Urban Angler Blog

Upper Potomac float with Mark Kovach, May 19th

By Richie on May 20, 2009 3:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tuesday May 19th

With no traffic or headaches normally associated with I-66 or the greater Washington DC metropolitan area, the drive up at 7am was peaceful. We arrived in an hour in Knoxville, MD to meet up with Mark Kovach for a guided float down the Potomac River. A pleasant day was in store for us. The weather was cooperating, the sun was shining, and despite it being early May, wet wading is on the agenda with the water boasting a comfortable 67 degrees. Visibility was approximately 3-4 feet from Dam 3 to Harper's Ferry, and 1-2 feet below due to the Shenandoah running off color.

Water was a bit high for effective flyrodding in anything but the shallower runs and pockets, and fish were on anything crayfish-like in the 5-6 inch range. #1/0 black clousers, #4 & 6 wooly and crystal buggers, and #2 black Clawdads were working in the deeper runs, with #2 chartreuse/yellow clousers working well in glides where you could track your fly. Due to higher water, we were forced to throw the heathen sticks (also known as conventional tackle), but please don't hold that against us.

To learn more about Mark Kovach fishing services, please visit: www.mkfs.com

North Fork of Long Island, May 15th

By vinnyvarda on May 18, 2009 7:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As a long winter dwindled, it seemed like we might have slow and sluggish Spring. I assumed we'd have a late starting season but it seems a little ahead of schedule to me. Just back from a great tarpon trip around Charlotte Harbor, I was pleased to come home to prime conditions here on the East End of LI. I spent Friday afternoon on Peconic Bay with friend and fellow guide, Craig Cantelmo. We found fish everywhere we went on the incoming tide. There were some bruisers out there and Craig managed to pole me into perfect position for what was to be our best fish of the day, well into his teens. We were so pleased by the numbers of fish that we found as well as the range of size. The shoulders on some of them were broad and many of these fish had that bright blue hue to them in the water when they caught the light just right. Fly tackle and light spinning tackle both work great at this time of year, which I find to be easily the most enjoyable time. On sunny days, you are making careful presentations to clever fish in clear water and on cloudy days, there are lots of good spots to go find large groups of bass on the blind. It feels great to be back out there on the water and still boggles my mind that we have this type of fishing so close to NYC. Weather is supposed to be perfect this week with potential for a decline on the weekend, so we'll be out there a lot and will get back with more details and photos.

Jamaica Bay, 5-8 through 5-10

By vinnyvarda on May 12, 2009 3:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The fishing has been on fire in Jamaica Bay. Solid Bass fishing until the Bluefish showed up at the beginning of the week! Big Bluefish and tons of them. Spent the week casting poppers to big fish finning in very shallow water. When we were bored with that, which was rare, we went for Bass in both skinny water on poppers and deep for the bigger ones. The big moon tides
were not as good as the mids but solid none the less. Here is a small mix of photos from the past few weeks...

Report from Captain Brendan McCarthy

Jamaica Bay, 5-8 through 5-10

By vinnyvarda on May 11, 2009 6:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Really good week despite all the rain. Been out every day. While we weren't able to connect with anything but bluefish, there were some big bass crashing bunker all around us. Can't bat 1000 I guess. Other than that, we killed them this week. Some real good flyfishing over the weekend and before that. Fish are not real keyed in on poppers yet, but we did manage a handful of really good ones, including a nice bass on a popper in Jamaica Bay... Most action, however, was on intermediate lines. We also had some "bait and switch" action this week. By "bait-and-switch" I mean it quite literally. I'll snag a bunker, then bury a hook in it and feed it out with just enough pressure that it swims on the surface away from the boat. When a big bass comes up and starts eyeing it, I'll reel it in slowly until we are within casting range and I'll have a client throw a big bunker fly at it. We connected with some real nice fish this way! And man does that kind of fishing get the blood going. Good stuff. Also did our first live-lining trip on Sunday. And as is usual with that type of fishing, we did quite well. It should get quite a bit warmer as we head toward the end of this week. Hopefully we'll see more in the way of small bait, particularly grass-shrimp. I expect the top-water fishing to get much better when this happens. The point is, this fishing is only gonna get better... A good beginning to the season.

Report from Captain John McMurray

Urban Angler in Belize - the Pesca Maya 14 return

By Richie on May 5, 2009 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

May 5th

A group of 14 anglers headed down to Belize on April 24th for a week long jaunt to Pesca Maya Lodge in search of fly water. They were targeting the bashful bonefish, the triumphant tarpon, and the ever so persnickety permit, along with a good time, some great spirits, and stories to share with family and friends.

And so we present to you the Pesca Maya 14, complete with photos of bones, tarpon, and the ever elusive permit.