I am very fortunate to have been born into a family of avid outdoorsmen. Although I have few memories of my grandfather (his nickname was “Pop Daddy”), as he died when I was 6 years old, my father told me that he had a reputation for being a knowledgeable, self-taught naturalist and avid hunter and fisherman. Folks used to say, "If Pop Daddy isn’t catching them, there is no reason to go." I have wonderful[...]

Fishing for Smallmouth Bass In largemouth bass the maxillary always extends past the back edge of the eye. Smallmouth bass are typically brown, bronze, or tan in color. Smallmouth bass also have dark vertical bars which are usually green or gray in color. In the largemouth bass you would see dark lateral band. Smallmouth like cool, clear streams with moderate current, as well as large, clear lakes. Preferred habit has a gravel or rubble substrate[...]

White perch are semi-anadromous members of the family, Moronidae, that migrate to tidal fresh and slightly brackish waters each spring to spawn.​ Silver in color with a slightly projecting lower jaw and teeth, white perch may reach a mature length of 19 inches but are more commonly found around 7 to 10 inches, weighing from 8 ounces to 1 pound.​ The largest was caught in the Chesapeake Bay and weighed 2.6 pounds. Seasons While the[...]

Bluegill Members of the sunfish plan, Bluegills are olive green with some light yellow on their belly with dark bands running up and down. They have small mouths and an oval shaped body. Typically about 6 inches, they are found inshore from the Great Lakes to Florida—and here in Maryland in all tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay with salinity less than 18 ppt. Freshwater fish, although they will venture into slightly salty water, blue gills[...]

What are the Numbers Every boat captain on the Chesapeake Bay can show you a different way to tie your shoe, but the fact is that there is no single correct way or depth at which to troll. It's really just a matter of finding the right fish. One way we help key in on the fish is by covering all depths of the water column. This means running 3-5 rods, with two rods trolling[...]

The Hagerstown Valley sits atop miles of underground limestone caverns which support Maryland’s largest spring creek, Beaver Creek, which rises up with cool water just below South Mountain in Washington County. The Catch and Release stretch begins below the Albert Powell Fish Hatchery and Interstate 70. This section down to Route 40 has a healthy naturally reproducing stream population of brown trout. Beaver Creek provides fly fishers with this unique, sometimes challenging opportunity to cast[...]

The ride over to Smith Island from Crisfield alone is worth traveling to this Trail site, whether by ferry or mailboat or your own boat. You can even make arrangements for the transport of your own kayak or rent one on the Island. Be sure to make time to explore the Island and its towns, but don’t forget you also made the trip to hook into the striped bass, speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and bluefish[...]

Book up Non-resident hunters are encouraged to take advantage of Maryland’s abundant public land waterfowl hunting opportunities They may also hunt the open waters of the Offshore Waterfowl Hunting and Special Sea Duck Zones if they are accompanied by a Maryland resident. Alternatively enlisting a guide can really help you make the most of some of the best duck hunting opportunities on the East Coast. Dabbling Ducks Habitat Dabbling ducks or puddle ducks are geared[...]

Northern snakehead: a species that sparks both disdain and adoration. As controversial as they may be, there’s no denying the excitement of pitching flies into their path. These frankenfish, native to Asia, have been making quite the splash throughout parts of the Eastern Seaboard for two decades. Anglers are drawn to their explosive strike, raw power, and succulent meat. But here’s the catch: at the end of the day, they’re still an invasive species that[...]