August 22 – Montgomery Village, MD.

There are several lakes in the Montgomery Village area, some of them more well known than others: Lake Whetstone off of Montgomery Village Ave. is the largest and most well-known. It has a limited amount of paddle boats, rowboats and canoes for rent, and picnic tables (no grilling or alcoholic beverages). On the south shore of the lake there is fishing from 6:30 a.m. until the area closes one-half hour after sunset. (Maryland State Fishing Regulations are in effect for all MVF lakes and ponds.)

Lake Marion, located off of East Village Ave. near a community center, is another popular destination. Although there are no boating facilities here, there are several small grills, picnic tables, and walking paths. On any given day you can find several people shore fishing for largemouth bass, sunnies, bluegill – wahoo, marlin, snapper (only kidding on those last three!). There is some underbrush to compete with but it isn’t too difficult to get in and wet a line.

But, the one that interests me the most is an unnamed lake behind a set of tennis courst further east from Lake Marion, on East Village Ave.  Again, there are no boating facilities, but the fishing is very good, and relatively private. Park at the tennis courts, near Silverfield Dr., and walk a short distance behind the courts, along a paved path. What I like about this lake is there are a lot of fish in it, and you can fish anywhere around its perimeter. There’s also easy access to the shore fishing: no bushes or underbrush to tangle with.

Montgomery Village East Village Lake

August 4 – Float Fishing on the Monocacy River

A few days ago I got an email from one of my blog readers who wanted a recommendation for a  2 to 3 hour kayak float fish on the Monocacy River. Here’s my response:

Hi Bill

               I would put in at Pinecliff Park just above the Monacacy Battlefield, and take out where the river crosses Finger Board Rd (Rt. 80). This is an easy streach of the river with minor rapids. At the take-out point on Rt. 80 there is a spot on the left hand side of the bridge going north to leave a car, and a fairly easy – slight incline – access out of the river. I found it to be no problem.

               This route – from Pinecliff Park to the Rt. 80 bridge – is a leasurely 3 hours on the river with time alloted for stopping and casting. Water is wadeable in many places so feel free to get out of the boat and cast; bring a lunch as there are many nice places to stop. 

               Along this stretch of the river there are many holes for large and small mouth bass, blue gill and sunfish; I’ve  even pulled a few catfish out of the river.

               As far as equipment goes, all you need is an ultra light rod and reel with 4 to 6 lb test line a few rapallas #CD03 silver, some spinner baits (Meps), and Jigs. If you are a fly fisherman, it is also an excellent river for a 4 to 6 wt. flyrod, poppers and wet flies.

              There is a picture of the put-in and kayakers on my blog post for Pinecliff Park.  Also, the water is fine right now, clear with a low-to medium level.

 

                                        Good Fishing!                               

                                        Vic Barothy

August 2 – Fishing with Jonah at Black Hill Regional Park

Jonah with his Dad

Vic and Jonah

Another cool, rainy day in Maryland, but my friend Bob, his son Jonah, and I still took to the water with our fishing gear.  We decided on Black Hill Regional Park on Senaca Lake in Maryland, which had John Boats to rent. But, after about a half-hour, the rain – and more importantly, distant thunder – sent us back to shore.

We still managed to get some good catches from the pier and the shore.  Jonah proved to be an avid fisherman, catching a largemouth bass, sunnies, bluegill and a catfish. His Dad and I were merely along for the ride! It was fun to watch Jonah catch fish through his eyes.

Whether you’re on the shore, the pier, or in a boat, Black Hill Regional Park is great for family outings. As good for the novice fisherman as well as a more experienced one. To use a cliche – there is something for everyone. Boat and canoe rentals are available by the dock shop, there’s a good boat ramp if you bring your own boat (with a $5 a day launch charge), and there’s also a fishing pier.

Jonah and the Bass

 

July 28 – Rocky Gorge Reservoir

Right outside of Laurel, Md. there’s a reservoir called Rocky Gorge (It’s also known as the T. Howard Duckett Reservoir). It has a boat ramp, picnic tables and trails for easy access to shore fishing.  On the day that I went it was almost 100 degrees and the water level was way-up. (The aerial I’ve attached was taken sometime when the water level was very low.) I saw several other fishermen along the banks with bobbers and worms.

To get to Rocky Gorge I went north on 29, and took a left on 216 (Scaggsville Rd), and then a right on  Pineway Dr. and another right on Harding Rd.  A little ways down Harding on the left is a picnic tables and parking area. If you go further on Harding there’s another parking area and a boat ramp. Either spot offer good shore fishing with bluegill and sunnies in abundance – some bass too if you’re lucky!  And, I was!

Rocky Gorge Reservoir

         

Largemouth Bass

June 28 – Pinecliff Park

Grabbed my ultralite and took a drive out to the Monocacy River Water Trail in Frederick County to look for potential canoe put-ins. Found a great one at Pinecliff Park for both canoes and kayaks. It could be a leisurely 2-miles paddle down to the next bridge, or a longer trip. This is a beautiful area where the Monocacy meanders with a good current and excellent fishing opportunities from boat or bank. 
Directions: http://www.co.frederick.md.us/index.aspx?NID=2969

Kayaker at Pinecliff Park

Victor Throwing a Line at Boat Ramp

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                            

 

June 24 – Flyfishing Gear

Back in the 1940’s, way before I was born, my Dad flyfished on the Pere Marquette River in the Lower Penninsula of Michigan, with a split bamboo rod and catgut line. 

June 21 – Chincoteague and Assateague Island, Virginia

My wife Sarah and I decided to get away for the Father’s Day and my birthday weekend, so we came down to Chincoteague and Assateague Island, Virginia. I figured it would also be a good opportunity to do some surf casting on Assateague. (Surf casting does not require a license.)  

Fighting the Skate

Bought shrimp bait and drove to the last parking lot on the Viriginia side of Assateague, which is where a lot of surf casting is done. There were probably a half-dozen other fishermen out there, so on this cool, cloudy day, it wasn’t crowded.  

Surf Casting on Assateague Island

I used two light spinning outfits and cut a piece of PVC in two to make 2 sand spikes to hold the rods – used a number six hook with a sinker. For those of you serious about surf casting I recommend a 12 to 20 lb. test line with at least 250 yards on the spool.

With the rods mounted in the sand spikes I casted out into the surf and waited. I didn’t have to wait long. Hooked and landed two skate, and had a third on within an hour. Another fisherman next to me was also bringing in skate; nothing else seemed to be biting, but he said  he’s caught drum, kingfish, shark (July and August), flounder, and bluefish (when they’re running) in this spot.

Victor with Skate

 By the way, we stopped at a funky outdoor barbecue joint on the way back into town: Woody’s Beach Barbecue. I recommend the “Woody’s Signature Sandwich” washed down with a grape Nehi! The Sea Star Carry-Out is also a good sandwich spot.

June 14 – Flyfishing at Green Farm Park Pond

Flyfishing at Green Pond Park

It’s been either raining or muddy here in Maryland for the past month. Streams and rivers are at record levels and as a result, fishing has suffered.

But, today was a beautiful day and late in the afternoon I took my flyrod to the secluded little pond not far from my house.

(See my earlier post – with directions – from April 16)

On my very first cast I hooked a sunfish on a red popper. In total I caught 10 of them in about two-hours – both sunnies and bluegill.

My wife Sarah came along, and she also caught a couple of sunnies with a 1  and 3/4″   silver-sided sinking rapala on my ultralite spinning outfit.

Victor with his Orvis Flyrod

June 3 – What’s Cooking? Fresh Whole Fish

Broiled Whole Fish      

If the fish has been frozen or is store-bought, soak it in 5:1 water to fresh lime juice for at least an hour before seasoning and cooking. If the fish is freshly caught, this step isn’t necessary.

1.  Score a whole, cleaned fish (snapper, bass, tilapia) on both sides with 2 diaganol cuts.

2.  Cut two limes in half, and “lime” the fish inside and outside.

3.  Mix salt and pepper in a bowl and work the mixture into the scores of the fish and belly cavity.

4.  Broil about 5 minutes on each side, depending on the size of the fish

This seasoning can also be used on fried fish.

May 25 – Fishing Trip on the Monocacy

My neighbor Rob and I headed out in a canoe on Memorial Day to do some fishing on the Monocacy River –  the strains of “Deliverance” notwithstanding!

We put-in at  Rt. 355 off the Monocacy River bridge (red star on map). It’s kind of a tough put-in, but it works ok for a canoe. After we got the canoe in, it was a leisurely four-and-a-half hour paddle to the second bridge at Lily Pons.

We worked the many different holes on both sides of the river with one of us casting and one of us paddling. Because of the rain we’ve had in Maryland this spring, the water is still murky. It was still a fantastic trip though, with 10 fish landed, and many strikes.

Both of us caught a catfish on a rapala. I didn’t know catfish took rapalas. We also caught quite a few smallmouth bass.

Catfish on the Monocacy

  

 

 

Rob Myers with Catfish

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glad to see the smallmouth bass. They were small, but it’s early in the season, and their numbers bode well for a productive June, through September on the river.

The Monocacy is a fantastic river. But, the amount of old tires and other trash in it, broke my heart. All of us, as fishermen, need to take part in keeping our streams and rivers free from debris and pollution. My next Monocacy River expedition will be from the Lily Pons bridge to the Potomac River. Stay tuned.

Your comments and questions are more than welcome.