Fletchers Cove Fishing Report, September 30, 2006

Summer passes and crisp Fall days lay ahead. To many, this is the most beautiful time of year along the shores of the Potomac and Canal. Being blessed as a city of trees, Washington will now be slowly transformed into a palette of red, yellow, orange and gold. There is no better place to enjoy this richness than cycling or walking the C&O Canal towpath or gliding on the water under the canopy of leaves. With our plentiful, free parking, Fletcher’s is your easy access point for experiencing this Autumnal spendor. We will remain open into November offering most of our services. Break away from the beehive long enough to reward your senses. Ray’s amazing zinnia patch is still going strong until a frost nips at D.C.’s toes.

As was the case last year, the cooler water of the river has energized the bigger catfish. As the photos attached to this report show, they are here to be caught if you just make the effort. Fall fishing can be quite productive. We don’t have the “runs” of Spring, but the resident fish need to bulk-up for the long, cold days of Winter. October is usually the peak month for Smallmouth Bass. George Furnett caught a plump smallie last Monday while trolling the waters just out from the cove. He usually dredges up a Walleye or two, but the bass was his entrée of the day.

I’m awarding the “Dick Tehaan fisher-person of the year” honors to Catfish Mona. While many people shun those whiskery devils, Mona embraces them wholeheartedly. And what Mona wants, Mona gets. She knows size does indeed matter. Mona and her partner (who remains nameless to protect the innocent) can be counted on more times than not to produce the desired results. She lap-danced with her second truly huge catfish of the summer a couple of weeks back. And as I often say about the best fishermen… Mona and friend have fun regardless of the results. The process is the payoff.

For me personally, a year at the boathouse is “a season”. This is my 37th season. I’m happy to report that what is magical about the place continues. There are new faces and some new equipment and offerings. There are the persistent challenges to water quality, the noise from those dang helicopters, the “Datona Five-Hundred” experience accessing our little paradise. But the place is the magic and it endures. We are merely stewards, doing our best to pass along what has been entrusted to us.

Heraclitus, a sixth century BCE Greek philosopher asked the question “can a man step into the same river twice?” The question of course, is more existential than literal. A flowing river after all, has always been a metaphor for change. But while I see the change around me, I always feel the constant of the river. It is something I can anchor my existence to. At 51, I often gaze out on the water and see literally, and in my minds eye, exactly what I saw when I was 18. So in answer to Heraclitus’ question, yes, you can step into the same river twice. But only if the river flows through your heart before your mind.

Dan