Captwalleye  03/13/2004 - 09:40  Potomac    I've heard that the walleye have pretty much finished their spawning,and spread back out through the river.Sooo,early last saturday morning.I rolled up there (even though it rained most of the night.)I'm stubborn,hardheaded,and rain is water.That's a good thing.I preferr to fish for walleye while it's dark,and it was.I wasn't ready to see the condition of the river.High and sort of muddy.I stood there for a few moments and admired the power,than jumped back in the truck,and went on home.I vowed to return.
Yesterday evening,I did.I went back again,and arrived with about 30minutes of light left.Lo and behold there was another fearless fisherman there.I asked him how he was doing,and he said he had caught one,about 5lbs or so.it was over 20in.so he had to let it go.He was drifting shiners with split shot through a big eddy with
a serious back current.The river was still high,and off color,but fishable.I grabbed my stuff,and eased on down past him to the other end of the same eddy.It's plenty big,and he was arranged behind a big rock to get out of the wind.I wasn't as lucky,so I was glad I'd brought my 180's ear muffs.(Definetly a smooth move)
I tried a 4" power shad on a 1/8oz jig,and tried every variation of retrieve,but no hit did I get.I got hung up several times,and the snags had mercy on me,and let my lure go.I decided to rerig my second rod up with a shallow shad rap.As I was rerigging (It's gotten dark now)my dedicated neighbor (Mr.Lucky)hooks one,and yells for help.I rolled off those rocks and up the bank as fast as I could go.Grabbed his net,and dipped my first walleye of 2004.A really healthy 24".When I say healthy,I mean FAT.A real beauty.after we admired it,he bent down and let it go,with a thank you.A true and honest fishing gentleman.Mr Lucky,said that was it for him,he was about frozen.He offered me some of his shiners,I thanked him,but declined..I'm into lures,and only use bait when I'm with youngsters or someone just getting started.I helped him get his stuff to his vehicle (he was really cold)and off he went.
I went back to my spot and finished my rigging,and continued casting.I even slipped up the my sucessful companions spot and try both my techniques there too.I got no hits at all.
All I got for my troubles was a long drive to and from,an assist with landing a fine fish,and cold.Was it worth it? I'm going back this evening,I have a date with Fate,and can hardly wait.Going to hit a pond as soon as I finish this.If you can go,do it! Good luck if you do.Be prepared,and enjoy yourselves. Be cool! Capt.