Is 4ft too High for Smallies on the N Potomac?

[Zach on the Hill]

Hey Gang,

I have been away for a while as my wife and I had our first child back in March.  Needless to say it has hindered my ability to get out on the river.  However, I have a hall pass for tomorrow and I am taking a buddy Smallie fishing - I think.

The Potomac has been playing with my emotions all spring.   When I float the Potomac in my canoe, I really like it to be between 3.25' and 3.75', especially in the summer.  Every time it looks like it is going to be at a good level on a weekend, we get rain and it gets out of control.  I thought it would be trending downward all week and get to the ideal range, but it spiked yesterday, but is descending again.  I have done it at 4', which is probably about where it will be tomorrow but am not all that familiar with what to expect.  Since I am taking a buddy, I would prefer not to get totally skunked. 

I contemplated heading to the Shenandoah, but is sounds worse over there so I think I am just going to bite the bullet and hit up the Seneca Creek to Swain's Lock float.  I feel like my only other option would be to go for largemouth on the lower Potomac, but I really want to float.

Does anyone have any opinions or advice on fishing it at 4', either on fish location or tactics, and has anyone seen how stained the water is up there this week?  Am I wasting my time (Not that this is possible while fishing, of course)?

Thanks and all the best -

Zach

[Fish218]

I know my brother caught some yesterday around Riverbend on spinning gear...

[Zach on the Hill]

Thanks fish.  We hit the float yesterday and the fishing was so-so.  We caught about 15 between the two of us with a few in the 2lb range.  Water was very stained though.  All and all it was worth it to get out there.