Hey guys,
I live in Indiana, but I was born in PG County, lived in Charles and Montgomery before I moved to VA Beach when I was 13. Lived there till I was 25 and then moved here in 2005. Landlocked and it seems after seven years the ether has worn off and I am homesick. Fishing is the only thing I can do here that I did at home, well kinda---freshwater.
I actually own an Indiana-based fishing forum. I'd post a link but I'm sure it's against the rules. But we do alright with about 760 members and a big ice fishing tourney every winter the last four years (except this one of course). I tell people that I used to read In-Fisherman when I was a kid and always wanted to catch walleye and pike and muskie and whatnot, but the underlying truth is that there's nothing that compares to home. I could get all sappy about it, but I'll spare you of that.
My reason for joining this forum is that I am currently writing a novel based in Maryland and am trying to become reacquainted with the type of fishing the characters in my book would have done. While ultimately what I am after is exactly what it would have been like to fish the Patuxent in the last half of the nineteenth century, I have found that this type of research is like panning for gold. You've gotta sort through a lotta of gravel to find the treasure. I think perusing these forums will be helpful because I know there's no better way to learn the specifics of a given type of fishing than from the guys who do it. Nobody knows it better than you.
But if anyone is willing to offer info directly, I would be indebted for life.
One thing I will throw out there that I have had a hard time confirming is... In the 1800's, what would have run up the Patuxent as far as Upper Marlboro, and into the branches that ran west of town? Although it's heavily silted-in nowadays, it's my understanding that the branches that ran west to where Andrews AFB is now were navigable by tobacco barge as late as the turn of the century. So what could have been caught in those branches? Rockfish? Could oyster beds have been present? Crabs? Perch?
Being into fishing forums myself, I understand why guys feel uncomfortable posting details in public, so please send me PM if that's better.
On a side note, I will be in the area later in April for research and would like to cast some bloodworms or soak some chicken, but I won't have access to a boat. Anybody know a good shore spot or a good pier for this early? I'll be all over--from Baltimore to Fredericksburg, so I'm flexible. My homebase is far away, so I'm not much of a threat, but I must disclose that I have decided to move back if my book makes enough.
Oh....and if anyone happens to be in need of a first mate, why, please let this post serve as my application for free labor, [Sam Hill], I got gas money and more if I can have a share in the quarry.
If you have bothered to read this far, sorry for the long-windedness and thanks.
Pumphrey
