Officials from Maryland recently dedicated the Gunpowder South Trail as the Lefty Kreh Fishing Trail in honor of native Marylander Bernard Victor “Lefty” Kreh. Kreh is a known worldwide through his books, columns and inventions.
The Lefty Kreh Fishing Trail runs along Gunpowder Falls in an area that stretches from Prettyboy Reservoir to Bluemont Road in the Hereford Area of Gunpowder Falls State Park. DNR manages this nationally recognized blue-ribbon trout stream as a catch and release fishing area.
Kreh was born in Frederick in 1925. Over his remarkable 75-year career, he has shared his enthusiasm and skill for fishing through his columns, books and presentations. He is known for his commitment to Maryland’s natural resources, using every available means to promote conservation and clean water, and giving back to the outdoors.
Kreh’s works spearheaded the expansion of saltwater fly fishing across the country and then the world. In 1974, he completed the seminal book on the sport—Fly Fishing in Saltwaters, which is still in print, now in its third edition.
He is known for the Lefty’s Deceiver; a uniquely practical fly pattern he designed to fool striped bass into biting an angler’s line. The bucktail fly pattern is the most widely used and imitated saltwater fly in the world.
After serving as the Baltimore Sun’s outdoor editor for 17 years, Kreh retired in 1990. However, he continues to teach fans, friends and protégés how to fish.
In 2009, prominent broadcaster and author, Tom Brokaw called Kreh, “The embodiment of our Greatest Generation,” in recognition of his service, five WWII battle stars, and a purple heart from the Battle of the Bulge.
Kreh who now lives in Cockeysville, has written more than 30 books and has produced numerous instructional videos on fishing and outdoor photography. He continues to write and has a new book underway.
source: MD DNR