Fresh Prince William County Fishing Reports

Ive been a full time fishing guide for nine years. My father was a full time fishing guide for 45 years and he had hundreds of guides work for him. Consequently ive been exposed to alot of people who describe themselves as a “fishing guide”. Im well aware that people have alot of choices when it comes to hiring a fishing guide for the day. Im also aware from my experirnce that there are alot of bad choices out there - i would like to provide some reasons to consider me. 1. My qualifications are exemplary - im insured by chater lakes. Im a us coast guard qualified charter boat captain. Im licensed to charter through the potomac river fisheries commission. Im first aid and cpr certified through the red cross. 2. My background is exemplary - ive never been arrested. I dont use illegal drugs or drink alcohol to excess. Im drug tested as dictated by the coast guard. 3. My past career was successful and interesting. I was a police detective for 27 years and won almost every award tge department had to offer. From finishing first in my police academy class to be selected to hand picked units that obliterated drugs, dwi and street crimes. I would finish first in two swat schools but eventually met my goal of being a detective and supervisor of the homicide division. I would never have an open case in himicide while maintaing the highest case load 4. Im educated - i achieved an associates degree from montgomery college. A bachelors degree from university of Maryland. I would attend johns hopkins university police executive program and later transfer my credits to liberty university for my masters degree. I would teach at the police academy, maryland university, and human trafficking investigation throughout the country. 5. Im committed to the Potomac river - i was selected as vice president of the Marylsnd DNR black bass fishery committee and as secretary of the Maryland DNR Catch a poacher program. I was exposed to the politics that damages our beloved river. 6. Im financially independent- im not financially dependant on anyone or on the money provided through guiding. Consequently im honest in my financial dealings and dont need to get a guide in despite bad conditions. I do respect my time but i always provide accurate info as to fishing conditions. You wont be surprised by added expenses at the end of the trip. 7. I feel that all the professional measureables are achieved but i also feel that im courteous, friendly, patient, and professional. I always strive to do my best and not place clients in a position to fail. There are alot of choices and im well aware that there may be better fishermen than i but i work every day to be the best fishermsn on the river. However i provide alot of intangibles that allow clients to book with confidence. We dont always catch them because fish are a variable that is uncontrollable but im going to give full effort. After all im the “hardest working guide on the river”.

Great night on the Potomac river, snakeheads are back!

Blue cats everywhere! Book a Potomac river charter today! Dates available this fall!

The end of september begins a transistion on the potomac river where grass bed mats attract the biggest bass of the year. Why ? Because grass beneath the mats has died giving access to the biggest bass on the river to pursue their favorite food - crayfish. Earlier in the year - hydrilla flats are inaccessible to fish and fishermen. The edges of these grass flats are heavily pressured. Things change rapidly on the potomac and the first sign that the grass flats are changing are the presence of seagulls. Seagulls mean food is on top of mats and now the next ingredient is dying grass to create tunnels beneath the mats. Once the two ingrediants mix - the recipe is complete for big bass on hollow body frogs. These conditions dont last long but when they do exist - its the best and most exciting fishing of the year. The end of septembet until last of october will find me throwing a frog on mats. Call me to book a half day trip to exoerience and learn this exciting brand of fishing.

The fall brings cooler water tempertures to the tidal Potomac River and that means one thing - schooling striped bass in shallow water. The tidal Potomac has surprisingly good striped bass fishing that runs from October to December. The fish school on points on the river and tributaries as they feed on Alewives and small baitfish. Birds often snitch on tbe bass school locations. Low light and moving tides are the best times to target these fish with light tackle and swimbaits. The cool crisp air, an empty river is a great exoerience and a memory to carry through the winter

The good fisherman and the bad fisherman have completely different skill sets but the exact same expectations. Hiring a sports fishing guide that uses strictly lures for game fish on the Potomac River doesn’t provide a guarantee of catching fish. The skill of the client will be a big factor in success. I can provide instruction and assist anyone evolve on their fishing but if the person who has never cast a rod ir tied a knot is hiring me to strictly catch a fish - i msy not be the best choice. I woukd recommend a blue catfish guide or somone of that ilk where live bait and minimal casting is the paradigm. That being said- august certainly provides challenges with high water tempertures and heavy aquatic grasses. The early morning hours and late afternoon with low outgoing tides will privide your best opportunity to catch fish with top water baits or plastics thrown to weed edges. The bass will be on deeper edges with current. The snakeheads will be on outside or inside edges when biting. The challenge is that thick hydrilla provides inaccessible cover for snakeheads and if they arent on the edges then they wont be caught. I believe fishing should be fun but that can only be accomplished with realistic expectations. If yoi go golfing with an rcpert golfer - do you expect to shoot 68 ? No .. your ability will not increase but you will learn to be a better golfer. Life isnt a u-tube video or a facebook post- there is still realty. I always do my best but its important to ask yourself what u want in a guided trip - what is the ecperience you want from fishing. Its important to read the giudes profile. I dont guarantee anything in fishing and if you of lirtle experience that has no interest in learning sports fishing then you should look for guides that provide trips for abundant species with live bait. Fishing is a total experience so find the experience thst neets your fishing abilities and expectations.