Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Moving to Rockville by way of Colorado

Richard!

Thank you so much for the wealth of information, very generous of you! If you can't tell I'm chomping at the bit to get some fresh gear and hit some new water. I'll be honest, I was a tad skeptical about the presence of a fly fishing community out East but everyday I jump on this forum I'm elated. Sounds like I've got enough fishing to last a lifetime out there. I can easily see the appeal of hooking into some larger fish that'll make the reel run. Still up for grabs as to what the next rod will be but after reading your post I just might go for a 7wt.--seems like decent middle ground and a good place to start.

Moving to MD is definitely the start of a new career and a new chapter. Having a gang of fly fisherman to fish and chat with will make it all the better.  

Thanks again for the priceless knowledge. Once I'm up there first round is on me.

Anthony   

On Friday, September 9, 2016 at 3:33:32 PM UTC-6, Richard Farino wrote:

Anthony,

First and foremost, welcome to the area.  I know there must've been a serious offer with great perks to leaving SW CO to relocate to Rockville, MD.

Although the first thing I'll mention is the trout fishing is not going to be as fruitful as they are presently, be prepared to have a wider variety of fishing opportunities presented to you in the region.  Although there are no legitimate "blue-ribbon trout streams" in the immediate area, you'll be located in a prime location that puts you equidistant to an entire host of choices that include:

• A short drive to local streams – Beaver Creek, Gunpowder.
• A 1 hour drive to the Upper Potomac River for smallmouth bass and carp, the tidal Potomac in DC during shad season, and a little more anywhere else downriver for largemouth bass and snakehead.
• A 1-2 hour drive to the Chesapeake Bay for striped bass, bluefish, and spanish mackerel.  HUGE striped bass (locally known as rockfish) outside the mouth of the Susquehanna River in the spring.
• A 2 hour drive to the extreme upper Potomac along the North Branch and Savage River for browns, rookies, rainbows, and cutthroat (stocked).
• A 2 hour drive to Shenandoah National Park for hiking and classic, authentic native brook trout fishing on the east and west slop streams.
• A 2 hour drive to Mossy Creek in VA for spring creek trout fishing.
• A 2-2.5 hour drive up into central PA for fishing freestone as well as spring creeks, like the Little Juniata, Penn's Creek, Spruce Creek, Fishing Creek, and others.
• A 4-5 hour drive southwest to the Jackson for trout, and the James and New Rivers for smallmouth and musky.
• A 5 hour drive to what I consider the finest trout stream on the east coast – the Delaware River and it's tributaries.
• A 5-6 hour drive west into TN to fish the South Holston River for big fat brown trout at night with mouse patterns.
• A 6 hour drive to lake run steelhead and salmon fisheries for the fall run in both PA and NY.
• A 6 hour drive to Montauk, NY for the fall striped bass and albacore run.
• A 7 hour drive to North Carolina for the fall false albacore run, redfish, and speckled trout.
• An 8 hour drive to Charleston for redfishing and nearshore pelagics.

You are conveniently placed equidistant to 3 airports that will take you anywhere you want in the world to fish and see new places.  Unfortunately you're also conveniently placed in some of the worst traffic in the country.  Don't be afraid to ask about timing, routes, and when you should leave to avoid all the nonsense that is the DC Metro area.

As far as rods are concerned, like you can imagine, with the varied species so close by, expect to expand your quiver of rod weights.

• For most trout fishing in and outside the area, a 9' 4-weight will do you fine.  For tight overgrown creeks in Shenandoah, a 7'6" 3-weight is ideal to get under the branches.  For bigger water like the Delaware or Jackson or NB Potomac, a 5-weight is better.  For the Holston and the main stem of the Delaware throwing bigger flies, a 6wt works.  Floating line of course.
• For shad season, in the Potomac, you'll need a fast sinking line with an intermediate running line attached.  Think Scientific Anglers Streamer Express lines.  Most folks use a 6wt (200gr) or 7wt(250gr) line.  You want to get down into the current and swing from one of the rented boats out of Fletcher's Boathouse.
• For smallmouth bass and carp, expect to use a 6wt or 7wt to throw heavy crayfish imitations with lead eyes with a floating line.  You'll be bottom bouncing flies in pocket water.
• For musky, except to use a 9 or 10wt rod.  You'll be throwing massive 8-12 inch (or longer) patterns with either intermediate (on the James) or sinking (on the New) lines.
• For largemouth bass and snakehead expect to need a 7-8wt with floating lines to throw spin deer hair patterns. 
• Lake run fish are different – steelhead are 6-8wt, depending on the river and size of the fish.  Salmon are 9-10wt.  Almost always floating lines.  Spey works here as well… same line weights.
• Chesapeake Bay fish are easy – most fish with an 8wt.  I don't fish the salt with anything less than a 9wt.  For spring fish in the Potomac (during shad season) and in the Bay, a 10wt (or larger) is ideal.
• Montauk for stripers and albacore are easy with a 9wt.  Carolina albacore get bigger so a 9-10wt is ideal.
• Redfish are all 8wt fish, no matter which Carolina you're in.

You might want to keep a spare bedroom for all of your new fly fishing gear.  Maybe a private closet for your flies too.

Regards,

R

Richard Farino

District Angling | Washington, DC

(917)400-5375 | ric...@districtangling.com

From: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Anthony Marovelli <marov...@gmail.com>
Reply-To: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com>
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2016 at 3:41 PM
To: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Moving to Rockville by way of Colorado

Hello!

Can't say how relieved I was to discover TPFR and the fly fishing community in the DC area. I've been living and working in South West Colorado for the summer where the trout are anything but shy: Browns, Rainbows, Cutties, CuttBows, and Brookies. I'll be moving to Rockville in October and I can't wait to sink my teeth into the local waters. Of course, some questions come to mind. 

In regards to an appropriate starter rig for the area, should I be looking at 6 and 7 Weights? Sinking line? I would imagine trout are not the bread and butter in the immediate vicinity. Any and all advice welcome!

Second question--Are there other trout bums out there? I've read things about the Gunpowder and other small creek fishing but mostly in Virginia. Would love to find some freestone stompin' grounds. 

Can't way to jump in and get involved with the fly fishing community out there.

Cheers,

Anthony

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