The first hints of spring -- those seemingly balmy conditions where air temperatures stay above freezing throughout the nighttime hours -- usher in thoughts of fishing.

Trout fishing, that is! Hard-tugging, beautifully colored trout can quickly help any anglers forget that too-long winter season.

Are you looking for places to spend those initial trout forays of spring?

Both western and central Maryland offer up several excellent options. But some of the most outstanding springtime sport is provided by the special regulations stretch of the Casselman River. Located in Garrett County, the Casselman provides over four miles of easily accessible trout water.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stocks it heavily with adult trout -- including some fish in excess of 5 pounds, making the Casselman an excellent place to find trout willing to bite and stretch your fishing line.

Over the years, this river has experienced its share of environmental woes. The coal industry began setting up shop here in the 1880s, and left the river empty of fish life for decades afterward. The river's rebirth can be attributed to mine reclamation efforts.

Its recovery has been such that the DNR began managing the Casselman for trout in 1989.

These days, all of the Casselman's trout-managed portions are under Delayed Harvest regulations, which provide for catch-and-release fishing with artificial lures and flies throughout much of the year.

But from June 16 until Sept. 30, there is no tackle restriction, and two trout may be creeled daily.

Delayed Harvest Areas have proven an effective way to manage trout in waterways that become a bit too warm during the summer months to support trout populations consistently. From fall through the following spring, trout are managed on a catch-and-release basis.

During summer, when water temperatures often rise above a trout's preferred range, a modest number of fish may be taken home.

This is a wise use of the resource, inasmuch as many trout will succumb anyway to warm water temperatures.

Summers that are unseasonably cool and wet will often let lots of trout survive, increasing the potential for sport during that time of year.

Come summer, most trout waters see light fishing pressure -- something for the savvy angler to keep in mind for a couple of months down the road.

The Casselman is a fairly large water. Within the confines of the special regulations water, anglers will find a wide trout stream, characterized by lots of deeper pools, long runs and fast riffles.

There's plenty of aquatic insect life over the course of the spring, so flyfishermen will have the chance to show trout plenty of presentations.

Good early-season fly choices include streamers and Woolly Buggers, which always seem to produce when the water is running cold and a bit high. Due to the rich food base on the Casselman, plus the fact that some trout survive the summer and winter conditions, it's possible to catch fish in the 5-pound range.

The Casselman River is stocked with adult-sized brown and rainbow trout, which are widely distributed throughout the project's waters.

The Nemacolin Chapter of Trout Unlimited has been very active in managing the Casselman Delayed Harvest Area, assisting in stocking efforts by providing float-stocking, which helps spread the fish throughout the river, making trout available for anglers who wish to hike away from the easy-access areas.

The Nemacolin Chapter has also helps by conducting annual riverside clean-ups. Since most of the Casselman flows through private property, such clean-up activities go a long way toward keeping such places open to the public.