Fishing Report Archives - Boating in DC Kayaking, Paddling, Passes, Tours, Classes

March 27, 2020

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 16:19:59 +0000

The shad fishing since my last report has improved in the Fletcher’s Cove area. Anglers from the shoreline and private watercraft are catching hickory shad with regularity and the occasional American shad. There still hasn’t been the epic day that all shad anglers dream of but we are still a couple weeks away from peak season. There is plenty of time for improvement.

Along with shad there have been catches of striped bass, walleye, blue catfish, and flathead catfish in the area. All of these species will become more active as more herring and shad make their way into the river system. A few perch have been caught but there are no signs of a significant perch run happening this season.

Just how much fishing will be happening in the coming weeks is yet to be seen. Fletcher’s has postponed our opening and does not have an estimated start date. For now the park and parking lot remain open but NPS has closed bathrooms at the facility. It is not inconceivable that driving access to the park will be restricted at some point. Staff will no longer be onsite at the boathouse so this report will not be updated until we open. If you choose to visit the park please be respectful of the area and continue to practice proper social distancing.

The post March 27, 2020 appeared first on Boating in DC Kayaking, Paddling, Passes, Tours, Classes.

]]>

March 24, 2020

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 15:09:57 +0000

The Potomac finally got some much needed flow and color thanks to rain over the weekend. Unfortunately those same weather systems brought back cold air temperatures which in turn dropped the water temperature. Shad fishing is still slow but both American shad and hickory shad are being caught. Very few reports of anglers catching more than 10 shad in an outing. A slight uptick in striped bass is a promising sign for when the water temperature stabilizes. Stripers up to 15lbs are in the area with smaller schoolie size fish mixed in. Walleye have finished their spawn up in the fast water and have started to cycle back down to the cove. Catfish are still as active as ever. A few perch have been caught downriver and should make their way up to the cove soon.

Fletcher’s postponed our opening day. We do not have an anticipated opening date at this time but we are continuing to monitor the Covid-19 pandemic. For now the park is still open and fishing can be done from the shoreline or private boat. Fishing licenses can be purchased online through DOEE.

The post March 24, 2020 appeared first on Boating in DC Kayaking, Paddling, Passes, Tours, Classes.

]]>

Fletcher’s Opened Postponed

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 17:57:14 +0000

Fletcher’s has postponed our anticipated opening date in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. We will continue to monitor the situation but we do not feel we can safely maintain proper social distancing if we open. We do not have an anticipated start date at the moment but one will be posted as we learn more.

The post Fletcher’s Opened Postponed appeared first on Boating in DC Kayaking, Paddling, Passes, Tours, Classes.

]]>

March 20, 2020

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 17:33:09 +0000

A couple warm days have increased river temperature, that paired with a shot of current from recent rain has slightly improved fishing for all species present in the river. The hickory shad bite yesterday wasn’t spectacular by mid-season standards but it was likely the best bite anglers have had all season. Shad fisherman from shore and personal watercraft caught hickories with a couple anglers entering the double digits. Stripers are still slow at the moment but with the way the run has been the last several years this could just be the new normal for early season. As more bait enters the upper tidal Potomac the catfish have also increased activity. No signs of perch yet. With a cool down coming this weekend we will see a pause in the progress we’ve made over these warm days. The fish will still be there but will be much less active as the water temperature drops. It is still early season with plenty of time for improvement.

The post March 20, 2020 appeared first on Boating in DC Kayaking, Paddling, Passes, Tours, Classes.

]]>

Projected opening date March 28th

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 20:10:29 +0000

Due to the coronavirus Fletchers has pushed our opening date to March 28th. Obviously this is a developing situation and could change in the coming week. Updates will be made available as we have them.

The post Projected opening date March 28th appeared first on Boating in DC Kayaking, Paddling, Passes, Tours, Classes.

]]>

March 16, 2020

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 14:46:18 +0000

Not much change since my last report. Low flow has been the story of the season so far. Shad and herring depend on current to signal them to swim upstream to spawn. Without the current I imagine these fish are holding somewhere down river. The few stripers that are here are struggling to find food with the lack of bait. Once more herring and shad swim up we should see more striped bass as well. At the moment it has been slim pickings for both fisherman and the birds.

There is rain in the forecast for later this week so we should be getting some much needed flow and color to the water. It is still early season so there will be plenty of time for improvement. Fletcher’s is still scheduled to open on the 21st.

The post March 16, 2020 appeared first on Boating in DC Kayaking, Paddling, Passes, Tours, Classes.

]]>

March 10, 2020

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 21:03:37 +0000

The fishing season on our nations river has officially begun. We may not be off to a fast start but at least it’s a start. With many warm days in the past month some, myself included, would think the run would be in full swing by now. However, even though water temperatures have hit the magic number of 50º we are seeing fewer fish than expected. The first hickory shad of the season were caught on March 7th with the first stripers being caught a couple days before that. Since then we have not seen much improvement. The lone shad or striped bass have bene caught at Fletcher’s since but we are yet to see major numbers, that could very well change as water temperatures stabilize in the next week. White perch and American Shad have yet to be caught but should make an appearance soon.

With little to zero snowmelt runoff this spring the Potomac is running below half it’s normal volume. Although the clear water and lazy flow make the Potomac beautiful this time of year it does fisherman no favors. Anadromous fish such as shad and striped bass depend on current and usually the first increased flow of the season will bring up large numbers of both species. With little rain in the forecast and an already low river we could be in store for a strange season.

Fletcher’s will be opening on March 21st, assuming the weather and river continue to cooperate. Rowboat rental rates this year will be $35 per half day and $55 per full day. Season passes available as well. Kayak and canoe rentals will not start until some time in April.

The post March 10, 2020 appeared first on Boating in DC Kayaking, Paddling, Passes, Tours, Classes.

]]>

June Fishing Report

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 18:09:42 +0000

With the non-stop action of shad season over we have entered into the typical early summer fishing pattern at Fletchers. This is not necessarily a bad thing, June can offer some of the best fishing of the year. So far, with the cooperative temperatures and lack of significant rain, June has exceeded expectations for both weather and fishing. A late May high water event gave way to a refreshed river at the beginning of the June which immediately produced large numbers of schoolie striped bass, walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and of course catfish. Even in mid-June the bite has continued – the prolific numbers of fish from early in the month may have declined but all aforementioned species are still present. We will be dodging thunderstorms for the next few days but a little bit of rain will refresh the river and should keep the fishing productive until the end of the month. See you on the water!

The post June Fishing Report appeared first on Boating in DC Kayaking, Paddling, Passes, Tours, Classes.

]]>

June 24, 2018

Sun, 24 Jun 2018 15:26:11 +0000

Mark and Alex Binsted work a flood (photo by Dan Ward)

The flow of the Potomac at Fletcher’s has been too high for rentals most of the time since my last report. It’s been a frustrating period for anglers. Prior to the deluge beginning in mid May, the shad run was phenomenal for fisherman much of the time. Sadly, after the 15th, no good opportunity for boat fishing occurred. Now, except for a few stragglers, the shad are gone.

Our entrance “driveway” (photo by Dan Ward)

Thankfully, striper fishing for “schoolies” will provide some action during this summer. Just this past week, Ethan Do, one of our season pass anglers was rewarded for persistence with a 27 inch rockfish. Although he released his catch, you are now allowed to keep two stripers a day over 20 inches. (Only one may be in excess of 28 inches.)

Cliff’s catfish catch (photo by Dan Ward)

The only bright spot for anglers during the last six weeks was for those seeking catfish. Our regular catfish guru Cliff caught 32 from the entrance driveway during the first surge of high water. During the second “modest” flood, we watched some resourceful anglers catch catfish after catfish casting their bait from the parking lot into the picnic area… literally IN the picnic area! Sometimes, it’s whatever works!

A high water row in the trees (photo by Dan Ward)

Fletcher’s Cove is really missing our once water filled C&O Canal. It’s been drained now for a year and a half while the rebuilding of locks 3 and 4 in Georgetown is being accomplished. There was some hope at the beginning of the project that an earthen dike could be placed just above the construction zone to allow water most of the length, from lock 5 down. This did not happen. The canal ecosystem, a myriad of fishes, turtles, frogs, aquatic insects and birds, is absent now. The C&O has always been our “go-to” place for kayak and canoe rentals when the river is high as it has been for much of this season. The canal, when watered, is the most wonderful place to take children fishing and for handicapped anglers. It’s calm and the towpath creates a level, stable platform from which to explore and cast. At the moment, the bed of the “big ditch” is a sea of cattails and assorted weeds and undergrowth. We are hoping for a re-watering soon, but at this time no date is set.

The heart of summer will hopefully bring some tranquil waters to Fletcher’s Cove. We have rowboat, kayak, canoe and paddle board rentals when Mother Nature permits. The tackle shack is open daily for your fishing supply needs, DC angling permits, bait, refreshments, ice cream and advice. Even when the Potomac is roaring, we welcome your visit for a walk or bike ride on the towpath, some phenomenal bird watching, plein air painting or just a chat in this beautiful spot down by the riverside.

Thanks for reading,
Dan

The post June 24, 2018 appeared first on Boating in DC Kayaking, Paddling, Passes, Tours, Classes.

]]>