Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Pond of Giants

Jim,

Thanks for sharing. The Pool of Giants...miss that place.

This was one of my go to spots when I first started fly-fishing. Loved taking my dog out there and roaming the woods without having to have him on a leash. Didn't realize they closed off the old dam but it doesn't surprise me. There's a couple other small ponds with bass in them (no idea how they got there) in the woods around there, away from the Billy Goat Trail. May have to venture over there sometime soon when I visit my parents out in Bethugsda.

Andrew R 

On Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at 2:49:01 PM UTC-4, Marek wrote:

Jim,

Thanks for your post. It's been years since I wrote that and it brought back some fond memories!

I wasn't aware that they blocked that short-cut, as the small stream leading to the pond has one or 2 decent pools to fish along the way.

Fish definitely spook in that pond, and I've experienced my best luck at dusk. Spring, after a big rain....

Marek

-----Original Message-----
From: tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com [mailto:tidal-potomac-fly-rodders@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of jpbarr
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2017 1:28 PM
To: Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders <tidal-potoma...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: {Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders} Re: Pond of Giants

After looking through some older posts and the google map, I decided to scout out what someone here called the "Pond of Giants." With a name like that, how can I resist?

The original post had detailed instructions on how to get there. Basically, it's over bear the Billy Goat trail bear Carderock. Unfortunately, I couldn't test the instructions because what was obviously the trail we were supposed to take was roped off with a sign to please use the official trail. In my youth, maybe I would have jumped it, bury with my 13 year old boy standing next to me, I decided to obey the rules (and possibly the law).

So we hopped on the Billy Goat trailhead nearest the parking area. I now believe it's called the Billy Goat trail because need to be a billy goat to hike it! It took us about an hour to make it to the pond, with lots of ups and downs on the way.

Almost immediately, I saw the last inch or 2 of something huge and slow (probably a carp) heading for cover under the lilly pads. We took our shots with a variety of poppers, streamers, and everything in between. My son gave up chasing monster carp and bass and targeted the pan fish hanging out near the banks and pulled in a half dozen blue gill. I kept trying for the big ones and came up empty.

All in all, if you can get there, there are a couple of big lunkers in there, but getting there is no simple task. And you have to put up with spectators who have never seen a live fly angler before. I don't mind too much, but I'd rather not have people watching my ugly casts, uglier given the right space for back casting.

I'm not sure I'd do it again, the hike took its toll, including losing the sole from one of my ancient work boots on the way back. If they re-open the short cut, I might take a shot, though. Those were big fish in there.

Best of luck!!

-Jim

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