Fished with Walleye Pete

[B-Faithful]

I think there has been an over sensativity towards the rips this year. It is understandable as it is an area that has gotten a lot of attention as of late. Lets face it, a boat sunk there getting a lot of attention and the advertised fishing has been the best it has been in 15 years according to those who work it on a regular basis. Now combine this with the fact that more northern discharges are not producing nearly as well and the attention focuses on the area. Those that earn their living by taking people fishing should be advertising the business. Some are using newsletters, craigslist ads, facebook pages, or even forum posts. You can say that they should have more discretion but lets face it, they have to give an area to where they are fishing so their clients know where they are fishing from in order to book trips.

While the increased attention may lead to an additional boat or two, I dont think it will result in over-crowding the location. First of all not many people are going to fish it in Jan and Feb because of weather and the fact that it is an out of the way area. It is nearly a 20 mile run from Chesapeake Beach or nearly 15 miles from the solomons ramp (breezy is closed). This time of year it likely that we have a decent day weather-wise for half a day. Even the last time I took my boat there (because Pete was booked) we had a nice morning weather-wise but had to run home in winds gusting well over 20 knots with solid 2'-3' seas for nearly 20 miles and we left by noon. We also had to break through 3/4" ice at Ches beach just to get out. The trip can be dangerous with the water and air temperatures, espcially in a smaller boat. Now combine the longer run, weather, safety risks and the fact that most are winterized and it generally is only the true die hards are willing to make the trip. Even for guys like me who dont winterize, it is often much easier, safer and about the same cost to take a charter trip with someone like walleye pete or another local guide.

The attention may be upsetting to some who put the effort forward to fish themselves but I am glad for guys like Pete who seems to be doing well already this year after a tough fall due to a lack luster CBBT season. I am sure as March approaches and we get more breaks in the weather that more catch and release fishermen will be on the water (still at relatively low participation levels). By then, there will be other fishing opportunities that people can take advantage of. Trolling will become effective again and the flats will begin to produce larger rockfish. These other opportunities will dispurse the potential for increased pressure. I know once I can start taking weekly trips in my own back yard, the longer trip down south will be less appealing