Spinner fall on the Potomac

[Salmo trutta]

Well I had a half day free this weekend around family time and trailer work. On Sunday I finally made it on the water for the outgoing tide. Worked my way up near fletchers while dodging dead heads all the way up river. Just as the tide started to ebb, the scum lines were loaded with lower unit eating logs. Had to idle the entire time, probably burnt 1 gallon of gas all day.

We noticed quite a few birds working the scum line. They were all turns or small sea gulls and they were clustered together to hint they were on fish. We didn't pay them much attention and went further up river. The further we went, the worse the clarity got but at least the logs thinned out. Then all of a sudden an Alfred Hitch coc size flock of birds were working their way right to us. I couldn't take it anymore and had to investigate. Pulled up just up current and drifted through the flock. Nothing on the finder, no strikes on the searching lures. Then we noticed something in the surface film. There were thousands if not millions of dead caddis on the water. A few herring were seen flipping but every now and then a distinctive rise would lazily pass through the sea of floating caddis. The birds were basically just sitting on the water inhaling protein rich insects left and right. They really got my blood pumping when they started working towards us because we thought all he!! was about to break loose. But then I needed to remind myself that it's spring, not fall and we were not fishing the CBBT.

The anticipation felt good but the reality was a little disappointing. Even if I had my lighter trout equipment with me, I don't think it would have done me any good. How could I possibly make an artificial fly stand out amongst millions of naturals? Oh well.... no fish caught in the milky coffee but saw some very fit female crew boats pass by and the sunset was spectacular. There are worse things to do.

[HJS]

On Sunday, around 10:30 or so, while I was fishing several 100 yards upriver from Fletchers, I looked downriver and saw dozens of seagulls working the water in front of the Fletchers dock. They looked just like they would be if they were working over breaking stripers... but I knew better. Now I know what they were after... caddis of all things!!!

Also, at CB on Sunday, there were dark slate caddis crawling all over the rocks, maybe size 16... almost as many caddis as there were gizzard shad.

[The Old Man]

Herring will hit caddis flies, believe me I know from experience.

This also makes for some of the very best dry-fly smallmouth action...in about a week or two on the Shenandoah a caddis hatch goes off, and the dry-fly skating is a hoot, go at 5pm and stay till deep dusk...one of the things I try to do every year.

[kiko13]

Jon,

I can just see your eyes light up when you say those birds working. What would I do if I saw breaking stripers in the DC Potomac? I better wake up and face reality.

The All-Cuban team will give it a try on Friday if it doesn't rain too much. Maybe I can put the bimini to work to keep us dry.

We will bring all of the artillery, from fly rods to trolling rods....on a mission to get the Spring Potomac Striper Skunk off the boat!

Ernie

[Salmo trutta]

I've been in a situation in the spring when there were birds working and under them. This was last year on the flats of all places in about 4 feet of water very close to 1 foot of water. There were only a handful of birds and they were a little larger than the small sea gulls I saw on the Potomac. It looked like they were eating white perch and first cast where the birds were I hooked up, then the second and the third. Two nice 30+" fish and then dinks but still fun. So never underestimate working birds.

As for skating caddis, on the Casselmen this time of year it can be legendary. One April evening when I got back to my car after a fish filled afternoon, the hood and roof of my Saturn at the time was COVERED with dark caddis. The fish responded well to just about anything. But I didin't know the smallmouth would bother with such a small fly.

HJS described them well, #16 slate colored caddis. There were so many on the water that all I had to do was dip my hand into the funky looking surface film and when I took my hand out of the water there were 4 caddis flies stuck to it.