Freshwater Fishing in Upper Potomac

Type: Nontidal
Region: Western
Location: Knoxville Falls, Upper Potomac

My buddy Jed, and I fished at 'Knoxville Falls' area of the Potomac on 6/30. We hiked about 1/3 mile upstream along the canal tow path, and found a very easy path to a gentle grassy area to enter the river. We fished upstream from there. The weather and water were nicer than expected. The brief but strong storm Friday night helped give us only 95 degrees instead of 100+, and the rain amount didn't hurt the Potomac. We had clear, cool but not cold, and comfortably shallow wading conditions (Point of Rocks gage showed 1.35 feet). With wet clothes and some breeze we didn't feel it was particularly hot. Some canoes and rafters passed by, but we had a lot of river to ourselves. We took breaks in the shade at the shoreline.

Rich caught 9 smallmouth. All but two of them were big enough to be fun, hard pullers. Saw some nice leaps, too. No giants, but numbers are fun!

Jed caught 3 smallmouth, and 2 of his were really nice fish. The biggest was probably 16 inches and was thicker and heavier than any he and I have every caught before. Very strong, too.

All the fish were healthy looking. Good proportions. No sores. All released and swam away to grow bigger.

A fine day overall. Plus, we had the bonus of delicious wine berries on the path as we walked.