PLACES TO CHECK OUT-LIST

-Luanda, Angola, Africa--Patagonia, Argentina--Cairns, Australia--Exmouth, Australia--Moreton Island, Australia--Port Stephens, Australia--Swansea, Australia--Lake Tinaroo, Australia--Carinthia, Austria--Bimini, Bahamas--San Salvador, Bahamas--Challenger Bank, Bermuda--Rio Negro, Brazil--Guapore, Brazil--Vitoria, Brazil--Athabasca River and Lakes, Canada--Edye Pass, British Columbia--Elbow River, Alberta--George River, Canada--Georgian Bay, Ontario--Great Bear Lake, Canada--Kugaaruk River, Canada--Magdalen Islands, Canada--Meaford, Ontario--North River, Ontario--Osprey Lake, Canada--Putahow River, Manitoba--Saint Lawrence River, Canada and USA--Saskatchewan River, Saskatchewan--Scott Lake, Canada--Iquique, Chili--Salinas, Ecuador--Lake Nassar, Egypt--Canvey Island, England--Padstow, England--Plymouth, England--Pirou, France--Lake Saint Cassien, France--Lake of Grefeern, Germany--Main River, Germany--Holsteinsborg, Greenland--Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India--Munster Blackwater, Ireland--Rusinga Island, Lake Victoria, Kenya--Nouadhibou, Mauritania--Black River, Mauritius--Baccarac Lake, Mexico--Cabo San Lucas, Mexico--El Salto Lake, Mexico--Mayor Island, New Zealand--North Island, New Zealand--Parengarenga Harbor, New Zealand--White Island, New Zealand--Pinas Bay, Panama--Parana River, Paraguay--Cabo Blanco, Peru--Horta Faial, Portugal--Madeira, Portugal--San Juan, Purto Rico--Hout Bay, Republic of South Africa--Port Elizabeth, Republic of South Africa--Keta River, Russia--Sherbro Island, Sierra Leone--Orange River, South Africa--Canary Islands, Spain--Bay Of Pukavik, Sweden--Lake Vattern, Sweden--Krassio Dam, Thailand--Atlantic City, New Jersey--Big Stone Lake, South Dakota--Biscayne Bay, Miami, Florida--Cape Cod, Massachussetts--Cape Fear River, North Carolina--Lake Castaic, California--Catalina Island, California--Lake Champlain, New York and Vermont--Cook Lake, Wyoming--Delaware River,--Diamond Valley Lake, California--Dixon Lake, California--Lake Erie,--Everglades, Florida--Flint River, Georgia--Folsom South Canal, California--Lake Francis Case, South Dakota--Gloucester, Massachussetts--Greers Ferry Lake, Arkansas--Groton Pond, Connecticut--Homestead, Florida--Honker Bay, California--Hudson River, New York and New Jersey--Indian River, Florida--Irvine Lake, California--Islamorada, Florida--James River, Virginia--Jupiter, Florida--Karluk River, Alaska--Kenai River, Alaska--Key West, Florida--Kissimmee Lakes Chain, Florida--Kobuk River, Alaska--Kodiak Island, Alaska--Kona, Hawaii--Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri--Laguna Beach, California--Lake Logan Martin, Alabama--Lake Mahopac, New York--Martha's Vineyard, Massachussetts--Melton Hill Lake, Tennessee--Lake Michigan, Indiana and Wisconson--Mill Pond, Wantagh, New York--Mississippi River,--Mobile Bay, Alabama--Montauk, New York--Montgomery Lake, Georgia--Niagra River, New York--Nickajack Resivior, Tennessee--Noatac River, Alaska--Ogunquit, Maine--Lake Ontario, New York and Canada--Orange Beach, Alabama--Lake Ouachita, Arkansas--Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras, North Carolina--Palm Beach, Florida--Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho--Pickwick Lake, Tennessee--Pine Flat Lake, California--Plum Creek, Wisconsin--Pyramid Lake, Nevada--Saco, Maine--Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas--Sandy Hook, New Jersey--Santa Ana River Lakes, California--Santa Monica Bay, California--Lake Shawnee, Virginia--Spinney Mountain Reservoir, Colorado--Spring Lake, California--Suwannee River, Florida--Tampa Bay, Florida--Tennessee River,--Virginia Beach, Virginia--White River, Arkansas--Wind River Range, Wyoming--Yuba Reservoir, Utah--Caura River, Venezuela--Cinaruco River, Venezuela--El Placer Bank, Venezuela--Paragua River, Venezuela--Pasimoni River, Venezuela--Zaire River, Venezuela--Zambezi River, Zimbabwe-

LAKES AND MORE

LAKES AND MORE

Upper St. Johns River Marsh WMA consists of more than 119,000 acres in Brevard and Indian River counties. Currently, the Water Management District is restoring 150,000 acres of marshlands, re-creating fish and wildlife habitat, and

St Johns River Fishing

improving water quality. Sixty-two miles of levees offer a wide range of recreational opportunities, including fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, bicycling, and paddling. Hunting on the areas is good to fair for migratory bird, fair for deer and hog hunting, and poor for small game, turkey, and squirrel hunting.  Birds are abundant on the area and include snowy egrets, great blue herons, white ibis, glossy ibis, great egrets, limpkins, night herons, osprey, and bald eagles. The endangered snail kite is often observed in the Blue Cypress and the Fort Drum Marsh conservation areas. During hunting seasons tent camping is permitted at designated campsites. During periods closed to hunting camping is regulated by the St. Johns River Water Management District.
Lower St. Johns River and Lakes:  Until summer rains bring water levels up, anglers should be careful as low water conditions in the river may present obstacles to navigation and launching. Largemouth bass should continue to be caught following the schools of baitfish present in the river. Anglers should plan on being out early as recreational boating reaches its peak during this time of year making many areas of the river difficult to fish even in the late evening. The redear sunfish (shellcracker) and bluegill spawn comes to an end but fishing should remain good early this period. Lake Jesup (currently extremely shallow) and Lake George are among the most popular bream fisheries on the river. Striped bass seek cool water in the summer and should be congregating near the mouth of Blue Springs, the Wekiva River, the Croaker Hole in Little Lake George, and at other thermal refuges in the river. Grass shrimp, small shad and eels (when available) are the preferred baits for these fish.
Upper St. Johns River and Lakes:  Water levels in the upper St. Johns River were lower than normal throughout Spring due to low rainfall but should rise during this quarter as the summer rainy season begins. The river sections between lakes Winder and Poinsett and from SR 520 to SR 46 have been restricted to smaller, shallow-draft boats and air-boats but should become accessible to all types of fishing boats if seasonal weather conditions prevail.

St Johns River

As long as the river remains inside its banks, fish will be concentrated in the deeper holes and sandbar drop-offs where clean water can be found. As water levels begin to rise, anglers should find bass and panfish catches improving without having to motor great distances. Moving water resulting from seasonal rainfall usually stimulates feeding activity in the river and in the entrances and exits of lakes. Anglers should target the edges of submerged vegetation along banks, sharp bends, and drop-offs near shallow bars. Traditional methods for taking all species will work. Swimming plastic worms/jerk baits and twitching shallow-running minnow imitations are preferred tactics among many bass anglers here. Fly-fishing with a surface popper is also a very popular and productive way to catch both bass and panfish in these sections of the river. Lake Washington will be the best choice for those anglers with larger boats because the lake has a dam at its outlet and is typically deeper. The south entrance to the lake and its northern exit above the dam are two top spots to try for all species. Bass and panfish fishing should be good among the mixed bulrush, bonnets, emergent grass, and hydrilla located along the deeper eastern shoreline. Crappie anglers should take fair numbers of fish by slow-trolling artificials or by drifting with live minnows in the deeper, open water areas of Lake Washington and in Lake Poinsett, too, if adequate rainfall raises that lake.
St. John’s Fishing Anglers are reminded that a saltwater fishing license is required to possess shad when fishing from a boat, and the bag limit is 10 fish. In the world of bass fishing, there are several names synonymous with the great expectations of trophy largemouth bass. It has been one of the most successful bass waters in the World of famous Florida fishing locations, the St. Johns River.
Located in the Northeastern part of Florida and stretching nearly one half its length, the St. Johns River is one of Florida greatest for local bass fishermen. The fact that, year after year, it continuously produces such excellent anglers and trophy bass results It has help lead Florida to be deemed the “Bass Fishing Capital of the World” and the name fits this river system! It is one of those rare bodies of water that produces both quantity and quality, along with a never ending breath of beauty. The 300+ miles of the St. Johns River system is a study in diversity and unlimited fishing options. Whatever type of fishing water the angler desires can readily be found along its river system. This famous river has a character and series of different traits compared to most Florida bass fishing lakes or rivers.
The St. Johns river always flows from South to North, a bit of an weirdness in itself. The first quarter of the St. Johns, up to Lake Harney, is dependent upon rainfall for its flow, with a small bit of assistance from a few springs and some natural water table. . In times of drought or reduced periods of rainfall, this part of the river often goes nearly dry, usually between May and July. This upper portion of the river is a series deferent banks, thick aquatic growth and endless marshland. The main trace of the St. Johns is nearly indistinguishable and forms a maze of drainage arms and sloughs. While the fishing is excellent here, it presents the readily apparent danger of getting lost, so GPS is highly recommended for new anglers.
This headwaters portion of the St. Johns offers excellent angling experiences, especially when its waters are low, but still navigable. Low water levels bring the bass out of the endless miles of vegetation and to the edges of the main channel and the deeper holes. Although very few real trophy bass over ten pound come from this section, the numbers of one to five pounders are often staggering. Lake Harney on North to Lake Monroe, the river starts a major transition. The banks are well defined and high, while at the same time the vegetation starts to thin dramatically.
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission biologists said, that the fresh water fish, particularly the usually well-traveled largemouth bass, will not migrate from the Northern portions of the river into the Southern sections. The salt content seems to form a natural barrier. Consequently, the headwaters are entirely dependent upon the success of the spawn to sustain populations. However, the salinity does have its positive influences. The stretch of river between Lakes Harney and Monroe is a principle spawning ground for the tremendous numbers of big American Shad, which annually make the long journey from the Atlantic. The months of December through March find hundreds of anglers casting small jigs and spoons to partake of the harvest.
Lake George is noted for its excellent largemouth bass fishing lake. Bass seem to congregate in this lake. The reason, mouths of the many small feeder streams, and the points and deep holes in the bends of the river, are great places to work a plastic worm and a crankbait. Areas of lily pads are excellent in the spring and early summer months, especially if grass is also present. Largemouths readily spawn and feed in the beds of eelgrass, which predominate the flats. Look for that grass and you are almost certain to find the fish. Lake George is the widest and largest lake on the St. Johns River. Approximately 12 miles long and 6 miles wide, it has a very remarkable, averaging about ten feet deep. Lake George also has a significant salt content, primarily from the large Salt, Silver Glen and Juniper springs which discharge through massive saline marine deposits. Additionally, if there are strong, sustained Northerly winds, the incoming tidal flow from the North can reach the lake.
Lake George provides excellent largemouth bass, along with great brim fishing, particularly along the vegetation areas. Other good places are the mouths of the spring runs. Crappie fishing is very good and can be exceptional when drifting the

St Johns River Wildlife

open water areas in mid-Summer. Striped bass, both stocked hybrids called Sunshine bass by many and a few ocean veterans, provide spectacular angling experiences when they start their surface feeding in huge schools. Look for the Stripers in the area of the old military practice bombing range, just to the East of the main channel markers. It is a time you won’t forget anytime soon!.
Just North of Little George, another major change occurs. The 125 mile long Oklawaha River, the largest tributary along the St. Johns, empties a vast amount of pure, fresh water into the system, significantly diluting the salt content. Flowing out of man-made Rodman Reservoir, the Oklawaha river is a fishing paradise in itself. The river channel is a beautiful stretch of water that often pleases as much with scenery as with its fine fishery. City of Palatka, the river is narrow again. The banks are high and well defined, with a number of mid-channel islands. The depth has a major change in this area, with portions of the main St. Johns channel reaching 35 feet. Some of the creeks, such as Cross and Dunn’s, have holes reaching 45 and 50.
Crescent Lake has long been a great bassin’ location. Its eelgrass beds beckon to the spawn-ready, lunker females. Dead Lake, at the lower end of Crescent is also an excellent bass spot, especially when you can locate running water.
The beautiful St. Johns River continues to earn its reputation as the bass fishing paradise of the World. Let us hope that the progress of Man never changes it

TOP 10 BEST FISHING HOLES

TOP 10 BEST FISHING HOLES ENJOY

 

1. The White River

The White River is a perfect trout stream. The inconsistences in the water make it shallow enough to see the trout swim under you one day and bank to bank with swift, cool water the next. This the kind of environment that trout love. The White River is also popular for fishing bream and bass.

2. The Little Red River

The Little Red River is one of Arkansas' world famous tailwater trout streams. It's known for great fly-fishing. Hundreds of thousands of rainbow trout are stocked here annually and periodic releases of brown trout have produced an excellent fishery for that species as well.

3. Lake Ouachita

Lake Ouachita is one of the more beautiful places in Arkansas. Beneath her clear, clean waters lie a wealth and variety of sporting fish. The lake is stocked each year with young schools of fish. You'll find lots of large mouth bass, brim, catfish, cool water walleye and even rainbow trout (mainly at the dam and spillway).

4. Lake DeGray

DeGray Lake produces several different species of bass along with blue and flathead catfish. DeGray is perfect for year long fishing due to its numerous coves, islands and wooded pockets.

5. Bull Shoals Lake

Bull Shoals Lake clear, still, deep waters are well suited for fishing. It's known to have some of the best bass fishing in the nation. The lake supports smallmouth, largemouth, Kentucky, and white bass as well as a large population of trout, crappie, catfish, walleye, and pan fish.

6. Greers Ferry Lake

Greers Ferry Lake is a deep, clear lake. You can find bass, walleye, crappie and bream. The lake is the home of the World Walleye Classic and attracts hundreds of expert walleye anglers every year.

7. Arkansas River

The Arkansas River traverses the state from west to east, creating 50-mile-long Lake Dardanelle in the process. The river offer excellent angling for a variety of bass and catfish species as well as crappie.

8. Buffalo River

The Buffalo has fast, clear, oxygen rich water. This makes it ideal for smallmouth bass. The Buffalo's cool, clean waters also provide perfect habitat for channel catfish, green and longear sunfish and spotted bass.

9. Caddo River

Smallmouth and spotted bass are the most notable sportfishes inhabiting the Caddo. The most productive bass angling begins near Caddo Gap and ends below Amity.

10. Norfork Lake

Lake Norfork offers excellent fishing for crappie, walleye, bluegill, stripers, largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass and catfish.

FLY FISHING BEST

FLY FISHING

While the Bahamas might be known for its spring break pick-up scene, it's also home to another sport: bonefishing.
Often, the best catch can be had along Andros Barrier Reef, a remote labyrinth of small islands, cays and tidal lakes boasting crystal-clear waters in which anglers from across the globe head to cast their reels.
Looking for Atlantic Salmon? Experts say there is no better spot than the Ponoi River, in Russia's Kola Peninsula. Enthusiasts head to an especially fish-rich 42-mile stretch, which is lined with thousands of emerald-green beech trees.

Both are examples of salt- and freshwater spots worldwide offering anglers stunning scenery, unfettered access to pristine waterways and luxurious local accommodations.
"Fly-fishing takes you to beautiful, unspoiled places," says Mollie Fitzgerald, a luxury consultant at Frontiers Travel International in Wexford, Pa. She plans upscale fly-fishing trips and is a fly-fisher herself. "You're in natural settings that usually aren't easy to get to, and you often won't see another person all day long."
Fly-Fishing Fundamentals
The sport requires no special certification and is relatively easy for novices to pick up. Anglers tie an artificial fly to the end of a rod and cast their reels from a boat or while standing, often knee-deep, in water. The angler relies on the cadence imparted to the rod and line to send the fly to its intended spot.
It's not typical to find different varieties of fish in one area; most regions have just one type. And catches differ greatly in weight. Small-mouth bass, for instance, weigh anywhere from a half a pound to four pounds, while sailfish weigh between 60 and 100 pounds. All are released.

BEST FLY FISHING

"Fly-fishing is primarily catch-and-release, which means that the fish is immediately released back into the water after it is caught," says John Randolph, editor and publisher of Fly Fisherman magazine. "The sport is more about the art of catching the fish and supports conserving the species."
Canadian Catch
For prime freshwater fishing for Pacific salmon, anglers head to the western coast of Canada in British Columbia. The area is reachable by floatplane only and is surrounded by the Great Bear Rainforest, mountain streams and lakes. Here, both Coho salmon, a more elusive fish, and pink salmon, which is found in schools of 400, swim the streams.
Anglers often choose to stay at The King Pacific Lodge, a Rosewood Resort in British Columbia, Canada. The lodge flies guests in a helicopter to spots such as the Kootz River. At day's end, anglers bed down in one of hotel's 17 guest rooms--each has a king-size bed and a deep soaking tub. The grounds also boast hiking trails and streams for kayaking.
Wading In Wyoming
Stateside, fly-fishers seeking trout head to Little Snake River, located on the Colorado/Wyoming border and surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains. The area boasts streams stocked with Rainbow, Brown, Brook and Colorado River Cutthroat trout. It's also possible to catch Tiger trout at Godfather and Gold Blossom lakes.
The Three Forks Ranch in Savery, Wyo., offers anglers 15 roomy cabins each with a separate sitting area and fireplace. The ranch also has a spa for fly-fishers eager to mend sore muscles with a massage.
Fly-fishing certainly isn't a cheap hobby. The cost of many three-day to week-long all-inclusive trips can set one back as much as $8,000. The price often includes lodging, eight hours of daily guided fly-fishing and all meals

BEST AROUND THE WORLD

  BEST FISHING PLACES AROUND THE WORLD

Fly-fishing in Iceland
The isolated rivers of Kaldakvisl and Tugnaa are known for producing large, strong trout and Arctic char, some of which reach 3-10lb. Iceland's unique, volcanic landscape forms the backdrop. A three-night weekend trip through Discover the World (01737 218800, www.discover-the-world.co.uk) costs from £1,125 per person, including flights to Keflavik.

 

  Fly-fishing in Cuba
The island of Cayo Largo lies in a huge flats area and its channels are teeming with snapper, grouper, jack, and snook of more than 30lb. Captivating Cuba (08444 129916, www.captivatingcuba.com) organises a two-week break from £1,250 per person, including 14 nights' full board and return flights from Gatwick.

Trout fishing in Slovenia
The Soca river has a plentiful supply of marble and brown trout. Go Fishing Worldwide (020 8742 1556, www.gofishingworldwide.co.uk) has seven-night trips costing from £850, including return flights to Ljubljana and three days' guided fishing.

Trout fishing in Morocco
Visitors can now fish the wild brown trout of the Tessaout Valley in the high Middle Atlas on a two-day excursion. A six-night stay in May through The Best of Morocco (0845 026 4588, www.realmorocco.com) costs from £1,097 per person, including flights from Gatwick and four nights at the boutique Tigmi hotel.

Bonefishing in Venezuela
The Los Roques archipelago is known for an abundance of bonefish. Visitors go on a skippered boat with an English-speaking guide. Sunvil Traveller Latin America (020 8568 4499, www.sunvil.co.uk) has trips from £3,937, including return flights to Caracas and 14 nights' full board.
Mahseer fishing in India
Close to the Corbett Tiger Reserve, the Western Ramganga has some fine mahseer (carp) fly fishing. Go Fishing Worldwide (020 8742 1556, www.gofishingworldwide.co.uk) has a 10-night holiday from £2,995, including return flights with Virgin Atlantic.
Dorado fishing in Argentina
The hard-fighting golden dorado is now increasingly a target in Argentina's warm water rivers. Wild and Exotic (01439 748401, www.wildandexotic.co.uk) can arrange three days' fishing and a four-day tour of Salta province from £2,475 per person, including flights.

PANAMA SAID TO BE THE BEST

 PANAMA SAID TO BE THE BEST

The best place in the world for sport fishing is said to be Panama. Many of the world fishing records have been set in Panama. This area of the Pacific coast boasts a massive variety of fish species, there are more than any where else in the region. Santa Catalina Panama has some of the best fishing spots.
If you want to land a 200 pound yellowfin tuna than Hannibal Bank is the place to go to, it is located close to Coiba Island just off of Santa Catalina Panama.You can also catch black marlin here. In the entire northern hemisphere the best place to catch Black Marlin is said to be around the Mountuosa and Hannibal Bank areas.
The availability of both inshore as well as deep sea fishing is one of the benefits of the”Tuna Coast”.
The fishing grounds located around Isla Coiba, Isla Cebacco and Punta Mariato are regarded as the best. But the best of the bunch is Isla Coiba.
If you want a good introduction to the area then you should go to Santa Catalina Panama. To experience Santa Catalina Panama is like nothing else, its the best route to all the fishing grounds.
Santa Catalina Panama can satisfy the needs of any fisherman, you will find many different sizes and types of fish here, you have to see it to believe it.
The first residential project in the area is Big World Villas, offering amazing condos with ocean views. Lost Coast Excursions have teamed up with Big World Villas, they are offering adventure tours, fishing and scuba diving and high end residential and resort living.

ANOTHER TOP 10 BEST FISHING PLACES

TOP 10 FISHING PLACES ENJOY

1. Portugal, Coruche, River Sorraia
Magnificent, immaculate small inland location. Friendly people and fine sandy shores. It’s possible to fish right in the middle of the town. There’s a café and an excellent fishing tackle store by the river. On a hill stands a good hotel, offering excellent views over the village towards the river.
Equipment: rod with reel, and take-apart pole. Fish: barb, carp and local specialities. A venue for many fishing competitions.
2. Italy, Florence, River Arno
Right in the city centre, in a wonderful cultural setting. The river water is not the cleanest perhaps, but the fish are plentiful and there are some good tackle shops.
Equipment: rod and line, rod with reel, take-apart pole. Fish: really big carp c. 2-7 kg, catfish, goldfish and crucian carp. The best places are downstream from the market, near the high wall. A popular venue for international competitions. Excellent food and rhythm to life.
3. UK, Dorking, Surrey, Old Bury Hill
Three separate rivers, a well managed area and constructed fishing sites. Peaceful natural setting, a café and tackle sales. Very popular leisure location.
Equipment: rod with reel, bottom reel, take-apart pole. Of the lakes, the biggest and oldest fishing area is the best. Fish: big carp, tench, chub, bream and rudd, but also pike-perch and pike.
4. UK, Aldershot, Gold Valley Lakes
Situated close to the Farnborough fishing area, where there are eight constructed lakes. Club building, a café and tackle sales. Every fishing spot has a jetty.
Equipment: rod with reel, bottom reel and take-apart pole. Fish: carp, tench, rudd and bream.
5. Luxembourg, River Moselle
Diverse range of fish, good shores and friendly people.
Equipment: rod and line, rod with reel, bottom reel. Fish: carp, barb, chub, bream, tench, eel and perch.
6. Porvoo Archipelago, Sondby, Kalvholmen
The sea is always an excellent place to fish, because the power of the sea is unbelievable and the diverse array of fish is an asset. Cast a lure or troll for pike-perch, pike and perch. With rod and line, bream, perch, rudd and roach. In winter, ice-fish for whitefish and perch with hook and line, and everything with a net.
7. Evo, Niemisjärvi Lakes
On the banks of three rivers between the Lammi and Padasjoki are fishing places maintained by the National Board of Forestry. One of the rivers is reserved for fly fishermen. The Ylinen and Alinen Niemisjärvi Lakes are good angling spots. Also: the Ilves nature path, kiosk, permit sales, tent and campfire places, lean-to shelters, fish smoking opportunity, and boat rental.
Equipment: rod and line, rod with reel, lure. Fish: rainbow trout, trout, whitefish and perch.
8. Lappeenranta, Saimaa Canal
Lappeenranta is an fine summer town. The flat shores between the Kansola and Soskua locks make an excellent fishing area. This was the venue for the World Angling Championships when they were held in Finland. It is one of the few places in Finland where one can catch the rare ziege or sabrecarp.
Equipment: rod and line, rod with reel, bottom reel, and take-apart pole. Fish: bream, big perch, roach and ziege/sabrecarp.
9. Espoo, Luukki, Luukkaa Outdoor Area
Magnificent tranquil outdoor area near Helsinki. A circuit of seven ponds offers fine fishing opportunities.
Equipment: rod and line, rod with reel. In Kaitalampi pond: rainbow trout, trout and whitefish. In Halkolampi pond, two-kilo carp and bream up to four kilos.
10. Helsinki, Arabianranta
Diverse range of sea fish; shallow waters make this an excellent place to practise reel fishing.
Equipment: rod and line, rod with reel, bottom reel. Fish: bream, carp, crucian carp, perch, roach and bleak.

BEST PLACES ALMOST EVERYWHERE

 BEST PLACES ALMOST EVERYWHERE

Broadford Lake - Located in Garrett Co. It is 140 acres. Fish species include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, panfish, and tiger muskie.
Deep Creek Lake - Located 10 mi. NE of Oakland in Garrett Co. It is a six-square mile man-made lake. Some of the fish species are bass, trout, walleye and panfish.

Savage River Tailwater Trophy Trout Fishing Area - Runs through Savage River State Forest in Garrett Co., SW of Frostburg. Call 410-962-7687 for flow conditions or visit the USGS website. Fish species include brook trout and brown trout.

Casselman River Delayed Harvest Trout Fishing Area - At Grantsville in Garrett County. Extremely popular, delayed harvest for stocked rainbow and brown trout.

Piney Reservoir - Located at Frostburg in Garrett County. Fish species include largemouth bass, yellow perch, tiger muskie, rainbow trout, panfish.

Youghiogheny Reservoir - Maryland access is reached from the ACOE Mill Run Campground access point on Mill Run Road. Fish species include largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, northern pike, yellow perch, brown trout and rainbow trout. Contact number: 301- 334 - 8218.

Youghiogheny River Catch and Release Trout Fishing Area - Fish species include brown trout and rainbow trout. Call 301- 334 - 8218 or contact Deep Creek Hydroelectric Power Plant for release information at 315-413-2823.

North Branch Potomac River - (see local maps for directions to Lostland Run, MD and Barnum, WV.) Call 410-962-7687 for flow conditions or visit the USGS website. Fish species include brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass.

Rocky Gap Lake (a.k.a. Lake Habeeb) - Located in Allegany County Off I-68, 5 mi. E of Cumberland. Species include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, brown trout, rainbow trout, and sunfish. Contact Rocky Gap State Park, (301) 722-1480.

Town Creek Delayed Harvest - Approx. I mi. From Oldtown. A portion lies within Green Ridge State Forest, 301-478-3124. Fish species include brown trout, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, rock bass, and redbreast sunfish.

Washington, Frederick & Carroll Counties
For special questions about these areas, call 301-898-9724.

Big Hunting Creek - Frederick County; From Frederick take Route 15 North to Thurmont. Exit on to Route 77 West to the State and Federal Parks. Fish species include wild brown trout and brook trout.

Blairs Valley Lake - Located in both Washington County, Maryland and Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Fish species include largemouth bass, tiger muskie, and bluegill, black crappie, redear sunfish, yellow perch, brown bullhead and carp.

Cunningham Falls Reservoir - Frederick County. From Frederick take Route 15 North to Thurmont. Fish species include largemouth bass and panfish (bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie).

Owens Creek - Frederick County. From Frederick take Route 15 North to Thurmont. At Thurmont take Route 550 West. Route 550 parallels Owens Creek, look for parking areas posted with regulation signs. Wild or hatchery trout.

Patapsco River - Located in Carroll, Baltimore, and Howard Counties. Fish species include smallmouth bass, rock bass, redbreast sunfish, hickory shad, American shad, and rainbow trout. Patapsco Valley State Park: 410-461-5005.

Potomac River - Borders between MD/WV and MD/VA. Freshwater fishing for smallmouth bass and largemouth bass, tiger muskie, crappie, channel catfish, redbreast sunfish, walleye, and carp.

Piney Run Reservoir - Located in Sykesville, Carroll Co. Fish species include largemouth bass, redear sunfish, striped bass, bluegill, sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, tiger muskie, and yellow perch. 300 acres; 410-795-3274.

Liberty Reservoir - Carroll - Baltimore Co., NE of Sykesville; from Rt. 26, turn N on Oakland Mill Rd; largemouth and smallmouth bass, striped bass, walleye, crappie, channel catfish, yellow perch,white perch, bluegill sunfish, carp, rainbow and brown trout. For boat permits and information call 410-795-6150.

Montgomery, Howard, Baltimore, Harford Counties & Baltimore City.
For special questions about these areas, call 410-442-2080

Centennial Lake - Howard Co. Centennial Lake is a 50-acre impoundment on the Centennial Branch of the Little Patuxent River. Fish species include largemouth bass, tiger muskie, panfish, channel catfish, and rainbow trout.

Clopper Lake - Montgomery Co. Clopper Lake is a 90-acre impoundment on Long Draught Branch within Seneca Creek State Park.

Gunpowder Falls - From Prettyboy Reservoir in N Baltimore Co., downstream to Loch Raven Reservoir in lower Baltimore Co.; 10 miles of "world class" trout fishery; includes put and take areas, as well as catch and release.

Little Seneca Lake - Montgomery Co. NW of Gaithersburg in Black Hill Reg. Park (W of Rt. 270); take Rt. 118 S (Darnestown-Germantown Rd), then on Rt. 117 (Clopper Rd.) To N on Rt. 121 (Clarksburg Rd.); largemouth bass and bluegill sunfish. For information call 301-972-9396.

Deer Creek - Harford Co., upstream of Cherry Hill Rd, crosses Harford Co. to Susquehanna River; great trout stream; 8 miles.

Patapsco River - Located in Carroll, Baltimore, and Howard Counties. Smallmouth bass, rock bass, redbreast sunfish, hickory shad, American shad, and rainbow trout. Patapsco Valley State Park: 410-461-5005.

Loch Raven Reservoir - Baltimore Co.; Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, white perch, crappie, chain pickerel, walleye, catfish, yellow perch, and northern pike. Boat rentals. For boat permits and information call 410-887-7692.

Prettyboy Reservoir - N Baltimore Co.; Largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, yellow perch and bluegill sunfish. For boat permits and information call 410-795-6150.

Anne Arundel, Prince George's, Calvert, Charles & St. Mary's Counties
For Information call 301-888-2423

Potomac River, tributaries, Piscataway and Mattawoman Creeks - (A Chesapeake Bay Sportfishing License is required to fish in the Potomac and it's tributaries up to their freshwater dividing lines.) Mattawoman Creek lies in the W part of Charles Co., above the bridge on MD Rt. 225 (Freshwater Fishing License is required); Piscataway Creek runs through SE Prince George's Co. near Clinton, above Livingston Rd, (Freshwater Fishing License is required); largemouth bass, striped bass, chain pickerel, crappie, channel catfish, yellow and white perch, bluegill sunfish and carp are found in tributaries and in the Potomac River.

Wheatley Lake - In Charles Co. in Gilbert Run Park, E of LaPlata off LaPlata-New Market Rd., (Rt. 6); largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, bluegill and redear sunfish; (Trophy Bass Lake - special regulations apply); 75 acres. For info - 301-934-9305.

St. Mary's Lake - 250 acres in St. Mary's River Park, Rt. 5 W of Lexington Park and Callaway; largemouth bass, chain pickerel, crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish. (Trophy Bass Lake - special regulations apply); State Park. For info - 301-872-5688.

Lake Artemesia - 38 acres - take Exit 23 (Greenbelt Rd. S) from Capital Beltway, turn Right at Branchville Rd, becomes Ballew Ave, follow to stop sign at Berwyn Rd, across road is parking lot; bass, bluegill. For info - 301-927-2163.

Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Somerset & Worcester
For Information call 410-928-3643

Adkins Mill Pond - Wicomico Co., in Powellville, Maryland; 4 acres; bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, brown bullhead catfish, golden shiners, creek chubsucker, black crappie, chain pickerel and common carp, bluespotted sunfish, and American eel. 410-928-3643.

Johnson's Pond - Wicomico Co. in Salisbury, Maryland; 104 acres; largemouth bass, chain pickerel, crappie, bluegill sunfish, yellow and white perch; (Trophy Bass Lake - special regulations apply); For info - 410-928-3643.

Leonard's Mill Pond - Wicomico Co., in Salisbury, Maryland, 30 acres; largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, yellow bullhead catfish, golden shiners, creek chubsucker, black crappie, chain pickerel and common carp. For info - 410-928-3643.

Rising Sun Pond - Cecil Co., in Rising Sun, Maryland; 1 acre; bass, bluegill, white and black crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, common carp, and stocked trout during the spring. 410-928-3643.

Smithville Lake - Caroline Co.; in Smithville, Maryland; 43 acres; bass, bluegill, white and black crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, chain pickerel, brown bullhead catfish, gizzard shad, golden shiners, and chub suckers. 410-928-3643.

Stemmers Run Reservoir - Cecil Co.; in Earleville, Maryland; 90 acres; bass, bluegill, channel catfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, black crappie, white crappie, green sunfish, common carp, American eel, brown bullhead catfish, golden shiner, gizzard shad, and spottail shiner. 410-928-3643.

Transquaking River - Dorchester Co.; largemouth bass, striped bass, chain pickerel, crappie, channel catfish, yellow and white perch, bluegill, and carp. For information - 410-228-2920.

Tuckahoe Lake - Queen Anne and Caroline Co.; in Tuckahoe State Park near Hillsboro, Maryland; 19 acres; bass, bluegill, chain pickerel, white and black crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, yellow perch, brown bullhead, carp, golden shiners, and chub suckers. 410-928-3643.

Unicorn Lake - Queen Anne's Co.;in Millington, Maryland; 43 acres; largemouth bass, bluegill, chain pickerel, pumpkinseed sunfish, green sunfish, channel catfish, brown bullhead catfish, black crappie, yellow perch, white perch, American eel, creek chubsucker, margined madtom, eastern mud minnow, pirate perch, and blacknose dace. The Unicorn dam tailrace provides excellent spring fishing for bluegill, white perch, blueback herring, and yellow perch.

Urieville Lake - Kent Co., in Kennedyville, Maryland; 35 acres; bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed sunfish, brown bullhead catfish, golden shiners, and common carp. 410-928-3643.

Wye Mills Lake - 50 acres; in Wye Mills, Maryland; largemouth bass, bluegill, white and black crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, brown bullhead catfish, common carp, yellow perch, gizzard shad and golden shiners. 410-928-3643.

BEST FISHING PLACES IN MARYLAND

                                                       BEST FISHING PLACES IN MARYLAND

Calvert County Charter Fleets (Solomons and Chesapeake Beach, Md.): For charter fishing on the Chesapeake, Calvert County, south of Annapolis, is the place to go. The small harbor of Chesapeake Beach is home to the largest charter fleet on the bay. Solomons, south of Chesapeake Beach, has a good fleet, too -- with over 30 charter boats and a few headboats (charters for individual fisherman, charged by the "head") of its own. From either one, the captains are glad to take you trolling or chumming along the Western and Eastern shores of the Chesapeake.

Point Lookout State Park (St. Mary's County, Md.): Location is everything at this peninsular park, with the Chesapeake Bay on one side and the Potomac River on the other. Fish from the pier on the bay, or rent a boat at the camp marina. If they aren't biting in the bay, simply stroll over to the Potomac and try again.

Casselman River (near Grantsville, Md.): Cleanup efforts in this area of Western Maryland have paid off. The beautiful and wild Casselman River, once empty of fish because of acid draining from local mines, is now teeming with trout. Fish tales include catches of up to 40 fish a day -- and fly-fishing with the bears. One thing is for certain, though: The Casselman is a great place to fish.

BEST TOP 10 FISHING PLACES

 

BEST TOP 10 PLACES TO GO FISHING

1. Sutherland, Scotland

To borrow a line from the author and keen angler Jonathan Raban, hanging a "gone fishing" sign on the door is like announcing to the world that you have retreated to your own private Tahiti. Sutherland is my Tahiti: remote, wild, achingly beautiful - somewhere I can get lost in the hill lochs for a few days. I take a tent and will eat the trout I (hope to) catch and then repair to the hotel on Loch Inchard for a proper meal, a bath and bed.
Where to stay: Rhiconich Hotel (01971 521 224). Rates from £39.50 per person per night, including breakfast. Permits available for the Rhiconich Estate's 11,500 acres.

2. Lough Corrib, Connemara, Ireland

There is a special school holiday in the village of Oughterard, on the west coast of Ireland, that they call Mayfly week. May is the best month to fish for the red-fleshed Corrib trout, and the village takes on a festival atmosphere at this time as fishermen descend on the town to go "dapping". This local custom involves hooking a live mayfly on your line and suspending it on the water's surface to lure the hungry trout. Before the holiday became official, classrooms would empty every year as enterprising children bunked off to catch hatching flies and sell them in boxes to fishermen. Rather than police the truancy, the local schoolboard decided to go with the flow and give the kids an official holiday. Very Irish.
Where to stay: Corrib Wave Guesthouse (+353 91 552 147), on Lake Corrib, two miles from Oughterard. Rates from £24 per person per night, including breakfast.

3. South Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia

I have not had my most productive ever day fishing here, hunting for flathead from the surf, but how often do you get to see humpback whales breaching on the horizon and wallabies poking their heads over the dunes as you stroll along the beach lazily casting your line into the ocean?
Where to stay: Couran Cove (+617 5509 3000) Resort, on the island, 40 minutes by ferry from the Gold Coast. Rates from £134 per person per night for room only.

4. Tusket River, Nova Scotia, Canada

"Then away to the heart of the deep unknown, where the trout and the wild moose are. Where the fire burns bright, and the tents gleam white, under the northern star" (Albert Bigelow Paine, The Tent Dwellers, 1908). I had long dreamed of staying in a log cabin in the backwoods of North America, Jack London-style, idling my days away flicking out a fly in search of brook trout. The Tusket River lies in the Tobeatic wilderness: deep, deep forest and home to black bear as well as moose. Take a guide - you do not want to get lost here. Accommodation is modelled on the great hunting lodges of the turn of the century - huge spruce logs and chiselled granite.
Where to stay: Trout Point Lodge (+1 902 482-8360). Rates for a double room only start at £54. The lodge will fix you up with a local guide, for around £100 a day.

5. River Lochy, Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown is the self-proclaimed adrenalin sports capital of the world, and while some people may raise an eyebrow at the mention of fly-fishing in the same sentence as steely-nerved bungee jumping, this is undoubtedly the high-octane end of the sport. There are only two ways into the Lochy River - by helicopter or by boat across Lake Wakitipu. Sheltering beneath trees and behind rocks in the gin clear waters that run through the folds of the Eyre Mountains, the wild brown and rainbow trout grow to thumping great sizes, although they are notoriously skittish. Local guide essential
Where to stay: The Dairy, Queenstown (+64 03 442 5164). Double rooms, with breakfast, from £123 a night.

6. River Lanio, Swedish Lapland

Another hypnotic slice of wilderness. Salmon, sea trout and grayling glide through fast-flowing glacial waters.
Where to stay: Visit Sweden has accommodation suggestions.

7. River Moyola, Northern Ireland

The river rises in the rolling Sperrin mountains and meanders through moorland and meadows, but you are only 40 minutes from Belfast here. At Castledawson, it runs behind a council estate flying the union flag, but put the Troubles behind you and push on upstream beyond the bridge: you will soon be enveloped by high hedgerows and small-holding Ireland again. Good for wee brown trout and local dollaghan. Stock up on potato cakes from Ditty's Home Bakery in the town to tide you over till dinner.
Where to stay: Laurel Villa Guest House, Magherafelt, Co Derry, 028 7963 2238. Rates from £25 per person per night, including breakfast.

8. River Wye, Monsal Head, Derbyshire

The Peak District is close to my heart - I grew up nearby - and, for my money, Monsal Head offers the most scenic fishing spot in England. The river threads its way through a deep and narrow gorge and there is no finer place to be on an early summer morning than casting a fly from the bank to a rising wild brownie, the red spots on its flank flashing in the sunlight. In the evening, when you emerge from the darkening valley via the vertiginous winding lane, enjoy the view over a pint at the Monsal Head Hotel.
Where to stay: The Peacock at Rowsley (01629 733 518). Double room from £145, including breakfast. Monsal Dale Fisheries (01629 640 159): £25 for a day ticket

9. River Teifi, Wales

Long gone are the days when the rivers of Wales were bible black with pollution. Now even the Taffy around the Millennium Stadium boasts a good head of fish. But the real prize is sea trout, sewin, and the Teifi around Lampeter and Llandysul positively boils with them. Only trouble is you have to catch them in the dead of night, which makes casting tricky, but it all adds to the alchemy.
Where to stay: Falcondale Mansion Hotel, Falcondale Drive, Lampeter, Ceredigion (01570 422 910). Doubles from £130, with breakfast. Will Mains (01559 363 700) can advise on the best fishing beats in the area. Fishing day tickets: £17 through DR Jones and Son Llandysul (01559 363700).

10. The one that got away: Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

It's good to dream ... this is the holy grail for fly-fishermen. The end of the rainbow at the bottom of the world, it costs a king's ransom to organise, but ticks all the right boxes for walloping fish, scenery and adventure. Maybe one day.
Where to stay: Roxton Robinson Bailey (01488 689 700) can arrange tailor-made inclusive itineraries, with flights, from £4,950.