at last, first fish of the year.

[bunnielab]

It took maybe 6 trips but I have finally shaken off the skunk.



Caught him in the C&O canal north of Swains Lock. Caught on a Ned rig casting into fallen trees. I fished the canal a bunch last year and never managed a LBM half this size. The canal is still devoid of sav and the usual plentiful bluegill bite was nonexistent. Talked to a few other guys, they all confirmed that the canal is still waking up from winter.

This was a scouting trip to see about the feasibility of doing a combined Potomac/Canal multi day float trip. It seems like finding a time when the water levels in both are workable at the same time is going to be the trick. Ideally I would start at Harpers Ferry and end up at Swains or somewhere just south. Has anyone tried anything like this?

[Donsail68]

Hey bunnie

Congrats on the catch. I've done float trips on the potomac several times. In fact this June, we will do a trip from Cumberland to Swains. You don't want to go past Swains unless you want to tackle Great Falls. There are some nasty rapids at Harpers Ferry (class 3 and 4 in some areas). Not sure of your skills, but you can always launch at Brunswick. Its a beautiful easy trip from Brunswick to Seneca Rapids. The seneca rapids is a bit challenging with class 2 rapids. I use the VA chute which is the very right side of the river.

Keep us posted if you planning on taking this trip. dont forget to take pics.

[Big Mike]

Nice looking fish. I have floated most of that stretch and agree with launching at Brunswick. You can always paddle upstream if you want to fish that stretch of water but avoid the whitewater at Harpers Ferry.

[Turtle135]

that's a healthy fat largemouth, well done!

[Runnin]

I'd be hapy to answer any of your question. I frequent the areas your scouting. You need to be careful, because they manage the canal water levels very poorly, and the their are several dams along the main river that are haxardouse to any boats. The WSSC dam, Great Falls, and even DAM 3 and Knoxville falls can e tough on novice yakkers or when water levels aren;t ideal. There are some very good, and not so good areas between Swains, and Harpers Ferry.