It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Jerusalem Mill gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Gunpowder, MD is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best care is the best! Their caregiver is very nice with respective attitude. They”
“I am a past client of this provider My mother passed away two months ago after”
“I am a past client of this provider ABC Upper Chesapeake provided excellent and compassionate care”
“I met with Elaine Gill as we needed a secure place for my Dad. She”
“I cannot really find the words to say how wonderful the staff is at Always”
“I interviewed this provider I used Always Best Care to care for my parents who happen”
“I used Always Best Care to care for my parents who happen to live in”
“I am a past client of this provider I cannot really find the words to say”
“I interviewed this provider Elaine is professional, knowledgeable, and has a heart for people. Her recommendations”
“I interviewed this provider When we needed help getting our Father the proper care we were”
“Always Best care is the best! Their caregiver is very nice with respective attitude. They are all expert and knows their job very well in all ages. I never regret that their service to take care of my grandmother. They are trustworthy, respectful, honest and passionate to their work. I highly recommend them on their work.”
“I am a past client of this provider My mother passed away two months ago after nearly four years of coverage from the team members of ABC Upper Chesapeake. Mom and I were both very pleased with the coverage. ABC was most congenial to do their best to provide Mom with caretakers whom we found suited to Mom's personality and temperament. In the very few cases this was not so, we asked for someone else to care for Mom and this was promptly provided. All in all the caretakers were kind, friendly, competent and helpful, providing Mom with good care and company. Elaine G was very helpful in getting us in contact with the VA so that Mom was able to obtain a monthly benefit entitled to her because of Dad's service in the military. That was a great financial help to us in our particular situation. I strongly recommend this agency for the homebound and ill. They will work with you to do all they can to grant your reasonable requests. Thank you, Elaine and caretakers!”
“I am a past client of this provider ABC Upper Chesapeake provided excellent and compassionate care for my late father during his prolonged decline at age 95. The care enabled him to live in his home with my mom during his final months of life. Elaine worked with me diligently to match my parents' difficult situation with the perfect caregiver. My father was treated with dignity and gentleness when he was no longer able to care for himself at all. It gave our family great peace of mind knowing he was so well cared for.”
“I met with Elaine Gill as we needed a secure place for my Dad. She was very knowledgeable and professional. Fortunately, the second location she showed us was a good fit (Dakota Paradise). I heartily recommend Always Best Care if you want help finding a loved one the proper care.”
“I cannot really find the words to say how wonderful the staff is at Always Best Care of Upper Chesapeake: Highly competent, Comforting, caring, extremely attentive, endlessly patient and reassuring. Elaine Gill has done an amazing job at ensuring that the staff she has are just as committed to ensuring the highest quality of life for every client, as Elaine! You are on the top of my list for any further care services that my family members may need going forward.”
“I interviewed this provider I used Always Best Care to care for my parents who happen to live in another state. I met with Elaine (the owner) to discuss my options and determine the best caregiver service to meet my parents needs. She was a great help; addressed all my questions and concerns and gave me peace of mind that my parents were in good hands. Their caregiver is wonderful and very competent. I don't have to worry about them or become a detective to find out what is going on with them in Maryland. Although my parents were a little skeptical at first, Elaine and her staff have put their mind at ease and made them feel very comfortable about the entire experience. They both feel much safer now and happier that they are able to stay in the home that they love. I am comforted in knowing that my parents are receiving quality care and they are in the capable hands of Elaine and her staff at Always Best Care. Words can not express my sincere gratitude for the awesome care provided to my parents.”
“I used Always Best Care to care for my parents who happen to live in another state. I met with Elaine (the owner) to discuss my options and determine the best caregiver service to meet my parents needs. She was a great help; addressed all my questions and concerns and gave me peace of mind that my parents were in good hands. Their caregiver is wonderful and very competent. I don't have to worry about them or become a detective to find out what is going on with them in Maryland. Although my parents were a little skeptical at first, Elaine and her staff have put their mind at ease and made them feel very comfortable about the entire experience. They both feel much safer now and happier that they are able to stay in the home that they love. I am comforted in knowing that my parents are receiving quality care and they are in the capable hands of Elaine and her staff at Always Best Care. Words can not express my sincere gratitude for the awesome care provided to my parents.”
“I am a past client of this provider I cannot really find the words to say how wonderful the staff is at Always Best Care of Upper Chesapeake: Highly competent, Comforting, caring, extremely attentive, endlessly patient and reassuring. Elaine Gill has done an amazing job at ensuring that the staff she has are just as committed to ensuring the highest quality of life for every client, as Elaine! You are on the top of my list for any further care services that my family members may need going forward.”
“I interviewed this provider Elaine is professional, knowledgeable, and has a heart for people. Her recommendations have been invaluable. We are thankful for Always Best! It is a 5 Star Company!!”
“I interviewed this provider When we needed help getting our Father the proper care we were recommended to Elaine and ABC. It was the right move. Fortunately for us the second location she showed us was the right fit. It's been a difficult time and having their expertise eased our concerns.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Gunpowder Falls State Park Hammerman Area with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Gunpowder Lodge or visit Gunpowder Falls State Park Headquarters, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Gunpowder, MD, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Gunpowder, MD understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Gunpowder, MD 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A local environmental group filed a motion Monday to join the Maryland Department of Environment’s lawsuit against the developers and builders of a Harford County housing project, citing hundreds of water pollution violations. Theaux Le Gardeur, the executive director of the Gunpowder Riverkeeper, which advocates for protection of the Gunpowder River’s watershed and its tributaries in the upper Chesapeake Bay region, said in a statement that it was “imperative that we have a seat at the table” to hold the housing deve...
A local environmental group filed a motion Monday to join the Maryland Department of Environment’s lawsuit against the developers and builders of a Harford County housing project, citing hundreds of water pollution violations. Theaux Le Gardeur, the executive director of the Gunpowder Riverkeeper, which advocates for protection of the Gunpowder River’s watershed and its tributaries in the upper Chesapeake Bay region, said in a statement that it was “imperative that we have a seat at the table” to hold the housing developer accountable for “the damage done to the environment and continued failure to comply with state law.”
“We are intervening to provide the first-hand knowledge that our communities have about the impact of these violations and to support (the Maryland Department of the Environment),” he said.
In August, Le Gardeur’s organization sent the developer, D.R. Horton, and its affiliated companies a letter notifying them of the organization’s intent to file a citizen suit under the Clean Water Act. Through the civil suit, Gunpowder Riverkeeper sought to enforce ongoing and continuous alleged violations coming from the construction site at Ridgely’s Reserve, a 388-home development spanning nearly 121 acres.
On Sept. 6, the Office of the Attorney General filed a complaint in Harford County Circuit Court against D.R. Horton, its development subsidiary Forestar Real Estate Group, and a Pennsylvania contractor, Kinsley Construction, on behalf of the Maryland Department of the Environment.
The Gunpowder Riverkeeper’s intent to file a citizen suit at the federal level may have “triggered another parallel step, you know, from the state agency,” Le Gardeur said.
Now, Gunpowder Riverkeeper seeks to join in the state’s case and advocate on behalf of the affected communities it serves in Harford, Baltimore and Carroll Counties.
“We expected the Gunpowder Riverkeeper to join our lawsuit, and we welcome this action,” Jay Apperson, deputy director of the office of communications for the state environment department, said in a statement to Capital News Service.
D.R. Horton, the largest homebuilder in the country, operates the construction site, located nearly two miles from the Gunpowder River. The site used to be covered with trees and other vegetation, but since developers cleared the site and began construction in 2021, the state has cited repeated failures to prevent the exposed soil from leaving Ridgely’s Reserve.
Between May 2022 and June 2024, Maryland Department of the Environment and Harford County inspection reports revealed at least 86 failed inspections with hundreds of permit violations. The state and Harford County also issued 10 Stop Work Orders and levied $20,000 in fines.
Residents have complained about increasing sediment levels causing nearby waterways to appear murky orange and brown for nearly two years. The once-thriving aquatic grasses have nearly disappeared, along with what used to be a vibrant fish and crab population, Le Gardeur said in an interview with CNS.
“But now we’re seeing, you know, impacts from upstream development that are really hard to ignore,” Le Gardeur said.
By joining the state’s case as an intervener, the Gunpowder Riverkeeper is a full party to the case.
“We can do everything,” said Patrick DeArmey, attorney for the Gunpowder Riverkeeper, in an interview with CNS, including supporting discovery and negotiating a settlement.
D.R. Horton did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication.
The court may take a few weeks to decide whether to grant the Gunpowder Riverkeeper’s request to join the state’s case, DeArmey said.
Originally Published: October 30, 2024 at 4:47 PM EST
On a brisk September morning, fisheries biologists with the help of an electrofishing pontoon barge and a 12-person net crew waded central Maryland’s most popular self-sustaining brown trout fishery searching for what lies beneath the surface.Between the Prettyboy Reservoir and the Loch Raven Reservoir is a 17-mile stretch of fertile trout habitat, where wild brown trout have flourished since the late 1980s due to one of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ greatest success stories.Prior to 1986, the gates ...
On a brisk September morning, fisheries biologists with the help of an electrofishing pontoon barge and a 12-person net crew waded central Maryland’s most popular self-sustaining brown trout fishery searching for what lies beneath the surface.
Between the Prettyboy Reservoir and the Loch Raven Reservoir is a 17-mile stretch of fertile trout habitat, where wild brown trout have flourished since the late 1980s due to one of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ greatest success stories.
Prior to 1986, the gates of the Prettyboy Dam would open and close as seen fit by the City of Baltimore. The reservoir’s drainage leads into the Gunpowder Falls, which moves toward the Loch Raven Reservoir, funnels into the Big Gunpowder Falls, widens into the Gunpowder River, and empties into the Upper Chesapeake Bay. When the gates of the Prettyboy Dam were closed, the upper span of the river effectively dried up.
In 1986, DNR officials along with the Maryland chapter of Trout Unlimited worked with dam officials to negotiate a minimum flow, keeping gates open at all times to provide constant cold water release. The cold water comes from the depths of the Prettyboy Reservoir, typically under 55 degrees year-round, and ideal for wild trout populations. When the agreement was made for the dam to release water year-round, department officials tested the area’s capability to sustain a brown trout fishery.
“Within four years, we had a thriving brown trout fishery that has really expanded and taken off beyond our wildest dreams,” said Mark Staley, DNR’s Central Region Fisheries Manager. “The management has changed – in the past we used this as a put-and-take stream. Once we applied catch-and-release management, we found that brown trout were reproducing and had great numbers. It’s been a big, big success.”
Today, the area is renowned as one of the nation’s best trout streams and for its proximity to the populous Baltimore area.
Being a tailwater–meaning water located downstream of a hydraulic structure, in this case a dam–this fishery shares features with other productive trout streams in Maryland, particularly in the western region of the state. The typically colder waters of the Savage, Youghiogheny, and Casselman rivers are other go-to destinations for anglers to pursue brook trout, wild brown trout and hatchery-raised rainbow trout.
“The Gunpowder has a very dense trout population,” Staley said. “It compares very well to Western Maryland streams–maybe even more dense, as far as numbers of fish. We have a lot of fish, most in that 8-9 inch range. But we have seen some fish 24 to 30 inches and up in the very deepest pools.”
The geographical features of Harford and northern Baltimore counties contribute to the success of the Gunpowder’s trout population. Its proximity to metropolitan areas is key for public access and has several natural features working in its favor. Grassy and shallow areas on the edges of the stream are important habitats for the younger, smaller trout, where staying away from larger fish may be the difference between life and death. Brown trout are an extremely predatory species which are known to eat small fish–including their own young–in addition to the standard diet of aquatic insects. In the Gunpowder those insects typically range from mayflies to caddis to stoneflies.
The river also has features such as riffles–shallow, fast-moving, and oxygen-rich waters–where the trout position themselves downstream as they feed on the insects that lurk above. Bigger fish gravitate toward deeper, colder pools, guarded by the Gunpowder area’s scenic rock outcroppings and boulders. The combination of the riffles, runs, and shallow and deep pools work together to create a well-balanced population of insects and trout in the stream.
Surveyed annually by DNR scientists since 1988, the Gunpowder has stayed remarkably consistent in its trout population numbers. The study measures the young-of-year trout densities, assesses the standing crop of adult brown trout, and monitors the length and weight of the trout collected.
Scientists use the electrofisher to briefly “zap” the fish with a high-voltage, low amperage current, then the netting crew retrieves the trout, and groups them in live-wells before the fish are analyzed, measured, and safely released. This year’s survey collected 277 wild brown trout in addition to several other species who call the Gunpowder home. Blue Ridge sculpin, northern hog suckers, white suckers, pumpkinseed sunfish, and American eel were found in the quarter-mile stretch of the stream that was surveyed.
Prior year surveys have identified citation-sized brown trout, holdover rainbow trout, native Maryland brook trout, and the ultra-rare brook/brown hybrid “tiger” trout. While 2024 survey results will take some time to formulate, early assessment indicates no reason for concern.
“We saw good numbers of fish,” Staley said. “From seeing multiple year classes, different size classes and good reproduction, there is every indication that the population is healthy and providing good fishing.”
410-877-3787
