{Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Late April DC Trip

Hey Paul,

Depending on whether you have a car or not, the Potomac is great that time of year. Weather and river flow will dictate things, but the Potomac at Fletcher's Boathouse is a lot of fun. If possible, rent a boat. Just tie on a few shad darts, bring a 6wt with a sinking line, and have fun.

For schoolie stripers, which might also be in the river at that time, an 8wt with Clousers works great.

If you do have a car and want to head upriver for smallmouth, there are plenty of great spots to wade or float, that are also very scenic, again depending on river flow. I usually fish a 7wt for smallies, but you can get away with a 6 or an 8.

Feel free to direct message me. I'd be happy to share some spots and more details on flies.

Sean

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 4:38:12 PM UTC-5 Paul V wrote:

My wife has a training in Arlington toward the end of April, and I was hoping to tag along and bring my fly rod(s). I'm from the Pacific NW and Alaska, and I'd be interested in many different species. Any thoughts on what I could expect/bring etc?

Thanks!

Paul

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Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Late April DC Trip

Paul, 

If weather cooperates you may be in for some amazing fishing. Bring a 6wt to 8wt with a sinking line and a floater just in case. Flies for spring fishing are basic. A 4" Clouser and a 1" Clouser will cover all the bait in the river. You can DM me for any questions about the spring fishery if you want to talk more. This forum will pickup when shad season starts. 

I'm hoping that most of the river is dormant now and the poo spill won't have a massive impact. Plenty of poopsicles around the river right now. 

The Tidal Basin is another great spot. The new section of sea wall is complete and if they don't put in cherry trees soon we will have loads of back casting space. 

Check the forum for older spring posts. 

Rob Snowhite

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 04:50:23 PM EST, Misha Gill <misha4455@gmail.com> wrote:

End of April is Shad season so you would have very easy access to great fishing right at Fletcher's Cove inside the beltway. It's a bit of a funky place to get to, but once you're there, you can rent a boat and get into fish really easily. Although, I have to wonder how this sewage spill is going to affect our fishing this year. There's a strong possibility I am going to be fishing for shad in PPE. Otherwise, some favorite "urban fishery" spots are the Tidal Basin, Roosevelt Island, the Billy Goat trail pond (I've never fished it but it's legendary. Legendary does not necessarily imply its good). Check out the TPFR map for spots! 

Cordially yours,

 

Michael "Misha" Gill

(512) 507-4305

My LinkedIn Profile

District Fly Fishing Instagram

On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 4:38 PM Paul V <paulfvanek@gmail.com> wrote:

My wife has a training in Arlington toward the end of April, and I was hoping to tag along and bring my fly rod(s). I'm from the Pacific NW and Alaska, and I'd be interested in many different species. Any thoughts on what I could expect/bring etc?

Thanks!

Paul

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Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Parents' Dream Stream Bucket List

Mossy and the Jackson were good recommendations for sure. Whitetop Laurel should be on the list. And the Rapidan River. 

Cordially yours,

 

Michael "Misha" Gill

My LinkedIn Profile

District Fly Fishing Instagram

On Fri, Dec 26, 2025 at 5:08 PM Tom Steeley <tsteeley77@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Jordan,

Mossy Creek you should definitely hit, but I'm inside the beltway and Mossy Creek is a 2 hour drive.

District Angling is local to DC and in Arlington, VA.  Very knowledgeable guys there and while we dont have trout waters in DC, you only need to travel about an hour to find something and they can put you on that.

https://districtangling.com/

And, we should also mention Orvis in Tysons Corner.   Great group there as well.

Tom

On Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 3:32 PM Jordan Wrigley <jeliwrig@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello all! 

I'm a Idaho dry flier born and raised. I'm currently living in Colorado's Front Range. My parents (still in Idaho) are in their twilight years and I'm helping them hit as many dream streams as possible. They want to see about the best trout streams in Virginia. They're not hog chasers these days and mostly love quiet, easy waters without pressure. I'm looking at maybe March to get them out there.

Fortunately, I work for a DC-based company so it's my chance to get to know some stops for extracurricular business trips too! Would love to join up.

Welcome any suggestions and wisdom for streams, places to stay, and pro tips to make their dreams come true. 

Cheers all!

Jordan

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Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Late April DC Trip

End of April is Shad season so you would have very easy access to great fishing right at Fletcher's Cove inside the beltway. It's a bit of a funky place to get to, but once you're there, you can rent a boat and get into fish really easily. Although, I have to wonder how this sewage spill is going to affect our fishing this year. There's a strong possibility I am going to be fishing for shad in PPE. Otherwise, some favorite "urban fishery" spots are the Tidal Basin, Roosevelt Island, the Billy Goat trail pond (I've never fished it but it's legendary. Legendary does not necessarily imply its good). Check out the TPFR map for spots! 

Cordially yours,

 

Michael "Misha" Gill

(512) 507-4305

My LinkedIn Profile

District Fly Fishing Instagram

On Tue, Jan 27, 2026 at 4:38 PM Paul V <paulfvanek@gmail.com> wrote:

My wife has a training in Arlington toward the end of April, and I was hoping to tag along and bring my fly rod(s). I'm from the Pacific NW and Alaska, and I'd be interested in many different species. Any thoughts on what I could expect/bring etc?

Thanks!

Paul

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