How Cold Is Too Cold?

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James Fletcher

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Dec 22, 2016, 1:42:38 PM12/22/16
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With winter coming on in full form, now is when I have the worst luck finding trout, getting action on streams, etc. I don't want to put up my rod for months, but I have never had a good day on VA during this time of year, usually only freeze my ass off when I go out on the water. So, this year I'm making it my mission to get my nymph (using a 3wt) / streamer (using a 5wt) skills on point and locate some good streams that produce during the winter.

I read somewhere (or was told sometime ago) that when the water temperature is below 40 degrees, chances of catching trout are slim to none. Is this true? Is it better to go out right in the middle of the day with the sun high overhead?

I'm usually going to Passage Creek and Beaver Creek (VA) at this time but was glad to the discussions about places in PA, MD, and WV. Will these fish well throughout the entire winter or does their action fall off in January or February?

Any advice that keep me on the water with a tight line would be very much appreciated! 


namfos

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Dec 22, 2016, 3:42:30 PM12/22/16
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Things s.....................l...........................o.......................w..............................down in the winter.  

Mark

Charlie Church

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Dec 22, 2016, 3:45:53 PM12/22/16
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I have had a few really good days by timing my trips with the random warm days that show up every winter. Last year, I had a really good trip in mid January with brookies on dries. I think it was like 70 degrees that day?

The year before, one of the larger trout I caught came while swinging a river within a few hours of DC in February. There was nothing warm about this day and I did get the fish midday  in a deeper hole. The water was incredibly cold as well. 

My recommendation to you would be to get out when you have the chance to do so and record everything in a log from those trips. 

Andrew Sarcinello

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Dec 22, 2016, 5:22:02 PM12/22/16
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If it is a cold day, the fish will be active at least briefly during the warmest part of the day.

The best winter days I've had have been the really warm days like charlie said. If there are some clouds that can help you on a warm day, but lack of sun can kill the action on a cold day. This all varies tremendously from stream to stream. Take a thermometer, if you find streams that never drop below the upper 30's those are going to have more consistent action through the winter. Some Spring-fed creeks even stay warmer than that. Other streams will get right down to near freezing and I've found these are basically devoid of action in winter (some of these are places where I've had double digit fish days in spring, so the fish are there, but won't show themselves).

Andrew Sarcinello

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Dec 22, 2016, 5:24:55 PM12/22/16
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To add to what Mark said, you do have to fish slow. I tend to just pick a method and stick with it in winter, it's more a matter of finding an active fish or two than having the right fly. Usually dead drifting a woolly bugger or stonefly nymph, but keep some midges handy in case you see any surface activity.

James Fletcher

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Dec 22, 2016, 5:44:58 PM12/22/16
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Thanks, y'all!

Appreciate the tips - guess I'll have to test, re-test, and test again on different streams to figure out where the action is. Never thought that putting a little too much energy into the fly may have a negative effect if everything else in the water is moving slow.

Andrew, are there any specific thermometers that are best suited for this or will something I get from a pharmacy work fine? 

I've heard that the Bullpasture River is a good one to hit during the winter - have any of y'all had any luck out there?


On Thu, Dec 22, 2016 at 5:24 PM, Andrew Sarcinello <andy...@gmail.com> wrote:
To add to what Mark said, you do have to fish slow. I tend to just pick a method and stick with it in winter, it's more a matter of finding an active fish or two than having the right fly.  Usually dead drifting a woolly bugger or stonefly nymph, but keep some midges handy in case you see any surface activity.

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Misha Gill

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Dec 23, 2016, 12:27:34 PM12/23/16
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Hit spring creeks and tailwaters if you need a tight line. If the water temp says 39 degrees, don't bother, it's true. Heed this advice with regards to the Gunpowder. Even though it's a tailwater, if that water is coming out at 39 degrees at the dam then for sure it is colder downstream. I can't remember a time when I've caught a fish on the Gunpowder when the water was 39. You would need a few days of sustained warming to expect the water temp to climb above 39 on that stream. 

Andrew Sarcinello

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Dec 25, 2016, 1:32:16 PM12/25/16
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I didn't have a thermometer on me yesterday but my friend and I did very well on a small freestone wild brown trout stream in PA. Woolly buggers were all that we needed. It rained in the morning and a gage downstream on a larger stream showed temps spike from 39 to 41. That appeared to be enough to get fish moving. I think sometimes it's not the exact temp but rather what direction the temp is going.

Btw Merry Christmas all!

Andy Thomas

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Dec 28, 2016, 2:05:25 PM12/28/16
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You could try the Savage if you can make it out to Western MD.  Granted, the Savage can be technical and tough even during the warmer months but I've had some good days when its has been freezing as well.  However, I wholeheartedly concur that if its freezing out, the fish will likely only be active for a short period of the day.  For instance, I fished for a day out there last year for about 6 hours.  My guides kept freezing over about every fifth cast so that tells you it was cold as well as the snow flurries throughout the day. However, about 3pm the fish started taking dead drift wooly buggers and scud imitations.  I caught 5 within the span of an hour and then they shut off.  So, all that to say that being patient and consistent in your technique (and finding that warm part of the day) can put you on a few fish even on the coldest days.

djflet...@gmail.com

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Dec 30, 2016, 3:56:54 PM12/30/16
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Many thanks! 

Is there specific place to put in you'd suggest?

Sent from my iPhone
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Andy Thomas

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Dec 30, 2016, 4:20:34 PM12/30/16
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The Savage has easy access.  If by put in you mean a boat or kayak, that's a no go for the Savage.  It's only wade fishing.  They have white water releases during the summer for kayaking but you can't float it to fish.  For access, go to Bloomington, MD.  The Savage tailwater flows into the North Branch right at Bloomington where the Savage River Road and Maryland HWY 135 meet.  Follow Savage River Rd as it winds up to the Savage Reservoir.  All 5 miles of the tailwater are accessible and fishable.  There are parking spots and pulloffs at different points and a campground as you get closer to the reservoir.  There are also private homes along the river.  I never fish directly behind them, but I have sometimes walked along the river past them to get to other stretches of water.  They are private property so I avoid fishing behind them.  However, there's plenty of water without having to fish behind someone's house.  There's also a small fly shop about half way up called Savage River Outfitters.  They rent cabins as well--pretty nice cabins.  I recommend driving all the way up to the reservoir to see the whole of the tailwater and then turning around and finding your spot.  I also recommend studs and a wading stick.  The Savage is slick and there are not good trails to walk on beside the river.  Looks like flows are around 106 cfs right now.  That's a decent level for fishing. 

If you have a boat and want to float, you could float the North Branch.  There's a put in about 30 minutes from the Savage at the Barnum Whitewater Area.  Of course, you have to find a shuttle. 

On Friday, December 30, 2016 at 3:56:54 PM UTC-5, James Fletcher wrote:
Many thanks! 

Is there specific place to put in you'd suggest?

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 28, 2016, at 1:05 PM, Andy Thomas <andrs...@gmail.com> wrote:

You could try the Savage if you can make it out to Western MD.  Granted, the Savage can be technical and tough even during the warmer months but I've had some good days when its has been freezing as well.  However, I wholeheartedly concur that if its freezing out, the fish will likely only be active for a short period of the day.  For instance, I fished for a day out there last year for about 6 hours.  My guides kept freezing over about every fifth cast so that tells you it was cold as well as the snow flurries throughout the day. However, about 3pm the fish started taking dead drift wooly buggers and scud imitations.  I caught 5 within the span of an hour and then they shut off.  So, all that to say that being patient and consistent in your technique (and finding that warm part of the day) can put you on a few fish even on the coldest days.

On Thursday, December 22, 2016 at 1:42:38 PM UTC-5, James Fletcher wrote:
With winter coming on in full form, now is when I have the worst luck finding trout, getting action on streams, etc. I don't want to put up my rod for months, but I have never had a good day on VA during this time of year, usually only freeze my ass off when I go out on the water. So, this year I'm making it my mission to get my nymph (using a 3wt) / streamer (using a 5wt) skills on point and locate some good streams that produce during the winter.

I read somewhere (or was told sometime ago) that when the water temperature is below 40 degrees, chances of catching trout are slim to none. Is this true? Is it better to go out right in the middle of the day with the sun high overhead?

I'm usually going to Passage Creek and Beaver Creek (VA) at this time but was glad to the discussions about places in PA, MD, and WV. Will these fish well throughout the entire winter or does their action fall off in January or February?

Any advice that keep me on the water with a tight line would be very much appreciated! 


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TurbineBlade

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Dec 30, 2016, 8:39:04 PM12/30/16
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Winter fishing really kind of sucks, and I think I can make a case that I've done much more of it than the average fisherman in the past 4 years.  I like to stop off at the local bath tub once in a while to cast, try some flies, and catch a ton of sunfish and smaller bass, but that's about it.  

If you can fly somewhere warm or if you want to go for salmon or something, sure -- have at it.  

Gene

Andrew Sarcinello

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Jan 29, 2017, 12:27:53 AM1/29/17
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Went to big hunting today with 2 fellow tpfr-ers. I caught 3 wild browns and missed and lost several more. Water temp was 38.

Also went to Fishing Creek. Water temp slightly warmer at 40. That stream is raging right now. Tough to slow flies down enough, but we combined for about a dozen brookies.

Ashley Frohwein

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Jan 30, 2017, 11:42:26 AM1/30/17
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I caught around 10 trout (brown and rainbow) yesterday on streamers and nymphs at a local spring creek. I'd just recommend focusing on springs now and avoiding freestone. 

James Fletcher

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Jan 30, 2017, 11:59:45 AM1/30/17
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Nice work! Think I'll venture out this Saturday, if the weather predictions hold.

Were y'all getting into them between 12 pm and 3 pm or so?

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Andrew Sarcinello

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Jan 30, 2017, 12:29:51 PM1/30/17
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James,

My group caught fish between when we arrived at 10 a.m. until about 4 pm, at which time we tried exploring another stream before dark with no success. Basically they were active all day for the time we were there. The lack of evening action could have been the stream, and not the time of day. Though typically in winter I have the most action in midday.

Ashley Frohwein

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Jan 30, 2017, 1:17:16 PM1/30/17
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I did best between 11am and ~3pm

James Fletcher

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Jan 30, 2017, 2:12:37 PM1/30/17
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Thanks, y'all! 

Seems like I won't have to wake up at the crack of dawn before striking out to the stream

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Andrew Sarcinello

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Feb 6, 2017, 2:23:37 PM2/6/17
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Just adding one more "data point" here from this weekend. Fished Sunday on a tiny native brook trout stream, where granted they will eat anything and probably on any given day. Caught 22 brook trout in 2.5 hrs all on a green weenie, water temp a chilly 35.

James Fletcher

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Feb 6, 2017, 2:30:58 PM2/6/17
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Yup!

Went out to a brookie stream on Saturday and got some great action on Prince and Pheasant Hair nymphs! Back at the parking lot, I struck up a conversation with another guy who was 3 miles further up the stream than I and apparently crushed it using dry flies. Water was probably around 35-38 degrees, but they were hungry.

On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 2:23 PM, Andrew Sarcinello <andy...@gmail.com> wrote:
Just adding one more "data point" here from this weekend.  Fished Sunday on a tiny native brook trout stream, where granted they will eat anything and probably on any given day.  Caught 22 brook trout in 2.5 hrs all on a green weenie, water temp a chilly 35.
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James Fletcher

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Feb 15, 2017, 2:24:42 PM2/15/17
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Success!

Hiked along the Hughes River last Saturday (first time being up there), and caught around 12 Brookies between 12 pm and 3:45 pm. Middle of February and I was throwing dries of all sorts, each one getting good hits. 

Thanks for all the advice guys - appreciate your insights and patience!

Best, 

On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 2:30 PM, James Fletcher <djflet...@gmail.com> wrote:
Yup!

Went out to a brookie stream on Saturday and got some great action on Prince and Pheasant Hair nymphs! Back at the parking lot, I struck up a conversation with another guy who was 3 miles further up the stream than I and apparently crushed it using dry flies. Water was probably around 35-38 degrees, but they were hungry.
On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 2:23 PM, Andrew Sarcinello <andy...@gmail.com> wrote:
Just adding one more "data point" here from this weekend.  Fished Sunday on a tiny native brook trout stream, where granted they will eat anything and probably on any given day.  Caught 22 brook trout in 2.5 hrs all on a green weenie, water temp a chilly 35.

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TurbineBlade

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Feb 16, 2017, 7:30:52 AM2/16/17
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Was anyone staying in the cabin?


On Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 2:24:42 PM UTC-5, James Fletcher wrote:
Success!

Hiked along the Hughes River last Saturday (first time being up there), and caught around 12 Brookies between 12 pm and 3:45 pm. Middle of February and I was throwing dries of all sorts, each one getting good hits. 

Thanks for all the advice guys - appreciate your insights and patience!

Best, 
On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 2:30 PM, James Fletcher <djflet...@gmail.com> wrote:
Yup!

Went out to a brookie stream on Saturday and got some great action on Prince and Pheasant Hair nymphs! Back at the parking lot, I struck up a conversation with another guy who was 3 miles further up the stream than I and apparently crushed it using dry flies. Water was probably around 35-38 degrees, but they were hungry.
On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 2:23 PM, Andrew Sarcinello <andy...@gmail.com> wrote:
Just adding one more "data point" here from this weekend.  Fished Sunday on a tiny native brook trout stream, where granted they will eat anything and probably on any given day.  Caught 22 brook trout in 2.5 hrs all on a green weenie, water temp a chilly 35.

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Greggory DiSalvo

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Feb 16, 2017, 9:58:29 AM2/16/17
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I hit Brokenback a few weeks back and was pleasantly surprised. I always opted for Hughes before, but I saw a number of other anglers go right, so I went left.  Much smaller water, and fewer fish than I normally catch on Hughes, but really pretty fish and nice runs.  In the warmer months you could do both in a day, but with a tighter fishing window, I stuck with Brokenback run that day.

Gregg


On Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 2:24:42 PM UTC-5, James Fletcher wrote:
Success!

Hiked along the Hughes River last Saturday (first time being up there), and caught around 12 Brookies between 12 pm and 3:45 pm. Middle of February and I was throwing dries of all sorts, each one getting good hits. 

Thanks for all the advice guys - appreciate your insights and patience!

Best, 
On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 2:30 PM, James Fletcher <djflet...@gmail.com> wrote:
Yup!

Went out to a brookie stream on Saturday and got some great action on Prince and Pheasant Hair nymphs! Back at the parking lot, I struck up a conversation with another guy who was 3 miles further up the stream than I and apparently crushed it using dry flies. Water was probably around 35-38 degrees, but they were hungry.
On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 2:23 PM, Andrew Sarcinello <andy...@gmail.com> wrote:
Just adding one more "data point" here from this weekend.  Fished Sunday on a tiny native brook trout stream, where granted they will eat anything and probably on any given day.  Caught 22 brook trout in 2.5 hrs all on a green weenie, water temp a chilly 35.

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TurbineBlade

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Feb 16, 2017, 5:39:42 PM2/16/17
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The Hughes presented us with a beautiful Timber rattler a few years back.  Enter a search for it and you'll see the picture ;).  

It's a really nice stream --

Gene

James Fletcher

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Feb 16, 2017, 7:20:22 PM2/16/17
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Didn't make it up to the cabin - turned back and hiked down maybe a .5 mile down from it due to light fading. 

Will definitely be making a strong effort to learn this water in the Spring when the weather really gets good. 

On Thu, Feb 16, 2017 at 5:39 PM, TurbineBlade <doubl...@gmail.com> wrote:
The Hughes presented us with a beautiful Timber rattler a few years back.  Enter a search for it and you'll see the picture ;).  

It's a really nice stream --

Gene


On Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 9:58:29 AM UTC-5, Greggory DiSalvo wrote:
I hit Brokenback a few weeks back and was pleasantly surprised. I always opted for Hughes before, but I saw a number of other anglers go right, so I went left.  Much smaller water, and fewer fish than I normally catch on Hughes, but really pretty fish and nice runs.  In the warmer months you could do both in a day, but with a tighter fishing window, I stuck with Brokenback run that day.

Gregg

On Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 2:24:42 PM UTC-5, James Fletcher wrote:
Success!

Hiked along the Hughes River last Saturday (first time being up there), and caught around 12 Brookies between 12 pm and 3:45 pm. Middle of February and I was throwing dries of all sorts, each one getting good hits. 

Thanks for all the advice guys - appreciate your insights and patience!

Best, 
On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 2:30 PM, James Fletcher <djflet...@gmail.com> wrote:
Yup!

Went out to a brookie stream on Saturday and got some great action on Prince and Pheasant Hair nymphs! Back at the parking lot, I struck up a conversation with another guy who was 3 miles further up the stream than I and apparently crushed it using dry flies. Water was probably around 35-38 degrees, but they were hungry.
On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 2:23 PM, Andrew Sarcinello <andy...@gmail.com> wrote:
Just adding one more "data point" here from this weekend.  Fished Sunday on a tiny native brook trout stream, where granted they will eat anything and probably on any given day.  Caught 22 brook trout in 2.5 hrs all on a green weenie, water temp a chilly 35.

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Matt Brennan

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Feb 19, 2017, 11:06:21 AM2/19/17
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Got skunked on bull run yesterday. This guy landed on me as I was walking back to the car though, so I'll take that as a good omen.



I saw the Hughes got stocked on Wednesday, but that was a bit too far for my late start yesterday. Hopefully someone got in to them!

~Matt


On Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 7:20:22 PM UTC-5, James Fletcher wrote:
Didn't make it up to the cabin - turned back and hiked down maybe a .5 mile down from it due to light fading. 

Will definitely be making a strong effort to learn this water in the Spring when the weather really gets good. 
On Thu, Feb 16, 2017 at 5:39 PM, TurbineBlade <doubl...@gmail.com> wrote:
The Hughes presented us with a beautiful Timber rattler a few years back.  Enter a search for it and you'll see the picture ;).  

It's a really nice stream --

Gene


On Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 9:58:29 AM UTC-5, Greggory DiSalvo wrote:
I hit Brokenback a few weeks back and was pleasantly surprised. I always opted for Hughes before, but I saw a number of other anglers go right, so I went left.  Much smaller water, and fewer fish than I normally catch on Hughes, but really pretty fish and nice runs.  In the warmer months you could do both in a day, but with a tighter fishing window, I stuck with Brokenback run that day.

Gregg

On Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 2:24:42 PM UTC-5, James Fletcher wrote:
Success!

Hiked along the Hughes River last Saturday (first time being up there), and caught around 12 Brookies between 12 pm and 3:45 pm. Middle of February and I was throwing dries of all sorts, each one getting good hits. 

Thanks for all the advice guys - appreciate your insights and patience!

Best, 
On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 2:30 PM, James Fletcher <djflet...@gmail.com> wrote:
Yup!

Went out to a brookie stream on Saturday and got some great action on Prince and Pheasant Hair nymphs! Back at the parking lot, I struck up a conversation with another guy who was 3 miles further up the stream than I and apparently crushed it using dry flies. Water was probably around 35-38 degrees, but they were hungry.
On Mon, Feb 6, 2017 at 2:23 PM, Andrew Sarcinello <andy...@gmail.com> wrote:
Just adding one more "data point" here from this weekend.  Fished Sunday on a tiny native brook trout stream, where granted they will eat anything and probably on any given day.  Caught 22 brook trout in 2.5 hrs all on a green weenie, water temp a chilly 35.

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James Fletcher

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Feb 19, 2017, 2:52:25 PM2/19/17
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Matt,

What was the water level like?

I think I'll wait until a warm stretch in April (and a Friday to take off from work) until I make down to that part of the Valley. 

What's that fly you've got in your photo - still working on my ability to identify...

Gene
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Anderson Thomas

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Feb 19, 2017, 4:40:06 PM2/19/17
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That's a stonefly.  All over the mountain streams in early spring.

Anderson Thomas
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James Fletcher

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Feb 20, 2017, 11:00:43 AM2/20/17
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Thank you!

Early spring would be...late March through May?

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Andrew Sarcinello

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Feb 20, 2017, 11:18:13 AM2/20/17
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The little black or brown stonefly pictured often shows up on any warm sunny afternoon even in mid winter. Also a sign of good water quality. The heaviest hatches I've witnessed have been in late February/early March. Try skating a small black caddis dry fly if you see them. Midges often hatch at the same time so really any small black dry fly will work. Early season fish are usually not picky

James Fletcher

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Feb 20, 2017, 11:23:42 AM2/20/17
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So this could be right around the bend??

Andrew, do you know if these hatches happen in the mountain streams or mostly on the water further down?

On Mon, Feb 20, 2017 at 11:18 AM, Andrew Sarcinello <andy...@gmail.com> wrote:
The little black or brown stonefly pictured often shows up on any warm sunny afternoon even in mid winter. Also a sign of good water quality.  The heaviest hatches I've witnessed have been in late February/early March. Try skating a small black caddis dry fly if you see them. Midges often hatch at the same time so really any small black dry fly will work. Early season fish are usually not picky
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Andrew Sarcinello

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Feb 20, 2017, 11:46:01 AM2/20/17
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I've mostly seen them on mountain streams but fwiw I also almost exclusively fish mountain streams.

I wouldn't say it's right around the corner - it's already here. If you can get out this week to the mountains in mid day, you'll probably see them out in force. I've seen a couple myself earlier this month but it was too cold for a fishable hatch.

Anderson Thomas

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Feb 20, 2017, 12:05:25 PM2/20/17
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Generally, depending on the stream.  But early spring seems to have already arrived in some places.  Stones can easily be hatching early in the year though, even when there's still snow on the ground.


Anderson Thomas
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TurbineBlade

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Feb 20, 2017, 1:19:28 PM2/20/17
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I think there's a distinction between "small streams" as it relates to mountain brook trout streams and smallish warm water streams.  I would fish the former right now without hesitation, but I don't attempt the latter until temps come up quite a lot more than they are right now.  

Gene
Gene
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Tom Somers

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Mar 9, 2017, 8:24:05 PM3/9/17
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So, got the fever and Saturday will be my only chance for the next week or so. Cold and windy forecast. What ya'all think: west for trout, 4mile, Gravelly, bank around Fletcher's ? Any advice welcome. Thx in advance

Yambag Nelson

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Mar 9, 2017, 8:38:51 PM3/9/17
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None of those options seem very appealing to me, but if I had the time and really wanted to fish I would head west for trout.

Ashley Frohwein

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Mar 10, 2017, 12:48:18 PM3/10/17
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fly tying

Misha Gill

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Mar 10, 2017, 1:18:35 PM3/10/17
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Agree with Ashley. Better weekend for puttering than for exploring. If you do fish maybe consider choosing a brookie stream likely to be on the lee side of a mountain. Check out this map to ascertain wind direction at the present moment: http://hint.fm/wind/index.html

Gadsden Merrill

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Mar 10, 2017, 2:11:06 PM3/10/17
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That's an awesome map Misha!  I also like https://www.ventusky.com/ for pretty weather visualization.  

For what it's worth I think I'm going to try fishing this weekend.  Morgen, morgen, nur nicht heute, sagen alle faulen Leute

Anderson Thomas

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Mar 10, 2017, 2:15:37 PM3/10/17
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If your determined to fish and willing to drive 3 hours out to western Maryland to fish for trout (I assume your in/around D.C.), I would drive 3 hours south to Lynchburg, hire Matt Miles, and go fish for musky.


Anderson Thomas
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Art Friedlander

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Mar 10, 2017, 2:17:28 PM3/10/17
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Can you provide more info on the musky fishing?




From: Anderson Thomas <andrs...@gmail.com>
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2017 2:15 PM
Subject: Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: How Cold Is Too Cold?

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TurbineBlade

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Mar 10, 2017, 2:39:06 PM3/10/17
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Or you could save yourself the trouble and simply stuff one sock into another like a "club", run said club under the sink, and then beat yourself in the back of the head with it.  

You can do this indoors. 

Gene 


On Friday, March 10, 2017 at 2:17:28 PM UTC-5, Art Friedlander wrote:
Can you provide more info on the musky fishing?




From: Anderson Thomas <andrs...@gmail.com>
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2017 2:15 PM
Subject: Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: How Cold Is Too Cold?
If your determined to fish and willing to drive 3 hours out to western Maryland to fish for trout (I assume your in/around D.C.), I would drive 3 hours south to Lynchburg, hire Matt Miles, and go fish for musky.

Anderson Thomas
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On Mar 10, 2017, at 11:48, Ashley Frohwein <ashleyf...@gmail.com> wrote:

fly tying

On Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 8:38:51 PM UTC-5, Yambag Nelson wrote:
None of those options seem very appealing to me, but if I had the time and really wanted to fish I would head west for trout.

On Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 8:24:05 PM UTC-5, Tom Somers wrote:
So, got the fever and Saturday will be my only chance for the next week or so.  Cold and windy forecast.  What ya'all think:  west for trout, 4mile, Gravelly, bank around Fletcher's ?  Any advice welcome.  Thx in advance
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Jeffrey Silvan

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Mar 10, 2017, 2:50:45 PM3/10/17
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The Musky fishing is awesome but also very masochistic. I go as often as I can, which unfortunately has only been twice to date. I definitely second the Matt Miles recommendation. 

Pros: insanely exciting when you have a fish follow and hit. They're also way bigger than most other fish you'd catch in the area. 
Cons: Basically, you're going to throw an 11-weight rod all day with a 12-inch fly. It's extraordinarily tiring. Excellent casting skills and the ability to double haul is a must. 
The biggest Con: Consider it a good day to see a fish. Consider yourself lucky to have one follow your fly. Consider yourself extremely lucky if you get a bite. Consider yourself an American hero if you don't freak out and trout set, losing the fish.

On Fri, Mar 10, 2017 at 2:17 PM, 'Art Friedlander' via Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
Can you provide more info on the musky fishing?




From: Anderson Thomas <andrs...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2017 2:15 PM
Subject: Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: How Cold Is Too Cold?
If your determined to fish and willing to drive 3 hours out to western Maryland to fish for trout (I assume your in/around D.C.), I would drive 3 hours south to Lynchburg, hire Matt Miles, and go fish for musky.

Anderson Thomas
Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 10, 2017, at 11:48, Ashley Frohwein <ashleyf...@gmail.com> wrote:

fly tying

On Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 8:38:51 PM UTC-5, Yambag Nelson wrote:
None of those options seem very appealing to me, but if I had the time and really wanted to fish I would head west for trout.

On Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 8:24:05 PM UTC-5, Tom Somers wrote:
So, got the fever and Saturday will be my only chance for the next week or so.  Cold and windy forecast.  What ya'all think:  west for trout, 4mile, Gravelly, bank around Fletcher's ?  Any advice welcome.  Thx in advance
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Art Friedlander

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Mar 10, 2017, 3:05:21 PM3/10/17
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Appreciate the confirmation of what I imagined


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Sent: Friday, March 10, 2017 2:50 PM

Subject: Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: How Cold Is Too Cold?

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Anderson Thomas

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Mar 10, 2017, 4:00:07 PM3/10/17
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The James River holds a good number of musky.  You just need a boat and the knowledge of where to go.  I went on a trip last March with Matt Miles, a great guide out of Lynchburg.  My first musky trip. I had one follow, landed one, and had another strike all in one day.  A fairly exciting day for musky fishing.    Had a blast.  It's hard fishing and you can easily go all day and catch nothing but still definitely rewarding in my opinion.  You're casting an 11 wt all day with a sink tip and a 10 inch fly, so it's not for beginners.  But if you love being on the water and the anticipation of catching the baddest fish in there every cast, it might be for you.


Anderson Thomas
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Andrew Sarcinello

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Mar 11, 2017, 11:16:15 PM3/11/17
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Yeah musky fishing is frigging tough. My experience with it is 4 days on the Allegheny River in NW PA. In those 4 days I caught a decent pike and a huge smallmouth (ate a 9" long fly) and had one small musky eat but not get hooked.

I wish there were more pike in this area. They're still a pretty badass fish but far more aggressive than muskies.

TurbineBlade

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Mar 12, 2017, 12:22:46 PM3/12/17
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Ill second that!

namfos

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Mar 13, 2017, 12:11:44 PM3/13/17
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ROFLMAO!
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