NOVEMBER 15, 2011

The rental season came to an end at Fletcher’s Cove on Halloween, a symbolically fitting day. The dreaded goblins of high water came our way often in 2011, along with a devilishly hot summer. There is, of course, hope that Mother Nature will reward us next season with the balance that always comes, sooner or later. I’ve spent too many years along the Potomac to think otherwise.

A beautiful fall has settled over the river gorge. Early morning fog kisses the water at dawn, then wafts away like an apparition as the sun breaks the horizon. September rains rejuvenated the trees just in time to produce striking “Indian Summer” colors. For all the urbanization that surrounds us, Washington is still blessed with many amazing natural areas close at hand. Fletcher’s is one such place.

The parkland around the Cove is open every day of the year, there is always plenty of parking, and there is no fee to visit. Two very different types of trails meet at Fletcher’s. The historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath is particularly impressive with the trees ablaze. As the leaves fall and winter settles in, the woods open up for vistas not seen since early spring.

The Capital Crescent Trail, built along the old B&O Railroad right-of-way, loops lazily through suburbia from Georgetown to Silver Spring. Both trails have web sites of their own. (A quick google of either will get you plenty of info.)

After a year of less than ideal water conditions, the river and canal were (and still are as of this writing) perfect for angling in the last weeks of October. Happily, those fishermen who gave it a try seemed joyful just to be in the moment. As I have said in the past, if catching fish is the paramount objective in one’s angling, one might want to visit their local fish monger. Results there are fairly certain! As with most gardeners, the effort is the essence, the harvest is (truly) pride and pleasure in the journey. Tomatoes from the market… two or three bucks-a-pound. Tomatoes from my little garden… eight or ten bucks-a-pound. Will I begin the journey again in the spring? Most likely.

A reminder: Spring fishing can blossom earlier than many anglers realize. The fisherman who shows up weeks after good fishing has been going on is an annual occurrence; it is worth the effort to fish during the blush of early spring, when the path ahead is full of promise.

It is time here to be thankful. Thanks to our “fellow travelers” along the trail: the friendly, dedicated staff of the National Park Service; to our river and park guardians, the D.C. Harbor Police and the U.S. Park Police; to our vendors, big and small; to our Guest Services co-workers and boat house staff. And thanks especially to our customers… we hope that finding your way here put a smile on your face and a desire in your spirit to visit again. It truly was our pleasure to serve you this season.

Thanks for reading. Have a brilliant winter.

Dan