District (SVSWCD) has a variety of tree planting tools to loan to individuals and groups free of charge. You can see what tools are available HERE. Request to borrow tree planting tools HERE. Tool pickup is at the SVSWCD office at 1934 Deyerle Avenue, Suite B, Harrisonburg.
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| Above photo by Roger Robinson: In the early days of COVID-19, when the concept of 6 foot social distancing was just getting started, long before the stay-at-home order and face mask recommendations were issued, a few FOMRs attempted a socially distanced float trip on Middle River! |
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Fishing Licenses
Don't forget to buy your fishing license, required to fish in Middle River! You can purchase licenses online HERE. You can also purchase licenses by phone during regular business hours at 804-367-1000.
Information about fishing licenses and fees is HERE.
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How to Help Fly Shops and Guides During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The online magazine, HATCH, features Harrisonburg's Mossy Creek Fly Fishing along with other shops in an article on how to help these businesses during the current economic slowdown. Read the article HERE! |
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Video Corner
Re-entry, draw strokes, sweep strokes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_iPCAtOtKA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyNbIGaX1KE
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Erratum
In our last newsletter, we misidentified the fish in this photo as a Chub when it was, in fact, a White Sucker! Fortunately, FOMR has observant fish biologist Paul Bugas in our community. Thanks, Paul, for the catch (pun intended!)
From Paul's book, Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Virginia (co-authored by Hilling, Kells, Pinder, Wheaton and Orth) "White
Sucker is one of Virginia's most abundant and widespread sucker
species. Anglers use dip nets to capture White Sucker during spring
migration." Save yourself embarrassing ID mistakes and buy the book HERE!
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FOMR is a Paddle America Club member
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Read more about Friends of the Middle River at our website HERE.
And follow us on Facebook!
P.O. Box 131, Verona VA 24482 540-609-8267
FOMR is a 501(c)(3) organization.
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