| Powered by Fly Fishers International July 2020 Newsletter Everyone is welcome here! If you like to fly fish or would like to learn to fly fish the Potomac river, you are welcome here. The Tidal Potoma Everyone is welcome here!If you like to fly fish or would like to learn to fly fish the Potomac river, you are welcome here. The Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders are open to all. We have no membership fee and welcome all skill levels. This amazing group of folks will teach you where to fish, what gear to use, how to tie flies, and how to cast. Plus we have a friendly forum where you can talk fishing, find folks to fish with or even learn about how you can help protect our "Nation's River." Our goal is to not only highlight great fly fishing opportunities in the Potomac watershed, but also give you the skills and key knowledge to successfully enjoy these areas firsthand. The June/July edition will be bass focused, tidal largemouth bass – Where to find them in tidal waters, how to cast to them and how to tie proven bass flies Be safe and see you on the water! Your friends at Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders Email - contact@tpfr.org Facebook - Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders @tidalpotomacflyrodders Instagram - TPFR @tidalpotomacflyrodders | Where to Find Largemouth Bass Many of you have already caught largemouth bass in the numerous lakes, rivers and ponds of the Potomac watershed. While most of what you have learned is transferable for catching bass in tidal waters, there are some adjustments you need to make to increase your success rate. Largemouth bass can be found in the Potomac River in most of the creeks down to about the Route 301 bridge, in areas with salinities less than 5ppt. With water temperatures now well above 70F, largemouth bass in the tidal Potomac river will be on their summer pattern and will heavily relate with cover, whether underwater grass or wood. So focus your time on the deeper vegetation edges or pockets on smaller tidal guts or creek mouths during outgoing tides. The moving water coming out from under the spatterdock or submerged aquatic vegetation is not only cooler and more oxygenated, but it will also pull the baitfish out of their hiding places to the waiting bass. If you aren't finding bass on the deeper edges of vegetation, move out deeper to the next drop, creek channel edge or junction and work those areas thoroughly. Remember, Potomac river tidal areas are constantly changing in depth, clarity, temperature and current speed so the bass will adjust accordingly between these areas. | What Gear to use for Largemouth BassSince typical tidal largemouth bass fishing requires throwing large, wind resistant flies into heavy cover, an 8wt rod with a bass bug taper floating line and an 8' leader with a 20lb tippet works well. In addition, when bass aren't feeding on the surface, having another 8wt rod setup with a 10' sink tip line or a 300 grain sinking line with a 4' leader (straight 20lb) is very useful. These setups will also work for protected water striped bass fishing. | Tying BenchEffective Largemouth Bass flies In general, effective largemouth bass lures such as spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, rattle traps and scum frogs all are designed to pump out vibrations so the bass can easily find them. So design your bass flies to be large, push water, produce sound (by adding rattles), have good movement and are weedless. Carry a core set of flies with these characteristics that will allow you to fish from surface to bottom. Currently Beer Ties at Whitlow's are on hold, so we can't meet, share a beer and tie some effective largemouth bass patterns. However, here are some useful videos to help you tie your very own proven bass catchers. Don't have time to tie? Your local fly shops carry a great selection to help you put more bass in the boat. | Casting Corner – Useful Casts for Largemouth Bass FishingGreat news! We will restart the Casting Church on Sunday, July 12th with modifications to maintain social distancing. As always, we will have casting instructors available to help you refine your casting stroke, and even review casts that help you catch bass. Until then, here are some good videos to help you pickup and cast large flies in front of those hungry largemouth bass. Like fishing for shad, the ability to cast sinking tip lines and full sinking flies are just as important for bass fishing. | |  | May 17, 2020 - Floated the Shenandoah, water level and clarity were great. Smallies were rising to unweighted streamers. Floated the Route 50 to Lockes Landing stretch.- Charlie | | |  | May 15, 2020 - Fished Passage Creek at Elizabeth Furnace area looking for Brook Trout. Caught 5 or 6 on hare's ear nymph. Had lots of time lately for YouTube videos on euro nymphing or tight line nymphing. Spent the day using a Tenkara rod and learning about sight lines. The short 210 cm rod worked pretty good on the small brook trout steam.- Bruce M. | | |  | April 20, 2020 - This spring, I fished the Occoquan while our beloved Fletcher's Cove was closed. The first trip I totaled 14 fish and my largest ever hickory shad at 19.25". The fishing was so good that while I was scheduled to stop fishing at 4:30, my rule is if I can't go three casts without catching a shad, then I don't have to leave. Finally packed it in around 5 pm after catching that last big one. Good to go out on a high note. - Misha G | | | Editors Note: Had a great fly fishing trip that you would like to share with TPFR members? Please send us your pictures from your recent trips at contact@tpfr.org. We would love to highlight them on TPFR social media. | Conservation CornerPart of being a responsible angler is doing your part to take care of the Potomac River and its watershed. Not only is clean and healthy water important for a healthy Potomac River fishery, but nearly 5 million folks rely on the Potomac river for drinking water. Here are some key links and numbers to keep on your phone to report any environmental concerns including hazardous materials spills, wetland violations, failing construction barriers, fish kills, poaching, etc. | TPFR CommunityIf you are able, consider purchasing your gear from these local businesses which have supported you with top quality gear and helpful advice to make your fishing trips a success. These local stores are open for in-person shopping, curbside pickup or web-based orders. | | | | |
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