With the zebra mussel debacle obviously deadlocked for the time being -- and probably for weeks to come -- the area's reservoir boat fishermen have just three choices.
They can leave their craft at home and fish Liberty and Prettyboy from shore, stay home with their boats, or fish elsewhere in their reservoir rigs.
The latter alternative, of course, is preferable.
Unfortunately, considering the nature of bass boat rigs, the options are limited.Our reservoir boats -- well rigged as they are -- are not equipped to run the open and much larger lakes in neighboring states, including, at times, Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County or Conowingo Reservoir above the Susquehanna's Conowingo Dam.
For the larger reservoirs, gasoline outboards are needed. Electric motors are used only for powering boats silently and precisely into fishing nooks.
Because gasoline outboards are banned from our water-supply reservoirs, our typical reservoir rigs involve multi-battery power plants and much less powerful electric motors, which of course are much more limited in fishing range, speed, and power so essential when the weather turns sour.
Converting many reservoir rigs is an expensive proposition. It isimpracticable or impossible given the size and weight of our reservoir rigs, most of which are made of aluminum instead of the heavier fiberglass that is the choice of most fishermen for large lake bass boats.
So, let's take a look at what appears to be the most appropriate and convenient alternatives -- Triadelphia and Rocky Gorge Reservoirs to the south at the Montgomery-Howard county line.
Often referred to among anglers as the "Twin Reservoirs" because the geographical configuration of both is about the same -- both are of about 800 surface acres. Both are water supply impoundments of Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. Rocky Gorge is also known as T. Howard DuckettReservoir, renamed in honor of a former WSSC commissioner, although most users prefer the original name.
Guides Ken Penrod and Duke Nohe claim fishing these reservoirs is the same as Loch Raven, Prettyboy and Liberty. Nohe compares Rocky Gorge to Prettyboy in miniature and Triadelphia to a smaller version of Loch Raven. Both are not unlikeLiberty, he added.
But because the two WSSC reservoirs average about one-third the size of our reservoirs, they are concerned about crowding should too many fishermen from Liberty, Prettyboy and Loch Raven make the switch.
"Seventy-five rigs of our type can crowd the two smaller reservoirs," said Nohe.
Penrod, who operates Outdoor Life Unlimited, which specializes in the Potomac but whose 15 regular guides also operate in Virginia and Pennsylvania, said the two reservoirs are a bit different from each other.
Rocky Gorge has more bottom cover in wood -- left when the reservoir was created: "Triadelphiawas swept more clean and bottom structure removed when the Patuxent was dammed up."
With both, fishing much of the time can be more productive by working the old river channel, he said. Nohe prefers the upper end of both reservoirs, especially the large coves on the upperend of Triadelphia. But in summer and fall, he likes waters near thedam of Triadelphia.
Both reservoirs have the same species as ours, with largemouth and smallmouth the most popular offerings. Northernpike, crappies and landlocked rock are also available. Nohe said WSSC's philosophy is more oriented to combining fishing and other recreation with water supply than that of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works, which controls Loch Raven, Liberty and Prettyboy.
For spring fishing, Penrod suggests working points for bass, especiallythose near the old river channel. Use plastic grubs, Jigs 'n Pigs, or spoons such as the Hopkins or Little George, he advises. Often, he said fish will hit the spoon as it falls toward the bottom in deeper waters.
When water temperatures get into the 60s and bass begin toseriously think of spawning, they move into the coves, where crank-baits, plastics and rattlers such as the Rat-L-Trap are effective, said Penrod, who added that once water temperatures edge to 65 buzz-baits and Rapalas are especially productive.
"The key to catching is to fish the coves closest to the old river channels," he advises. "As soon as the spawn is over, the bass head to deeper waters in the mainsectors of the lake where sometimes they surface when feeding on threadfin shad."
Penrod prefers Triadelphia for smallmouth; Rocky Gorge for largemouth; Triadelphia for walleye.
Sorry, all boat mooring sites at both reservoirs have been taken for the season, but fishing and launching on a daily basis is allowed. William W. Gormly, director of the Public Affairs Office of WSSC, said the zebra mussel threat is being watched closely at the Twin Reservoirs, but fishing and boating will continue as usual.
Fishing hours are sunrise to one hour after sunset. Daily fees are $3 or $30 a year per person. Each reservoir has several launching ramps, all of which are good. A booklet on the reservoirs, including maps and regulations, are available free.Write: WSSC, Public Information Office, 14501 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel 20706. If you prefer, call Colleen Dooley, (301) 206-8100.
If you would like to scout the reservoirs with a guide, phone Nohe at (717) 235-7951 or Penrod at (301) 937-0010.
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WESTMINSTER -- "Basic Backyard Bird-watching," a non-credit course at Carroll Community College, is designed to introduce nature lovers to many of the birds seenfrequently in the county and surrounding areas.
Topics include: birds that summer in Carroll and those that are with us all year; identification of birds by their physical descriptions including seasonalchanges in plumage, springtime mating and nesting behaviors; and stages of development of young birds.
Additional class discussion will include books, binoculars and other "tools" for bird watchers; landscaping for birds and birdhouses; information regarding bird-watchingclubs; and local and regional events, such as bird walks, bird and waterfowl shows and local wildlife artists. A bird walk is planned.
Join Sue Yingling from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, April 9, 23 and 30 at the 1601 Washington Road campus. A Saturday Bird Walk has been planned for 9 to 11 a.m. on May 2 at Piney Run Park in Eldersburg. The course costs $48; the senior adult cost is $20.
Information: 876-9610.
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ELDERSBURG -- Carroll Earth Care will sponsor a bike tourfrom 7:30 to 10 a.m. on April 25 across 20 scenic miles in celebration of Earth Day.
After the tour, riders are invited to stay at Piney Run Park for Earth Day festivities, including live entertainment, nature hikes, displays, demonstrations, games and food.
Tour fees are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors and $8 for children with an accompanying adult. Helmets must be worn. Riders will be given a free T-shirt with each adult registration and free park admission. Free bike safety checks are available.
Pre-registration can be sent to Carroll Earth Care, P.O. Box 1703, Westminster, Md. 21158, or done from 7 to 8 a.m. on April 25. Information: 848-7969 or 1-800-272-1933.
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MARRIOTTSVILLE -- The put-and-take trout fishing area in the Orange Grove and Avalon sections of Patapsco Valley State Parkopens at 5 a.m. today and tomorrow and again on April 18-20 to fishermen.
Visitors arriving on those dates before 10 a.m. will not be charged a facility-use fee. Those arriving after 10 a.m. will be charged $4 per vehicle. Park hours are 10 a.m. to sunset except on the above dates.
The area in and around Bloede's Dam is closed to publicuse at this time because of construction of the fish passage and fishing is not permitted.
Information: 1-800-825-PARK.