Just saw this on the Maryland DNR web site:

 

http://dnr2.maryland.gov/fisheries/Documents/2015_Potomac_River_SMB_YOY_Survey.pdf

 

"Smallmouth bass reproduction on the Potomac mainstem (PawPaw, WV downstream to Seneca) was considered to be “good” with a mean of 1.9 young bass per haul, above the median value of 1.6 (Figure 4). The hatch was slightly stronger in the middle and lower reaches than the western stretches upstream of Dam 5. A good hatch was particularly important in the middle Potomac (Dam 5 downstream to Dam 3) where the seining index has generally fallen below the median value since 2008 (Figure 5)."

 

This is the section of the Potomac I fish most.  So maybe ... more quality fish in 3-4 years?

 

Pat

I saw that too, I fish from Dam 4 to Dam 5 the most as well.  Sounds like good news in a couple years!