Wading 4 Mile Run

[Patrick Reilly]

I've finally have my weekends free again and given the amazing weather this past (except for today), I was thinking of heading to four mile run this weekend and getting some fishing in. I wanted to check with the wisdom of the board and see if it would be okay to wade this weekend WITHOUT waders (I'd be going in sneakers and shorts).  Not sure if it's too cold yet.  Thanks!

Cheers,
Patrick

[Kevin Huntington]

As long as you're comfortable wading around outside of a shit treatment plant, have at it!  Temperature wouldn't be my main concern there....

[Patrick Reilly]

I've done it many times before, and let me tell you, I highly recommend the "new" 3rd toe for stability when scrambling :)

[Jeffrey Silvan]

I agree with Kevin - temp is the last thing I'd worry about in a steam like Four Mile Run. That being said, none of the gauges in the area seem to have water temp, but at Little Falls, the Potomac is running 56-59 degrees the past few days. The discharge will be warmer than that, and 4MR will likely respond to warm days (and cold days) a little faster than the bigger river. But, in my opinion, you won't last long wading in sub-60 degree water without waders with cool air temps.

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[TurbineBlade]

Ignore my other post -- I missed the question.

NO -- do not wet wade 4MR. 

Gene

On Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 10:42:04 AM UTC-5, Jeff Silvan wrote:

I agree with Kevin - temp is the last thing I'd worry about in a steam like Four Mile Run. That being said, none of the gauges in the area seem to have water temp, but at Little Falls, the Potomac is running 56-59 degrees the past few days. The discharge will be warmer than that, and 4MR will likely respond to warm days (and cold days) a little faster than the bigger river. But, in my opinion, you won't last long wading in sub-60 degree water without waders with cool air temps.

On Thu, Nov 5, 2015 at 10:36 AM, Kevin Huntington <huntingt...@gmail.com> wrote:

As long as you're comfortable wading around outside of a shit treatment plant, have at it!  Temperature wouldn't be my main concern there....

On Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 10:31:59 AM UTC-5, Patrick Reilly wrote:

I've finally have my weekends free again and given the amazing weather this past (except for today), I was thinking of heading to four mile run this weekend and getting some fishing in. I wanted to check with the wisdom of the board and see if it would be okay to wade this weekend WITHOUT waders (I'd be going in sneakers and shorts).  Not sure if it's too cold yet.  Thanks!

Cheers,
Patrick

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[Richard Farino]

No wet wading there.  The temps are not an issue.  The fact that 4 Mile Run is essentially a stream of nothing more than street water runoff, little flow from the springs way upriver, effluent from Arlington County water treatment, and tidal fluctuations which now include a portion of the 9500 gallons of jet fuel that was spilled at DCA, some of which ended up in the Potomac at the mouth of 4MR which most definitely made it’s way upriver.

Same thing at Gravelly, the Duck Pond, the Anacostia, or any of the rivers in the immediate DC metro area with potentially higher than normal contaminants.  Don’t wet wade those places.

R

Richard Farino

Urban Angler VA | 108 N. Washington Street  2nd Floor | Alexandria, VA 22314 

(703) 527-2524 | fax: (703) 527-3313 | ric...@urbanangler.com    

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[Jamie Carracher]

I actually just got my first pair of waders and have wanted to try 4 MR because it looks like a good place to not only catch fish but also practice casting, which I definitely need.

What do you all normally wear under your waders for pants when it gets cooler out?

Is there anything I should consider from a safety perspective before getting in the water there? I have only waded in Bull Run, which for the most part is pretty docile. 

Jamie

On Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 10:42:04 AM UTC-5, Jeff Silvan wrote:

I agree with Kevin - temp is the last thing I'd worry about in a steam like Four Mile Run. That being said, none of the gauges in the area seem to have water temp, but at Little Falls, the Potomac is running 56-59 degrees the past few days. The discharge will be warmer than that, and 4MR will likely respond to warm days (and cold days) a little faster than the bigger river. But, in my opinion, you won't last long wading in sub-60 degree water without waders with cool air temps.

On Thu, Nov 5, 2015 at 10:36 AM, Kevin Huntington <huntingt...@gmail.com> wrote:

As long as you're comfortable wading around outside of a shit treatment plant, have at it!  Temperature wouldn't be my main concern there....

On Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 10:31:59 AM UTC-5, Patrick Reilly wrote:

I've finally have my weekends free again and given the amazing weather this past (except for today), I was thinking of heading to four mile run this weekend and getting some fishing in. I wanted to check with the wisdom of the board and see if it would be okay to wade this weekend WITHOUT waders (I'd be going in sneakers and shorts).  Not sure if it's too cold yet.  Thanks!

Cheers,
Patrick

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[Yambag Nelson]

Jeans.  Warm socks are the most important thing if it is really cold.  That was what I wore 20+ years winter steelhead fishing in upstate ny and I was never cold.   

[Casey Peltier]

Fleece pants, and yeah, wool socks. My jeans soaked up every bit of moisture and chafed. Fleece wicks moisture to the inside surface of the waders where it can dissipate through the breathable membrane.

---

Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2015 06:43:20 -0800
From: northstreet...@gmail.com
To: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Wading 4 Mile Run

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[Patrick Reilly]

Jamie - I can't comment on what to wear under your waders (I don't own them), but I've waded 4MR probably 10-15 times over the last 2 years. I've always gone near the outflow near Mt. Vernon Ave and South Glebe Road.  The current isn't bad there at all. Its a muddy bottom that's not that deep (you'll sink an inch or two) and you can stand in the middle of the river and fish both banks really easy (and work on your casting without catching anything on your back swing).  There is a great hole to fish at the upstream side of the outflow and then another on the downstream side (where I haven't had as much success).  There is a pylon holding an electrical line upstream from the outflow that has holes on the right and left side with fish.

I've had my best luck and most fun fishing the hole upstream of the outflow and then working the bank downstream from the outflow. I've usually go out about 2 hours before high tide and fish for 3 hours or so on nymphs (the fuzzier the better), casting 4 or 5 times to the reeds along the bank, then moving another 3 or 4 feet down for about 300 to 400 yards downstream from the outflow.  You can catch fish anyplace along the bank, but there are also about 4 or 5 good holes (you'll see them) that have a pretty good concentration.  I catch between 20 and 30 fish over those 3 hours, most smaller than 3 inches - sunfish, bluegills, a few strippers and even a tiny shad or two. There are two 18 inch catfish I see every time out there, but have never been able to tempt them into biting. I used to use some of the same shad flies I had success with on the Potomac, had plenty of bites, but could only catch one or two fish a session (i think the fly was too big for most of the tiny fish to take). They were much bigger (I caught an 8 inch large mouth), but I enjoy catching a lot of fish over bigger, so I went back to the nymphs.

Water is crystal clear and you can sight fish. At high tide the water will go over your waist (I'm 6'2") but its not fast moving. At low tide it might barely cover your ankles. Just be aware of the dramatic change in water levels and you'll be fine.

If you have any more questions or more detailed ones, you can email me at reillykp at gmail dot com.  If I can scrounge up a pair of waders from somewhere, I may be out there this Sunday.

Good luck!

Cheers,
Patrick

On Friday, November 6, 2015 at 9:18:56 AM UTC-5, Jamie Carracher wrote:

[Patrick Reilly]

Sorry, I meant out there this Saturday if I can scrounge up a pair of waders! North London Derby is Sunday, COYG!

The other fun thing about the outflow, they discharge the water at 65 degrees at all times, so you can fish it all year round!

Cheers,
Patrick

[TurbineBlade]

I'm in there right now. Tons of small bass to be had. 2 other guys here too. Gotta go. To the airport. ..no fishing this weekend.

Wading doesn't get any easier than 4 mr. Just do it. With waders.

[John Bilotta]

Fleece pants or flannel lined pants are nice as the water gets cooler. Basically try to keep the cold water off or away from your legs.

As mentioned you don't really need a staff there but will want one elsewhere, so invest when you can. A staff when fishing the rocks along the Potomac is useful, but a stick will work.

 I have found that I never need a wading staff, until I need a wading staff. 

Studs in your wading boots are useful but not necessarily at 4mr.  On the savage or up in NY, studs can keep you dry.

Plan on falling in at some point in different types of water conditions and how you would approach a swim. It happens to the best of us.

John

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[Bryan Lanier]

I have wet-waded 4MR. Once. But then again I've capsized my sailboat on the Potomac several times so maybe I've built up an immunity. I do like having the extra fingers and toes, tho.  

Bryan

On Fri, Nov 6, 2015 at 10:49 AM, TurbineBlade <doubl...@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm in there right now. Tons of small bass to be had. 2 other guys here too. Gotta go. To the airport. ..no fishing this weekend.

Wading doesn't get any easier than 4 mr.  Just do it. With waders.

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[Rob Snowhite]

Just got a report that the outflow is full of 8" bass. Bring the 1wt. 

Sent from my iPhone

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[Carl Z.]

Get out there with the waders and give it a try.  The weather is warm enough that I wouldn't worry about what to wear under it right now.  You will learn what works for you.  

John's advice is great (as always), but two items that I haven't seen mentioned.  

First, move slow and be sure of where your foot is going.  If there is a hole or stick, you can stuble easily. this can get you wet, but it also spooks the fish. 

Second, don't try to go too deep.  Chest waders are great up to about waste level.  You can go deeper, but a little hole or uncertain footing and you can swamp them.  Swamped waders can be dangerous. 

Now I'm great at giving advice, but I've swamped my waders and stumbled through the water enough to know better.  We all will do something stupid sometime, but get your wading legs first.  4mr is a great place because most of it is shallow with a decent bottom.  Oh and take a shower afterward. Or at least wash your hands.  I worry less about the sewage plant than all the other sources of toxins and bacteria in the creek.

Carl

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[Derek Douglas]

For the love of God, no one should be wet wading 4MR, the DC Potomac, or any urban stream. I can promise you that you're getting significantly higher chemical exposure to your person when you do so. You should also avoid wet wading in most streams close to population until at least 48 hours after rainfall due to runoff and drainage.