It’s speculation on my part, but I suspect that the osprey perched high in a tree above the river was hoping for an assist from the two anglers down below. The bird was no freeloader, just an opportunist looking for an easy meal. Consider that this "fish hawk" had picked a spot directly above a … Continue reading An osprey awaits an easy meal
The best three-fish day of fishing ever
Fishing Journal Entry: Sept. 1, 2025, Labor Day Sometimes you just want to write things down so you don’t forget them, and that’s the case today: I just need to describe what the day was like and how it ended so that my son and I will have a record should one day memory fail … Continue reading The best three-fish day of fishing ever
Afishionado: A ‘large minnow’ that builds and shares a spawning bed
It’s always the first example of an oxymoronic phrase — jumbo shrimp. Here’s a new one — large minnow. Yes, there is such a thing. It’s called a fallfish, a silvery species that swims in rivers of the U.S. Northeast and Canada. It’s a chub of the family Cyprinidae, and the largest minnow species native … Continue reading Afishionado: A ‘large minnow’ that builds and shares a spawning bed
Afishionado: The stubborn guy with a fly rod
The fly-fishing angler who won’t fish with nymph imitations is a stubborn fool. He will stand there, 20 feet downstream of a fishy-looking pool, and hope for a rise. He will hope for a trout to nose into the surface and give away both its position and its interest in devouring a fly on the … Continue reading Afishionado: The stubborn guy with a fly rod
Bridge to a memory: Father’s Day
I don’t recall ever making a fuss about Father’s Day — except for one year when my father announced that he’d like nothing better than a trip to Powder Point.
Totally unexpected: Tarpon in the Chesapeake Bay
My latest column (here's a gift link) describes things we didn't expect to see or things we didn't see coming, and tarpon in the Chesapeake Bay is one of them. Several tarpon have been spotted this month in the Bay. Tarpon are large, silvery fish associated with tropical waters; they are popular targets for sport … Continue reading Totally unexpected: Tarpon in the Chesapeake Bay
Code Red: Less fishing in summer the new normal with climate change
I have written about doing less fishing, this long-developing decision influenced by two things — climate change and conscience. My July 17 column bids farewell to Code Red summer fishing. My preference is to fly fish for trout. Trout need cold, clean water to thrive. They become stressed in high temperatures. To help them survive … Continue reading Code Red: Less fishing in summer the new normal with climate change
Summer: Time to leave the trout alone
I wrote a while back about fishing less due to climate change. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources sent out this reminder to trout anglers that catch-and-release fishing during the hot summer months can be harmful to trout. The following guidelines are recommended: Water temperatures greater than 68 degrees: Angling and handling of trout is extremely stressful and … Continue reading Summer: Time to leave the trout alone
How the Founding Fathers Fished
I went to the Pennsylvania Fly Fishing and Film Show in Carlisle Saturday morning for the purpose of giving some exposure to Father's Day Creek in the commonwealth of the book’s setting. I was fortunate to be assigned a vendor table near Ye Olde Colonial Angler. While I’m sure I would have spotted him no … Continue reading How the Founding Fathers Fished
Dan Rodricks 