| Beginning Flyfishermen/Women |
-Memorial Gardens - Located in downtown DC, near the Reflecting Pool, this is a man-made pond with a cement bottom, and an island in the middle. A bridge allows access to this island, and from here it is possible to catch panfish and bass very easily, with almost any fly, without getting wet. During the summer, early evening is the best time, as the fish will be reluctant to feed on a very hot day. If possible, try to use flies with weed guards on them, such as feathers covering the hook, as the fly will get caught on weeds on the bottom of the pond. Simple, slow, strip retrieves will yield fish here.
-Potomac River (In DC) - The Northern Potomac offers great trout fishing, but the Potomac in DC or just over the border in Maryland offers very easy largemouth bass and panfish fishing. Especially along the banks, panfish will take almost any kind of fly, and an occasional bass will take the fly. Out in the middle of the river, monster bass are abundant, though more difficult to catch. Use general minnow imitations for the bass. If you don't mind getting wet, the river can be waded easily (if there has been rain recently, or if the river is high, the current can be very strong, and people drown almost every year swimming and boating in the Potomac. I have never waded when the current was strong, but have very easily when the river is low), allowing access to almost every hole where fish may be lurking.
-The Trouts - I was lucky enough to go trout fishing the first few times with a very knowledgeable partner, which prevented the frustration of a perpetual skunk. If you have never fly fished before, or have never fly fished for trout, the first time you go TAKE A GUIDE, or a very patient person who has fished the waters before. I didn't catch a trout bigger than my pinkie the first three or four times I fished for them, and this is not abnormal. Preparation for fishing is very important: before you go, find out what kind of flies are working, what times are the best, where the fish are being caught, etc. and you will be fine. Checking the fishing reports on this site and the links to other sites will provide you with all the information you need.
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