Tidal Basin anyone?

[Aaron O]

       I have the afternoon off on Thursday and plan to fish the Tidal Basin starting around 2 pm until dark.  I don't know about anyone else but I've ben skunked more times that I want to admit here but I can't seem to give up on the place.  I know people catch fish all the time here and I consider it a personal challenge to catch some large size fish here.  It also doesn't hurt just how close it is for me to fish it (approximately 5 metro stops on the same metro line I normally use).  I've spoken to multiple people in the group and everyone of course says the same suggestions (follow the wall, incoming and outgoing tides, both cast along the wall and out into the basin, etc..), I just need to make it work for me.

       I plan on bringing my 7 wt. with clousers, woolly buggers, shad darts, and other baitfish patterns and my 5 wt. with floating line for possible top water action.  I have not decided whether to use my floating line or my sinking (depth charge) line on the 7 wt. as I know the debt charge is over kill but I want to make sure my flies are getting to the bottom where it seems like most people are catching fish currently.  I don't know how deep the water gets but I'm guessing 20 feet deep towards the center.

       If anyone is interested in joining me, please feel free to contact me or just look for me on the water. I'll be the guy cursing at the fly stuck in the trees. 

Aaron

[TurbineBlade]

Aaron!  

First order of business is to repel competitors!  Some friendly person asks you a question?  Answer politely.  Another person asks a question 2 minutes later?  Still be polite, but make the answer more concise.  3rd person asks a question?  You make weedeater sounds and maintain eye contact until they walk away.  Really put effort into it -- you want nylon cord gnashing woody vegetation, turning your socks green at 200 mph.  

Gene

[Aaron O]

Gene, 

      I prefer your suggestion from a past post….Fishing in your wading boots, underwear, a hat and simply BARK! at anyone that gets too close to you.  This is why I get along with you, you have the same mentality that I do.  

      Give me a call as I tried calling you but your phone is off.  I want to ask you a question or two.

Aaron

[Davis Walker]

I like a suggestion I heard before.... Wear ear buds and ignore people. That way they think you can't hear them. We were skunked on Monday there as well

My question is what is the policy on fishing infront of the Jefferson memorial beyond the chains and jersey wall. Is it allowed?

[Aaron O]

I'e never had any problem with it.  I had one park police office inquire in three years and after talking with him, it was not an issue.  I would make sure that it is not high tide due to the water level going over the wall.  If your feet are wet, they consider it wading.  That being said, I'm pretty sure Snowhite's large snakehead he caught (last year?) was there at high tide.  I know everyone states that they catch a lot of fish near the trees agains the walls but my best days (8 fish, 5 species) have been in that area casting out into the center.

P.S.  I ended up getting skunked myself without even a nibble.  Only thing I got is wet.  I did have a red fox walk about 20 yards from me before turning around.  That was cool.