Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Maryland Outdoors - Seafood, Fishing, Hunting and Waterways


Maryland is a diverse American state located along the Atlantic Coast of the USA. The middle of the state is the most populated, with Baltimore, Annapolis and other metropolitan areas.
To the west are Garret and Allegany counties, known for their beauty, woodlands, lakes, streams and rocky terrain. Moving east, visitors find gentle hills and open grasslands in areas like
Hagerstown and Frederick. This area has seen tremendous population growth in the last few decades.
Southern Maryland is more relaxed, with a mix of developments, small towns, marinas and farms. The eastern shore of Maryland is quite different, with farming, commercial fishing and tourism. Beaches, wildlife and lure of the Chesapeake Bay make the eastern shore a favorite vacation destination. Like other areas of Maryland, the eastern shore has seen tremendous growth and development, much of which has strained the natural environment. Still the area is cherished by many of its residents.
Maryland is famous for its fresh seafood, especially oysters, blue crabs, hard clams, soft shelled clams and a wide range of fish. The most famous Maryland saltwater fish is the rockfish or 
striped bass. Other species of fish include gray trout, speckled trout, croaker, spot, flounder, sea bass, white perch, yellow perch and more. Seafood festivals are a great way to celebrate Maryland and sample some great seafood. Some Maryland seafood festivals focus on one delicacy, such as crabs or oysters while other events feature a wide selection of local seafood.
There is a wide variety ofMaryland saltwater fishing with something for nearly everyone. Anglers fishing in the Chesapeake Bay or on the Atlantic Coast might choose to fish from the the surf, 
jetties, piers, inlets, bridges, or by boat. The variety of saltwater fishing allows anglers of any age, sex or physical condition a chance to enjoy the sport.
Chesapeake Bay fishing varies widely lots of different environments. Anglers in the bay can fish with bait, artificial lures, employ fly fishing or other techniques. Over on the ocean side there is surf fishing, jetty fishing, inshore fishing for flounder, trout, bluefish and others. Atlantic Ocean fishing offers anglers a chance to try wreck fishing, offshore fishing, deep dropping and other 
activities.
Maryland freshwater fishing is a very popular form of recreation. The state has a diverse range of lakes, ponds, rivers and creeks where freshwater species of fish thrive. In Western Maryland, freshwater fishing is dominated by the opportunities in the lakes and cool water streams of the region. Smallmouth bass fishing is another popular pastime, with several excellent rivers for smallmouth bass fishing. Maryland is home to several rivers and creeks that eventually reach the Chesapeake Bay.
These rivers are home to a mix of freshwater and saltwater fish. In the non-tidal sections, fish include largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, pickerel, gar, white perch, yellow perch, shiners, herring, shad and bullhead catfish. On the Eastern Shore, freshwater species inhabit small ponds and slow moving rivers lined with dense vegetation. The region is known for excellent freshwater fishing, especially for largemouth bass, pickerel 
and other cover-seeking species. Well known Eastern Shore rivers include the Pocomoke, Wicomico, Nanticoke and Choptank Rivers where anglers fish on their own or with local fishing guides.
Maryland has a wide range of hunting opportunities. Deer hunting provides outdoor recreation for over 68,000 Marylanders, is a vital tool in managing deer populations and contributes more than $150 million to the state's economy each year. The state is known for waterfowl hunting, including duck and goose hunting. Other hunting includes upland hunting for dove, quail, rabbit,
squirrels and other small game.

About the Author

The author is an outdoor enthusiast, web designer and owner of several outdoor websites including Fishing GuidesVirginia Saltwater Fishing and Nautical Art.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Costa Rica Travel: Adventure Activities

Costa Rica is synonymous with paradise. This tiny nation is full of sandy beaches, active volcanoes, cloud forests, and incredible wildlife. It’s not all about quiet walks on the beach, Costa Rica is packed with opportunities for extreme sports on land, in the water, and in the sky. Extreme sports might have a higher price tag, but there are a plethora of budget hostels and hotels around so shoestringers can conserve cash for their extreme kicks. During your Costa Rica travel be sure to get an adrenaline rush, it’s good for you!


Canopy Tours: Strap on a harness, attach yourself to a zip line, and soar over the tree tops on a canopy tour in the Monteverde area. You may not see much wildlife at this speed, but flying over Mother Nature will give you a whole new perspective.


Surfing: Head to one of Costa Rica’s most famous surf destinations, Salsa Brava. This reef break cuts close to the shore in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, so if you’re a skilled surfer you can win some well-earned bragging rights. Salsa Brava is in the Caribbean so you can expect beautiful beaches and scenery. If you survive Salsa Brava, try surfing the pacific next. Witch’s Rock can only be accessed by boat from Parque Nacional Santa Rosa but is one of Costa Rica’s most famous surf destinations, and is well known in the international surf community as well.


White-Water Rafting: Costa Rica is known as one of the world’s best white-water rafting spots. Paddle your way down the mighty Turrialba while viewing the jungle around you. There are several entry points on Ríos Reventazón and Pacuare.


River Kayaking: For more intense river sports, try river kayaking. You will put your body to the test when maneuvering in and out of rapids in a small kayak. Launch your boat in the small down of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui in the northern lowlands near the Nicaraguan border.


Scuba Diving: While Costa Rica has some unbelievable wildlife on land, the waters surrounding this country are a whole other world. Snorkeling offers beautiful views, but one of the best ways to see the biodiversity is to hook up a tank and swim around the famous dive spots near the northern section of the Nicoya peninsula.
By: Melissa Reichwage


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This guide to adventure sports in Costa Rica was written by a Costa Rica travel expert at Costa Rica For Less available to help you custom design your exciting Costa Rica vacations.