Severn River Pickerel

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Severn River

December 27, 2014: With perfect weather in the offing, and DNR Inland Fisheries director Don Cosden gearing down toward imminent retirement from 41 and a half years of public service, we decided to fish.

Naturally.

Cosden had chain pickerel on his mind, and winter is the time to cast for them in shallow water, so we joined the incomparable Admiral of the Bay John Page Williams (Chesapeake Bay Foundation senior naturalist) for a guided tour of his favorite Severn River spots.

In no time he had us out of the boat and wading across skinny salt-pond flats while tossing small bucktails, spoons, and even a yellow and white Clouser minnow fly along the subtle drop-offs where the water went from just inches to about three feet deep. After witnessing the Admiral fool, play, and land a couple of 20- to 25-inch fish, we got the idea and hooked a some for ourselves.

The trick turned out to be casting along the edge of the contour toward the deeper water and bringing the lure/fly back slowly. Using a light spinning rod, we would simply lift the rod tip just enough to stay off the bottom and avoid snagging the layer of sunken leaves, but reeling in on the drop to stay in contact with the lure. With the fly, it was all about keeping a steady retrieve while pointing the rod tip in line with the flyline.

There is nothing subtle or tentative about the way a pickerel takes the bait. They pounce so aggressively that it kind of makes you sorry for any hapless forage fish that may meander too close to the pickerel�s lair.

Once hooked, the pickerel will light up and show its marvelous green sides, chain pattern, sterling silver cheeks, and lavender mouth full of sharp teeth. Use a handy lipping tool such as the floating Fish Grip Jr by United Plastic, and pinch down your hook barbs to make the release go smoothly.

Here�s Cosden with the biggest pick of the day, a 27 incher with Haloti Ngata-sized shoulders.