Large shad flies for stripers

[Dave Marcus]

I've been thinking about the shad run and wondering more and more about trying to hook into to large stripers that might also be feeding during that time in the potomac. I'm assuming there will be some cows in the river and thought I'd bring my 6wt for the shad and then also my 9wt for the large stripers. I'll be using a sinking line on both rods, and thought for the stripers I'd want to tie a LARGE shad imitation. I'm looking for a fly that's 8-10 inches maybe even bigger, potentially with a trailer hook... am I way off base? Has anyone caught stripers on the fly in this way this time of year using something similar?

My thinking is that stripers may be in the water picking off smaller shad that may be weak or dying during the migration. Any thoughts, advice, or patterns would be greatly appreciated.

David Marcus

[Dan Davala - Founder/President]

Dave,

 

You should really try to make it to TIE-FEST this Saturday.  Steve Silverio ties some of the most beautiful large baitfish/herring patterns I have ever seen.  Other large fly tyers in attendance will be Steve Farrar, Blane Chocklett, and Bob Popovics.  Attending this event and learning from these guys will be well worth any effort to get there.  I'm excited to see them again myself.

 

Dan Davala

[Rob Snowhite]

Dave,

An angler on the DC side (this story told to me by a Chain Bridge regular) saw a fly rod angler hook a herring and had a huge striper eat the herring. The striper swallowed the fish and the fight broke the guy's fly rod at the hilt.

Paula would say to throw something with a green/blue color to mimic the herring. You want to fish low light, early morning and dusk. The Feds that go after the striper poachers do so at night with night vision goggles. Thats when the big fish are feeding.

Agree with Dan on Steve's flies. Everyone at that show will have some monster bunker type patterns. I'll dig out an old Orvis pattern that could be of some inspiration.

 

Rob Snowhite

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From: Dave Marcus <dhma...@gmail.com>
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 5, 2013 10:30 AM
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Large shad flies for stripers

I've been thinking about the shad run and wondering more and more about trying to hook into to large stripers that might also be feeding during that time in the potomac. I'm assuming there will be some cows in the river and thought I'd bring my 6wt for the shad and then also my 9wt for the large stripers. I'll be using a sinking line on both rods, and thought for the stripers I'd want to tie a LARGE shad imitation. I'm looking for a fly that's 8-10 inches maybe even bigger, potentially with a trailer hook... am I way off base? Has anyone caught stripers on the fly in this way this time of year using something similar?

My thinking is that stripers may be in the water picking off smaller shad that may be weak or dying during the migration. Any thoughts, advice, or patterns would be greatly appreciated.

David Marcus

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[Kevin Eastman]

Back home in Sacramento, where both your stripers and American shad have taken up residence, what you described is a solid tactic.

However, the shad can be so thick that the stripers might never even see the fly. Striper fishing actually turns on back there immediately after the shad run ends.

I don't mean to discourage your plan - by all means do it! You might also try the exact same thing when shad start to taper off, too. Maybe I'll see you out there. Good luck.

[Mike Bailey]

Dave,

If you spend the time casting from shore your obviously restricted to a pocket or two of productive water depending on the spot. If you fish from a boat that opens up your field of play.  In my time on this section of water I've seen two large stripers caught on a fly.  Those lucky anglers where in the midst of bait (herring )fisherman that had "held" some fish. The spots are depicted by the striper icon on this map. If you pursue this tactic in a boat try to anchor just upriver from the bait source and be wary of that boats anchor line and the eminent domain rule.  

Obviously the key is keeping your presentation in the water and near the bottom. Scraping bottom is very good. Bigger fish are light sensitive and very seldom feed on the surface in this general area like they used too.  There are also a lot less of them than 5 - 10 years ago. The best part of the cow run is usually when the cherry blossoms start to bloom. As the run progresses into April and May the smaller stripers become more numerous,aggressive and will eat better. Then you must choose between the Ashad or striper. Doing both is difficult unless you have alot of free time and a willing boat partner!

(Feel free to fish around me should you see me out there. Any of you for that matter. The more hooks in the water, the better the chance.)

Good Luck!

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[Mike Bailey]

Dave,

If you spend the time casting from shore your obviously restricted to a pocket or two of productive water depending on the spot. If you fish from a boat that opens up your field of play.  In my time on this section of water I've seen two large stripers caught on a fly.  Those lucky anglers where in the midst of bait (herring )fisherman that had "held" some fish. The spots are depicted by the striper icon on this map. If you pursue this tactic in a boat try to anchor upriver from the bait source and be wary of that boats anchor line. 

Obviously the key is keeping your presentation in the water and near the bottom. Bigger fish are light sensitive and very seldom feed on the surface in this area.  There are also a lot less of them than 5 - 10 years ago. The best part of the cow run is usually when the cherry blossoms start to bloom. As the run progresses into April and May the smaller stripers become more numerous,aggressive and will eat better. Then you must choose between the Ashad or striper. Doing both is difficult unless you have alot of free time!

(Feel free to fish around me should you see me out there. Any of you for that matter. The more hooks in the water, the better the chance.)

--

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[Nate Gabig]

Animal, are you talking about anchoring just off Walker's Point?  I've always been nervous to try and anchor in that area due to all the boat traffic (especially the prep rowing teams flying by).   Certainly would like to meet up with you guys and some point this April and hit the stripers in full swing!

Nate

On Tuesday, March 5, 2013 10:30:00 AM UTC-5, Dave Marcus wrote:

[Richard]

If you have not read old email from Jeremy, he caught good size striper! 

https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgroups=#!search/Jereme$20Thaxton/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/Nv7R4BbT75I/SbRdS8xQA3sJ

On Tuesday, March 5, 2013 10:30:00 AM UTC-5, Dave Marcus wrote:

[Mike Bailey]

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Photo is one of several that Alex and I caught north of Walkers, just below the casting instruction area, mid river, bottom fishing, on bait, a couple of years ago.   

Look for someone or a small group of boats doing this and get above them by about 3 or 4 casts. Watch and wait.  You can always drop down a boat length or two without much fuss. If they are catching start casting your larger fly retrieving it deep and slow. Potomac cow stripers near the fall line don't normally feed on the surface. Most of what we see breaking are catfish.

I normally prefer the channel which runs up the entire Virginia side when the river is between 4 and 5 feet at Little Falls.  The crew boats tick off the angler more than they spook fish. If you see me out there and it's happening gently anchor nearby.  The more the merrier.