Potomac River, Washington County, MD 08/09/2014

[3wt7X]

Time Fished:
0800am- 0100pm

Weather:
It was really nice out with temps in the lower 80s and an overcast sky with a slight breeze that would come and go.

Water Level and Conditions:
The water was on the low side and the clarity was good. This summer has been really good in terms of streams temps, as the water was cool to the touch throughout the day. I would estimate the stream temps to have been in the mid 60s in the morning rising to the low 70s.

Hatches:
Plenty of caddis and dragonflies. I could hear the cicadas in the trees, but did not see any make it to the stream. I am assuming that the white flies were good the evening before, as the smallies were loving a white popper.

Results:
An old college buddy from Allegheny came up for a fishing weekend from Quantico. We floated a four mile stretch in Washington County, and the fishing was great all morning. We brought close to thirty bass to hand, with a couple in the 14 inch range. Nothing to go crazy about, but an all around great time. The popper bite was good from 0800-1100, and we switched to crayfish towards noon and continued to have a steady pick.

 

[troutbert]

They hit poppers in the morning! Who knew?

I've always fished poppers in the evening.

 

[Fishidiot]

Excellent! Nice job Josh.

Wish I could have joined you guys (I haven't even bought a MD license this year :-()

I really need to get out for some bass this summer. I'm hoping to hit the Juniata tomorrow evening if time permits. Some good motivation from this report.

BTW: That "drift boat" seems to be working out pretty good. 🙂

 

[Fishidiot]

troutbert wrote:
They hit poppers in the morning! Who knew?
I've always fished poppers in the evening.

Sure. Bass hit poppers all day long (and night).

I've found they like topwater presentations in the morning as much as evening, but the early am is definitely best. Once the sun gets up, they work better in the shadows.

 

[geebee]

trout will also hit small poppers around false dawn.

as will stripers. its a predator thing - the bait takes longer to adjust their eyes in the changing light than the hunter.

 

[3wt7X]

Dave,
If you get the itch, just pm me and we can set a float up. For under $300.00 bucks, my poor mans drift boat has done everything I have wanted it to do!!! It works great in terms of stability and comfort on that stretch of the Potomac. It struggled with manuveribility on the north branch, but it worked until I have the funds to upgrade.

Troutbert,
I have always done good on poppers early morning. I was surprised that the popper bite lasted so long Saturday, but I won't say that I was disappointed.