| TPFR helps you get ready for musky season! Powered by Fly Fishers International November/December 2020 Newsletter Adventure is (still) out there… Most folks understand the theraputic effects of fishing. It helps you de-stress by getting you ou Adventure is (still) out there…Most folks understand the theraputic effects of fishing. It helps you de-stress by getting you out of your house (with responsible social distancing), immerse yourself in nature and visit the watery world of the DMV's abundant gamefish. It is also hard to beat holding these amazing fish that shine like jewels in the afternoon sun after a great battle. However, many folks equate fishing with warm weather and only fish from April to October. If you are one of those folks, you are not only missing out on the November through March mental health benefits but also some incredible wintertime fishing. In the next couple of newsletters, we are going to focus on a few great wintertime fishing opportunities that you may not have considered. For the November/December newsletter, we will highlight muskies, one of the top freshwater predators. If you never considered wintertime muskies, don't worry, get out some warm clothes and we will help you find the big ones, assemble the proper gear, how to cast to them and how to tie proven musky flies. And as always, if you have questions, reach out to us through the TPFR forum, contact us via social media or even ask us at our monthly TPFR casting church. Don't be shy, we want you to succeed. Happy and healthy holidays! Your friends at Tidal Potomac Fly Rodders | Where to Find MuskiesWith water temperatures now dropping to the upper 40F's, local Potomac River muskies will be on their winter pattern and will heavily relate to the larger, deeper pool sections of the river in holes that are sheltered from heavy currents and protected from fast rising water. If these holes include rock or woody cover, even better. In addition, some of these spots are located near underwater springs which can moderate nearby water temperatures from extremely cold winter conditions. During the winter months, many other river fish including suckers also use these same areas to overwinter and provide plenty of food for these large predators. Note: During the winter, if the river level rises well above normal, heavy currents will cause muskies to abandon mid-river holes and move to the bank where the water is slack. This helps them conserve energy in the cold water. Muskies can be found in some of the rivers and lakes in Maryland and Virginia. In Maryland, hotspots include the Potomac River from Little Orleans down to Dargan Bend, an area with more cool water and spring influences. However, muskies are also present upriver to Cumberland and downriver to Washington DC. Tiger muskies have been stocked in Triadelphia Reservoir, Rocky Gorge Reservoir, Little Seneca Lake, and Centennial Lake. In Virginia, lake hotspots include Burke, Hungry Mother and Shenandoah lakes. River hotspots include the New (southwest VA), James (Above Lynchburg) as well as both forks and the mainstem of the Shenandoah River. The Maryland State musky record is 32lbs 8oz (29lbs 4oz for Tiger musky) and caught in the Potomac River. The Virginia State record was caught in the New River and weighed a massive 45lbs 8oz. | What Gear to Use for MuskiesTypical musky fishing requires casting very large flies, often from 8" to 18" long. To account for these large, often water logged flies, a 9wt to a 11wt rod with a 450 grain shooting head sink tip line and an 6 foot leader with a 40lb to 50lb butt, 20-30lb class tippet and 18" bite guard works well. Since muskies don't have long runs, specialized reels aren't necessary so just use your existing saltwater rod and reel setup. | Tying BenchEffective musky flies are large to resemble their preferred soft finned prey such as the local golden redhorse sucker. Flies need to have lots of movement and a side-to-side action so they incorporate fibers that provide bulk but breathe or flash underwater, especially when worked slowly. Segmented flies such as Blaine Chocklett's gamechanger are also popular and allow the flies to jackknife after a hard strip and pause. Effective musky fly design must include tying techniques which give the fly an appearance of bulk without being uncastable. In addition, some tyers use a technique called weight balancing to improve the castability of these large (4/0 to 6/0), wind resistant flies. Currently Beer Ties at Whitlow's are on hold, so we can't meet, share a beer and tie some effective musky patterns. However, here are some useful videos to help you tie your very own proven musky catchers. Need tying materials to create that killer musky fly? Your local fly shops carry a great selection of materials to help you put a trophy in your boat. | Casting Corner – Useful Casts for Musky FishingJoin us for the next Casting Church on Sunday, December 13th with modifications to maintain social distancing. All skill levels are welcome! As always, we will have casting instructors available to help you if you are just starting out, refining your casting stroke, and even review casts, or talk gear that will help you catch muskies or any fish that swims. Until then, here are some good videos to help you cast large, heavy, wind resistant flies, as well as casting sinking lines, all important skills for hunting muskies. | Regional Musky Fly Fishing GuidesFly fishing for Potomac river muskies in the winter requires specialized know-how and gear. Because these fish are not common, a decent river boat is required to cover numerous spots safely and thoroughly. A musky guide can help you safely shorten that learning curve and provide you with the best chance for success. If you are looking for an exciting day, give these experts a call: Editors note: A guided day on the water fly fishing for muskies also makes a great gift idea for that someone special! Potomac Region Other Virginia Waters | Musky Management in Maryland and VirginiaBoth Maryland and Virginia have skilled teams of biologists who are dedicated to managing muskies. So input from local anglers like you help these biologists better understand the muskie fishery from the anglers perspective in order to provide anglers a quality fishery. | TPFR 2020 Bluegill Tournament ResultsThanks to all who participated in our annual TPFR Bluegill Tournament. We had a great turnout with lots of great bluegill entries. Our 2020 medal winners are as follows:
Prettiest Fish
Adult Division : Ian Komorowski
Youth Division: Erza Landis
Largest Fish
Adult Division: Ernie Rojas 10.25 inches
Youth Division: Carter Peake 8.75 inches
Smallest Fish
Adult Division: Johnathan Peake 2.75 inches Youth Division: Emerson Landis 3.5 inches
Most Fish
Adult Division: Johnathan Peake 92
Youth Division: Bella Thurgood 267 (wow)
Congratulations Gladiators! Your names will be enshrined in the TPFR Hall of fame. You may bask in the glory of your success, but only until next years event, when you will need to defend your coveted titles.
| | 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. | Potomac River and Fly Fishing News | It takes a village…If 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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