Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} My Podcast With Potomac Riverkeeper | Sewage spill


From today's interview. 


Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 18, 2026, at 1:40 PM, Rob Snowhite <rob@robsnowhite.com> wrote:

Captain Tim Blanchard and I were interviewed for DC News Now this morning on the poo spill. Will post when available. 

Easiest question for me to answer was would I eat fish out of the river now. I don't ever eat fish. 



Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 18, 2026, at 2:49 AM, Tom Steeley <tsteeley77@gmail.com> wrote:


Found this on YouTube.   This issue is going national...


On Tue, Feb 17, 2026, 9:49 AM Anthony LoPresti <alopresti89@gmail.com> wrote:
Rob, great episode. I'm really feeling for the professionals who rely on the Potomac and surrounding areas for their livelihoods.

I'm wondering, do we have any idea how far the effects of this will spread? You spoke about birds potentially picking up these contaminants and spreading them to other bodies of water. Are there plans to test different areas of the watershed to see where these bacteria are contained to? Do we think it's safe to fish holmes run, accotink creek, north of Great Falls, etc?

Last thought: Should fly shops (District Angling and Orvis) be mentioning this to customers in passing if they are buying shad flies or mention the Potomac? I really appreciated Richie mentioning this at one of the last fly seminars. Not sure it would have been on my radar due to the terrible coverage.
--
Anthony LoPresti, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
LoPresti Health, LLC
(571) 200-5286

Email is not a secure transmission route.  Messages sent over the Internet are vulnerable to privacy breaches or unintended disclosure.  This message is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient be advised that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of the message. 


On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 3:56 PM Tom Steeley <tsteeley77@gmail.com> wrote:
Awesome!  Thanks for sharing!

On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 3:46 PM Rob Snowhite <rob@robsnowhite.com> wrote:
I do not use this forum to promote my podcast. However this episode is about our river, right here. The importance merits me posting. I invited Dean from The Potomac Riverkeeper to discuss the current sewage spill on the Potomac. Recorded yesterday, Feb 10th. 

I feel like the upcoming Shad Night will be us discussing the situation and the fact that the shad run won't be fishable. 

You will learn about the broccoli hatch, the DC government lack of responsibility, and a new section to float when this is all cleared up. 










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Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} My Podcast With Potomac Riverkeeper | Sewage spill

Captain Tim Blanchard and I were interviewed for DC News Now this morning on the poo spill. Will post when available. 

Easiest question for me to answer was would I eat fish out of the river now. I don't ever eat fish. 



Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 18, 2026, at 2:49 AM, Tom Steeley <tsteeley77@gmail.com> wrote:


Found this on YouTube.   This issue is going national...


On Tue, Feb 17, 2026, 9:49 AM Anthony LoPresti <alopresti89@gmail.com> wrote:
Rob, great episode. I'm really feeling for the professionals who rely on the Potomac and surrounding areas for their livelihoods.

I'm wondering, do we have any idea how far the effects of this will spread? You spoke about birds potentially picking up these contaminants and spreading them to other bodies of water. Are there plans to test different areas of the watershed to see where these bacteria are contained to? Do we think it's safe to fish holmes run, accotink creek, north of Great Falls, etc?

Last thought: Should fly shops (District Angling and Orvis) be mentioning this to customers in passing if they are buying shad flies or mention the Potomac? I really appreciated Richie mentioning this at one of the last fly seminars. Not sure it would have been on my radar due to the terrible coverage.
--
Anthony LoPresti, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
LoPresti Health, LLC
(571) 200-5286

Email is not a secure transmission route.  Messages sent over the Internet are vulnerable to privacy breaches or unintended disclosure.  This message is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient be advised that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of the message. 


On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 3:56 PM Tom Steeley <tsteeley77@gmail.com> wrote:
Awesome!  Thanks for sharing!

On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 3:46 PM Rob Snowhite <rob@robsnowhite.com> wrote:
I do not use this forum to promote my podcast. However this episode is about our river, right here. The importance merits me posting. I invited Dean from The Potomac Riverkeeper to discuss the current sewage spill on the Potomac. Recorded yesterday, Feb 10th. 

I feel like the upcoming Shad Night will be us discussing the situation and the fact that the shad run won't be fishable. 

You will learn about the broccoli hatch, the DC government lack of responsibility, and a new section to float when this is all cleared up. 










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Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} My Podcast With Potomac Riverkeeper | Sewage spill

Found this on YouTube.   This issue is going national...


On Tue, Feb 17, 2026, 9:49 AM Anthony LoPresti <alopresti89@gmail.com> wrote:
Rob, great episode. I'm really feeling for the professionals who rely on the Potomac and surrounding areas for their livelihoods.

I'm wondering, do we have any idea how far the effects of this will spread? You spoke about birds potentially picking up these contaminants and spreading them to other bodies of water. Are there plans to test different areas of the watershed to see where these bacteria are contained to? Do we think it's safe to fish holmes run, accotink creek, north of Great Falls, etc?

Last thought: Should fly shops (District Angling and Orvis) be mentioning this to customers in passing if they are buying shad flies or mention the Potomac? I really appreciated Richie mentioning this at one of the last fly seminars. Not sure it would have been on my radar due to the terrible coverage.
--
Anthony LoPresti, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
LoPresti Health, LLC
(571) 200-5286

Email is not a secure transmission route.  Messages sent over the Internet are vulnerable to privacy breaches or unintended disclosure.  This message is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient be advised that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of the message. 


On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 3:56 PM Tom Steeley <tsteeley77@gmail.com> wrote:
Awesome!  Thanks for sharing!

On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 3:46 PM Rob Snowhite <rob@robsnowhite.com> wrote:
I do not use this forum to promote my podcast. However this episode is about our river, right here. The importance merits me posting. I invited Dean from The Potomac Riverkeeper to discuss the current sewage spill on the Potomac. Recorded yesterday, Feb 10th. 

I feel like the upcoming Shad Night will be us discussing the situation and the fact that the shad run won't be fishable. 

You will learn about the broccoli hatch, the DC government lack of responsibility, and a new section to float when this is all cleared up. 










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Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} My Podcast With Potomac Riverkeeper | Sewage spill

Rob, great episode. I'm really feeling for the professionals who rely on the Potomac and surrounding areas for their livelihoods.

I'm wondering, do we have any idea how far the effects of this will spread? You spoke about birds potentially picking up these contaminants and spreading them to other bodies of water. Are there plans to test different areas of the watershed to see where these bacteria are contained to? Do we think it's safe to fish holmes run, accotink creek, north of Great Falls, etc?

Last thought: Should fly shops (District Angling and Orvis) be mentioning this to customers in passing if they are buying shad flies or mention the Potomac? I really appreciated Richie mentioning this at one of the last fly seminars. Not sure it would have been on my radar due to the terrible coverage.
--
Anthony LoPresti, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
LoPresti Health, LLC
(571) 200-5286

Email is not a secure transmission route.  Messages sent over the Internet are vulnerable to privacy breaches or unintended disclosure.  This message is intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient be advised that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of the message. 


On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 3:56 PM Tom Steeley <tsteeley77@gmail.com> wrote:
Awesome!  Thanks for sharing!

On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 3:46 PM Rob Snowhite <rob@robsnowhite.com> wrote:
I do not use this forum to promote my podcast. However this episode is about our river, right here. The importance merits me posting. I invited Dean from The Potomac Riverkeeper to discuss the current sewage spill on the Potomac. Recorded yesterday, Feb 10th. 

I feel like the upcoming Shad Night will be us discussing the situation and the fact that the shad run won't be fishable. 

You will learn about the broccoli hatch, the DC government lack of responsibility, and a new section to float when this is all cleared up. 










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Wednesday, February 11, 2026

{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: My Podcast With Potomac Riverkeeper | Sewage spill

A timely guest, for sure. Dean or an associate will give a brief update at Shad Night at 6:00, and will hopefully be around during the fly tying period, 4-6:00. The watershed needs a steady ice melt and lots more rain--10 day forecast is looking good--and the pumps better keep working!
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 3:46:27 PM UTC-5 Rob Snowhite wrote:
I do not use this forum to promote my podcast. However this episode is about our river, right here. The importance merits me posting. I invited Dean from The Potomac Riverkeeper to discuss the current sewage spill on the Potomac. Recorded yesterday, Feb 10th. 

I feel like the upcoming Shad Night will be us discussing the situation and the fact that the shad run won't be fishable. 

You will learn about the broccoli hatch, the DC government lack of responsibility, and a new section to float when this is all cleared up. 










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Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} My Podcast With Potomac Riverkeeper | Sewage spill

Awesome!  Thanks for sharing!

On Wed, Feb 11, 2026 at 3:46 PM Rob Snowhite <rob@robsnowhite.com> wrote:
I do not use this forum to promote my podcast. However this episode is about our river, right here. The importance merits me posting. I invited Dean from The Potomac Riverkeeper to discuss the current sewage spill on the Potomac. Recorded yesterday, Feb 10th. 

I feel like the upcoming Shad Night will be us discussing the situation and the fact that the shad run won't be fishable. 

You will learn about the broccoli hatch, the DC government lack of responsibility, and a new section to float when this is all cleared up. 










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{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} My Podcast With Potomac Riverkeeper | Sewage spill

I do not use this forum to promote my podcast. However this episode is about our river, right here. The importance merits me posting. I invited Dean from The Potomac Riverkeeper to discuss the current sewage spill on the Potomac. Recorded yesterday, Feb 10th. 

I feel like the upcoming Shad Night will be us discussing the situation and the fact that the shad run won't be fishable. 

You will learn about the broccoli hatch, the DC government lack of responsibility, and a new section to float when this is all cleared up. 










Posted by at 0 comments

Friday, February 6, 2026

Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Parents' Dream Stream Bucket List

At the Virginia fly fishing show i chatted with a lady from whatever county whitetop laurel is in and she recommended waiting until 2027 to fish it.  Said a lot of work is still being done and some roads/access are not available.  TBD on how the fish are doing.  

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 5:13:20 PM UTC-5 Misha Gill wrote:
Mossy and the Jackson were good recommendations for sure. Whitetop Laurel should be on the list. And the Rapidan River. 

Cordially yours,
 
Michael "Misha" Gill


On Fri, Dec 26, 2025 at 5:08 PM Tom Steeley <tstee...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Jordan,

Mossy Creek you should definitely hit, but I'm inside the beltway and Mossy Creek is a 2 hour drive.

District Angling is local to DC and in Arlington, VA.  Very knowledgeable guys there and while we dont have trout waters in DC, you only need to travel about an hour to find something and they can put you on that.

https://districtangling.com/

And, we should also mention Orvis in Tysons Corner.   Great group there as well.

Tom


On Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 3:32 PM Jordan Wrigley <jeli...@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello all! 

I'm a Idaho dry flier born and raised. I'm currently living in Colorado's Front Range. My parents (still in Idaho) are in their twilight years and I'm helping them hit as many dream streams as possible. They want to see about the best trout streams in Virginia. They're not hog chasers these days and mostly love quiet, easy waters without pressure. I'm looking at maybe March to get them out there.

Fortunately, I work for a DC-based company so it's my chance to get to know some stops for extracurricular business trips too! Would love to join up.

Welcome any suggestions and wisdom for streams, places to stay, and pro tips to make their dreams come true. 

Cheers all!
Jordan

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{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Casting Church and Beer Tie in February

TPFR will NOT be holding a Casting Church on Sunday, February 8, due to arctic weather conditions and proximity to the downstream effects of the ongoing sewage spill at Lock 10 (Cabin John, MD).

But on Monday, February 9, we will gather at The Board Room [https://www.theboardroomva.com/] to start stocking our boxes for the spring shad run.

Intermediate tiers are welcome to bring their soft hackle materials.

rook Rolter will show us the Pheasant Tail Jig Bugger created by Gunnar Brammer and shown in a video here:

https://youtu.be/9sZwggHenek?si=U_ic1787h2_q6o2J

It's part of Gunnar's "4 wt Chronicles" series of videos. See the video for the recipe.

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Thursday, February 5, 2026

{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Fwd: February *Special Edition* River Report


Cheers, 

-- Greg

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Potomac Riverkeeper Network <vr@prknetwork.org>
Date: February 5, 2026 at 12:47:20 PM EST
To: Greg <gsfeder@yahoo.com>
Subject: February *Special Edition* River Report
Reply-To: Potomac Riverkeeper Network <vr@prknetwork.org>

 February *Special Edition* River Report
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Massive and Heartbreaking Sewage Spill

What Happened?



Dean promptly got to the scene and realized the dangers. He, with Mac and Burr, got the news media quickly involved to inform the public. Then, Dean and Evan Quinter, PRKN Water Quality and Volunteer Coordinator, obtained water samples for testing. The E. Coli numbers at the site were nearly 12,000 times higher than safe for human contact. Even downriver, the numbers were stratospheric.

The news gets worse: on January 23, Maryland officials issued a shellfish harvesting closure – 70 miles downriver. Good job, Maryland, for appreciating the gravity of the problem! Why hasn't DC Water nor the DC Government done any testing or implemented any public health advisories?


Although DC Water insisted no threat to public health, we have yet to see the results of any testing to verify that. Their temporary solution to the catastrophe: pump the raw sewage into the C&O Canal.

Photo Credit: Burton "Burr" Gray




Hundreds of millions of raw sewage has entered the Potomac – and it all could have been avoided by better monitoring and maintenance of these antiquated sewer pipes! And better accountability from DC Water. To put in a different perspective, one day of discharge would fill 2666 Olympic ice skating rinks – think of that as you watch the Milan Olympics.


The reporting on this story has been everywhere. PRKN has been featured in over 50 news stories in media outlets around the world: AP, CNN, New York Times, Washington Post, WUSA, WRC, Manila Post (we're not making that up), just to name a few. The pairs of eyes reached numbers in the millions, thanks to Dean's willingness to engage with the news media. We are also grateful to Ashley Flores, PRKN's Digital Marketing and Communications Manager, for her appearance on Telemundo 44 – Washington DC's Spanish language affiliate associated with local WRC. She was able to reach the region's large Hispanic and Latino community for this important story.


Too many links to add here; instead, just google "Naujoks sewage spill Potomac 2026" and you will get plenty. He even got a shoutout – by name – from Stephen Colbert on the Late Show. And our social media presence has dramatically expanded – nearly 3,000 new followers and over 1.5 million views across our social media platforms since the news broke.


Dean and Evan made several site visits — and continue doing so — and additional testing which showed remarkably high levels of E. Coli bacterial contamination. On January 28, they were joined by some topnotch University of Maryland researchers who specialize in sewage analysis. They did further testing for other pathogens and early measurements indicate even more potentially serious consequences to this spill. More on that to come.


Check out our press release about the data confirming the devastating impact on water quality.

We Need Your Help!

For the last two weeks, PRKN has been boots on the ground documenting this crisis, keeping you up to date, and collecting water samples for hard data – doing the job local public health agencies should be doing. But these costs add up fast, and we're footing the bill.


By making a donation today, you become part of a bigger movement – one that shows you the impact of your dollars. With members like you by our side, we can respond rapidly to emergency events like this, ensure responsible parties are held accountable, and protect our waterways by all means necessary.


Your donation helps our rapid response efforts:

What's Next?

This disaster is a complete failure of infrastructure. The 60-year-old sewer pipe was scheduled for work last year, and the money was appropriated, but nothing was done.


Now, we have no idea when contact with the river will be safe – the contaminants may be frozen in place so that when a thaw occurs, the temporary minimization of pollution could reappear.

DC Water and the DC government cannot be allowed to try to persuade us that diverting the flow into the C&O Canal is the fix and the end.


Authorities must – absolutely must – take all the corrective action necessary to assure us that the river is safe again and that this kind of disaster cannot recur.

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