WV_Eagle

Still too d**n high. Seems like every time I get ready to go another storm rolls through and raises the river level again. Maybe Sunday??? Agree Taylor's is a tough ramp. Snyder's isn't too bad but I don't like the fishing in that area as much. I usually fish out of Shepherdstown more out of convenience than anything else.

Water level is slowly coming down. Just wondering if anyone has been out yet. I normally fish anywhere from Taylor's Landing down to Dargen's Bend.

Thanks basser89. I've caught them mostly on a BPS Pin's minnow crank as well as small Rapalas. Have also caught a couple when I've drifted tubes. Looks like the water's gonna be too high this weekend to catch much. Ah well...more time to get the boat squared away I guess.

I'll second the Daiwa X1A. Reel solid reel for the price (and on sale at cabela's last I checked for $50). I also agree with the Pflueger President. Very good reel for the price. Both reels are solid, smooth and haven't give me any problems. The Daiwa in particular I find to be a good casting reel.

Anybody have any recommendations for good spots for walleye in the upper Potomac preferably from Dam#4 on down to Harpers Ferry? I have group that wants to fish for them. I've caught a few myself but haven't really targeted them myself. usually get them when I'm aftrer smallies. Just want to give some folks a good recommendation.

Anybody have any recommendations for good spots for walleye in the upper Potomac preferably from Dam#4 on down to Harpers Ferry? I have group that wants to fish for them. I've caught a few myself but haven't really targeted them myself. usually get them when I'm aftrer smallies. Just want to give some folks a good recommendation for an afternoon/early evening of fishing.

Anybody have any recommendations for good spots for walleye in the upper Potomac preferably from Dam#4 on down to Harpers Ferry? I have group that wants to fish for them. I've caught a few myself but haven't really targeted them myself. usually get them when I'm aftrer smallies. Just want to give some folks a good recommendation.

Here's a good summary of the impact of high flows during spawning season from the Maryland DNR website. Although this is about the upper Potomac, it should apply generally to any river or stream smallmouth habitat. Fisheries biologist John Mullican sent us some insight into how heavy river flows can affect smallmouth bass spawning success. There are many factors that come into play that can determine the success of each years spawn. River environments are less stable than lakes or impoundments and, as a result, year class strength can be highly variable from one year to the next. River smallmouth bass produce the strongest year classes during springs with average, relatively stable flows. Although bass can adapt and change nesting areas under low or high water flows, average, stable flows usually offer a greater abundance of spawning habitat. High water events during May and June have the most impact on the spawning success of smallmouth bass. Extremely high flows (right now) will cause bass to abandon nests to seek refuge from the current and the current's scouring action can destroy nest/eggs. Many smallmouth were actively spawning when this most recent high water event occurred. Some of these bass will attempt to renest during May when conditions become more favorable. Similar flooding conditions in June can result in high mortality of the young fry. I my opinion, based on the current conditions in the Potomac, the early spawning smallmouth will be largely unsuccessful. If the later spawning bass are successful, I expect young-of-year smallmouth this summer to be below average in size. The year class strength of Potomac River smallmouth bass has been monitored annually since 1975. Using a 30' seine nearly 100 hauls are taken at a dozen or more sites from Cumberland to Seneca during July. The abundance of young smallmouth is expressed as the geometric mean per haul. The Potomac had very stable flows during 2007 and the river produced the largest hatch ever recorded during the 33 years of monitoring. However, during the spring of 2008 a high water event occurred on May 15. The bass were smaller than average during our survey and the overall hatch was slightly below average. I expect a below average hatch this spring as well. The link to the entire article is here: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishingreport/fishingrptArchive/frarchives2009/050609freshwater.asp Hope that helps!

I use one on an old evinrude 15hp. My issue isn't sand as much as keeping the prop from the rocks where I fish. I haven't had any problems with it at all and in two years I only have a very small paint chip off the prop.

My 12 year old son caught a 25.5" Walleye while fishing the Potomac near Shepherdstown this past weekend. Biggest fish for him ever. Very cool to see him so excited. No picture, unfortunately, but a big healthy fish. 8-)

Great job guys! Thanks for your service to our nation! All the way!

Same for me...catching them by accident. I've caught them trolling small stickbaits and Gulp minnows as well as on tubes as I was fishing for smallies.

Anybody have any advice for getting after some Upper Potomac walleye? I'll be fishing from Harpers Ferry upstream to dam 4. Any advice welcome!

All kinds of stuff with the Ugly Stick...inline spinners, tubes, Gulp! minnows...whatever is working! And if the smallies aren't biting, I can always have some fun with panfish... I'm not proud..

6"6" Browning Midas med spinning with a Daiwa Regal XiA 2500 and 10 lb Power Pro braid. 7" Rapala Tournament series med spinning with a Mitchell Avocet 2500 and 10 lb crystal braid. 5"6" Ugly Stik Light M/L with a Pfleuger President 6730 and 8lb braid (the most fun!) (updated)

I bought my bunk carpet from BPS and 2X4s from Home Depot. Like KVD said its real easy...just a couple of hours to put it all together on the boat. One tip....use stainless steel staples with the carpet glue to attach the carpet to the bunks.

Anne Marie, Since most of us start our car every day or so, I'm assuming that's only OK to leave your batteries in your boat if they have a trickle charger on them, correct?

Add an on-board battery charger to the list. Makes things much easier when you get home!

One bait I haven't seen mentioned here but I've been having alot of success with this year is the Berkeley Gulp minnow in either chartreuse or a grey/herring color. Other than that I concur on the 3.5" - 4" tubes in Green Pumpkin or grubs in grey silver flake. My 2 cents...

I've been having success in the river near me fishing mid-stream in 5-8 feet of water. Been mostly drifting moving downstream just slightly faster than the current with the TM, bouncing either tubes or Berkeley Gulp minnows (herring or chartreuse color) along the bottom. Consistent hits in the middle of the day. Steady but not fast current is enough to keep them cool I guesss, especially as they have plenty of ledges and rocks to shelter under.

Here's mine, a 14' v-hull. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1207171690 I like my v-hull. I use it on the upper Potomac, rides and handles great and I have little difficulty getting into or through shallow water (18" or so) when I need to. As far as the upgrade work you're doing, I'm no expert, but if you have any questions, I'd be glad to answer them. Good luck on the boat!

Don't forget the Potomac too. Plenty of good spots adjacent to NoVA on the upper river. Here's a link to Ken Penrod's fishing report. It should give you some ideas on locations. He's a longtime guide and loves smallie fishing. Here's the link: http://www.penrodsguides.com/fishingreport.htm

As far as posting pictures, look at the top of the page under "Important Topics" then Forum FAQs/Guidelines -- PLEASE READ (often)". Click into that topic and you'll see information on how to post pictures. I used an online photo host (Photobucket.com...its free) and it worked well. The instructions in that topic are easy and clear. Good luck!

Sorry about the problem with the pics. I think I got it fixed now. Let me know if there's still a problem. Here's what I set out to do: - Replace the carpet (Done - Home Depot carpet) - Move batteries forward for balance (done; under front deck and front seat) - Extend front deck to second bench seat. Add under-deck storage (Did not extend. Moving front seat back and Battteries forward created more usable storage space) - Rewire the boat (Done) - Repaint the boat (probably green) (Done; Rustoleum Dark Forest Green and Almond over Rustoleum Clean Metal Pimer) - Replace the seats (already bought) (Done; Cabela's) - Replace the transom (it's OK but figured while I'm at it...) (Done; Stained then covered with six coats of varnish) - Add some additional storage boxes (See above; May add more allong sides later) - Fix small leak (missing rivet) (Done; turns out it was more than one. The front of the keel had also been ground down by years of grounding. I added a keel guard to protect the area)

You've probably already checked them but both Cabela's and Bass Pro have lots of waders to choose from. I'd recommend taking a hard look at the written reviews. It could give you answer as to what waders would best suit your needs. Bass Pro: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SportingGoods_Fishing--Waders+%2526+Accessories--Waders_10151_-1_10001_navbar_page2_N_100013001_100000000_100013000_1 Cabela's: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat350005&navAction=jump&navCount=1&cmCat=MainCatcat20431&parentType=category&parentId=cat20431 I have a pair of Hodgman Wadelites which I like. Not the fanciest or most expensive but they do the job. I got them from Cabela's. I've also used Sierra Trading Post in the past to find some deals. Here's a lightweight, breathable option for under $150 with decent reviews: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/2248,83638_Frogg-Toggs-Pilot-Toggs-Waders-Breathable-Stockingfoot-For-Men.html Others may have specific recommendations but I hope this at least helps.