Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Bass Fishing Getting Going

Hi Will

There are actually a lot of choices, but more if you have a kayak or canoe as opposed to fishing from shore.  I live in VA, so am not familiar with the MD waters.  But:

1) Potomac River - below Great Falls for largemouth, and above Great Falls for smallmouth. However, please note that the Potomac River is dangerous for wading.  Tough rock structure and dangerous currents. A few people drown in the Potomac every year, so be very careful.  It's better to explore in a boat.  There are several public access points on the VA side.  

2) Beaverdam Creek Reservoir, west of Ashburn and Sleeter Lake west of Leesburg. Both are open to the public with boat launches for canoes and kayaks and some shore fishing. 

3) There are county parks in Northern VA, several of which have lakes/ponds with bass in them. One example is Royal Lake Park. Check out the Fairfax County Park authority website.   Also Burke Lake park, although it gets fished pretty hard. 

4) there are small ponds in communities around the area, but usually they are for residents only. 

These are just a few ideas to get started.  When headed out over the next few weeks, you might want to bring a heavy fly rod.  Carp will be feeding on cicadas and you might be able to catch some. Normally they are very hard to catch (I've never caught one on fly rod), but with them feeding on top on cicadas, there should be plenty of opportunities to catch them. 

Finally, if you want more info about smallmouth fishing in the area, please check out the Potomac River Smallmouth Club. 

Jamie

On Tue, May 18, 2021 at 8:02 AM Will Bock <wbmathfreak@gmail.com> wrote:

Awesome report!

Any advice on bass waters within an hour of the DMV?

I am looking for local spots I can fish during the week, after I get off work.

------ Original Message ------

From: "Jamie Gold" <jkg116@gmail.com>

To: "Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders" <tidal-potomac-fly-rodders@googlegroups.com>

Sent: 5/18/2021 7:59:36 AM

Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Bass Fishing Getting Going

To all:

For those interested in chasing bass, looks like the largemouth fishing is starting up.  I went to a local lake in VA this past weekend on Saturday and Sunday.  On Saturday I used a Murdich minnow on an intermediate line fishing weed covered flats.  Caught about a dozen or so bass.  The weeds covered the bottom, but stopped a foot or so below the surface, so I used the Murdich minnow because it floats, with the intermediate line and a short leader to get it below the surface but above the weeds.  Stripped it back fast to trigger the strikes.

On Sunday it was overcast and cooler.  I decided to take a chance and go with topwater, even though conventional wisdom says its too early for topwater.  I again targeted weed covered flats.  Bingo....the fish were hungry.  Landed over 30 largemouth, all on topwater.  Go-to bait was a bright yellow stealth bomber on a floating line.  And after they chewed that up, I switched to a white one.  But caught my largest on a Dahlberg diver.  I love the stealth bomber because it rests on the surface, but dives when you work it, while leaving a bubble trail.

And before you ask, no I did not target bass on their beds.  I saw lots of beds, but most were empty.  The few bass I did see on beds I left alone.  Also, that's why I was largemouth fishing.  I prefer smallmouth, but former guide and Shenandoah and Potomac River Keeper Jeff Kelble put a post on FB asking people to stay off the Shenandoah and Potomac this week because the smallies are on their beds.  Given the terrible spawns the past few years, I was happy to oblige.  Now let's hope we don't get any high water events.

Tight lines,

Jamie Gold

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