Fletcher's cove questions

[Ben H]

Apologies if some of these questions are very basic. Going to try rowboats from Fletcher's for the first time this week and wanted to know a few details.

1. Is a VA freshwater license valid in this stretch or is a D.C. License needed?

2. Full sinking line needed to catch shad from boat or will a sink tip suffice? Looks like flows will be normal for this time of year.

3. Also contemplating bringing some cheat gear (aka spinning tackle) for jigging striper. Any tips on lures and size/weight of spoons/jig heads much appreciated.

[Adam Harris]

Hey Ben-

This may be a bit of the blind leading the blind, but...After visiting Fletcher’s for the first time yesterday (no fishing, just wanted to see if I could find it and do a little recon), I went by the Orvis shop in Arlington to get set up to try for them.

1-You need a DC license. Not sure when and how this happened, but this part of the Potomac water jurisdiction extends to the VA shoreline for both MD and DC. As I understand, if you fish from the VA shoreline, a VA license is sufficient. If you’re in the water wading or in a boat you need the opposite shore’s license.

2- Orvis recommended an extra fast sink leader and 12 lbs. tippet.

3-No idea.

Hopefully some of the veterans of the Shad run will weigh in and help us both out. Tight lines!

[Lane Thurgood]

Ben, 

1.  NONE of the Potomac river is Virginia.  Though Maryland gives reciprocity, DC does not.  In the water or on the Virginia shore across from DC, you absolutely need a DC license.  So, for Fletchers, DC license is required, no ifs ands or buts about it.  I have seen cops ticketing fishermen on the Chain Bridge side with Virginia licenses.  

2.  Need is a strong word.  I use a 30-foot sinking head.  I have seen guys catch hickories with a floating line.  My advice, if you can afford it, is to get a sinking line/30-foot sinking head.  But advice aside, my practice is always I fish with what I have.  If I only had a sink-tip, I would use it.  If using a sink-tip, cast more upriver with a heavier fly (or flies) giving the tip the maximum chance to sink.  But if you're going to be at this game for the long-haul, you will want a sinking head/sinking line.  Next to my floating line, it is the next most used line I have year round and in all kinds of places.  One time on the Mobile Bay, my 250-grain sinking head saved a redfish trip in adverse conditions.  It's what I use on the Bay (along with a floater on another rod).

3.  I've been fly only for as long as I can remember, so you're better served elsewhere.  But stop and take a look at what the Fletchers shack sells.  They're some pretty heavy jigs to get down in current.

Hope this helps.  Somewhat.

[Ben H]

Thanks guys, appreciate the responses. I'll be sure to pick up a D.C. License online

[scer...@aol.com]

Anglers 65+ do NOT need a DC fishing license....check it out at: https://doee.dc.gov/service/get-fishing-license

Tim Johnson

On Sunday, April 29, 2018 at 9:11:36 PM UTC-4, Ben H wrote:

[Yambag Nelson]

They sell licenses right at Fletcher's. I use a 300 grain full sinking line. The Americans in particular like to be deep.

[namfos]

Took the words right outta my mouth,Tim. And if you're 65+ in Maryland, $5 bucks covers ALL your license needs. Seniority conveys perks. ;-)

Mark

[Alex Binsted]

We use anywhere between a 3/4oz to 1.5oz jig for stripers. Jigging will be tough for the beginning part of the week with higher than average flows but hopefully it'll settle down by Thursday/Friday for a reasonable chance at jigging up a striper.  Without a motor the jig routine is difficult but you could anchor on the current seam and fish off the back of the boat or fan cast the area.  You can purchase jigs at Fletchers.

I'd go with a full sink or sinking head.  This is ideal for shad but will also give you the ability to fish for stripers. It may be a little early in the season to target them on the fly but by mid-May the current is usually slow enough to get a fly down to the bottom.

[Carl Z.]

DC license is needed, buy it at the boathouse.

When fishing from shore, a sinking line is a liability.  It ends up getting your fly/line tangled in the rocks.  Even with a floating line, expect to break off some flies.   When out in a boat, a full sink can help. but I had a strange experience last year.  I was out on one of those drizzly days that you have to motivate yourself to get out.  The guy next to me was fishing a floating line and bringing in one fish after another.  I was on a full sink line (T14) and while I would hook them, the fish would jump and the line would be in the shape of a giant U.  The line is going down from my rod tip but up to the fish.  I lost more fish that day than I care to think about.   The next time I go out,  I will try a sink tip with a slightly slower sink rate.  

As for spinning tackle.  Shad darts from and shad spoons work well.  I like the spoons quite a bit. sometimes I will run a heavy dart with a spoon coming off a bit above the dart.  It can make a mess in the line, but the combo gets the spoon down.  I guess splitshot would work to get the spoon down too. Light weight tackle is fine  I use 8 to 10 lb mono, which is enough for any shad I've caught.  Just make sure you have the drag set right.  Those fish will run and jump.

Carl

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[Andrew Sarcinello]

Carl, do you use a single or treble hook on those spoons? I have some with a treble and it seems like I lose twice as many as I land.

[Carl Z.]

Shad spoons are usually sold at Fletchers.  The hook is a single, built in hook.  It's more like a spoon fly.

Just google "shad spoon"

I wouldn't use a normal treble hook spoon.  The only thing they would be good for is snagging gizzard shad (it's a joke folks).  

Carl

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Carl Zmola

On Tue, May 1, 2018 at 9:50 AM, Andrew Sarcinello <andy...@gmail.com> wrote:

Carl, do you use a single or treble hook on those spoons? I have some with a treble and it seems like I lose twice as many as I land.

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[Andrew Sarcinello]

Gotcha, thanks!

On Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at 11:00:03 AM UTC-4, Carl wrote:

Shad spoons are usually sold at Fletchers.  The hook is a single, built in hook.  It's more like a spoon fly.

Just google "shad spoon"

I wouldn't use a normal treble hook spoon.  The only thing they would be good for is snagging gizzard shad (it's a joke folks).  

Carl

--

Carl Zmola

On Tue, May 1, 2018 at 9:50 AM, Andrew Sarcinello <andy...@gmail.com> wrote:

Carl, do you use a single or treble hook on those spoons? I have some with a treble and it seems like I lose twice as many as I land.

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[Rob Snowhite]

I’m currently making some. Ordered a bunch of blades off eBay. Based on Woos. 

Shad bite an hour ago was one after another. 

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[The Shad Hammer]

Thanks for all the info gentlemen.  I got my DC license online for a mere $13.

Gauge is at 4.5 feet and the high tide is about 10 am.   I plan to rent a boat and fish tomorrow Wednesday morning for the first time this year.

Give me a wave if you're out there, Stevie

[Carl Z.]

Rob,

Are you making spoons or spoon flies?  

There is a common recipe using finger nails (artificial).

http://www.ncangler.com/forums/threads/28787-Finger-Nail-Spoon-Fly

That I've always wanted to try.

Carl

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Carl Zmola

On Tue, May 1, 2018 at 1:38 PM, Rob Snowhite <r...@robsnowhite.com> wrote:

I’m currently making some. Ordered a bunch of blades off eBay. Based on Woos. 

Shad bite an hour ago was one after another. 

Sent from my iPhone

On May 1, 2018, at 11:00 AM, Carl Z. <carl....@gmail.com> wrote:

Shad spoons are usually sold at Fletchers.  The hook is a single, built in hook.  It's more like a spoon fly.

Just google "shad spoon"

I wouldn't use a normal treble hook spoon.  The only thing they would be good for is snagging gizzard shad (it's a joke folks).  

Carl

--

Carl Zmola

On Tue, May 1, 2018 at 9:50 AM, Andrew Sarcinello <andy...@gmail.com> wrote:

Carl, do you use a single or treble hook on those spoons? I have some with a treble and it seems like I lose twice as many as I land.

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[Rob Snowhite]

I’m making spoons similar to Woo’s (woofish dot com).  A Japanese friend used to give me a few of his every year and they worked. His were painted though, I’m going to keep mine silver plated. 

Sent from my iPhone

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[Ben H]

Thanks to everyone for responding. Enjoyed my first trip to Fletcher's cove. Arrived mid morning and got the last of available rowboats at the time. Water was still a bit off color but the fish were definitely there. Caught a decent amount of nice American shad, gizzards and white perch in the slower water. I'd guess the action would have been a bit hotter with better water clarity and maybe some cloud cover overhead. Was worth the trip although traffic was a bear getting out of there.

[davidwi...@gmail.com]

I've been to Fletcher's a half dozen times (on the weekends), but can someone refresh my memory how to get in there on a weekday morning?

Does the road coming down the hill at the light give you a shot at the entrance?

On Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 11:07:01 PM UTC-4, Ben H wrote:

[Scott Stankus]

It depends on your definition of "morning". Reservoir Road is one way from Canal toward MacArthur 6:00-10:15am M-F:

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.9170472,-77.0988896,3a,59.4y,288.7h,87.46t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sNk0LXrB0CE8BklqTkl_6PQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Your best bet (other than getting there before 6am) is to take Canal inbound (toward Georgetown) and back down the driveway to Fletcher's.

--Scott

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[Carl Z.]

On Thu, May 3, 2018 at 9:08 AM, <davidwi...@gmail.com> wrote:

I've been to Fletcher's a half dozen times (on the weekends), but can someone refresh my memory how to get in there on a weekday morning?

Does the road coming down the hill at the light give you a shot at the entrance?

 

Yes, that is Reservoir Road. It is easily accessible from MacArthur Blvd.  Now that there is a light there, you can get across.  It beats backing down (been there, done that). 

[Adam Harris]

How long does it take for the river to return to normal after a flood like this? And will there be anything left of the Shad Run?

[Carl Z.]

Good question.  The rain also lowers the temperature, but its going to take quite a while for the river level to drop

​

Carl

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Carl Zmola

On Fri, May 18, 2018 at 6:17 PM, Adam Harris <adaml...@gmail.com> wrote:

How long does it take for the river to return to normal after a flood like this? And will there be anything left of the Shad Run?

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