Day trip suggestions for local Northern Virginia fishing this weekend

[Aaron O]

Got the OK from the wife to do some fishing this weekend and I am planning to go out with a friend to try fishing areas that I don't normally fish. I'm interested in trying out Accotink Creek or possibly Holmes Run (considering how close they are to DC and considering this is my first time trout fishing, They don't sound very technical) but I don't know how productive they have been this time of year. I am open to other suggestions but I am limited to a 5/6 wt. and an 8 wt. rod.

[Danny Barrett]

I am not familiar with those exact streams. But my winter luck is nornally very small zebra midges and prince nymphs. And a 5/6 is all i use for trout.

Dan Barrett

(540) 222-8064
dannyt...@gmail.com

On Jan 29, 2013 10:11 AM, "Aaron O" <aa...@jorgeinc.com> wrote:

Got the OK from the wife to do some fishing this weekend and I am planning to go out with a friend to try fishing areas that I don't normally fish. I'm interested in trying out Accotink Creek or possibly Holmes Run (considering how close they are to DC and considering this is my first time trout fishing, They don't sound very technical) but I don't know how productive they have been this time of year. I am open to other suggestions but I am limited to a 5/6 wt. and an 8 wt. rod.

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[Aaron O]

Hey Dan,

 

What size hooks are you sugesting for the midges and the nymphs?  I got 4X tippet material, would that be workable?

 

 

 

[Danny Barrett]

I normally fish anywhrre from 5-7x tippet. And I tye my midges aroubd the 22-24 size and my princes around 18-22. I use bead heads on all of them and even split shot if needed and fish them as deep as possible and about 1foot of tippet between them. 

Dan Barrett

(540) 222-8064

On Jan 29, 2013 4:07 PM, "Aaron O" <aa...@jorgeinc.com> wrote:

Hey Dan,

 

What size hooks are you sugesting for the midges and the nymphs?  I got 4X tippet material, would that be workable?

 

 

 

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[Jeffrey Silvan]

I usually use 5 or 6x when fishing midges. They're usually size 20-26. 

You could also consider going to the Gunpowder in MD. Very popular with a nice wild brown trout population. Don't forget to bring streamers.

On Tue, Jan 29, 2013 at 4:07 PM, Aaron O <aa...@jorgeinc.com> wrote:

Hey Dan,

 

What size hooks are you sugesting for the midges and the nymphs?  I got 4X tippet material, would that be workable?

 

 

 

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[Danny Barrett]

4 is workable. Just depends on the fish. Im always one of the people with the lightest gear just because its more fun but you break off a lot more. Ive fished rainbows on 9x tippet and a 1 weight if the stream is small enough and theirs a dry fly hatch. But 4 should do the trick.

Dan Barrett

(540) 222-8064
dannyt...@gmail.com

On Jan 29, 2013 4:07 PM, "Aaron O" <aa...@jorgeinc.com> wrote:

Hey Dan,

 

What size hooks are you sugesting for the midges and the nymphs?  I got 4X tippet material, would that be workable?

 

 

 

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[Brendan]

while i think slow-drift nymph fishing is probably the most productive technique on area streams right now, not sure you want to be messing with that on your first outing for trout. would use the 5/6 w 3-4x tippet and fish small streamers. for stockies i like using using  streamer patterns with a little more flash mixed in... kreelex/flash clousers are always a reasonable bet tho for fish this size you might consider trimming the tails a little bit to improve hookups. They're also a lot easier to fish than some 18-22 nymphs on 6x and you're likely to have a lot more luck until you get practice in. 

stream wise... 

holmes and accotink are both decent this time of year tho don't think they've done a second stocking yet and the fish might be spread thin from rains and poaching. With short days and limited windows, both those streams are a great opportunity to get used to fishing for trout, practice technique while catching a couple fish.  If you're hitting your casts and feeling confident enough to try nymphing, they're both excellent streams to learn on, with shallower pools and slow current. strike indicators are a huge help to start with, and think you'd probably do fine fishing 5x and a #16 copper john or prince.

We have some weird weather this week, so be wary that fishing might be a little screwy regardless of where you go depending on fronts/temp/wind. 

good luck! 

[Aaron O]

Hey Brendan,

 

Thanks for all the good info.  After talking it over with my friend, we are now thinking to go check out the Gunpowder since he has never been there.  All of my experience has been Bass/striper/Shad fishing using streamers so this is very new to me.  I do have a couple questions.

 

    While I am very interested in fishing nymphs (my new years resolution), I will say that I have never had any success with nymph fishing yet.  Luckly my friend does trout fish with nymphs so he can give me some tips.  I will be buying 5X tippit and some new nymph flies tomorrow since I don't have any that small. I will get some #16 copper john or princes like you suggested but I am open to other suggestions.  I also just checked Orvis's fishing reports online for the Gunpowder and they are suggestions #8 black Matuka, #14 Stewart Spiders, #14 Waterhen Bloa and #14 Grouse and Hert.  I'm not sure what any of these are but I will be checking with the local Orvis store to clarify.

 

    I will definately also go with 3-4x tippet and fish small streamers as a backup option.  You mentioned smaller clouser styles with lots of flash.  It hould like your talking about something between a clouser and a shad dart.  What size hooks are you thinking about?

   

    Now a question or two for everyone.  It was mentioned about the second stocking of holmes and accotink, Does any one know when generally the first and second stocking usually happens? I have a friend that lives near accotink and he was under the impression that they have not stocked that creek in 2 to 3 years. I thought they did but did not have any definite info or dates to give him.

 

     The map shows gunpowder river as a national state park.  Do I need any special licenses or permits other than a MD fresh water license and a trout stamp?

 

 

    As far as the weather, we are planning to go saturday morning so hopfully the next couple day will not be too hard on the area. 

 

[Jeffrey Silvan]

Your best bet for the Gunpowder would be to swing by Backwater Angler that morning. It's right near the stream and they'll be able to give you an up to date stream report and give you (well, sell you) a bunch of flies that should produce. 

 

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[GSFeder]

Aaron -- 

Theaux at Backwater Angler is the Riverkeeper for the Gunpowder. Stop by his shop in Monkton on the way to the river for up to date fly recs. 

Cheers, 

-- Greg

Sent from my iPhone

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[Aaron O]

Will definately stop by there.  Looks like you can buy a MD license there too, anyone know if that is correct?

 

 

[Jeffrey Silvan]

Yes, they are full service. I believe they open at 10, so keep that in mind so you aren't waiting around a couple hours.

On Wed, Jan 30, 2013 at 12:19 PM, Aaron O <aa...@jorgeinc.com> wrote:

Will definately stop by there.  Looks like you can buy a MD license there too, anyone know if that is correct?

 

 

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[Jeffrey Silvan]

4MR does not have a trout population, and it is not stocked with them either. Plenty of other fish in there though that you can target in the winter. I'd think it is unlikely there's a stocking that isn't listed on the VDGIF website, but you could always give them a call to find out any more info about the next planned stocking.

On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 11:44 AM, Jordan <jorda...@gmail.com> wrote:

Aaron,

It looks like Holmes Run was last stocked on 11/15/12 (http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/stock/November102012.asp).  I went through 2012 to see another stocking date, but I couldn't find one.  From what I could tell, the last stocking before this past November's was on 10/21/11.  The list for VA stocking dates that I found is at this site: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/stock/archive.asp

Does anyone else know if there's been a stocking date that website failed to record?  I've been wanting to fish some of the streams close to Arlington (where I live), including Holmes and 4MR, so additional stocking dates would be great to know.  I'm fairly new to the area and have only fished the upper Potomac up by Great Falls, but without a car these days these streams are a lot easier to get to.

Thanks,

Jordan

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[Greg Feder]

 

 

TU has stocked 4MR in Bon Air Park for Kids Fishing Day.  The problem is that after a couple of hours the water is opened to non-kids, and most of the fish are removed.  Some do survive a few weeks/months until the water gets too hot, though. 

 

I think TU also stocked Accotink in December.  The plan was to stock in November but it was too warm still.  No idea whether there is a plan to stock a second time. 

 

Cheers,

 

-- Greg

From: Jeffrey Silvan <jeffre...@gmail.com>
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 12:03 PM
Subject: Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Day trip suggestions for local Northern Virginia fishing this weekend

4MR does not have a trout population, and it is not stocked with them either. Plenty of other fish in there though that you can target in the winter. I'd think it is unlikely there's a stocking that isn't listed on the VDGIF website, but you could always give them a call to find out any more info about the next planned stocking.

On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 11:44 AM, Jordan <jorda...@gmail.com> wrote:

Aaron,

It looks like Holmes Run was last stocked on 11/15/12 (http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/stock/November102012.asp).  I went through 2012 to see another stocking date, but I couldn't find one.  From what I could tell, the last stocking before this past November's was on 10/21/11.  The list for VA stocking dates that I found is at this site: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/stock/archive.asp

Does anyone else know if there's been a stocking date that website failed to record?  I've been wanting to fish some of the streams close to Arlington (where I live), including Holmes and 4MR, so additional stocking dates would be great to know.  I'm fairly new to the area and have only fished the upper Potomac up by Great Falls, but without a car these days these streams are a lot easier to get to.

Thanks,

Jordan

On Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:50:42 AM UTC-5, Aaron O wrote:

Hey Brendan,

 

Thanks for all the good info.  After talking it over with my friend, we are now thinking to go check out the Gunpowder since he has never been there.  All of my experience has been Bass/striper/Shad fishing using streamers so this is very new to me.  I do have a couple questions.

 

    While I am very interested in fishing nymphs (my new years resolution), I will say that I have never had any success with nymph fishing yet.  Luckly my friend does trout fish with nymphs so he can give me some tips.  I will be buying 5X tippit and some new nymph flies tomorrow since I don't have any that small. I will get some #16 copper john or princes like you suggested but I am open to other suggestions.  I also just checked Orvis's fishing reports online for the Gunpowder and they are suggestions #8 black Matuka, #14 Stewart Spiders, #14 Waterhen Bloa and #14 Grouse and Hert.  I'm not sure what any of these are but I will be checking with the local Orvis store to clarify.

 

    I will definately also go with 3-4x tippet and fish small streamers as a backup option.  You mentioned smaller clouser styles with lots of flash.  It hould like your talking about something between a clouser and a shad dart.  What size hooks are you thinking about?

   

    Now a question or two for everyone.  It was mentioned about the second stocking of holmes and accotink, Does any one know when generally the first and second stocking usually happens? I have a friend that lives near accotink and he was under the impression that they have not stocked that creek in 2 to 3 years. I thought they did but did not have any definite info or dates to give him.

 

     The map shows gunpowder river as a national state park.  Do I need any special licenses or permits other than a MD fresh water license and a trout stamp?

 

 

    As far as the weather, we are planning to go saturday morning so hopfully the next couple day will not be too hard on the area. 

 

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[TurbineBlade]

Keep an eye on the turbidity of the urban streams (like 4MR).  The Potomac outside my window (Crystal City) is roughly the consistency of chocolate milk, typical of a rain event.  

Fishing absolutely sucks when it floods -- not that I won't sneak out anyway sometimes just for the heck of it ;).  I never learn from my mistakes -- I just keep making them over and over.  I'm pretty dumb.  

Gene

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[Richard Farino]

I lived a 5 min walk from 4MR at Bon Air Park where they stocked the trout.  It was nice to be able to walk out and see fish the days they stocked them.  4 years ago I got there a few hours after they put them in.  They put in 1500 trout.  Trout fishing was scheduled for kids the next morning at 10am, then open to the public at noon.

 

The next morning there were barely any fish at 7:30am.  Poaching is commonplace there.

 

No fish have been stocked in the last 2 years.

 

 

R

 

 

Richard Farino

Urban Angler VA | 108 N. Washington Street  2nd Floor | Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 527-2524 | fax: (703) 527-3313 | ric...@urbanangler.com

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[Brendan]

i remember 15-20 years ago the fish would actually stick around four mile run for a couple months.saw a couple sickly survivors in june one year. 

in terms of posting of stocking information... not sure why, perhaps to limit targeting by poachers, they've been inconsistent w/ posting stocking info for holmes and accotink for the last few years. usually one in late fall and another in mid spring. they've got some knuckleheads tho and sometimes don't do the second stocking until late april giving the fish only a few weeks before the streams become bathwater. 

 

regarding fishing this weekend, you might look into other activities... water is pretty blown out everywhere, tho the urban streams tend to clear out the quickest (one upside to watersheds with a high percentage of impervious surfaces!) and they're going to be doing large dam releases for at least a couple days so the larger tailwaters aren't really a safe or fishable option. 

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[Aaron O]

A bunch of people have been mentioning on this and other posts about the high water levels of the northern virginia rivers,  Does anyone know how the Gunpowder is doing?  I am still hoping to go there this weekend and hope its not blown out.  I just tried calling the Backwater Angler store but got no answer.

[Jeffrey Silvan]

This is the gauge at the Falls Road crossing. A gauge height of about 2 ft is around normal in the winter and it's currently over 6.5 feet, but dropping. Median flow for this date over the past 12 years is 122 CFS and it is currently at almost 1,500 (also dropping). I'm not sure at what point it would be considered safe, but it definitely isn't right now. As it is a tailwater, the flow will also be partially impacted by the city of Baltimore. You might be able to find information about planned releases of water from Prettyboy Reservoir by poking around their website.

On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 5:45 PM, Aaron O <aa...@jorgeinc.com> wrote:

A bunch of people have been mentioning on this and other posts about the high water levels of the northern virginia rivers,  Does anyone know how the Gunpowder is doing?  I am still hoping to go there this weekend and hope its not blown out.  I just tried calling the Backwater Angler store but got no answer.

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[Aaron O]

Just got through to the Backwater Angler and he says that the water is too high and he would not suggest fishing it until Tuesday.  There may be some smaller pooling areas that we can walk to but the main part is too high.