Help with Winter Haven-Mathews County,VA

[Brian Beck]

I have been reading this board for a long time now and would like to ask Capt. Newsome and others for their experienced advice. I am looking for some help on the Winter Haven marsh in Mathews Co, VA. I have a small canoe with a trolling motor so I prefer sheltered water and low boat traffic. I love the marsh-secluded, loads of baitfish, shallow, etc. It seems like a fly casters ideal spot, but I have made 4 trips this year and have yet to hook up.

Here is what I have tried:
I usually make it there by 7 am and fish through the incoming tide.
I have tried all the usual patterns (crabs, deceivers, clousers, etc.) using weighted and unweighted flies ....
I have targeted points of the islands and deep spots (I have a depth finder)

So what's the story? I never see any fishing back in Winter Haven. Do you all know something I don't? Is this place seasonal? too shallow? is it better in the evening?

Do I give up and fish elsewhere? Please help.

Brian

[wahoo4228]

I kayaked through it last week and saw what looked like speckled trout feeding in Garden Creek Canal to the north. All I caught was a skate though. I'm interested in the duck hunting back there as well as the fishing.

[CaptMikeStarrett]

I have fished all over that area but never Winter Haven Marsh. From the Google map it looks like a prime trout hangout. Maybe even a spot tail now and then. Is the bottom all mud? Any shell bottom there? Do you see bait? Overhanging grass edges?

These are things I would look for..

Capt Mike

[boats]

Brian

Being new to any area I think you need to find them before fly fishing. Because of the water clarity in most bay backwaters a fly will probably not attract fish over a few feet.

I would use a very light spinner with a jig and berkley power bait. the ones that have scent. You will cover twice the water and double the attraction

Once you locate were fish are holding then switch to your fly rod and have some real fun.

Thats what I do anyway

Boats

[Chris Newsome]

Hi Brian-

Winter Harbor is a beautiful place. It holds fish for most of the year, but I find that it is prime from mid-Oct to mid-Nov. Like any area, it takes time to find locations that consistantly hold fish. You'll need everything from a floating line to a T-14 shooting head to cover your bases as the fish can be found laying against the marsh banks all the way down to deep holes of the main channel. Another good launch site is the small public landing at the end of Woods Rd near Haven Bch which will give you access to the hole-in-the-wall. If you have North or NE winds, a good protected spot is launching at the New Point Lighthouse observatory at the end of Rt 600.

Good luck!

Chris