south branch potomac report/discussion, plus NF Shenandoah

[Andrew LaVigne]

Finally had a chance Memorial weekend to put the drive time in to get to the upper South Branch of the Potomac in WV. Drove 81 South to Harrisonburg, then 33 up through the National Forest and over the line. Fished a section just north of Franklin off WV220- access was really easy, just pull off the road where there was space. Saw no other fishermen, which, given the full parking spots I passed along Dry River, was pretty great.

River was cobble bottom, pretty slick, but manageable. Depth 1-3 feet in most spots, but some deeper pools that made it interesting. Water temps felt like they were wandering a little high, probably closing on 70 degrees. Fished from late morning until late afternoon, got off the water with a storm coming up, and went down to Harrisonburg for the night. 

Fishing was fun enough, if not great. I did hit the WV slam - rainbow, brook, brown, and palomino - nothing over 14 inches, but a few good fights, and a 12-inch brook trout, hitting my PR. Fish came on a mix of streamers (buggers, kreelex), attractor nymphs (Prince, copper john, mop, SJ worm), but nothing on top other than an errant brown hitting my indicator. Saw very little surface activity, and things were definitely slowing down in the heat of the day. 

Questions for the group: 

-Anyone else fish this stretch of late?

- Are there other spots on this river with better cold water sources for summer fishing? 

Also, made a pit stop on the North Fork of the Shenandoah on my way back to DC on memorial day, necessitated by being late (6:15am) to get a Beaver Creek permit in Ottobine (good work to any of you that were lined up before dawn to get those).

Not super appealing water, at least compared to the South Fork, and really not any more wadeable, at least after storms hit hard Sunday night. Managed one largemouth before I decided it was time to call it a day. Open to advice on wading spots on that river if anyone has them...

 

[Yambag Nelson]

How early were people getting there for a beaver permit?

[Andrew LaVigne]

There were 4 permits available, and the lady that runs the gas station where you get them said they were lined up before the store opened at 6am. Not sure if more than 4 ppl lined up or what, but yeah. 

That said, it was Memorial Day, so lots of folks out. I've fished that stream twice prior, once a July weekday, once a November Saturday, and gotten permits both times.