New to DC

[Eric Y.]

Hey fellas, I'm new to DC but certainly not to fly fishing. However, most of my experience is with trout and smallies. 

That said, I have a few questions about throwing some loops in DC.

Currently, the heavier rods in the stables are an 8wt Hydros, 9wt Hydros, and a 6wt Helios switch. Am I set up decently for fishing the area or should I add a 10wt?

Also, I live in DC (Foxhall area) not far from Fletcher's. Is Fletcher's/Chain Bridge the best place to start? Is it very wadeable? I have a jon boat I use for ducks, a SOT kayak, and center console, none of which I bought to DC due to lack of storage space. Would it be worthwhile to pay to store them or is there enough wading to keep me entertained?

Anything else I ought to consider?

Thanks!

[Matt Geiman]

Eric, 

    Your 6 and 8 weight rods should cover you well for the Potomac close to DC. I don't see any need for a 10wt. The tidal potomac has some nice spots for wading, but they are limited, and get alot of fishing pressure. Your kayak, or center console would certainly open up alot more water to fish on the tidal potomac, and chesapeake bay. There are alot of wading opportunities on the upper non-tidal potomac, and other nearby freshwater rivers, and creeks. For more info on these i would recommend checking out www.switchfisher.com.  Local fisherman Steve Moore has a lot of info on local wading spots, and has books available for purchase. 

[Eric Y.]

Great. I don't know how economical the CC would be here unless someone has a dock they want to lend me... I imagine that slip rentals are just as inflated (if not more) than housing prices around here. The kayak is a good possibility as my girlfriend seems to think I could hang it from the underside of her deck over her car. In any event, thanks for the link, I'll look into the books as well. Will I need sinking line or a sink tip? I don't have sinking lines beyond 5wt. Indeed, 90% of my fishing was done in SNP, JNF, GWNF, the Holston, or the Jackson with a triple plus-ought tenkara rod, as my previous job placed me significantly closer to those places.  

I've also read a lot about fishing C&O locks 1-5. I've seen plenty of locks, but never thought of fishing them. Do most of y'all just fish from shore there?

[HeaveToo]

I fish an 8 weight.  I spend most of my time in my inflatable kayak.  Because of this I am now fishing with polyleaders such as Air Flo.  I have an 8 foot sink tip on order and an 8 foot clear floating tip.  This allows me to change without changing reels or line.  Makes it easier when yak fishing.

On Monday, May 7, 2012 12:09:25 AM UTC-4, Eric Y. wrote:

[Ernie]

Welcome to the area!

As mentioned in the posts above, there are lots of places to wade fish
but.....if you like fishing from a boat, bring them all! Within 1 hour
of DC you have some of the greatest waters to fish in (Chesapeake Bay,
Potomac River etc). Add a couple of more hours and your horizons
expand even greater (VA Beach area etc).

Ernie.

[Eric Y.]

Anyone have any idea what slip rental prices are like?

[Jeffrey Silvan]

Eric,

Cost will depend exactly where you're looking to store it. When I was researching, I was finding most that are very close into the DC area were around $12-15/ft unless you had a much larger boat. It was a little bit cheaper further south in Woodbridge. I'm guessing if it is a CC, it's probably in the mid 20s, so you'd likely be looking at the neighborhood of $300/mo. It may be cheaper as you go further south on the Potomac. Keep in mind, the marinas will charge for longer length of the slip or boat (i.e. if you put a 23' boat in a 25' slip, you'll be charged for 25' or if you put a 31' boat in a 30' slip, you'll be charged for 31'). Some also meter separately for your electric and/or water hookup if needed.

[Timothy Murphy]

Check out Washington marina. They have a flat rate based on the amount of time you plan to store your boat.

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[Eric Y.]

It is 22'. Unfortunately, dry storage isn't an option, either. My daily driver is a Prius and I have to use my father's pickup to tow it anywhere. I found a marina that is $135/ft/yr with water included (with a CC I rarely need electric for more than pressure washing blood off the deck, but it was billed separately), a pretty decent deal, but I'm already paid through next April on my current slip. Perhaps the kayak is the way to go for now. I did find some slips for $2.xx/ft/night so bringing it up for a week or so here and there wouldn't be too rough.

[Eric Y.]

Another quick question... I've fished for blues and albies on fly and had to use a bite guard. Is a bit guard necessary on snakeheads? I haven't seen any in the pictures on here yet.

[HeaveToo]

I have had a couple of bite offs, but I don't fish with a bite guard.  I have been using 0x tipet for them though.

[Jeff Cook]

If you want to park a power boat close in, very steep fees and often looong waiting lists:

Columbia Marina (power boats near Pentagon)
http://www.columbiaisland.com/slip_rates.htm

But if you have a hard kayak or canoe, consider dry rack storage at Washington Sailing Marina, at the south end of the airport:
http://www.columbiaisland.com/slip_rates.htm

I'd suggest jumping on any waiting list that has potential. You can always give it up when they call.


--
Jeff Cook
cooks...@mac.com

[Jeff Cook]

Corrected link to Washington Sailing Marina dry rack storage:
http://www.washingtonsailingmarina.com/slip_rentals.htm


--
Jeff Cook
cooks...@mac.com

[Eric Y.]

Okay, so I'll be getting my feet wet (both figuratively and literally) this Saturday. Any suggestions on a good place to start? I wasn't planning to rent a boat, just wade. Will Chain Bridge be washed out and unwadeable from the rain? Should I shoot for some of the canals instead? Better to shoot for the CB on VA or MD/DC side?