As the first cold front moves across the Chesapeake Bay, anglers’ minds wander to thoughts of fall fishing – rockfish in particular. It’s been an odd summer with epic rain, some hot days and very warm water. Everything said, the fishing has been productive for the resident rockfish and the rains and floods have kept the water oxygenated and the fish have thrived. Live lining spot over hard bottom or against structure in moving water[...]

Trout fishing in the middle of Howard County? Absolutely! Embedded in surrounding county parkland, the Middle and Little Patuxent Rivers will quickly make you forget you are in suburbia as you line up your next fly cast for brown and rainbow trout. Conveniently located off both Routes 29 and 32, the three miles of delayed harvest waters provide fly fishers with more opportunities to catch trout before the rivers’ waters get too warm to support[...]

Vietnamese cuisine is celebrated for its rich and aromatic flavors, and one standout dish is Ca Kho, or Vietnamese Braised Catfish. The star ingredient in this traditional recipe is Maryland's wild-caught Chesapeake blue catfish, known for its tender, mild-flavored filets that perfectly absorb the dish's flavorful caramelized sauce. This mouthwatering delicacy brings comfort and satisfaction with every bite. Let's dive into the world of Vietnamese cooking and learn how to prepare this delicious dish right[...]

Bow hunting is a way of life, a natural order if you will. This is especially true in the traditional sense (i.e., longbow or recurve bow). I choose to hunt with traditional equipment as it affords me a deep, personal challenge in perusing game. The traditional bow allows one to become a better hunter being limited to shorter working ranges for harvesting intended prey. I am talking 20 yards and under. It ensures that the[...]

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[...]

This summer I wanted to catch a big rockfish. So this summer, me and my dad learned how to catch them. Our first two times we did not catch any rockfish. But then we figured it out and started to get the hang of it and started catching them. So during the summer my dad and I had a blast. But I still hadn’t caught a big one yet. I asked if I could go[...]

At one time, the property was an active sand and gravel mining operation, now it is restored to its natural environment. Governor Bridge Natural Area offers a unique fishing experience in Prince George’s County right off Route 301 in Bowie. Today, largemouth bass flourish in the eight-acre lake. Fly fishers can also cast for black crappie, redear sunfish and catfish. A loop trail encircles the lake and provides excellent opportunities for hiking, bicycling, nature study[...]

I began my career with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as a forest ranger in 1987; a year later I accepted a position with the Wildlife Division. Never a big advocate of hunting, I had learned about wildlife population management in college and understood the sports’ recreational and management values. Still, I had much to learn. Working in a division primarily funded through federal dollars and hunting license sales, I wanted to see what[...]

Protected by the Patapsco Valley State Park, the Patapsco River offers a great fly fishing experience for those just starting to pick up the fly rod as well as those who have been fly fishing for decades. The State Park provides multiple points to access the river, each with parking, and the river itself is easy to fish from shore or by wading in the gentle currents. In the spring, you can cast for the[...]