Very nice afternoon. I hit the upper Potomac with my best fishin buddy: Benny, the Incredible Fly Fishing Weiner Dog.......for a crack at some smallies. The Potomac hasn't treated me well this year (or last) but tonight helped improve things. It was a steady pick of bass representing several solid year classes, ranging from about 8-15" and all healthy. Water was clear with a level of 2.53 at the Hancock gage, which is perfect for wading. Water temp was 77 degrees F and air temp was about the same. Skies were cloudy, which probably explained the good fishing. No insect activity. The popper bite was strong and I got fish on nymphs and Clousers too but the topwater seemed to get the most. Most of my fish were on a red and white, cup faced popper about 2" long. At about 6pm, the skies cleared and a low but bright sun emerged.....and the fish shut off as if a switch was turned. The next 45 minutes produced nothing. I didn't fish in the evening but did take Benny for a short stroll on the C&O canal before heading home.
Potomac River, Washington Co. MD, 9/02/11
- Thread starter Fishidiot
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NCPAtrtbum
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Great report and photos.. oh and a pig of a smallie!
Is that a switch rod? I bet that's a blast.
Is that a switch rod? I bet that's a blast.
Congrats Dave, you and Benny finally got into 'em.
Thanks guys - it was a fun afternoon - the kind I look forward to every summer.
NCPA,
Yes, it's a 10.5' 7WT switch rod I built.
Jack,
Yes, this section is tricky wading. The area in the photo is downstream from Harper's Ferry and one of my favorite spots. I like the rocky, ledge sections. Further upriver in the valley, the river is flatter and deeper above the dams and generally easier to wade. The Potomac has very diverse sections and something for everyone. When on a wade trip like this one I prefer the shallow rocky areas as they're loaded with bass in summer.....but precautions are needed. I'm a rather cautious wader, esp when I've got Benny swimming along. I use a staff and always wore studded felts in this section as the rocks are slick. MD has banned felt now, so if you're planning a visit, I'd recommend cleats if you have 'em. Nevertheless, I was able to get out into the center of the river channel and fish off rocks such as those seen in the photo.
If you've fished the Dauphin Narrows section of the Susky....then you'll have an idea what to expect in this section of the Potomac
NCPA,
Yes, it's a 10.5' 7WT switch rod I built.
Jack,
Yes, this section is tricky wading. The area in the photo is downstream from Harper's Ferry and one of my favorite spots. I like the rocky, ledge sections. Further upriver in the valley, the river is flatter and deeper above the dams and generally easier to wade. The Potomac has very diverse sections and something for everyone. When on a wade trip like this one I prefer the shallow rocky areas as they're loaded with bass in summer.....but precautions are needed. I'm a rather cautious wader, esp when I've got Benny swimming along. I use a staff and always wore studded felts in this section as the rocks are slick. MD has banned felt now, so if you're planning a visit, I'd recommend cleats if you have 'em. Nevertheless, I was able to get out into the center of the river channel and fish off rocks such as those seen in the photo.
If you've fished the Dauphin Narrows section of the Susky....then you'll have an idea what to expect in this section of the Potomac
JackM
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- 17,349
I have fished the Yough in Maryland and PA, and also the Casselman in areas that look alot like that. You have to watch your step and not be deceived by the appearance of shallow water that occurs when light is bent. Although it looks like you'd just get a nice dunking, rather than being swept down river, I like to stay dry even in Summer. I have only been out once or twice to target smallmouth and have only hooked into a few. Thanks for sharing your trip. It may inspire me.
albatross
Well-known member
Nice report Dave. I have a trip planned to Hancock MD in 3 weeks with by buddy Brian (from the jam) and our wives. It's more a bicycle trip than a fishing trip, but we are going to give the smallies a shot while there.
skybay
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- Jan 11, 2009
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Fish-I;
Nice pics. Benny with jacket! – safety always first.
If you train Benny to tie the flies I will go there and do the video/film.
I fished few days ago the Letort and snapped one picture,
than damped into the water and under the weeds my thermometer, it shows 58F
Nice pics. Benny with jacket! – safety always first.
If you train Benny to tie the flies I will go there and do the video/film.
I fished few days ago the Letort and snapped one picture,
than damped into the water and under the weeds my thermometer, it shows 58F
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3wt7X
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- Nov 19, 2008
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- 704
Nice report Dave, glad to hear you got into some Potomac smallies. I've been doing pretty good up in Washington County, on the Potomac, but it has all been with a spinning rod. The fish seem a little bigger this year than most, and every trip, either me or one of my buddies gets a 16 plus inch fish. That is very good to see, on the Potomac. Hope we can arrange another trip together soon. Until then, tight lines.
Thanks.
3WT,
Yup, too long since we've hit the water. 🙂
The bigger fish you're seeing this year (others have reported the same) are likely a result of the very strong 2005 and 2007 Potomac SMB year classes which now are fish in the 12-15" range. As I often point out on these forums, SMBs are slow growing fish and a strong year class takes many years to produce good sized fish. You should continue to see fish this size and larger from these classes over the next four or five years.
3WT,
Yup, too long since we've hit the water. 🙂
The bigger fish you're seeing this year (others have reported the same) are likely a result of the very strong 2005 and 2007 Potomac SMB year classes which now are fish in the 12-15" range. As I often point out on these forums, SMBs are slow growing fish and a strong year class takes many years to produce good sized fish. You should continue to see fish this size and larger from these classes over the next four or five years.
The Potomac is just a great big ole limestone stream. Warmwater version.
Try fishing it at night some time. I like a big Shenk's Sculpin on a short leader with a sink tip (with a ball bearing swivel!) The fly floats, the line takes it down a little.
!
3weight, that photo in your avatar? it's like something out of the 19th century. Did you get that brookie in Canada?
Try fishing it at night some time. I like a big Shenk's Sculpin on a short leader with a sink tip (with a ball bearing swivel!) The fly floats, the line takes it down a little.
!
3weight, that photo in your avatar? it's like something out of the 19th century. Did you get that brookie in Canada?
