Pacemaker Fishing Forum

Against my previous experience and USGS data, I took Wednesday off from work to wade the North Fork of the Shenandoah.  Water levels and speed were typical for Spring, it was a tough wade.  About 70-75F air temps.  Here's what I figured out:

1) Sunfish, not even rock bass still inactive. No action.
2) Fallfish, chubs, other muskie chow minnows.  Present, but spawning, so no action.
3) Bass somewhat active.
4) Saw a carp come up and fin, seems a bit early for that.

Only fish of the day was a very solid 14-16" SMB, maybe 2.5 lbs.  Caught it on a drop-shot pumpkin & purple fleck 3" tube in deep water on a current edge.  Was afraid I mortally wounded the fish and would have to put it in the cooler, but it recovered after about 40 seconds and swam off hard and fast .

I briefly hooked what looked like a dink LMB on Case Magic Stick in a slough, but lost it.