Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Above the fall line which is Little Falls....quite a hike from Fletcher's but reachable for other places.

NOVAhunter wrote:

Is it possible to launch a kayak out of turkey run park? That stretch of water has always looked very fishy..

I am not sure about the Kayak. The PRSC does several trips there, but I don't know if they just wade.

More info.....

National Capital Chapter Trout Unlimited

2011 SHAD REPORT #1, 3-21-11

"FIRST HICKORY HOOKED"

2011 NCC-TU Shad Report #1 First Hickory Hooked We’re not sure about the rest of the Potomac, but the first hickory shad of the year at Fletcher’s Cove has been caught. The shad run is on!

Alex Binsted, a Boathouse employee, took the first fish on spinning tackle late Sunday afternoon. He’d been trying since Friday and became a little distracted by some nice–and delicious–white perch catches. A final weekend attempt for hickories paid off with three hooked and two landed.

This year’s first shad comes two days earlier than last year. Water temperatures rose steadily last week as the river dropped and cleared, just what we look for. Rain and cooler temperatures could slow the progress a bit this week.

Alex fished from one of just two rowboats that were in the water at Fletcher’s. Good weather last week gave Dan Ward and Ray Fletcher a chance to finish painting the last few boats. The fleet will be launched any day now as preparations continue for the official opening of the concession next Saturday at 6:00 am.

Of course, plans could change if the river rises again. Stay in touch with The Boathouse at Fletcher’s Cove at their website. We’ll update you later in the week and include some other useful links to help you plan your shad trips wisely this year.

If you feel like you have to hit the water RIGHT NOW, try the shoreline just upstream from the Fletcher’s dock, otherwise known as the “hickory hole.” It’s a great spot for early season action in high water with spinning rigs. Fly rodders may want to hike down to the point at the bottom of the cove, especially at low tide.

We’ve heard about a few hickory shad being caught at Chain Bridge over the weekend, but conditions are perfect up there for the dreaded gizzard shad run that gets going right about now. A lot of anglers still confuse these resident fish for either of the two anadromous shad from the Atlantic.

Let us know if you have good information about early hickory catches anywhere on the Potomac, or just want your own credit for a “first shad.”

Good luck this year!

Mark Binsted
Mark Binsted
NCC-TU