4 Mile Run - 1st Timer

[Kevin Huntington]

So I am new to the DC metro area (sorry if I am sounding like a broken record), and have been bumping around trying different spots with no luck (tried roaches run for bass and holmes run for trout so far).  I am going to go out to 4MR on Sunday afternoon to give that a shot. I am just looking for advice as to where to park, where to get in, where to fish, flies, etc.  I'm game to go for any type of fish.  I'm using an 8'6" 5 wt. rod with a 9 ft. 3x leader.  Anything and everything will be a help, so please don't hesitate!  If anyone is looking to head out around then, I'm always game for some direction, guidance, and company!  Thanks to all, this forum has been such a help!

[Travis Davidson]

I'm thinking of heading to Accotink Creek tomorrow and I think I'll park at wakefield park.  I'll try to be there by mid morning.  I'm still trying to figure out the best spot.  The best spot at 4MR is by the water treatment facility (several other posts describing specifics).  I may end up at 4MR if I don't have luck at accotink.  Text me if you want to meet up at either place.  571-393-7932.

-Travis   

[TurbineBlade]

Hey Kevin,

My wife and I are nearly always fishing together out there so you might see us at 4MR on occasion, or Gravelly, etc. though we are not huge fans of the cold so much.  Hey, sue us ;).  We bike commute to work all year long right over 4MR though, so I'm okay with it.   

We're new to fly fishing, but we both have done bass/spinning fishing since we were kids.  Fly fishing is all we do now -- it's a blast.  

My opinion is that fly fisherman have a tendency to use extremely light, delicate tackle when fishing for ALL species -- when it's really only applicable to trout....and even then probably not in all situations (for example - I'd never fish anything lighter than 6-8 pound test tippet at Mossy Creek -- I took the advice of RSW and he was spot-on with it).  For 4MR we fish a 5 and 6 weight rod much like yours, but we use almost nothing but 8 pound test mono tippet....sometimes 6 pound test for foam bugs for bluegill.  3x leader/tippet is "underkill" for warm water and especially 4MR where you can catch some big 'ens for sure.  I'd stick with 6-8 pound test, or 0x-2x leader in "x" terms.  Actually, I've been lazy lately and haven't even been tying my own knotted leaders....I just cut a 9' strip of 8 pound test and attach it to my fly line loop-loop.  It's easy and works.  Flies turn over okay -- no major problems.  

Other than that -- try the outfall.  But don't stand there forever if nothing is biting.  The outfall is frustrating for us because you'll see huge bass and carp (and who knows what else) moving in there but we often can't get them to take anything....but your mileage may vary.  Move downstream and work the bank and you'll probably find some gangs of bluegill there that will take foam surface bugs, etc.  They're usually willing players in there ;).  

Gene

[Steve F]

I took the kayak to 4MR on Turkey Day to fish the top of the incoming and found a school of crappie hovering around the upstream side of one of the power poles.  Not much luck beyond that other than hooking a fairly sizable, fairly lethargic fish under one of the bridges that managed to escape before I could get him into the light to see what it was.  That's the more interesting part of 4MR -- you never know what you'll pull in.   

As far as flies go, take the full gamut of the classics and change frequently.  Take some green/black/brown woolly buggers, clousers in your favorite colors, a few nymphs, a few surface bugs, all in assorted sizes.  Nothing too tricky, all the classic flies will catch different species here.