Perhaps in recent years I have underestimated the stamina and willingness of Maryland fishermen to accept inhospitable elements on the water.

As one might recall, not infrequently I've suggested they don't make outdoorsmen like they used to, if fishing isn't comfortable and/or promising on a given day many stay home.

But, when big fish are available as they now are with stripers there are times when I see as many boats on the bay as I did in the dog days of the past summer when one had to go to the bank to fill up the boat's fuel tank.

There are few perch and pickerel fishermen working from small craft in the...