Flats!

[kiko13]

A bunch from this group said they were going this weekend. I went on Saturday and got the SKUNK. Only saw a few fish caught. Lots of folks using cut bait.

I threw a 9wt (with a 350) for over 2 hours with nary a hit. I also threw a bunch of other stuff on my bait casting and spinning gear.

So....what's up, are the fish still in the deep? Will they turn back on? Will it be worth going back to this Friday?

A non catch report is as good as a catch report.

Ernie

[Salmo trutta]

So how was the clarity? I'm guess it was very bad and so was the Potomac on Sunday. Two blue catties and that was it in 4 hours effort yesterday.

[JMadert]

Ernie, my belief is: "the water temps are still too low for active metabolism" (on the flats).
The fish dropped down south of there for awhile after the nor'easter. But they'll be back soon. Friday could be prime.

[kiko13]

Jon- I was surprised that there was as much clarity (in places) as there was. It was not muddy but certainly stained in places. Lots of seams which looked inviting but to no avail.

John- I think you are very right about the temps, same thing goes for Fletcher's. This could be a good week.

There was bass tourney out of Tydings as well as a lot of other boats so the boat noise was up too.

But that's why we fish and keep coming back time after time!

Ernie

[jrzfly]

I would like to try Friday or saturday. Trying to decide wether to fish Cape May for schoolies or make the susky trip. still waiting for some positive fly reports on the flats. Hopefully this rain coming won't be alot. Wild Bill, you out there? did you make a trip out this week.

[Wild Bill]

Ean-

I fished the skinny water tonight (Tues) with both topwater and streamers. Had temps up to 62 degrees and good clarity. Did not get a hit today at all. I hear the fish are over in the Elk River spawning. That group of fish may not enter the flats again. I think we need a new batch of fish coming into the flats. That seems to be the cycle. The fish come into the flats and feed and then go up the Elk and spawn and then head back south.

I had a few good days before the nor'easter but nothing since then. This has been a very difficult year thus far. If they close it May 3, it will be over before it starts.

[Salmo trutta]

THanks for the report Bill. Please keep us posted. I'm tempted to run that way on Thursday/Friday.

[jrzfly]

Thanks Bill, hows the Parker running? Looks like the rain coming in will only be showers. If theres any South Jersey guys on here, Cape may has been productive. Mud flats in barnegat bay showing schoolies with weakies sparatic. Waiting for the winds to lay down friday or saturday. Nothing great yet generaly!

[Wild Bill]

Hi Ean-

The Parker is running great.

I did not fish today but got a steady stream of reports from a number of guys who did. None of the guys I talked to got any fish at all. I was told one guide had two fish on lures but was so unimpressed he was going to take his clients up river and fish with herring tomorrow. They will come back one of these days but no one knows when. It could be tomorrow.

Capt Mike had a huge 48 pounder today on a live herring in the river. He had three guys hold it for a quick pic.

I enjoy catching the blues on fly poppers in the coves in Raritan. Do you know when they get thick up there?

[jrzfly]

Hard to say when the blues will show up with this delayed season. Maybe another 2-3 weeks of consistent weather. Heard of bunker showing up in the Raritan before the Noreaster, now there gone. Maybe when they return the raritan will heat up.