Fletchers Cove Fishing Report, April 18, 2006

Mid April is “prime time” for fishing on the Potomac River at Fletcher’s Cove. Just as you can see all the lovely spring blossoms bursting forth at once, so too are many different species of fish co-mingling off the banks of the river. The nation’s river is particularly placid this season and the water is in the ideal temperature range for fish to be looking for a meal at the end of your line. With a little luck excellent angling can last well into Summer.

No one I’ve spoken with recently can remember such an extended dry spell as D.C. experienced this past month and a half. Normally, in March, April and May, fishermen are wishing for dry skies and less current on the river. This strange Spring, what is needed is some serious rain to put “new water” into the Potomac and help energize the fishing for the weeks ahead. Having said that, here is what is happening at Fletcher’s:

• Hickory and White (American) Shad are hitting darts of almost any color if you can find a bit of current and fish deep. Traditionally the six weeks following mid April is when the bulk of the American Shad spawn. If you have never experienced a plump White boring deep into the channel while your light spinning or fly tackle strains under the pull, you owe yourself a chance to make that happen. We offer a good selection of darts and light spinning tackle for sale.
• Striped Bass of good size are biting right now if you choose to fish for them. Each fisherman has to make that choice on their own. There are fish in the bay region that are less protected and in more peril than Stripers, but do not have the glamour status that has been attached to Rockfish in the last twenty-five years. I personally am and egalitarian fisherman and try to treat each type of fish with the respect that all living creatures deserve. I follow the fishing regs of course, but man’s fallible reasoning often is out of sync with what nature humbly presents to us. My advice… fish with conscience, follow the law and join a conservation organization that can use its political clout for the good of the fish, environment and the little guy (or gal!).
• White Perch have been tough to find this Spring. Historically, there is a good push of Perch around the end of the month and another in Mid-May. Lets just hope that that happens for us this year. White and Yellow Perch are two of those “Rodney Dangerfield fish” I was speaking of above. They need help and are an important part of the food chain in the aquatic ecosystem. So too, Herring.

The resident freshwater fish, bass, catfish and bluegills among others, should be quite active now and can be sought both in the river and canal. Fletcher’s has a modest but well chosen selection of lures and bait for these fish. We also are a prime vendor for D.C.’s fishing permit which is required along both banks of the Potomac and Anacostia within the District borderlines.

Call Fletcher’s at 202-244-0461 for up to the minute fishing info. If we have the time to give a bit of info and advice, we will.

Happy Angling!

Dan