Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Help for visitor

[Scott Stankus]

Brian - the Tidal Basin is definitely a good choice as it is Metro accessible. No special regulations, just need a DC license. Best to go in the morning during the week, I've found, as on the weekends (especially this time of year), it can get crowded with tourists. The best Metro stop is Smithsonian. It's a short walk from there. Also all the fishing at the Tidal Basin is from the shore, so no waders are necessary.

Also, if you're staying in Crystal City, other walk-able options are Four Mile Run (head south on Jefferson Davis Highway - Route 1) for 1/2 - 1 mile. Waders are preferable here, but you could get away without. 

Two other options are Gravelly Point and Roaches Run (aka. The Duck Pond) - both just north of National Airport. It's a bit of a confusing walk from the Airport Metro, but it's definitely do-able. And worth it. Typically folks fish the Gravelly Point side when the tide is going out and the Roaches Run side when the tide is coming in. Again, though, waders are preferable, if not necessary. 

Here's a map that includes those locations (as well as many others):

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&ie=UTF8&cd=1&geocode=FcZ9TgIdWjln-w&split=0&msa=0&msid=112784008184145837904.0004702ce9013fac413bb&t=h&z=11

Good luck and hope that helps!

If you do get out, please be sure to post a report. 

--Scott

On Wed, Apr 17, 2013 at 9:30 PM, Brian Key <bpk...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello everybody.  My name is Brian and I am an avid fisherman of all sorts.  I love flinging the long rod for trout, pike and bass, but I have been known to cheat and throw big swimbaits with the baitcaster for muskies too.

I live in New Mexico but I have to travel to DC frequently and I am looking for some advice on where to fish.  I'm not looking for honey holes, but just something to get the rod bent after work or if I have to stay through a weekend having an option to go fishing.  I'd rather get in some fishing, than a happy hour.  Local metro areas would be great.  I typically stay in Crystal City and wouldn't mind walking 1 mile to fishing from a metro stop.  I don't have a car when I work in DC.  I have heard of folks fishing Tidal Basin, but I am unaware of any special regulations.  

I am more than willing to exchange information if anyone heads out to New Mexico.  I always have withdrawals when I leave home, and getting into some local fish would be just the medicine.  If anyone can help me, it would be much appreciated.

Here are some New Mexico fish. If anyone ever heads out that way, I'm always up for some fishing.  Thanks for any and all help.

Regards,

Brian

Recent esox fish.

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt125/bpkey1580/Muskies/S5030294_zps049177c2.jpg

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt125/bpkey1580/Pike/P9100347.jpg

Other trout...

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt125/bpkey1580/Chama/DSCN1595-1.jpg

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt125/bpkey1580/High%20Mountain%20Lakes/Brooks/P6160289a.jpg

http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt125/bpkey1580/High%20Mountain%20Lakes/RioGrandeCutts/S5030159a.jpg

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"There are 10 types of people in this world, those who know binary, and those who don't"

[Brian Key]

Thank you for your help.  Please excuse my ignorance, but what is the principle fish most folks target in these waters?  Bass?  

Once I go, I will definitely post a report!

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[Matthew Longley]

Right now its the Shad show, but beyond that the most targeted species, depending where you are, are LMB. SMB, stripers, crappies, bluegills, catfish, carp, and perch.  And if you can get em, snakeheads.  Trout are outside of the district, but there are good options within a few hours.

Holler next time you are in town.

[Nedak]

I would also check out this map.
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=215985205281593198240.0004b9b1bc00cfd986f02&msa=0

You can use Google directions to find public transportation and walking directions.

On Thursday, April 18, 2013 7:12:43 AM UTC-4, Brian Key wrote:

[Nedak]

Brian-

Headed out Santa Fe in mid May.  From the other threads, it seems like Pecos River near Cowles is about an hour away.

Any local knowledge you could pass along or suggestions on other spots <90min from Santa Fe appreciated.

[Matthew Longley]

Hey Nedak,

I fished the Pecos in Cowles last fall, was a beautiful spot and great for what I needed (escape a wedding in Sante Fe and camp/fish).  Here's my report from that trip.  Was my first time fishing small moving water, so didn't do so great, but other folks seemed to be doing well.  They stock with rainbows, and there are natural browns.

Call the High Desert Angler in Sante Fe, they were incredible helpful.  I also got some good tips from calling the local Warden.  If you want to talk travel logistics, that will bore other folks on here, shoot me an email   matthew.longley AT gmail.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you everyone for the advice!  New Mexico was amazing!  Also hilarious that everyone there complains about the heat, but with no humidity at all it could have been 150 degrees and I'd still be in heaven.

I ended up not having as much time as I would have liked due to wedding events, but I managed to get some good time in at the Pecos River near Cowles (about an hour north of Santa Fe).  The first morning I had some early luck with some pond-stocked rainbows, but my luck ran out when I hit the river.  I spent the first morning casting size 8/10 salmon egg and grasshopper patterns into the river (was a bit more of a stream, blee you were right about the challenging casting conditions).  Turns out these were way too big, and when I returned a few days later I moved to size 18/20 nymphs, and even tested out a two-fly midge and nymph rig (which I've never done before).  Luck still was dry, but I did catch a 3inch brown trout which I was actually quite happy about, as its the only native (non-stocked) fish in the river so it was good to see, and its actually my first brown trout ever.

All in all, was an amazing weekend.  There's a saying that fishing without fish is still great fishing, and it was completely true for this weekend.  Standing knee deep in a cool river is a blast even if all you are catching is trees.  And I caught a lot of trees...  The best thing about the weekend, though, is that it was a great reintroduction to flyfishing for someone who hasn't done it since they were about 15.  I'm re-addicted, and looking forward to meeting more of you in some of the group outings.  Hopefully I can pick up one or two things...

[Brian Key]

Well, first and foremost.  Any particular species you would like to target?  Rivers versus Lakes?

Within your time frame you have:

1.  Pecos River

2.  Dependent on current forecast you may even be able to reach some high mountain lakes if you want to hike for cutthroats

3.  Chama below Abiquiu - dependent on flow rate, which is too high right now and will probably be too high in a few weeks

4.  Abiquiu Lake

5.  Rio Grande River in Pillar

6.  Rio Embudo (near Dixon NM)

7.  Areas in Jemez Mountains (where I live)

    - East Fork, Los Conchas

If you are willing to pay a little, look into fishing the Valle Caldera, its magnificent.  You have to reserve in advance, but it's worth it.  http://www.vallescaldera.gov/comevisit/fish/

If you are willing to drive just a bit further north you can target the Rio Grande in Cerro, NM which is rugged and incredible.  It's my favorite place.  Within the same area you have spectacular fishing with the Red River and even Eagle Nest Lake will have big rainbows migrating.  If you extend your driving to about 130min south/west, you can catch trophy muskies on the fly at Bluewater Lake.

There are lots of options and I'd be more than willing to help you narrow it down.  As mentioned before, you can chat with folks from High Desert Angler in Santa Fe, and also the Reel Life in Santa Fe.

Shoot me a PM and I'd be glad to get you on some fish to remember.  bpkey80 AT gmail.com.