Wait For the Thaw

Type: Nontidal
Region: Southern
Location: Calvert Cliffs Pond

Fishing has been difficult this past week due to the cold and rain. Fishing in the local ponds has proven next to impossible. Casting a line is the biggest issue, due to very thin ice capping the pond surfaces. Waiting until mid day seemed to be the ticket this week as the ice clears off the northeast end of the ponds between 1 and 2 o�clock.

Although having to wait until midday I have been able to get put-and-take trout, but only on the few days I could cast a line. I�ve taken rainbow trout on wooly buggers, bead head nymphs, and dry flies. While, my grandson has taken a few on power baits. I�ve also seen trout taken on inline spinners too.

I made the drive up to Savage, MD to cast a fly line into the Little Patuxent River. The state stocked some 1,100 trout on January 30th, but I had no luck there. With the rains and other runoff over the past few weeks the river was high and rather muddy. I did see others fishing the river too, but I saw no fish taken. I�ll wait for a few drier days to head back up Savage Mill area.

I also ventured to St. Mary�s Lake in Saint Mary�s county this week. But, with the high winds, I stayed off the lake with my kayak. The water temps were in the high 30�s and I�d hate to take a tumble in. I did attempt to fish the small spillway on the discharge side of the lake, but again, with the rain and ice melt the water was high and the discharge was tremendous.