By Tammy Wilson

Drive down any road in Central Florida and you’ll likely see a roadside ditch or retention pond. Some people, like myself, see an opportunity.

I knew I had errands to run, so along with my to-do list, I packed a small flyrod, box of flies, clippers and hemostats. Between stops I took time to actually fish some of these ditches and ponds. It’s amazing the fish that live in these small bodies of water. Some are fresh and some are brackish and the species vary with each. A small nymph in one freshwater retention pond alongside US 1 netted me a dozen largemouth bass to 3 lbs and several nice bluegills. Baby tarpon and trout were caught in a ditch. Having to time your back cast between cars speeding by, over fences, under power lines and around trees adds to the challenge and fun.