Potomac trip?

[Capt.Nick]

This is a trip I've been wanting to do.Dam 4 & 5 are areas that hold Musky,Walleye & Smallmouth. [url] [http://p203.ezboard.com/ftigertipsfrm37]

[Capt.Nick]

OK Who wants to set up a trip ? Josh.. Rod?I'm in .

[JoshKaptur]

I nominate Capt Nick to set it up... I would be there! IMO an upper potomac trip should launch and end at a place conducive to getting over to/from the C&O Canal... that way you can float down and paddle back, as opposed to worrying about transport back to the launch site.

Anyone have info on how the landscape has changed since the recent flooding? Great falls was just a rapid when I saw a high water picture.

[Salmo trutta]

I surfed that site for two hours last night. Wow, thanks for posting. Even though I benefited from it, I wish those guys would shut up a bit.

I'm in on this trip too. I even have some free time this weekend. Sunday would work for me and I can drive. I don't think the C&O canal has any water in it past violetes lock so that idea is out. We'll just use two cars and float near the Dam 4/ Dam 5 area. Or I'd even be in for a Hanco_K trip. (this site won't let me spell that name out, I've tried before.) It's not that much further up I 70.

Kayaks don't make the best musky fishing platforms because you often need to be able to see the fish coming. When you know you have a follower, eratic twitches and hesitations are needed to trigure the strike. Either way, I don't have a jon or jet boat so I'm in. The later in the evening we can fish will increase our chances too.


Here are some ramps to use. I think if we haul a$$ towards the end of the day we could do any of these floats in a single day. I'm not sure which ones are Dam 4 or Dam 5 but I've heard good things about each ramp for producing Muskielunge. Break out the heavy casting gear and your large spring striper plugs, it's time to do battle with freshwaters' top predator.

http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/fish/Cntyramps/WA.html

The Big Slackwater ramp and the Four Locks ramps access impounded areas that will have tons of boat traffic on the weekends. I think we should avoid those, unless ofcourse we go at night. The bigguns come out at night (from what I hear).

Jon
301 717-3878

[Kayakist]

I'd be happy to participate too. I have a yakima rack on my car and can accommodate someone's yak in addition to my own.

[Capt.Nick]

I'll let you guys know if I can make it Sunday a little later today{Friday}.Does anyone else have another day they'd prefer?[url] [/http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishingreport/freshwater.asp]

[Salmo trutta]

The other problem is the stress we might put on a big fish in this warm weather. Muskie are mostly a cooler water fish and 70 degree is optimum but 80 is near deadly. We’ll just do our best to leave the fish in the water and release it as quickly as possible. Of course I'm being optimistic here but I'm game for Sunday, rain or shine, with or without you guys.

[JoshKaptur]

Don't hold back on my account, but I cannot make Sundays. Lots of church responsibilities. Like I said, though, if that's what works best for everyone all I ask is that you take some good pictures so I can live vicariously.

[Capt.Nick]

OK I can go Sunday.I'll get to back to you guys late this evening or early tommorrow morning so we can figure out the game plan.Who's going? Salmo,kayakist,Me....anyone else?

[chesapeakeblend]

JoshKaptur originally wrote:
... that way you can float down and paddle back, as opposed to worrying about transport back to the launch site.


I like that idea but would recommend doing it the opposite way - paddle up and fish back. At the end of a fish trip the last thing you want to do it paddle up the canal home (I have done it, believe me).

mn

[JoshKaptur]

chesapeakeblend originally wrote:

I like that idea but would recommend doing it the opposite way - paddle up and fish back. At the end of a fish trip the last thing you want to do it paddle up the canal home (I have done it, believe me).

mn


You are a very wise man! Now why didn't I think of that?

[FishingRod]

I've never been on this part of the Potomac.
Would it be a problem to navigate my 16-ft Hobie with mirage drive flippers in this part of the river? Is there shallow water, fast moving water around rocks, etc....

[Kayakist]

OK Capt Nick, Sunday works for me. I'm a bass fisherman so if muskies are even remotely possible I'll need some instruction on what equipment is necessary. Never fished/floated the Potomac so am looking forward to it. Let me know your plans and we'll go from there. Cheers.

[JoshKaptur]

Rob, recommend you stowe the mirage drive and mostly use the paddle. If you find a pool you want to work/hold your place, drop the drive in in less than 30 seconds. Catch your finds on a rock in even a slight current and you risk dumping yourself or damagin your drive.

If it was a potomac/C&O trip, those fins would come in handy on the C&O portion.

Josh

[Capt.Nick]

I was thinking .If we used 2 vehicles ,one to launch at Dam 5 and another for takeout at Dam 4?

[Kayakist]

Makes sense. I can put one additional yak on my rack. What time and where do you want to meet. My phone (703) 378-5238. Cheers, Leon

[Whalen]

Hey, you guys are comming up to my backyard, I sent a bmail to Nick about the absolute best spot to go. This part of the river can be great, or suck, all within a mile. I have a great trip plan for you guys with easy access and great fishing! Some one give me a call at 301 639 2832. Kevin Smith, I will get you guys all fixed up!

[JoshKaptur]

Anyone make it? Report?

Whalen... would you mind sponsoring a future trip. Sorry I missed this one but it's a trip I intend to make.

[Kayakist]

OK, I've never submitted a trip report so bear with me.

Good day, three of us made it, Nick, John (Salmo Trutta?) and myself. Walen thanks for the trip into, it is a great float.

We put in at Dam 4 (MD side) at about 7:15. You have to portage your yaks about 250 ft down a slightly hilly trail. Not too bad. Water level was good. Didn't really hit any rocks throughout the float.

Caught about a dozen smallmouth, the biggest for me was about 2 lbs. Curltail grubs and spinnerbaits worked well. Nick caught a nice walleye near the end. IMO the best holes were about half way to Taylor's Landing where the water is a bit deeper. I even caught a smallmount on a rattletrap! No muskie were seen.

Able to find shade in various places as it was a bit warm mid-day. Put out at Taylor's Landing at about 3 PM. Nice takeout, two cement ramps and good cement parking.

BTW, I've been told that if you put-in/park on the MD side you need a MD fishing license. Can anyone confirm or deny?

All-in-all a great day with two good guys. I'd definitely do it again and hope to fish and meet all y'all on future floats. Cheers

[Salmo trutta]

I thought the smallmouth fishing was pretty darn good. Even when I waited for Nick and Leon to get the other car, I managed three nice 12 inch fish off the boat ramp!

Now for another report. I decided I wasn't sun burnt enough or tired enough yet so I went trout fishing after the trip. I went to the same hole where a monster fish had broken me off a few weeks ago. When I got there I could see that fish but he didn't want anything to do with my fly. I ended up getting my fly stuck on a rock right next to him and while trying to shake it off the rock it came free. I must have triggered some kind of fight/ flee response and the fish took the fly. It was a 22 inch rainbow. Biggest non lake running rainbow I've ever caught.

Yesterday was a good day. Thanks for the info and the company.

Oh yea, also learned not to anchor in fast water. More on that later.

[Capt.Nick]

The trip was interesting to say the least.It was first inspired by postings on Mr.Pinkley's Predator Musky board"Potomac River". 3 of us went on Sunday ,july 16,06.Leon from Chantilly Va.,Sal Trutta & myself.The air temp was 68f just after sunrise.It climbed to around 92f by afernoon but was mostly quite comfortable during the day because we had a Northerly breeze coming up the river.The only time it became hot was during brief periods when the wind subsided fo a while.Kevin,known as "Whalen"on the Tidal Fish board from Sharpsburg,clued us in on the details.The river is his backyard and he fishes it regularly.He was busy Sunday,so he couldn't make it.He suggested a float trip from dam 4 to Taylers Landing,a distance of 4+miles.The river level was 3.75,making it fisable by Kayak/Canoe.We put in at"below'Dam 4. at around 6am. and pulled out at Taylors landing around 4pm.On the Upper potomac River Map the launch ramp shows the ramp below the Dam but it's above the dam.So,there's about a 200ft.portage on the Md.side below Dam 4.You park on the side of the road below Dam 4 because there's no parking lot there and then portage along a trail through the woods,to the water.Directly accross the river,on the WV.side ,there is a nice ramp.This would make it easier,especially if you're going alone and just want to fish the area below the Dam.You can also fish along the shore or wade on the WV.side at the launch area.There's better shore fishing access there because the shoreline is flat along the area and doesn't have overhanging trees like the Md. side below the Dam.We began fishing below the dam.There were several people fishing from shore on the WV.side,2/3 other kayakers & 1 Jet boat.If I lived in that area,I'd get a jet boat for 4 seasons fishing.We began fishing after entering our kayaks in water.I soon hooked a good fish.I figured it was either a small Musky,big Wallleye or a Cattie.It turned out to be about a 4/5 lb.Cattie,caught on a jig.Leon caught a Smallie, below the dam.I saw a few more Smallies caught from shore,the jet boat & and by another kayaker.We fished the area a while longer then proceded down river.We picked up fish here & there along the river,mostly Smallies,a few Red Eyes,and some large Bluegills..The river is shallow under 6ft.in most places w/about 3/4ft. in most places but riddled with rock ledges & shallow rocky bars throughout the river.This makes it hazardous for prop boats.The fish have many of these rock ledges to hide in along with overhanging trees to catch falling insects and they chase the abundant minnnows along the shoreline, undercut banks & tree roots.This river is still mostly smallie country with Musky & Walleyes stocked to thin the overabundant Smallies.This provides diversity by adding a tasty fish like Walleyes & a Big Game fish like Musky for a "reel"challenge.I believe that "all" of these Muskys should be released.Practice CPR 'Catch,Photo,Release"A picture is still worth a thousand words" and is better than a mount because years down the road,it shows the entire moment,not just a dead fish hanging on the wall.I know,I have both and the picture is better.Muskys rarely become overpopulated.When stocked,fish managers suggest 1 Musky per acre....We proceded down river picking up mostly smallies from 10-12 in.with an occassional 13-14incher. along the way.When we'd come to accross a spot that held fish,we'd anchor or paddle back up to make another pass or two.We had 2 rods apiece rigged.one with a jig for Smallies & Walleyes,and another with a bigger plug or spinner for Musky.We repeated this process during the entire trip.As I was floating down,Sal was fishing from shore along a riffle.As I approached the pool,just above Sal ,I slid my anchor over,At first the anchor held and all was good.Then,the anchor lost it's grip and I began slowly going down stream with the anchor in tow.I figured that the anchor would get a new grip after I got below the rapid in slower water.Here's what happened instead.The anchor grabbed bottom right in the rapid.The current was too strong to pull the anchor leash to in and change the direction of the kak from stern into the current to broad side,this would have immediately capsized me & the kak.I was now contemplating my next move.As I was contemplating,the yak was slowly going down under with the current pressure.I was wearing my PFD vest as always.I knew if I went over the side and held on the the yak I'd lose all my gear because there was no time to try to secure anything to the kak and for some reason,the yak was becoming very unstable.I knew I was going down in the very near future.The last thing I knew I wouldn't do is jump ship.I was now prepared to hold on when the yak went over or down and then try to either cut the anchor line & reenter the kak or let go if it became hopeless.Then,Sal started to slowly wade out in the strong current to hepl me.He got to me just in time.He grabbed my gear,as I could no longer control the downward pulling of the yak.The yak turned over.We both held on to the still anchored yak(SOT) as it resurfaced in the strong current.We recomposed ourselves.I slowly worked myself along the yak to the anchor line,then up the line to dislodge it.We were prepared to ride the current,holding on to the yak if we had to.After freeing the anchor,we were barely able to maintain our footing in the strong current,it was about 3ft.deep,hold on the the yak and make it back to shore.We did finally make it back to shor and it was only maybe 30ft. at the most.We reloaded my yak and were ready to set out for "more" fun.As I hopped on my yak to remount,I rolled off the other side.I took a good look at the yak and noticed a list.I unloaded it and by lifting it I realized it was full of water.Somehow,the screw in drain plug was out.this explained why the yak filled with water when the plug was facing into the cyrrent.It was filling the yak and with the yak fishtailing in the current while anchored,the rolling of the water in the yak from sise to side made it unstable til finally it went down.I turned the yak on end along the steep bank and about 5 ga.of water came out.I put the plug back in,reloaded the yak and away we went.Thanks again SAL.We continued our trip catching more smallies & casting plugs foe Musky.I picked up about a 15in.Walleye along the way but we didn't hook a Musky.We all caught plenty of Smallies to keep things interesting.I'd like to do a dam 5 to 4 trip afer the rec.boaters quit for the season.Nice meeting you guys and it was a fun trip.Thanks Walen for putting us in the right direction,we all appreciated it.

[FishingRod]

Sounds like the smallies were plentiful. Thanks for the report.

So would putting in at Taylor's Landing and paddling a couple miles upstream towards Dam4 (then drift back to Taylor's) be doable or is the current too strong or rapids makes this impossibe at some points to paddle upstream?

Any campgrounds nearby?

[Kayakist]

It would have been doable yesterday if you're in good shape. For comparison purposes the Hancock gauge was 3.91 ft and 1670 discharge during the time we were on the river. Low areas were swift but you could work around them, areas with any depth were fairly still and pleasant. The only limiting factor would be your arm strength, no rocks or other barriers at that river level.

Didn't notice any campgrounds. There is another landing below Taylors (about 4-5 miles distant) and the name escapes me now. I'd be interested to know if anyone has floated down to it.

Cheers.

[JoshKaptur]

Great reports guys - sorry I missed it. Would have like to see video of the anchor mishap... since you were okay and didn't lose any stuff is it okay if I LMAO?

I sound like a broken record, but post here if you want to do the trip again... I bet you'd get a few more takers, especially with the great report.

[Capt.Nick]

Things like that are always funny...after it happens. John went to the other side of the River after it happened.I could have sworn I heard him laughing while I was draining the boat!!!

[JoshKaptur]

Based on your great reports, took this same trip yesterday (Monday July 24) in a canoe with a work associate... with similar results.

We caught a lot of smallmouth... I'd say about 20 each. We did get in to a few nice ones that were just shy of 2 pounds. I also (of course) lost a monster when it jumped and gave me a head shake - he absolutely demolished my popper cast into some shade (overhanging tree) over a small pool with some current feeding into it.

We mostly fly fished (two guys casting from a canoe is always... interesting)... him with a little chartreuse fly with a twister tail, and me with a green/black #4 popper. Both were effective, though I'll always take the smash on topwater if the fish are cooperating. I also caught several nice fish on a 1/8 oz 'lazer eye' jighead (BPS brand - in white/brown) with a 4' salt and pepper grub.

Two patters emerged...
1) shade over structure or over pools... or even better all 3 combined. Popper was deadly here.

2) deep pool with current running into it. The grub was deadly here. Cast across the riffle (perpendicular) and retrieve through the current erratically. The bait was coming across the current but also being swept downstream - just like a weak/injured minnow. The biggest fish of the day were caught as the bait got swept into the pool.

We also saw some MONSTER carp, tossed some big ugly stuff for muskies (didn't catch any carp/muskie), and caught a lot of big (and beautiful) sunfish. I think they were spawning, which is surprisingly late (guess the river spawn takes place LONG after the local lakes). The sunfish colors were beautiful, and many had sores on their fins consistent with spawning activity.

Good trip - and I agree with Nick's assessment that a trip above Dam 4 on the stillwater would be a good outing.

Josh