Trying tenkara on Constitution Gardens?

[Ryan Armbrust]

Hey, I'm probably obviously new to the group, but I'm glad I found you all!

I'm not a local (sorry) but I'm on a national Board that brings me to DC a couple times a year.

Getting away from the mass of crowds, to the extent that I can, is definitely a goal for me. And if fishing is an option, so much the better!

So, here's my question:

I've been trying to learn tenkara fishing, and it sounds like fish at Constitution Gardens pond might be a good target for me?

Why tenkara? Because I can pack the rod and gear on my carry-on bag instead of my bigger fly rod tube and assorted gear.

Why Constitution Gardens? Because it's a close walk from the office I'll be meeting at just north of the Mall.

So, any advice or feedback is welcome! Especially if I should walk a little further to the Tidal Basin, or the Potomac, or just take an entirely different course of action.

Thanks!

[Williard, David]

The Tidal Basin will put you in contact with a dozen species of mostly small but possibly large fish.

I’ve scored striped bass, smallmouth, and largemouth on a single outing. I also wrestled something for 45 minutes on ultralight rig with a grub (probably a large catfish).

Last time I walked by Constitution Gardens, (it’s been a few years)  I suspected only a few sunfish might be surviving the low and tepid water.

 

 

David Williard   M.Ed.

HR Analyst - USPSOIG

571-217-7002

dwil...@uspsoig.gov

 

 

From: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Ryan Armbrust
Sent: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 5:38 PM
To: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Trying tenkara on Constitution Gardens?

 

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[Eric Packard]

Check out 

and DC has a fishing report too.  

Eric Packard 

Artist (I fish sometimes, too) 

On Apr 18, 2025, at 11:13 AM, 'Williard, David' via Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



The Tidal Basin will put you in contact with a dozen species of mostly small but possibly large fish.

I’ve scored striped bass, smallmouth, and largemouth on a single outing. I also wrestled something for 45 minutes on ultralight rig with a grub (probably a large catfish).

Last time I walked by Constitution Gardens, (it’s been a few years)  I suspected only a few sunfish might be surviving the low and tepid water.

 

 

David Williard   M.Ed.

HR Analyst - USPSOIG

571-217-7002

dwil...@uspsoig.gov

 

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To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/MN2PR09MB5452F2C8491382648AD66170AABF2%40MN2PR09MB5452.namprd09.prod.outlook.com.

[Eric Packard]

Check out 

for fishing info and DC 

 has a fishing report too.  

Eric Packard

Artist (I fish sometimes, too) 

On Apr 18, 2025, at 10:15 AM, Ryan Armbrust <rarm...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hey, I'm probably obviously new to the group, but I'm glad I found you all!

--

[Doug Parker]

i took my kid last summer to Constitution Gardens and there were lots of very small (4”) bluegill. they took a fly eagerly. if that is what you are looking for it fits the bill.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tidal-potomac-fly-rodders/1260C2E8-BDD3-4A7E-8706-CF8BA214762C%40gmail.com.

[Patrick Reilly]

Ran by Constitution Gardens yesterday and there were a few small fish in there. Not a ton, but if you walk around you'll see them and can cast to them.

[Patrick Reilly]

And second the Tidal basin. I used to walk over there after work. Biggest fish I've ever got on a fly is a 15 inch catfish in the basin. Ton of fun on the fight.

Patrick

[Doug Graebner]

thirding the tidal basin, I lost a quite big largemouth on a fly trying to lip it from the seawall once and landed a pretty substantial channel cat on a fly there once.