Bull Run Creek

[BigtimeBG]

Hey all. My wife and I went to Bull Run Creek this Sunday for the first time. We walked along the shore and just used spinning rods (weren't sure what we were getting into with back casting space, etc.) with crayfish and perch rapalas. We probably caught 15 fish in 4ish hours... everything was under 12 inches with the majority being largemouth and a few larger perch with one sunnie tossed in there. I saw a lot of people catfishing and one guy said he regularly catches some in the 30+ inch range. 

I was curious if anyone ever catches more sizable largemouths or other fish in there (besides the catfish). It was a pretty nice day and despite there being a lot of trash, it was a fun day for us. Just curious if there are bigger bass in there or if your experience was similar to mine.

Also side note... anyone hit up 4MR lately? Thinking about swinging by some evening this week.

[Lane Smith]

Glad to hear you had a productive day!

Since moving to Alexandria back in February, I've been hitting up 4MR pretty regularly. However, results have been less than satisfactory. Perhaps because of the pandemic, 4MR has seen enormous pressure. Several Saturdays ago, I counted around 80 people fishing at a single time, all up and down its banks. Many were also keeping what they caught - catfish, bass, bluegill. Everything I've caught has been very small. Even seeing something catchable has proven rare. 

Lane

[Jamie Carracher]

80 people!!! I've never seen more than maybe 6 people there at one time.

[Denny Mac]

I've caught smallmouth there a couple years ago. That same that same stretch has been pretty barren this year. I've been pretty bummed out about it.

[BigtimeBG]

That's bonkers! I can't deal with that. Maybe we'll run down to the South Fork and try for some smallies... I wonder if the water temp is up enough to do any good right now. Doesn't help my wife's waders are shot so she needs a new pair!

Man I miss fishing in central PA sometimes. I grew up on Penns Creek and my dad/brother are killing big browns up there right now... with no crazy 80 person pressure stuff.

On Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 12:05:29 PM UTC-4, Lane Smith wrote:

[Sean Steele]

So I’ve been down to 4MR about a dozen times since late February — I live about 5 minutes away — and I’ve definitely not seen anything like 80 people fishing simultaneously. I’m curious when that was happening, exactly.

The bite is not great but I’m not convinced it has anything to do with fishing pressure.

-Sean

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From: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of BigtimeBG <bpg...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2020 9:51:45 AM
To: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Bull Run Creek

 

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[Kevin KB]

The USGS does not track water temp on th South Fork of the Shenendoah, but water levels are not high.  Just as a reference point, the USGS reports that the water temps on the Rappahannick in Fredericksburg is between 72 and 74 degrees.

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[BigtimeBG]

That's actually pretty solid. 72 is good wet wading temp so maybe that will be our play this weekend. 

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[Andrew LaVigne]

Hate to contradict, but USGS streamflow for the S. Fork Shenandoah is showing at lead 2x the normal volume right now at both the Front Royal and Luray gauges.  

I would avoid that drainage for a couple days, at least. 

Front Royal Gauge: 

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis/uv?site_no=01631000

Luray Gauge

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis/uv?site_no=01629500

[Kevin KB]

I stand corrected,. I forgot that was not a straight scale graph.  Thanks for the correction.  the Rapp is still wadable though, below 3 ft in Fredericksburg.

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/va/nwis/uv?site_no=01629500

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[Luke Morrison]

I just got done fishing the North Fork of the Shenandoah, poor visibility, and the flow seems to be ticking up. I’m guessing due to storms that were further south in the Valley last night. 72 degrees seems high for the South Fork. The North Fork is definitely not that warm right now.

[Gregg DiSalvo]

I fish Bull Run in Manassas a couple times a year.  I'd fish it more if it wasn't such a dumping ground fro trash.  I always try to leave with a full bag of trash.  Plenty of catfish in the deeper holes as well as carp. I can't seem to entice the cruising carp in moving water and often cant get a clear cast to where they often hide under trees.  Ive caught tons of sunnies, a few largemouth and a smallie.  I'd expect if I fished further out from route 28, I'd have more lucj with bass. I expect they get cleaned out pretty well right at Compton road's lot.  

On Tuesday, May 26, 2020 at 12:12:43 PM UTC-4, BigtimeBG wrote:

[N Elgas]

I used to fish it all the time when i lived in Cville years ago.  If you can find your way in by the train trestle and below hemlock there are some really nice smallies in there.  Caught several 17" to 18".....up by Compton your more likely to catch tetanus.  I have found some in the battlefield also,  but nothing big.  

[alex gorman]

I too miss central PA.  Never fished Penn's though.  But it's on my list!  I think PA is open to fishing now.  But not sure if they have rules on out of staters coming in to fish their waters.

[BigtimeBG]

Where did you fish in central PA? I grew up in the Williamsport area and fished Penns, Big Pine, and the Loyalsock a ton. The green drake hatch is on right now on Penns which is amazing fun. Problem with PA is that to fish it from out of state is fairly expensive... I think like $75 with a trout stamp. 

[BigtimeBG]

Hey fellas. I'm curious your thoughts on fishing the South Fork tomorrow. The Front Royal gauge is 2x while the Luray gauge is basically at the historic median. Any idea what's going on there? Just curious since you had good insight before. I'd probably start near Bixler's Bridge and take out around Foster's so definitely on the Luray end of things.

[Andrew LaVigne]

This is a helpful tool to add to the USGS gauges - NOAA has predictive river level forecasts. Here's the Luray one: 

https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lwx&gage=frov2

I'd expect it to come up a chunk based on that and the forecast for rain in the upper drainage. Tempting, though - if it doesn't get too high, you may get a nice bite before the front pushes through. 

[namfos]

Penns Woods is open to anglers. I fished in Michaux State Forest on Memorial Day. Except for a few dog walkers and photogs, I had the place to myself.

Mark

On Friday, June 5, 2020 at 9:04:18 AM UTC-4, alex gorman wrote:

[namfos]

$62.80 for non-residents. https://www.fishandboat.com/Fish/FishingLicense/Documents/fishing-license-pricing.pdf

Mark

[Carl Z.]

PA is open to fishing.  And to guides have been working for at least 3 weeks, and they are busy. 
The green drakes on Penns should have moved up into the flyfish/c&r section near coburn by now.   

The feathered hook is open (at least the fly shop, I'm not sure if the B&B is open, somehow I doubt it) http://www.thefeatheredhook.com/

Carl

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Carl Zmola

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