Harpers Ferry smallmouth

[Doug Graebner]

Hi all, I was thinking of making this trip and wanted to ask if there was any word on if the smallmouth fishery has recovered in the past few years or if it's still hot garbage and I should just focus my energies on the Susquehanna/Raphannock/James.

[Rob Snowhite]

I’d skip it. Water is low and slow. I haven’t heard a good report from neighbors going up there in a while. Call White Fly shop and see if they have daily reports and input. No rain in forecast for a while. 

The pepperoni roll at the bakery in harpers ferry is worth the trip.  

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 5, 2023, at 10:00 AM, Doug Graebner <dgrae...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all, I was thinking of making this trip and wanted to ask if there was any word on if the smallmouth fishery has recovered in the past few years or if it's still hot garbage and I should just focus my energies on the Susquehanna/Raphannock/James.

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[Sean Steele]

The smallie fishing on the Potomac above and below Harper’s Ferry has been awesome this yeah, both pre- and post-spawn.

Joel Johnson and I boated 45+ (including a half dozen 16”+) on a full 9-hour guided float with Travis Edens at the beginning of last week, from Dargan boat ramp to Brunswick boat ramp.

The issue is water level is dropping pretty damn low now. If we get some rain, I’d definitely go.

Travis’ Instagram: https://instagram.com/kingfisherguideservices

-Sean

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From: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Rob Snowhite <r...@robsnowhite.com>
Sent: Monday, June 5, 2023 12:36 PM
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Harpers Ferry smallmouth

 

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/A7D50133-AE1F-42CD-B32A-47DD9EDC39A9%40robsnowhite.com.

[Thevietfisher]



I second what Sean said!  Smallie fishing has been epic the last 8-12 weeks at Harpers Ferry for those of use who actually visit and fish it.  Even in the low and slow water of the lower staircase, where the Shenandoah meets the Potomac, fish were actively feeding!  We boated over 40 smallies last week, most were 15-16" with the biggest measuring 20".  We had similar #s on a float 6 weeks ago and about 20 fish 4 weeks ago after the cold front.  

Ditto on Travis Edens, few know this stretch of water better than him.  

[Doug Graebner]

Ahh, noted-I should really keep more up to date on the scuttlebutt.

[peter odell]

We floated the Shenandoah last Friday with rick from Murrays fly shop (great guide) - Alma to Whitehouse landing, 7 miles.  Water was low and clear.  Caught lots of small fish (30+ each), but largest smallie was around 14".  Olive wollie buggers and top water stuff all got hit, and I wish I had brought my 3 adn 4 wts.

Any comments on fish size/numbers on the rivers mentioned above?  

Pete