Tuning Up for the West Branch Tavern 4th of July Trout Derby Tournament of Champions
Apologies, photo quality not quite up to snuff. The photographer was guiding, netting, and trying to keep hooks where they belong.
Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
Monday, June 27, 2022
Saturday, June 18, 2022
Mid-Atlantic Fishing Report, 6-16 June: Figuring Stuff Out
With the boat in the water in Fenwick, and a charity charter looming, time was getting short to figure out new waters. We were able to knock out a couple of practice trips in search of flounder, the target species for the waters off Ocean City and Assateague Island.
Weather was a bit breezy, but warm, with water temps in the low 70s. We were rigged up with white and chartreuse bucktails, tipped with Berkley Gulp paddletails in white and orange. We hit all the spots that were supposed to hold fish, including the inland side of Assateague Island. Aside from seeing a few ponies, however, our efforts yielded no fish. But then, no one else we spoke with on the water was catching. Not good.
Fortunately the fish gods smiled on us on charter day. First, we had some great clients; Kevin Gapstur, his son-in-law Zach Boblitt, and friend Chad Paulus. We got underway at about 1:30 PM and headed to Assawoman Bay, which separates Ocean City from the eastern shore. After hitting a few spots with no results, we moved down to Assateague. A good move, as Zach was able to bring two small flounder to the boat.
Apparently poor water clarity was the culprit. But ... we did being fish to the boat, which was more than any other boat we came across did.
Sunday I headed south to Cape Charles. Kids and grandkids rolled in for a week on the beach. Did managed a bit of fishing. Sunday morning I waded off the beach at the mouth of Plantation Creek.
Got to the fishy spot on the outgoing tide, and managed two Redfish about 25 inches each (no photos, as I was by myself). Caught the "Puppy" Drum on a popping cork with a jig head and Electric Chicken colored paddletail suspended about 24 inches below the cork.
Highlight of the week was an outing with Capt. Kenny Louderback, of Fish Freaks Guide service (https://www.facebook.com/fishfreaks2014/). Forecast was perfect for sight fishing for Cobia; clear skies, light winds, temps in the upper 70s. And, for the first 40 minutes of the trip, the forecast panned out. Within twenty minutes of leaving the dock Kenny started spotting fish, with Charlie landing the first of Cobia of the day.
It was a great way to kick off the trip. Unfortunately, the forecast turned into just that. About 10 AM the clouds rolled in, and with it some rain. Kenny spotted fish, but too close to the boat to throw an eel to. He did managed to get an eat, and Charlie's wife Lindsay brought in a decent 30-plus incher.
It looked like fishing would be tough for the rest of the day. But around noon the clouds parted, the sun shone through, and Kenny spotted the best fish of the day. Turned out it was Angela's husband James' turn at the rod, and after a good 20 minute battle he landed a citation fish of greater than 50 inches.
After that the weather turned sour again, and we had to cut the charter a bit short, getting back to the dock before some nasty thunderstorms rolled in.
The rest of the week was spent wading the beach in search of Reds, or fishing the golf course ponds for Bass. Both produced pretty well. Charlie caught his second slot Red for the week...
And his son Elliot caught the biggest Bass I've seen caught in the ponds so far...
While we're catching fish, there's a lot more to figure out, whether the Flounder up in MD, or finding the Speckled Trout and Flounder in Virginia. Fortunately the season is early; things will steadily pick up as the weather warms.
Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Mikey D Fishing Coastal Update May 30
Unseasonably warm temps at the shore made it the perfect time to launch the boat and settle into a new slip in Fenwick DE. Special thanks to Capt Salt Life for helping with getting the MDF underway and for my brother Mike for helping with the Assawoman Bay shakedown cruise.
Having migrated the focus of our salt water operations from the brackish waters of the Chesapeake bay to the salty back bays on the Maryland and Virginia coast, we will now be able to broaden the number of target species to include flounder, redfish, sea bass, sea trout, tautog, and bluefish in addition to stripers. Let's Go Fishing
Welcome aboard and Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
West Branch Fishing Report, 26 May: Magic Time
Location: Pavilion Hole
Time of day: 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Conditions: Daytime highs in the upper 60s, but cooled to the high 50s by sundown. Water low, but still cold due to lows in the upper 40s at night.
Not much going on when Mary and I got down to the Pavilion Hole. So, while Mary built the campfire, I settled down to observe the water.
Not much going on. A few Suphurs, March Browns, and even a Green Drake or two. But only a couple of risers. But the temptation was too much. I tied on a March Brown spinner, and on the first cast....
After that things got quiet, although I managed to miss a second fish.
Around 8:30 dozens of Green Drakes showed up and started laying eggs in the stream. While the activity only lasted about 20 minutes, the trout didn't seem interested. Since it was getting dark, I kept the March Brown on, and managed two more trout; a 12 inch Rainbow and a Brown that went around 14 inches. (too dark to get pics)
A pretty decent evening on the West Branch. And nice to get some fish on top. Rain on the way this weekend, which is badly needed to get the stream up a bit.
Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
Monday, May 23, 2022
West Branch Fishing Creek Observation Report, May 21: It's On!
I've been hanging out down at the Pavilion Hole for the last few days watching the water. Not much going on; a few March Browns and Sulphurs. Thought I saw a Green Drake Friday evening.
This evening went down around 7:00 PM. A hot day in Roulette; temps in the upper 80s. But it cooled off pretty quick, so I thought things might be ready to turn on.
Did not disappoint. A lot of midges coming off, as well as a few Sulphurs. But the trout were definitely looking up. Counted 42 rises in an hour. Got to see a few eats on Sulphurs which got trapped in the film. Cool to see, unless you're the bug.
Now, there are probably 5-6 fish in the hole, so it ain't Penns during the Green Drake hatch. But great to see the rises. Will be out there tomorrow with the fly rod.
Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
Monday, May 16, 2022
West Branch Tavern Fishing Report, May 5-14: Week (give or take) in Review
Some solid action on the West Branch over the last week. Fish taken on spinners and flies. Warmer temps over the last week, but not much in the way of mayfly action. Did see a few March Browns come off at the Pavilion Hole last evening. This could be the week for some good dry fly action.
Water conditions on Fishing Creek were perfect. Water down a tad, but still holding a greenish tint and good flows. Actually wet waded one day; water temps were in the upper 50s, which felt good with air temps in the low-80s.
Flies du jour were black Wooly Buggers and the "Megg" (Mary's specially-tied egg pattern). That pattern is a day saver! (Sorry Elkfisher)
Some fish porn from the week's outings. All caught within a short walk up and downstream from the Pavilion Hole:
The run just downstream from us. Formerly called the "Beaver Hole." More like a lake now. But discovered it was full of 12-14 inch Rainbows. So am now calling it "Rainbow Paradise II." Meggs and Wooly Buggers slayed 'em.
Which paid off with my first Golden of the year.
Fishing pressure behind the WBT has been non-existent. Maybe the locals think the stream is fished out. Then again... (note the Megg)
Mother's Day dinner; grilled trout, risotto, sliced tomato. (stocked Rainbows, BTW)
Friday afternoon at the Pavilion Hole. The Megg tore it up with 5 hookups, but I had a helluva time landing fish. Then I lost my egg in a tree. Figured that might be a sign that it was time to pack it in. But I tied on a black WB instead, and cast upstream against the rock ledge on the right side of the hole. This big boy slammed it almost as soon as it hit the water. If you're only gonna land one fish, this has got to be it.
Caught this fish a week and a half ago on a Joe's Fly. Appreciate the accommodation, Big Boy.
Not a bad kickoff to spring in God's Country.
Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
P.S. WBT getting a bit of a makeover.
Monday, April 11, 2022
Just a Little Spring Bassin'
Just Bassin'
While the air temps are climbing, the salt water temps lag this time of year. That doesn't keep Mikey D Fishing from hitting a few ponds to "feel the tug". It doesn't hurt when a 4 - 5 pound bass is on the other end of the line. Hang in there, just a few weeks away from stripers, flounder, redfish!
Tight Lines,
Mikey D Fishing
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