As I write this, an ark went passed the window headed to the vernal pool. We needed more water, but this may be a bit much.

Now we have all kinds of critters living in the fields. A pintail dropped in the other day. The mallards were not pleased — Well what is left of them. The eagle is pleased with his meals. I have feathers for some interesting fly patterns. The peepers are in full force, a staccato of sound daily even with the freezing night temps. Now we have a blue heron who drops in, Stabby McStab Face. The cobra chickens do not like him either. They don’t like anyone. The pool is getting smaller even as it fills with water.

Fishing is picking up around the waterways. White perch and now yellow perch are hitting better. Waters are warming up. Fish are starting to feed in different areas as they move around more. As the shallows warm up, bluegills will start looking for food and areas to drop eggs. Bass look for the bluegills exploring those possibilities. Even snakeheads are hitting in a few places.

Hit your favorite spots. They are starting to produce. Explore a little and try new spots you have heard about, but never been. This is the best time of year. The bugs are barely getting started.

Bloodworms or minnows are the baits of choice. Every shop is stocked that is open. Some of the seasonal shops won’t open fully until the end of March into April. They are usually around on weekends getting the shops ready this time if year. All the year-round shops are stocked.

Get the gear you need for the year now, you never know. If nothing happens to slow down the supply chain, then you are stocked. If something does happen, then you are stocked. It is a win either way. Some manufacturers are still playing catchup from last year.

Short striped bass action is starting to pick up in the surf around structure. Swim shads, bucktails, and spoons will work. It is slow action but beginning. They are short bass, resident fish and just fun to catch. The surf rats as we call them, that action will pick up soon. This time last year it was just setting on fire.

If you are looking for keeper bass and migratory, you need to be up north on the Delaware Bay and fish with bunker chunks. Commercial anglers are seeing nice-sized fish that recreational anglers can keep.

The Chesapeake is starting up in a few areas and that will increase soon. Check the charters. Check the bridges.

Get your crab pots ready and the turtle guards in place. That season is approaching. Crab pots are a little up in price this year, but not too bad. Hand lining for crabs is legal (year-round), but crabs are barely emerging. Some are showing up in back bay areas of the Inland Bays’ shallow warm water areas.

Now is the time to do some clamming before the bays get cloudy with bacteria, silt and algae and make it harder to see. Also there are fewer people out and about. It is easier to get a little deeper with a clam rake at low tide when the credit card captains aren’t running full blast.

Also this time of year the clams are sweet and less muddy. I prefer the middle necks for steaming. Many like the little necks. That thumbnail of a clam just doesn’t do it for me, unless you can find some large little necks, which would be small middle necks. The clam size world is crazy. Middles are great for clams casino too.

A turkey shoot will be held Sunday at Diamond State Beagle Club, 1054 Beagle Club Road, Felton. Signup is at 8:30 a.m.

Cost is $3 per round or $45 for 18 rounds and $3 money round. Shells provided; 12-gauge shot-guns only.

Prizes are shrimp, steak, turkey, chicken, ham and breakfast packs.

For more information call (302) 736-6075. All coronavirus protocols will be enforced: social distancing outside, masks inside.