Disturbing the neighbor

This past weekend I headed down to Salisbury, on Maryland's eastern shore, to visit my mother. Being that she was admitted to a nursing facility after a short stay in the hospital I was only able to visit at certain times of course. So each morning I woke at almost my regular time and I drove over to what has become my favorite fishing spot in Salisbury, the Pemberton Historical Park. Bell Creek meanders through along one of the trails and eventually dumps into the Wicomico River. It is home to many species of fish, such as black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, and chain pickerel. Actually to my surprise I found out this past weekend that it also has channel catfish, as I was able to land a relatively small one, about 14 inches or so.

This past trip also afforded me the opportunity to catch a couple of the largest bluegills I have seen. I didn't actually measure any of them but they easily filled the palm of my hand, as you can see in the photo. I also caught a couple of really nice size crappie, but all were released to fight again.

But from the title of this blog, you may be wondering what neighbor I mean? As I was fishing the last morning, I heard some activity about 75 yards up stream from where I was standing. I kept hearing some splashing and figured it was frogs going into the water and being attacked by a bass or pickerel, or maybe even some of the local ducks splashing around. It wasn't until I heard multiple "snorts of derision" that I truly looked. Lo and behold there was a river otter going into the water, coming up looking at me. Each time he surfaced he would snort at me, as if to say "Get out of my yard." I tried snapping a couple of photos, but this one was the best I could get. I've seen videos online of people in kayaks being attacked by geese or swans, but I've never heard of otters bothering people. He didn't come within 50 yards, but I could tell that he was irritated. Being that the fishing had slowed down, I decided to pack my things head back to the house and then go by and see mom. As I was leaving I met a lady walking her dog and she asked "Catch anything?" I told her "Yeah I got a couple of nice gills, and a crappie or two." I then told her about the otter, and I don't think she believed me, until he surfaced again and gave his familiar snorts. I may be a fishermen, and I may exaggerate about size or number of fish, but about this - I'm telling the truth. Until next time … tight lines.

Look just to the right of the branches for his head in front of his wake.