WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 19, 2021
Mailing Address: 4708 Sellman Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
Cell @ 240-447-2206 (Best Way). Kenpenrod@comcast.net
PLEASE—never communicate with me via Messenger. NEVER
WWW.penrodsguides.com; NEWLY constructed with lots of information. See the “About”, then “Galley” section for photos and “Programs” for club and youth camp information.
“See our Facebook Pages for Fishing Reports too.
First-Hand Reporting Since 1982—NOT part-time guess work.
Professional Guides Since 1982
Ken Wrote “The Books” on Regional Fishing.
Licensed, Drug Tested, Commercially Insured, Time Tested.
Expert Fishing Instructors for:
Tidal Potomac River <> Upper Potomac River <> Susquehanna River
Juniata River <> Upper Bay <> Eastern Shore Tidal Rivers
Visit our other Facebook Pages below:
Notes: Our fishing reports and client photos will be posted to Ken’s Facebook Page, “Life Outdoors Unlimited” and our website, www.penrodsguides.com.
“Ken Penrod’s Life Outdoors Unlimited” (https://www.facebook.com/Ken-Penrods-Life-Outdoors-Unlimited-1436799496550830/)
Ken Penrod’s 20-Inch Smallmouth Club members at: https://www.facebook.com/Ken-Penrod-20-Smallmouth-Club-214057305623741/?notif_t=page_fan.
Sponsored by Ardent & Riverfront Campground.
LOU Lo-Po Club at: https://www.facebook.com/LOU-Lo-Po-Potomac-River-Largemouth-Club-1107431399330003/
Sponsored by Lowrance & Ardent.
LOU Magazine at: https://www.facebook.com/LOU-Magazine-942855415798908/
Camp Sycamore at: https://www.facebook.com/Ken-Penrods-Camp-Sycamore-215146332155566/
REMEMBER—We have eliminated our land-line phone so contact should be at 240-447-2206 or kenpenrodjr@gmail.com & kenpenrod@comcast.net
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LOU Potomac River Largemouth Club:
(Sponsored by Lowrance Electronics & Ardent Outdoors)
Current Leader: John Ennis
KP (2)
Ken Penrod 20-Inch Smallmouth Club
(Sponsored by Ardent Outdoors & Riverfront Campground)
Current Leader: Bill Nearhoof
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As summer 2021 comes to an end this week, suffice it to say “good.”
August was the hottest ever and the summer total heat is a new record too0.
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UPPER POTOMAC RIVER: *; high 80s; clear; 1.7 at Point of Rocks station—steady
The soon to be cooler weather will help—but this river needs all the help it can get. Don’t expect Maryland or Virginia to do much though. Like always, we, the users pay the tab and do the most help.
I’ve been fishing this river for 60 years, 40 as a full time guide—and the author of the book, “Fishing the Upper Potomac River.” I can say with substantial authority that “I can’t remember a similar period of unproductive fishing results.
The water is cooling and clearing and low. Early hours are best but as fall sets-in your day should be extended. Don’t be in a hurry to adopt “fall patterns” though because top to bottom lures will all work. Tubes and grubs are the main-stay with shallow crankbaits, Case Magic Swims and Big Mouth spinnerbaits have purpose also.
I like the Brunswick to Lander sector as well as the Whites Ferry to Edwards Ferry stretch.
Resident geese must have found a new residence.
TIDAL POTOMAC RIVER:**1/2; high 70s; some color some places; full moon tides;
Tournament activity dominated the river most days this week as the Toyota MLF guys pounded water from DC to Potomac Creek. I tried to stay away from the throngs in the upper tidal sectors but boats were everywhere—a sign that indicates “tough” fishing.
Of the 109 boats, for a 3 day event (Only 10 fished the 3rd day) 27 guys got checks and 10 pounds a day assured you of that. Thomas Wooton took home $33,000 with a 3-day total of 45 pounds. “Big” bass for the event was 5-pounds.
In the Belle Haven-WW Bridge vicinity, Big Mouth spinnerbaits and Campground tubes were mo0st productive with “wood” our most productive pattern..
SUSQUEHANNA & JUNIATA RIVERS: ***; mid-70s; some color; 4.7 at Harrisburg and 4-feet at Newport on the Juniata.
It isn’t often that the river is boat-running safe (sic) this late in the summer and that accounts for the upswing is productivity in most of the sectors we favor.
From Fort Hunter to New Buffalo Big Mouth spinnerbaits and vibrating jigs were top producers but always, always have a Campground tube rod rigged.
POINT LOOKOUT TO SMITH POINT: ***; 70s; choppy, full moon tides
We fished from Point Lookout to above Smith Point on a SATURDAY—and I was stunned by the lack of boat traffic. Why do people think that fishing season ends on Labor Day?
Most of the popular species are biting well but we concentrated on blue fish with at least 50 hooked. Ardent spinning rods with braid or 14-pound test Excel monofilament—and a two foot, 20# leader.
Paddle tail swim baits such as Case Magic Swim and 3/8 to 1.2 ounce jig head. We did see two charter boats circling about us trolling (pretty fast) and boating plenty of mackerel.
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LOU Guides for 2021
Captain Ken Penrod: (National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame) Cell: 240-447-2206; kenpenrod@comcast.com; Facebook; LinkedIn; Instagram, Twitter @ken_penrod.
Tidal Potomac; Upper Potomac; Susquehanna River; Juniata River; Maryland Eastern Shore Tidal Rivers; George Stevenson Reservoir and trout streams in Cameron County, PA-near Sinnamahoning..
Captain Dave Kerrigan, VP of Smallmouth Operations @ 301-252-5322;
Captain Brian Barnes @ 302-745-4668,
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Meet My/Our Partners.
The following are our sponsors and partners. Some are all encompassing within my group—and some are personal to the guide. All are valued.
RiverPro; Mercury; Lowrance Electronics; Ardent Outdoors; Big Mouth Lure Company; Yeti; Patagonia; Case Plastics; Kuiu; Simms Fishing; Costa; Power Pole; NRA; Zipper Worms; RAB Jig Heads; Campground Tubes; Riverfront Campground; AlumaRyder; (Dave Kerrigan); Guidefitters; NRA; Drake Waterfowl, Fishing Division; Maggie Penrod.