Weekend Fishing Report

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By Gene Mueller

Just about everybody agrees that the start of the Maryland trophy rockfish season last Saturday began more with a whimper than a bang, but some of the boaters who trolled the Chesapeake's waters with massive parachute bucktails and umbrella rigs that contained a series of Sassy Shad lures connected.

For example, Ken Lamb of Lexington Park's Tackle Box, said: "Trollers found the going slow. However, there were some exceptions as a good bite of big fish was found north of Parker's Creek early Saturday; the boats out of the Rod'n'Reel Dock did very well. But that cooled down by 10 a.m., and everyone was just plunking along after that."

Added Christy Henderson of Buzz's Marina, along St. Jerome's Creek in St. Mary's County: "The rockfish were scattered. They seemed to be more concentrated in the Triangle area. Everyone caught fish but some more than others. The biggest one [we saw] measured 46.5 inches." Henderson also mentioned that some croakers were caught near Buoy 72 on the ledge in 60 feet of water, and she added that the flounder had arrived.

There may be croakers out in the Chesapeake Bay, but after last weekend's optimistic outlook for the hardheads, fishermen in the Bushwood area of the Potomac's Wicomico feeder river are saying the bite has come to a screeching halt. Continuous warm weather will change all that.

Freshwater river fans should know that the upper Potomac (and other mountain rivers) should be avoided currently because of recent heavy precipitation. In the case of the Potomac, river levels are hazardous for recreational use on the main stem from Cumberland to Little Falls.

Here's one more reminder that the American Fly Fishing Trade Association's will have its annual fishing event Sunday and Monday at Fletcher's Cove (off Canal Road in Georgetown) on the Potomac River. D.C. children and their families are invited. A Family & Youth Casting Call goes out 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, and specially stocked fish in the C&O Canal will await visitors. On Monday, government decision-makers will fish for shad on the Potomac. For more details, go to www.familyandyouthcastingcall.com and www.nationalcastingcall.com.

(Ratings key: **** Excellent fishing; *** Good; ** Fair; * Poor)

AREA 1: D.C. AND VICINITY

TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER: 0-35 miles (***) -- At Fletcher's Cove (Georgetown, off Canal Road; call 202/244-0461) Ray Fletcher said the Potomac was high, swift and muddy.

"But I'll wager that by Saturday and Sunday, maybe even Friday, things will be good enough for fishing and it will be very productive. The shad will be jumping on shad darts," he said, adding, "In fact, I believe the peak of the run will occur this weekend."