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fishing report for the weekend of 4/30
Cool downs and high water levels made fishing steady but not spectacular on weekend trips. The magic level of 60 degrees Fahrenheit has proved elusive; until Sunday, temps hovered in the high 50's in the Potomac and led to picky, light-biting fish in the traditional haunts of the large spawners. By noon, with the influence of the warmer Shenandoah, numbers picked up. John Hayes' Friday trip delivered some serious large fish action in the Potomac stem, with two 4+ and one 5 lb. smallmouth coming in on jig-and-pigs. Water up there was coolish and fish were picky but solid. A five-pounder is a heart-stopping fish but not easy to fool. Congratulations to the client. Dave's Saturday trip showed flashes of the same activity but no big fish boated in the Potomac, though anglers dialed in well in the Shenandoah water and wound up with 35 or so fish, including two at 17" or better per angler, as well as a nice species spread with largemouth, channel catfish, redbreast sunfish, and a stout fallfish making an appearance. No walleyes to speak of since Butch's in February but as the water clears their time will come. River levels topped at 9+ earlier in the week so any trip at all is a blessing; to boat or even rub shoulders with a bruiser over four pounds is the privilege of those who gather up their skirts and step aboard in the early season. Spawning behavior isn't in evidence yet in our stretch, though the very large fish must be close to making that decision. It's late for them to make the move and it will be crisp and sudden when it comes. The season's best window to move the very largest fish will close in the next ten days, so if you're in a trophy frame of mind and want to raise your chances it's time to hit the water. Weather in the week is warm, so water temps will be in the hot zone from now on. Lure of choice has been a brown or black quarter-ounce jig-and-chunk worked slowly through likely holes and seams in prespawn water. Some strikes, usually from the smaller to midsized fish, have been sharp and obvious but other hits have been faint or very light, so it's critical to keep contact with the lure but to let it take a natural fall anyway--black belt jig-and-pig fishing. Keep a good relation to the lure--cast too far and your fall angle becomes too acute and the lure hangs up more often; cast too close and the boat will spook the big fish off. As Butch used to say, "upstream cast is jig death;" and a downstream cast in strong current may never make bottom contact at all. Keep your lure out to the side of the boat and probe, probe, probe. As the water clears and falls and light begins to penetrate to the bottom fish will begin to use "light cover", especially the creases and shadows around rocks; see them and fish them and you will score more hits. We have one boat open Saturday and Sunday of this week, and on sale, so call or e-mail. Dave Motes