Im comtemplating dropping in at algonquin this weekend.  Any advice for this section of the Potomac? Havent done much river fishing, im guessing same principles as lake/pond fishing when it comes to finding fish.

river fishing is all about tides!!! i would imagine it will be quite dirty this weekend with the rain we have had/calling for this week.

that part of the river is not tidal and I dont think we have had enough rain (yet?) to muddy it up too bad. Just my .02

That park is not in the tidal area, good smallie area around the islands. Most of what I have done and heard for around there is the normal rocky points, deeper pools around eddy's.

lots of grass growing there. I was there last weekend but the conditions weren't very good and the current was pretty quick.  Limited what we could throw.

Yes this is not Tidal since its above the Great Falls.  Be carefull where you boat, I have torn up a prop there and I know of other people who destroy lower units.   If you stay in the channels you should be ok.    The water does fluxuate a lot depending on rain, almost making it look tidal.   good luck.

Just FYI, but I've been told that this section of the Potomac River is all catch-and-release for smallies. 

I got this info from a different thread in this forum.

That is correct, its a trophy area for bass, so at no time during the year are you allowed to keep any.