Report from Fletcher’s Cove, June 2nd, 2005 After having lived in Washington my entire life I can unequivocally say… that was one beautiful Memorial Day weekend! Hopefully all of us paused for a time to reflect on the point of the holiday weekend… that we owe a debt of gratitude, remembrance, and respect to those many men and women (and their families) who have served and sacrificed individually for the greater good of us all. The Boathouse at Fletcher’s Cove was certainly a gathering point in this Nation’s Capital for those enjoying the day free from routine. Our boats, canoes and bikes were well used and many fishermen tried their luck in the unusually placid waters of the Potomac. As the symbolic start to Summer, Memorial Day usually finds the Potomac with roiled, high waters frustrating the angler and hindering the boater. Not this season. The flow of the Potomac is about 60% of average and the water is martini-clear. Many of our regulars have recognized the opportunity and fished with success for the roving Rockfish, the ever consuming Catfish and the straggler Shad left over from a phenomenal run. “Catfish Mona”, a legend in her own slime and her fishing partner “Minnow Master” e-mailed us this news from late May… “Over the 2-day period we caught over 50 cats, many of which were quite large with the biggest one being just under 20 pounds.” They released them all to slime another day. When it’s catfish you want… who ya-gonna call? Mona of course! Given that the Striped Bass season in Washington, D.C. lasts all summer long, we need just a little weather luck to keep the small to medium slot-sized fish around the local area. Around mid to late June there will be another group of bigger Rockfish in the deep, dark waters around Fletcher’s cove. Bait fishing with the increasingly scarce Herring or trying your luck with deep-fished lures may well produce a beauty. Keep the faith! We angle to nourish our hopeful soul. Angler of the week award and special thanks go to Mike Alper, a regular from way, WAY, back. Not only did he catch eleven White Shad on Tuesday (while 95% of Shad anglers have packed it in), Mike was Johnnie on the spot Wednesday in coming to the aid of a fellow angler. Rarely does it happen, but one of our boating customers lost his balance and splish-splash he was takin’ a bath. Fortunately, and as always should be the case, the man-overboard used his head and kept a firm grip on his wits, common sense and the transom of the drifting boat while assessing his help options. While yours truly rushed with all my modest might to his aid, Mike, who was trolling the edge of the deep channel, spotted the distressed fellow and eased over to lend a helping hand. With our three boats coming together in a star alliance, we backed over to the sandy spot of shoreline at “Dixie Landing” and our water-cooled fellow-fisher was able to walk right out of trouble. As the saying goes, “all’s well, that ends well.” Dan
 operated
by
 |
