Report from Fletcher’s Cove - April 13, 2010

After a dismal start in March, April has blossomed into a fine month for fishing; during the last ten days, hickory shad by the thousands have been caught and released by fishermen at Fletcher’s. It doesn’t get much better, and with the current cool temperatures the opportunity may linger to the end of the month. American shad (or white shad as they are locally known) were hooked with regularity last week, although in numbers far fewer than their cousins. As it was early in the season for whites, that school of fish has most likely done its spawning and has headed back to the ocean depths. Remember, the water temperature shot up 12 to 14 degrees in just four days, signaling to the fish to “get on with it.” American shad will “run” in the Potomac River until some time in May, so more schools should be moving in at the Cove any day now.

The white perch run is going strong at the moment, and already has provided catches much greater than in recent years. As a bonus, the perch are closer to the cove this season and can be reached with only oars powering the boat. Our “dock-lady” Paula and her friend Gordon have cranked up a bonanza of these most delicious of fish. Yum!

Angler of the season, so far, has to be Nathan Heath. He is willing to put in the time preparing for his trips out on the water. This preparation includes hours catching the right bait, if necessary. The results are impressive, with many jumbo perch and a bonus walleye to show for his efforts. The day after catching that first walleye, Nathan and ‘Field and Stream’ feature writer Bill Heavey returned to the same spot, and shazam(!), Bill latched onto another walleye.

Last Saturday morning Nathan was at it again, in an episode of angling that D.C. Fisheries Director Brian King described as “Biblical.” Nathan was catching his bait when he spotted a dark and shadowy fish in the shallows. With no net or other means of capture at his disposal, Nathan used an ingenious stoning technique to subdue the fish. Yes, it was a snakehead, which despite efforts by local authorities, is here to stay. The “plague” of snakeheads may turn out to be a delicious opportunity as Nathan reports that the fish was very tasty indeed.

You may have noticed that the turquoise water behind the pretty lady in this photo looks a bit unlike the Potomac. Right you are. That happy angler is our dear friend Catfish Mona. She and partner Minnow Master get bored catching so many fish at Fletcher’s and so they just have to jet off to other exotic places to subdue finned prizes. That fish is a 35 pound, 4 and ½ foot long barracuda, caught in Belize. Nice work, Mona

If you have the opportunity, fish on the weekdays as Fletcher’s is less crowded and the fishing can be better. We have D.C. permits and the basic tackle you need.

See you at water’s edge!

Dan