FREDERICK, MD – Sept. 9, 2025: The Friends of Lefty Kreh Club has created The Lefty Kreh Legacy Fund to provide scholarships to students pursuing post-secondary education in program areas that were near and dear to his heart: biology, wildlife management, fisheries, or ecology studies. This becomes one of more than 840 component funds created at The Community Foundation of Frederick County.
Bernard Victor “Lefty” Kreh was born in Frederick in 1925 when his family lived on North Bentz Street. Remembered as one of the greatest fly fishermen of all time, he honed his love of the outdoors along the banks of the Monocacy River before going on to revolutionize the sport with his innovative casting techniques, books, and teaching. Known as much for his generosity and humor as for his skill, Lefty became an international ambassador for fly fishing—yet he always carried Frederick County with him, proud of the community where his journey began.
The Friends of Lefty Kreh Club wants to honor Lefty’s work in the field and his passion for bridging the gap between generations and gender. They say he evolved fly fishing from an elitist sport into an inviting sport for everyone through his teaching and by bringing more affordable, practical and accessible tackle to market.
This scholarship fund will support students attending colleges and universities in Maryland with a preference for graduating seniors from his high school alma mater, Frederick High.
As a leader in grant and scholarship funding, The Community Foundation of Frederick County has infused more than $111 million into the community since 1986. To learn more about how the Community Foundation impacts Frederick County, visit www.FrederickCountyGives.org.