MKFS: Fishing Conditions Archive

August 22, 1999

Fishing has held up through the long hot summer, and now it's payoff time.

The river is a meadow with sufficient flow--thanks to the Randolph Dam--and more and more various aquatic growth than anyone can remember. Two trips in the latter part of the week of August 21 came off with excellent results in very comfortable weather. Very low water hasn't affected the attitude of smallmouth and walleyes, as long as you can get where you want to go. The only downside is the insect life. Both days produced at least one large fish, with the biggest topping 19 inches. Both days had an excellent finish in Brunswick pool with a hot topwater bite among the grass growth.

Clients are meeting at Lock 34 now--the upper needles is runnable and fishable, but just barely. The large deep flat below Dam 3 and the area above and below the dam are the only places reliably producing fish, and the bump-and-grind of passage over the rubble wash that makes up most of the area is just not worth it for any boat. It's easy wading, however, and with the intense and sustained riffle water and good bottom it will hold fish as long as the Point of Rocks gauge is at 1 or better.

The Confluence area is an astonishing sight. Water we generally consider to be deep blue is now wadable; smooth folds of bedrock and some deep seams, and many, many fish in the darker crannies. Shoals of suckers and catfish are visible in the clear water.

Good fish are accessible throughout the confluence area with slowly fished Zoom Flukes or jig-and-pig, with the shady rock-edges near fast water and the deep pockets the first choice. Several good walleyes have come on jig-and-pig lately as well, and there are lots of walleyes in the 18-28 inch range throughout the river.

Fishing the fluke is a special challenge in low water. Casting accuracy and distance are essential, as is a well paced retrieve. The bait has to keep its head--make progress forward--but it also has to sink and stay in the middle of the water column. When it's riding up on the water surface it will draw many fewer hits. Most of the lighter colors have been producing, especially those that aren't solid colors such as the green and blue shad patterns.

Buzzbaits have drawn some serious attention, though fewer hits but larger fish has been the norm. Much like the lower Potomac, it seems that fish will trigger suddenly when the lure comes cranking over their heads while they are lounging in the shady, oxygen-rich gloom under a big toadstool of grass.Small grubs will produce when the growth and flow will permit, in such places as Weverton, Knoxville, and upper Brunswick.

Fly patterns favored now: the same culprits. Small sliders, white dahlbergs, Bob's Bangers, woolly buggers. Cross-current presentations with a large dose of dead-drift is best, and long, accurate casts are important.

Remember that in low water, the large current-breaking rock is less important than the big mop of star grass as a "best shot". All of our best fish in the middle river have come from grass clumps in deeper water with flow. Speaking of grass, we have a few mystery plants out there. I'm at the beach now so I have more pressing jobs, but when I can I'll research the varieties.

One of them is darker green than star grass, with a central stem and many small leaves with wavy or serrated edges. It looks almost like a hemlock or spruce branch, and grows in large mats from the bottom, mainly in Brunswick, in sandy or rocky bottom. The other is also found in Brunswick, more in sand than rubble, and has a tubular central stem with teardrop-shaped leaves spaced evenly from it. This plant is light green. Any input on names and habits of these unusual low-water visitors would be appreciated.

Fish look good; young of the year are healthy and three to four inches long. Last year's fish are pushing six inches in many areas of the river. Many redbreast sunnies are in evidence, though few of the really heavy slabs have been in evidence. Walleyes continue to appear at the rate of one or two per trip, with the 18 inch and 22 inch cohort dominating. Both Dave and John have had visuals on very large 'eyes lately; adjusting for inflation, there are some seven or eight pounders out there.

Bring your DEET. Perhaps because of stagnant areas of marsh around the verges of the river, or low flow in creeks, the mosquitoes are Minnesota-like in tenacity and Washingtonian in their bloodthirsty stealth. I made the error of exchanging boots for sandals as we came in Thursday and Friday night, and the little bastards must have found my water-softened flesh delectable because I have an honest eighty bites per foot from the ankle on down. They are not a problem on the water but they own the boat ramp. With a liberal squirt of Off they will leave you alone.

The water has been a refreshing upper 70's to early 80's by afternoon; with lower humidity and shorter days it makes for some excellent fishing. Give a call.

Dave Motes

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