Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Mason neck

Completely agree.  I've been up close with all sorts of scary critters big and small and nothing gives me the heebie jeebies like snakes.  

On Monday, August 15, 2016 at 4:15:49 PM UTC-4, TurbineBlade wrote:

It's hard to convince people, but water snakes around here are absolutely, laughably harmless.  They aren't very intelligent, so will sometimes move toward you going about their business.  Ticks and mosquitoes are what you should worry about, if anything.  Copperheads certainly do inhabit wooded areas and are here, but they aren't common in my experience, anywhere.  You're more likely to pass by dozens in your lifetime and never know it because they're a cryptic species and don't move much.  

When someone says "there are copperheads/cottonmouths" at X location, I tend to get excited and then disappointed after finding out that the species in question are actually something like prairie kingsnakes, or Nerodia, or something.  That's not to say I won't be made to eat crow, but I'm from the "show-me" state ;).  

Snake fear is incredibly useful as a theft deterrent, which is why I put "contains live snakes" on most of my rod cases and have considered putting on our vehicle.  And as it relates to places I like to have to myself (e.g., small streams in SNP), sure -- they're covered in rattlesnakes and bears and you guys shouldn't go there ;).     

I did come across the attached rough green last week wetting a line in NOVA.  

We used to go birding at Mason Neck all the time back before doing any fishing.  I can give you a good list of warblers if you want ;).  

Glad to hear that you guys get some good fishing in out there.  We don't go there anymore, but you also used to be able to get into some wild rice over there near Kane creek.  There are all kinds of frogs too.  I think there used to be a floating platform over there, probably for duck hunters.  

Gene

On Monday, August 15, 2016 at 2:06:20 PM UTC-4, Aden wrote:

It's thick with big bass and snakeheads. You can rent kayaks there or launch your own. I usually save the money and wade all the way around to the first feeder creek in Kanes creek. You can walk the shore line almost all the way there and it is only about 3 feet deep 50 yards off shore.

I tie a heavy dumbbell eye with a 2 inch long piece of olive rabbit strip trailing off the hook. A fast retrieve does the trick. Oh, and 15-20 pound mono is usually strong enough for both their teeth and the weeds/Lilly pads. The bigger fish seem to be in shallower water there.

Also, it is one of my favorite places to fish on NOVA because it is easy to get to and so pretty.

I have, however, had a 4 foot water snake swim up and over my kayak. Was also the first time I fell out of a boat. The area is thick with copperheads too. Usually no threat.

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