In our state of Maryland, September and October brings more than spectacular foliage. As stockings pick up and anglers concentrate on other species, fall bring with it a pleasant shift in trout fishing opportunities for both fly and spin fishermen. Throw in the fact that many Free State outdoorsmen and women are taking to the woods for the annual deer, waterfowl and small game seasons and one can imagine that many of our better trout[...]

With so much wildlife and natural beauty throughout Maryland, and with so many options to choose from, planning a hunting or fishing trip is easy. Start planning your trip with ideas from our highlighted "Only in Maryland" experiences.

Duck Hunting in Maryland No article on the early days of waterfowling is complete without mention of the Chesapeake Bay and places such as the Susquehanna Flats, where the Decoy Capital of the World calls Havre de Grace home in Harford County. Maryland has some of the best duck hunting opportunities on the East Coast: From body booting on the Susquehanna Flats; hunting canvasbacks off shore on the Potomac River and wood ducks in flooded[...]

We knew where they should be, and we can affirm that catching big fish right there that time of year with heavy jig-heads and plastic baits on conventional spinning gear is quite doable. We’ve done that. But, could we dial in an effective fly pattern, achieve the perfect drift, and get the nearly weightless fur, feathers and wide-gape hooks down in the rip-current to where the fish were hunkered? There was only one way to[...]

Taking smallmouth bass with popping bugs is some of the most exciting fishing available. The strike is explosive and there is the added benefit that poppers take some of the largest bass. The Potomac River in Washington County provides exactly these types of prime smallmouth bass fly fishing opportunities given its wide, shallow nature with lots of rock ledges running across the river leading to riffles and long pools. Walking the footpath alongside the C&O[...]

Combining the chase of Maryland’s two most sought-after species into one day-long adventure, Cast and Blast trips are a truly unique Maryland experience. As one of the only states that offers such a trip, Maryland is the perfect place to try your hand at this little-known hunting and fishing experience. Built around serious sportsmen’s knowledge and skill sets, Cast and Blast trips are guided hunting and fishing trips that bring sportsmen duck hunting from a[...]

All of Maryland’s natural beauty springs open for the enjoyment of sportsmen and women with the coming of spring. As the days grow longer and the temperatures warmer, it’s time to grab your fishing gear and head out to take advantage of the abundance of perch and trout stocks throughout the state. Three Fish to Chase this Spring Yellow Perch: Yellow perch are a favorite sportfish in Maryland – especially in the Chesapeake Bay area[...]

If you haven’t had the pleasure of biting into some crispy, fried blue catfish, you are truly missing out. They’re easy to catch, easy to clean, and easy to cook. What’s more, they’re invasive. Just about everything alive in the Chesapeake Bay will be better off each time you enjoy dining on these fish. It is illegal to throw them back, so why not reap the rewards of your hard-earned catch? Here’s a great way[...]

Captain Mike Starrett has been guiding anglers on the tidal Potomac River for almost 30 years. He specializes in largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, the invasive Northern snakehead, and blue catfish, also an invasive species. He and his partner, Captain Dave Snellings, work together, each in their own boat, keeping in touch by VHF marine radio to find fish for their clients. It has been my pleasure to fish with both gents. Saturday, November 16[...]