MKFS: Fishing Conditions Archive

May 14-16

Cooler temperatures and the postspawn blues slowed the hot fishing a bit over the weekend, but only the sunday trip was obviously affected--and even that was still steady and enjoyable fishing. Friday and Saturday anglers had lots of chances and moved good numbers and a few larger fish.

It's clear that the spawn is over in the Dam 3 to Brunswick section, though we never really saw the distinctive bedding behavior--and the hot fishing in certain specific spots--that mark the center of the spawn. Rather we had steady good to excellent fishing with a mix of fish from 12 inches up to 20, locating in a variety of places. Probably due to low, clear water the spawn was timed and located differently. It only remains to be seen if reproduction was effective.

In any event fishing has been strong even through the postspawn phase. John Hayes' trip on Friday had some good success on fly and spin with two fish at 17" and enough in the middle teens to keep everybody happy. Rick Larkin ran the Shenandoah side from Millville to Brunswick on Saturday and reported smaller Shenandoah fish and some nicer fish in the Potomac--not surprising since the Shenandoah has been feeling the effect of the drought, now almost a year long. Butch Murphy reported spawning fish in the route 50 area of the 'Doah almost a month ago.

But the Potomac is still producing good numbers of fish which are astonishingly healthy. Sunday dawned clear and cold, with water temps dropping into the lower 60's, and fish were picky. Many strong strikes resulted in brief hookups--a sign that sulky fish were making defensive or reaction strikes but not "blowing in" the lure or fly. Even strong topwater hits were still resulting in few solid hookups. Still, three anglers moved about thirty grownup fish (and an equal number of dinks) in a short day, including a handful in the 14-16 inch range. Not bad for a bad day.

Best tactics were large plastics, generally worked slowly across ledges in deeper water. Topwater provoked some strong strikes but the hookup ratio was poor. Fishing improved sharply into the midday period. Dahlbergs and Butch Minnows were flies of choice, also worked slowly and patiently. Specific areas of the river, and specific types of river structure, worked best; that may sound like a lame statement but later in the year it is common to catch smallmouth in a wide variety of locations and situations. In short: Catch fish in a spot, stay there and work it over a lot, then go to the next place just like it.

Still rainless--river levels are actually quite good considering the dry conditions in the Washington area. Several good soakings would be nice in the next few weeks.

Walleye numbers are excellent and quite promising. Anglers above Dam 3 reported several walleyes in the 16-20 inch range, so we worked some good walleye areas in the middle river and caught two, one a 24 inch four-pounder, in about 45 minutes of trying. Any of you Minnesotans out there who think you have to travel back to Mille Lacs to enjoy hot walleye action can call us up and learn otherwise.

Herons are nesting; orioles, kingbirds, nighthawks, and other interesting species are evident. Bald eagles are on the nest and we can show you where. Things are shaping up nicely for an excellent season. Get water temps back up into the 70's and the bass will be barking.

Dave Motes

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