TWIF (This Week in Fishing) August 1st - 7th

Monday, August 1st: As mentioned in last week's post I'm in Salisbury for most of the beginning on this week. I figured since I was by myself at the house that I could try a different area pond each morning. Yesterday was William's Mill, today - Leonard's Mill.

I got on the water just a little after 7 am. Paddling around the edge of the pond, casting along the shoreline paid off with a few fish as long some. I was really hoping to get into a couple of bigger fish and near the end of the outing I did catch a couple of nice largemouth. I was also hoping to get a different species as well like a pickerel or a shiner. But I didn't have any luck in that department. Pretty much the entire time I was using the same small jig with a green nymph. I gave a chatterbait a try as well as the Bipper top water, but nothing would bite. All together I caught about 10 fish mixed between the regular three species of bluegill, black crappie and largemouth.

That evening I took a ride down to Salisbury City Park right in the middle of town. I left the kayak on top of the car and just carried my three poles down to the side of the Wicomico that runs through the area. There were multiple signs on the side of the river referencing that the area had had a infiltration of Northern Snakehead. Having never caught before I decided to try and focus on catching one. The river has a good number of weeds so I concentrated on top water tactics. I tied on a couple of different baits but alas I had zero luck. So this is one of those times where I'm being honest and saying "I do get skunked." I was afforded a very nice sunset which brings me to what I saw posted somewhere one time. Fishermen usually get the best seats for sunrises and sunsets.

Tuesday, August 2nd:

Once again I woke up this morning, at least a little later, and made my way over to Adkins Mill in Powellville, MD. I think I got on the water just after 7:45 or so. I spent the better part of two and a half hours paddling around. I was lucky enough to catch a couple of panfish, predominantly bluegill, on the small jig. I gave the Bipper several casts but nothing was interested in it. I also gave the chatterbait a try, but again I had no luck with it at all. Most of the panfish were found around cover, generally around the edge of the lily pads. I'd make casts a foot or so from the edge of the pads and usually get a bite. It seemed that they, the fish, were out of the sun and would come out to hit anything that interested them. After a little while I decided to head back into the more wooded area of the pond in hopes to get out of the sun for a little. I made a few cast just behind some shaded area without any success., so I paddled over to another spot and made a nice long cast with the jig and nymph. About 20 seconds after it hit the water, the float went down very slowly so I figured I had a turtle. (I don't get a lot of turtles since I don't use live bait so it was a surprise.) I reeled it in and as it came up I became pretty startled. I'm also glad I had my clippers handy and I immediately clipped the line, since I was reeling in a snapping turtle that had a shell the size of a hubcap. After tying on a new jig I paddled to another area and made a nice long cast. Basically the second the jig hit the water my line went tight. I gave it a good yank and began to reel. The fish had a good bit of energy at first as he swam off, and I did my best to keep it out of the base of a tree. I even had to use the paddle to steer a little further into the main creek channel. As I got him or her to the boat I grabbed my small net and brought it aboard.

The largemouth measured 16 inches in length and probably weighed at least 3 or 3 1/2 pounds. It was definitely my best fish of the trip and one of my best in a couple of weeks. I made sure to revive the beast and then released it to fight again. After that nice a fish I decided to paddle back to where I launched and head back to mom's.

Thursday, August 4th:

With my mother's memorial service being yesterday I took the time to reflect on my relationship with her and the rest of my family. Today I spent some time this morning with my oldest nephew helping out my sister, his aunt. I then loaded up the truck and started for southern Maryland. On the way home, since it was a beautiful evening, I stopped off at the pond in Terrapin Park, just east of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. This time I decided to put the kayak on the water and give it a try. Fishing was slow with only a couple of bluegill biting and one small bass, but once again I was granted a wonderful scene as I paddled back to where I started. It was like someone, personally I think God was saying "I know you miss her, but I'll take care of her now." Thank you Lord.

Sunday, August 7th:

With the heat being like it has been the last week or so, this morning I woke up pretty early, 5:30 early. I spent the previous evening rigging some lines with a double bottom rig, a top water plug as well as a small spinner bait. I hit the Patuxent River, paddling out from Nan's Cove. I began by making casts with the small spinner which seemed to be the only bait that really paid off. Along the shoreline the white perch were really biting. The tide was falling so I believe that had the fish pretty active. I ended up with about three dozen, all under 9 inches long. I keep one for lunch and let all the others swim free.

School will be starting in a couple of weeks so I'm going to continue with the posts for at least a little longer. Keep reading as I'll keep writing! Tight lines!