Trout season opens March 1

The opening of Delaware’s trout season in Kent and Sussex counties is Saturday, March 1. Tidbury Pond in Kent County and Newton Pond in Sussex County have been stocked with trout and await the arrival of young people. The opening day has been set aside for youth under the age of 16, with fishing set to begin at 7 a.m. The opening day for all anglers, with fishing set to begin a half-hour before sunrise, is Sunday, March 2. 

Newton Pond now has fishing platforms built around the steep banks that will make fishing there much easier. Since I received a new left knee Feb. 10, I don’t think I will be doing much fishing at either pond this year. That will keep my record intact, as the next trout I catch at either pond will be the first trout I have caught at either pond.

I always buy my trout stamp, and I have fished both ponds at one time or another, but neither have shown me much love. I have tried the always-popular garden hackle (earthworm), my always-effective tiny yellow twister tail, various spinners and flies, all to no avail.

If you are thinking about going on opening day with your kids, both ponds should be ready and the weather looks good. It will be windy, but reasonably warm.

The 7 a.m. start time will have folks lining the banks long before the sun is up. Parking is not a problem, but parking close to the water can be, so I would suggest getting there as early as possible. You may have to leave one or two anglers to hold your location while the others stay in the car or truck. Hot coffee or cocoa is always a good idea.

It is possible that one or two children may tire of fishing before you do. My suggestion is don’t make them stay past their tolerance level. You want them to think of fishing as fun, not as a punishment.  

Newton Pond has lots of open space for kids to run around, while Tidbury Pond is sort of in a park setting with plenty of open space and lots of trees. If they just want to go back to the truck or car and go to sleep, that’s fine as well.

Make sure everyone has the proper license. Those under 12 years old do not need any license. Those 12 to 15 must have a Young Angler Trout Stamp at a cost of $2.10. Adults from 16 through 64 must have a general fishing license at a cost of $8.50 plus a trout stamp at a cost of $4.20. All of the money collected through the sale of trout stamps goes right back into a fund to support the trout program. The limit is six trout per angler. I can promise you there will be enforcement officers in attendance at both locations.

When both my boys were young, we would fish Wilson Run in Brandywine Springs State Park on opening day in April every year. The stream was narrow, but deep, and we fished near the bridge you crossed as you entered the park.

We always arrived well before the 7 a.m. start time, and we could see the trout in the clear water at our feet. Ric, who often tried to dismiss me as his father, was fishing across the creek from Roger and me. When the 7 a.m. start time sounded, we began catching trout one after another. I was using my beloved tiny yellow twister tail on a small crappie jig, as was Roger. I don’t know what Ric was using, but he soon called across to me and asked, “Dad, I have six trout. What should I do now?”

I replied, “If I were you, I would stop fishing because there is a game warden standing right behind you.” That was the year we went home with 18 fat trout.

There were other years when we didn’t do so well. 

I don’t recall the date, but the sky was gray and the wind was sharp from the northwest. Once again, we were fishing at our spot by the bridge at Brandywine Springs State Park and, as always, we could see the trout stacked up below. The difference was these fish would not bite lure nor bait.

I had my yellow twister tail lying in the bottom. I noticed it would disappear when a trout swam over the lure. I decided to try and lift a trout from the water by raising my rod up quickly when the yellow lure disappeared. Lo and behold, that worked like a charm, and I soon had my limit.