Fishing in the Heat of the Day

Type: Nontidal
Region: Central
Location: Monocacy River

I was able to get off work for the afternoon 6/23 and head over to the Monocacy River northeast of Frederick at Links Bridge. It sure was HOT. Sweat pouring off. Had to drink a lot, and was glad I froze half-bottles of water overnight and filled the remainder before setting out. The sun was strong most of the time. We were glad to wet wade. Covered about 3/4th mile.

The water was warm and low. Ankles to shins mostly, with waist at the max. Not even a shiver or an intake of breath required upon entry. Very clear conditions.

There were MANY baitfish, and a few large brown crawfish (but not the many small ones I expected, which I've seen on other trips). I saw plenty of sunnies and small smallmouth as we walked. Many between 3 and 8 inches. I caught 2 smallies in 3 hours. No big ones. Lots of nibbles from the juveniles. Caught an aggressive sunfish on the same 3 inch tube I use for bass! Watched a very nice smallie leap out of the water about a foot to grab some live bug. It was bigger than any I caught, but I couldn't see it clearly enough to guess its length. Couldn't interest it with any top water artificials I threw. :-(

I saw zero dead fish of any species at the shoreline or among the areas we waded. Saw one heron, twice.

We had to finish up around 5:00, but I think the bass were likely to have been biting a lot longer!