Welcome Aboard!
You are not logged in.
The 1st trek of today's trip was to pick up Bob at his son's business in Manassas. From there it was on to Sheetz on Rt. 15 to pick up breakfast and lunch sammies and then on to the Riverton Boat Ramp. All in was about 70 miles one way. Smooth ride in the limo.
We chatted with a guy at Sheetz that said he had some success there a few days back. As well, at the ramp we chatted with a yakker that said he catches fish there.
I had told Bob that I expected nothing form there as it is a different environment that what we are used to even though it's a river that I fish often. The lack of current (like a lake) is perplexing and I'm not gonna sit there and drop shot.
We were on the water shortly before 9a.
Air temps were in the low 40's but rising rapidly as the sun got up.
Water temps started at...
...and water was gin clear.
We slowly motored out of the North Fork and went up the South fork for a bit. Too shallow to try to go any further so we stared fishing.
But got 1st pullage but it was the dreaded stick fish!
After a bit (9:20a), I got the skunk off with a healthy LMB (near the shoreline).
It was slim pickins today, really slow. Just like the current (or lack of one).
Next was a smallie in deep water.
A half hour later, another LMB near the shore.
Then Bob and I got a couple of BGs.
The last fish was caught at 1:15p and we called it at 2p or so. Here is the water temp just before we left.
The day was gorgeous but we noted the lack of wildlife activity until after lunch.
However, in the morning, Bob got stuck on a tree or rock and I used the TM to get there. As we got within 6-7' of the shore, a blue heron took off from shore (we did not see him) and scared the crap out of both of us. We each had a different reaction but that bird definitely spooked us.
So as we headed back to the ramp we were disappointed at the catching (only 5 fish) but were happy that we were out on a beautiful day (and I was not bitchin' about the cold).
Offline
I hate self fulfilling prophecies. I was shocked when E. announced he didn't expect we'd catch any. Regardless, it was a beautiful November day with no wind or clouds and warm temps. We could see the bottom in 10'.... too clear? I think the "lake" comment is accurate. This stretch is backed up from a dam. The level at the ramp looks like the norm, and the shorelines don't show signs of much fluctuation.
What E. didn't say about my nice stickfish is that it came on the second cast of the morning. I went right to the source and harvested it from 20' above the water. Usually when there's no splash after a cast it doesn't work out as well.
Offline
The best clear water comment was what Bob told his son when he called to find out the score. Bob said,"it's so clear that you could read the headlines of a newspaper at 10' "
Offline
Good job testing some different waters! Healthy looking fish too. Water is crazy low and clear. I went shore fishing this AM and had one half-hearted swipe at my popper, but no fish caught. Nice adventure.
Offline
Nice job scratching out a few fish
Offline
drxfish wrote:
Water is crazy low and clear.
George and I went on a recon mission yesterday to look at the lower Monocacy River ramp. I should have taken pics. We determined that I may be able to launch the boat but getting out on the main river might require: 1. poling 2. using TW 3. Getting out and pushing the boat. Don't think I'm gonna do any of these. And getting the boat on the trailer would definitely require getting wet.
There was a boat out there that launched out of that ramp. It's a guide's boat, 16'. Would have loved to see how he retrieved the boat.
When we did our hike, we looked down at the river from the Aqueduct. Gin clear and low, as we all know.
Finally, lunch was exceptional at Roadhouse Jerk!
Offline
Ernie wrote:
Finally, lunch was exceptional at Roadhouse Jerk!
Lunch - that was a feast with bags of left overs for dinner and breakfast
As far as fishing, great job getting out and catching a few
Offline