3 Years, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 4 Days

In 2007 there was a tv show that began each episode with a statement similar to the title above. “Pushing Daisies” only lasted two seasons but I’ve remembered that way of counting ever since. In fact I have used before in my old obsession, geocaching. If I ever couldn’t find a particular geocache I would mark it down and hope to try again. If I did get a second chance and did find that particular cache I usually included a statement counting the time between my original DNF, did not find, until the day I found it. Here’s a link to a recent example if you’d like to see.

But once again this is my blog about fishing. How does this relate? Well on March 30, 2015 I wrote my first post on this current site. I stated that I was going to begin my fishing quest. That quest was to try and catch a fish in each county of the state of Maryland. I drew my inspiration from a podcast I had just started listening to the “FishNerds.” Clay and Dave, the hosts, were on a quest to catch and eat “every species of fish” in their home state of New Hampshire. They mentioned often about the time commitment it took for them to complete their goal. I figured I’d start easy - one fish in each county. How hard would that be? And how long could it take?

This morning I left my house at 5:30 on my way to Baltimore City. Understand that it is strange that Baltimore City is considered to be its own county. It ends up that the Maryland Constitution stated that “Baltimore is established as an independent city and not part of any other county.” Or that it is its own county. Nevertheless I arrived at my chosen spot, Lake Montebello because on the map it looked large enough that I could find an area to try. Unknown to me was that there is an iron fence around it as it is a settling basin for the filtration of city water. Okay not be be thwarted I pulled up the Maryland Department of Natural Resources app and saw another lake, Lake Roland. I turned the car towards it and started on my way. Upon arriving there, I should have looked more closely since Lake Roland is in Baltimore County. Frustrated a little I got out of the car, walked around a little and decided to “wet a line.” On my third cast I hooked up with a small largemouth bass and reeled it in. (Sorry no photo - but I plan to return some time with my kayak.)

At this point it was 8:15 and I wanted to really catch something in Baltimore City. I drove down to the Canton Waterfront Park, which is located in the southeast portion of the city. Being part of the main harbor, I tried a couple of baits that might attract attention; a small chatter bait and a white shad style jerk bait. I gave myself until 9:00 or I was going to try somewhere else. At 9 o’clock I was in my car heading to a fourth spot for the day: Patterson Park. The park was “established” in the early 1800’s and boasts several playing fields, including one made of turf. There is a large dog park, tennis courts as well as swimming pool. There is also a small “lake” or pond. I had visited the park earlier in the summer, back in July, in an effort to catch a fish but I was skunked that day. As I approached the pond there was a group of people, maybe a dozen, standing and looking into the trees in the center of the pond. As I got closer I saw that each individual had their own set of binoculars and they were observing a pair of green herons, as well as a few other birds in the park. I made my way around the walkway until I came to an opening in the surrounding vegetation.

The pond was pretty much, probably 85%, covered with “scum” making it hard to get a bait down to clear water. While tying on a small jig I spotted a carp breaking the surface. I made no effort to try and catch it since I was working with only a 6 lb leader and the vegetation in the pond was so dense. I walked a little further around and came to a small wall. The water within 3 feet of the wall was nice and clear of the scum so I decided to concentrate my efforts there. With the small 1/80 oz jig and “Atomic Mite” trailer I made casts into the open water. To say it worked immediately would be a bold-faced lie. It took me several minutes before something decided to chew.

When one finally did, I lifted the rod so quickly that the fish only had the trailer and not the hook so it fell back into the water. I had done it! I had caught a fish! Unfortunately, as per my rules, I had to catch another and get a photograph of it. So I had to spend another 10 minutes trying to get another to bite. Finally one did and I reeled it in. I also lifted it, as quickly as I could, over the wall and into the grassy area on the other side of the walkway. I had it this time! A small, very small, bluegill was going to be my fish for Baltimore City, which was fitting since the first one that had fallen off was also a bluegill. I snapped photos, returned it to the water and pondered whether to try for any more. I decided to go and ahead and try. Glad I did since I caught another 3 bluegill, with each one a little bigger than the one before. So 1 month, 1 week and 4 days after trying to catch a fish in Patterson Park, I had succeeded. But more importantly 3 Years, 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 4 Days after announcing my quest to “Fish Across Maryland” I was finished!

Maybe it shouldn’t have taken that long, but with my mother’s illness and eventual passing the quest had to be put on a hold for a while. Looking back I have truly enjoyed the time seeing Maryland. From the mountains of western Maryland in Garrett and Allegany Counties, to the Piedmont of Carroll and Howard Counties to the Coastal Plains of both my homes, Calvert and Wicomico Counties - Maryland truly is “America in miniature” and I am glad that I didn’t rush through it. I’m very happy to have enjoyed the ride! Until next time... Tight Lines.