2009 SPRING STOCKINGS

On March 30th, a dozen brave souls spread 1200 trout into the better holes on the Middle Patuxent Delayed Harvest section in south Columbia and the main Patuxent below Brighton Dam (Flies Only). None of the rainbows were real HOGS, but many were in the 14-15" range. Flows were low on the main Patuxent, while the Middle was still falling from the weekend rains.

Those helping on the main Pax below Brighton Dam:

Pati Nicholson
Lou Reichel
Greg Reshetiloff
Jay Sheppard
Carl Smolka
Nick Weber

Those stocking the Mid. Pax:

Larry & Lauren Choate
Jim Robinson
Barbara Woodward

This was the final stocking of these streams for the spring.

On February 12 some 1500 rainbows were stocked in the upper Patuxent Special area, the flies only section below Brighton Dam and in the Delayed Harvest section of the Middle Patuxent in south Columbia. On February 17, 2500 browns were stocked in these same three river sections. The rainbows were stocked largely under and around the bridges on the upper Pax, but were float stocked on the other two river sections. The browns were stocked almost exclusively by float boxes away from the access points. And as has been noted already, several of these browns stocked were barely able to fit in our float boxes....! I placed a large "X" on the pools where we stocked our big monsters, so just look for the mark! The browns were raised in spring fed ponds where they had access to natural prey...so they should know the difference between a bit of bark and a bug. Even the 'smaller' browns were in super fine condition...they averaged about 3/4 lb each!

The following is a list of those who have helped stock these fish.

Mike Altobelli	Roch Kallmyer	Greg Reshetiloff
Arlan Biesecker	Norma Kawecki	Jim Robinson#
Diane Black	Joe Kunsman#	Dale Scarborough
Jeff Bodie#	Rob Lang	Jay Sheppard#
Ken Bowyer#	John MacLean	Carl Smolka#
Larry Choate#	Bill May	Arnie Strand
Ray Cline	Ray Miller	Alfredo Suescum
Allen Epps	Pati Nicholson	Ron Uleck#
Grant Faller#	Cathy Nutter#	Rusty Vaughn
John Fleming	Jack Prouty	Rich Ward
Elizabeth Gelber	Louis Reichel	Nick Weber#
Dave Gerth#

Those with the # behind the name helped stock both days.

Two short videos of the Middle Patuxent stocking on February 17th can be viewed at the following links:
Middle Patuxent stocking Part 1 on youtube
Middle Patuxent stocking Part 2 on youtube

Yes, flows were low, but I have seen a lot worse for stocking. I did see a handful of wild browns on the section I walked (down from Hipsley Mill), which was encouraging.

Have fun this spring and thanks to all those who have helped us stock this spring! Some photos, including four of the big browns that were stocked, are shown below. For up-to-date stocking information throughout the state, go to the Maryland DNR website.

Jay Sheppard