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OneMoreCast
03-21-2005, 11:38 AM
**Fishing Report 3/19/05**

Get your rods & reels ready !!

Well, it’s getting to be that time of the year again for the Washington DC fishing community, and the one big thing this spring is that the Fletcher family has retired after 145 years of serving you.

At this time, the Park Service says the new concessioner, GSI, will offer the same services as we offered, and plan to be open for the spring runs, which could arrive on any tide. I have decided to post periodic fishing reports this spring to keep fisherman abreast of the fishing situation.

On my walks the last few weeks I have talked to several folks fishing from shore above Chain Bridge in a cove we call Big Eddy. They have been catching some walleye pike bouncing smoke colored plastics off the bottom. They say some days are good and other days there’s not a bite.

I guess that why it’s called fishing instead of catching.

A few crappie are being caught on doll flies fished under a small bobber in the shallow water of the canal just above chain bridge, and it wouldn't surprise me if some started biting off the point from the boathouse. In the last few days I have seen a few bass jump in this area of the canal just above chain bridge.

The next cove above the boathouse is a good place to catch some catfish from shore. Worms and liver are good bait until the herring arrive, then they are the breakfast of champions!

I plan to fish for perch & hickory shad when the water temperature gets around 49 degrees, if there are boats available. GSI employees have been working on the boats for the last few days.

I stopped in Anglers Lie the other day and they are well stocked with shad flies for the coming run.

At this time the DC Harbor Police on Maine Avenue SW have DC fishing licenses available. You might want to call ahead to make sure they have licenses in stock

The River at little falls is 3.9’ and the water temperature is 48 degrees, so be extra careful. A rain can raise or lower the water temperature 3-4 degrees overnight

This morning I went to at Trout Unlimited fishing show at Landon School. C. Boyd Pfeiffer gave a 45-minute talk about shad fishing and gave me a case of SHAD FEVER. This is one fever I don't mind getting!

Look to see you on the water soon

River Keeper

Tissy Furnes
03-29-2005, 01:57 PM
I've gotten two letters back now from Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the second enclosed the Park Service response from his query.

The Park Service says that the new concessionaire, GSI, should be open this week (not that they'll be renting any boats for awhile!!). Ray Fletcher and Danny Ward have been hired by GSI. So the Fletcher spirit should continue.

Hooray fro Rep. Van Hollen! I think his involvement may have made a difference.

The Old Man
03-29-2005, 02:02 PM
Sebastian, do you have a phone number for the rep? I'd like to give him a call and thank him.

Tissy Furnes
03-29-2005, 02:15 PM
Doug,

The letter went through his Rockville office -- 301-424-3501. You won't get through to the Congressman, but ask to speak with the staffer who handles Park Service correspondence. I don't recall the name but it sounded from India.

Thanks will be appreciated and also helps if we need the office's help again on a Fletchers issue.

Sebastian