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Josenhans Fly Fishing – Susquehanna Flats 2014

13 12 2013

Believe it or not, I am already receiving calls about the 2014 Susquehanna Flats Catch & Release Striped Bass Season. For those of you who have yet to fish the flats with me, I keep my Jones Brothers Cape Fisherman docked at the Havre de Grace City Yacht Basin for several weeks each April. If you have fished the flats, you also know that the fishing can be like Forrest Gump’s proverbial box of chocolates – “you never know what you’re gonna get.” This past spring we experienced a handful of days (five to be exact) of some of the hottest fishing the flats can provide. Rockfish up to 43-inches provided consistent action in water no deeper than six-feet, exciting light-tackle fishing to say the least. Then we had an early spawn and the stripers vacated the flats for over a week, and never really returned in numbers. The remainder of the season was spent working really skinny water, casting to several pods of trophy stripers that ventured back onto the flats post-spawn. This can be exciting fishing, especially during low-light periods when the large rockfish would crash a surface popper. There were several days where we did more fishing than catching, but that chance at a real trophy on light tackle kept people’s interest. That said, you can book your trip today with the assurance that should the rockfish decide to play hard-to-get, I will inform you ahead of time so you can decide for yourself if you wish to roll-the-dice. When making your decision, be mindful of the fact that the fishing can get hot with each new tide. Drop me an email at KJosenhans@aol.com or give me a call at 443-783-3271 if you would like to get in on some shallow water striper fishing.

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Tags: Bass Assassin, Bass Kandy Delights - BKD, Chesapeake Bay, fly fishing, G.Loomis, Li'l Jimy, rockfish, Specialized Baits, striped bass, Susquehanna Flats, topwater
Categories : Fishing Reports

Josenhans Fly Fishing – Chasing Birds

25 11 2013

Birds are our friends. Especially BIG birds. Gannets, pelicans and large gulls all signal big bait and, subsequently, big stripers. That is what we have been searching for of late as we cruise Tangier Sound and the bay proper in pursuit of migrating, ocean-run stripers. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your point of view, my clients have had to find content in 75-fish-per-person days of school-sized rockfish. Most of the stripers have been in the 15 to 18-inch size range, but a dozen or two 18 to 23-inches fill the creel on most days. I did have one lucky angler pull a 34-inch striper out from under some resting gannets near the mouth of the Choptank River on a recent outing. Fish have been caught casting Bass Assassin Sea Shads, Specialized Baits Li’l Jimys and Clouser Minnows. While a few trophy fish have been caught in the main bay, we are still waiting for the arrival of sea-run stripers to Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds. The first half of December was very good last year and we’re hoping for a repeat performance this season. Drop me a line if you’d like to get in one last shot at a rockfish dinner before the snow comes.

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Tags: rockfish, striped bass
Categories : Fishing Reports

Josenhans Fly Fishing – July Newsletter

12 07 2013

The month of June has seen a stretch of windy weather unlike anything I have experienced since, well, May? In point of fact, the first half of 2013 has been the windiest six-month stretch of my 20-year guiding career. I am really glad I have my trusty Jones Brothers underfoot to soften the ride.

Regardless, we are experiencing yet another outstanding season with speckled trout. As anticipated, numbers are down slightly from 2012 but the average size is greater. To date, we have had many more specks of 23-inches and larger, with several in the 27-inch range. I look for a super fall with some really big fish!!

Redfish, or puppy drum as they are known hereabouts, are slowly increasing in numbers. These hard-fighting bulldogs have grown as well. Most that we have caught have been in the 19 to 22-inch size range. I can honestly say they’ll make you forget all about speckled trout. There’s no quit in a red.

Stripers and bluefish round out the usual daily catch, with even a few weakfish (grey trout) in the mix. Flounder have yet to make a showing, but then the breezy conditions have not really been conducive to good flounder fishing. Take a visual stroll through some of this past month’s action.

Steve Smith nailed this healthy rockfish in heavy grass

John Lupenitti with a fly caught speck

Mark Nichols enjoyed another great day

Phil Bangert hefts a 27-inch speck

Jack McKenna had fun with the long stick

Jack’s trout were caught on his son Kevin’s hand-tied pink Cactus Striper

Burt Anderson’s custom-tied flies are works of art

..and put to the test..

..this bluefish proves they’re not just pretty to look at

John McMinn fooled this colorful speck on a fly

Kevin Gladhill enjoyed an outstanding day with big specks

Kevin released all of his trout to be caught again

Bob Clark became a believer in plastic jigs

Bob with another beauty!

Chris Harley proudly displays a nice four-pound trout

Spencer Schenking with one of several weakfish caught this day

Spencer’s dad Mike with a grey trout of his own

Spence doubles-up on trout with a fine speck

This good-sized croaker fell to Spence’s Clouser Minnow

Mike adds a speck of his own

Susan Kemp had the hot hand early with big specks

Susan’s 9 year old grandson Nick McIver was top dog for the day with his 24.5″ rockfish

Bo Hardesty and Steve Schad with a brace of specks

Steve had lots to smile about as he and Bo landed over 30 trout for the day

Howard Stinefelt braved windy conditions to land this fat speck

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Tags: bluefish, cobia, croaker, flounder, fly fishing, redfish, rockfish, speckled trout, Tangier Sound
Categories : Fishing Reports

Josenhans Fly Fishing – Speck Catches Ahead of Last Season

3 06 2013

Despite a constant and relentless breeze, speckled trout catches are ahead of last season’s record pace. It looks to be another fantastic season for this spotted member of the drum family. While I have yet to have any puppy drum come aboard my boat, I have heard of a few starting to be caught in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay. We have had the best success casting Bass Assassin 4-inch Sea Shads rigged to a 1/4 or 3/8 ounce Specialized Baits Jig head, something brand new in an already excellent line of speciality lures from creator George Lenard. George’s old standby, the Li’l Jimy, is as effective as ever when trying to coax a fat speck out of the grass or stump-field.

John Nelson shows off a big spring speck

Chris Mitchell with one of nine specks to 24-inches

Jack McKenna in perfect form with his G. Loomis 8-weight

In addition to specks to 24-inches, Jack nailed this fine flounder in skinny water

Benjy Duke took a break from guiding for trout in Wyoming to fish for the salt water variety

Reddi Duke, following in her brother’s footsteps as a guide, adds a nice speck to the days catch

Not to be outdone, dad Ben Duke gets in on the action

Phil Kerchner hit it right with the high catch of the young season – 35 feisty speckled trout between he and walk on partner Chen Sun

Chen showing off a perfect cast after lessons from Lefty Kreh

Rob Leatherbury braved the wind to land this fat speck

Rob’s son Jake with his first fly-caught speckled trout

Long time client and good friend Maurice Klein hefts a pretty speck

While fishing with Maurice, Gene Jones ups the ante

Gene nets a nice rockfish for Mom

Tangier Sound sod banks serve as avenues for specks and stripers

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Tags: Bass Assassin, Chesapeake Bay, flounder, fly fishing, G.Loomis, Li'l Jimy, Red Drum, rockfish, speckled trout, Tangier Sound, Virginia Eastern Shore
Categories : Fishing Reports

Josenhans Fly Fishing ~ CBBT Rockfish

12 12 2012

CBBT – While the eel dunkers are catching a few mammoth stripers just offshore of Cape Charles, the light tackle guides fishing the CBBT pilings and islands have had their work cut out for them. The bite has been good on occasion, with a few of the rockfish stretching the tape to 50 inches. There have been other days when it’s been a chore to boat ten fish in the 20’s. I had a modest day last Friday with a dozen or so fat rock up to 38 inches (21 pounds on the boga). I’m taking a wind day today and then plan on fishing the pilings hard this Friday and Saturday. I hope to post a few photos of big stripers next week. Wish me luck!!

Skip Powers shows off a nice CBBT striper

Crisfield – My year is about done fishing the shallows around Tangier Sound, and we ended on a good note, averaging fifty schoolie stripers in the 17″ to 24″ range. Lots of fun on the featherlite G.Loomis spin and fly tackle that I supply. We enjoyed a great season with specks, stripers, redfish and blues and I’m already counting the days until the first stripers arrive at the Susquehanna Flats. In the meantime, I’ll be looking for trophy fish at the bridge tunnel until cold weather hits, and then slowing down a bit on the backwaters of the Pocomoke River, casting to crappie, yellow perch, pickerel and bass. The Pocomoke is a beautiful tidal river and the fishing is laid back. A great way to enjoy a cool winter’s day.

Christmas Gift Certificates – It’s not too late to order Christmas gift certificates for a 4, 6 or 8 hour guided fishing trip. This is the perfect gift for the angler who has everything. I’ll make sure it arrives before Christmas, and I do take VISA or MasterCard!!

The client always has a better selection of flies than the guide!

Fishing the creeks of Smith Island

Bushels of oysters awaiting a buy boat at Smith Island

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Tags: CBBT, Chesapeake Bay, crappie, fly fishing, G.Loomis, Largemouth Bass, pickerel, Pocomoke River, rockfish, Susquehanna Flats, Tangier Sound, yellow perch
Categories : Fishing Reports

Josenhans Fly Fishing ~ News & Notes

3 11 2012

Hello All – I hope and pray that you and your families made it through Hurricane Sandy unscathed. I appreciate all of the calls and emails expressing well wishes for me and my family. As for me and mine, we came through relatively untouched. I’m afraid that I can’t say the same for Crisfield. Floodwaters rose during the peak of the storm to levels not experienced since Hurricane Floyd in 1999, and some say since Hazel in ’54. The good news is, I traveled down there yesterday and found the clean-up is progressing nicely, with many of the stores, shops and restaurants already back to at least partial operational status. The Captain Tyler Motel, Waterman’s Inn and Circle Inn are all open for business. Allowing the town a full week to get back on its feet, I should be up and fishing again beginning Monday, November 5th. I expect the rockfish action to be terrific around the banks and creeks of Smith, Fox and Tangier Islands. I’ve included some of this fall’s speckled trout photo’s for your viewing pleasure, but first, some additional news & notes.

Tangier Sound Rockfish – While speckled trout are making a beeline for parts south, Tangier Sound striper fishing is just heating up! Right before the storm, rockfish catches had increased in both size and numbers while fishing the shallows and creeks of Smith, Fox and Tangier Islands. This is a great time of the year to fish the island marshes, catching stripers on light tackle, while enjoying the company of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. I have a handful of dates available during the next three weeks that I would like to fill, so come give it a try. You won’t be disappointed!!

CBBT – Due to the many requests that I have been receiving, I have decided to begin fishing the CBBT (Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel) near Cape Charles, VA beginning the week after Thanksgiving. I have a limited number of dates available, so if you are interested in a chance to catch a big striper on light tackle, please give me a call at 443-783-3271, or drop me an email at kjosenhans@aol.com This is cold-weather fishing, so proper fowl-weather gear is a must! Check-out my Web site for pricing and trip info at www.josenhansflyfishing.com

Walk-Ons– I have one or two anglers interested in sharing the cost of a trip with another angler. This will be for Tangier Sound fishing between now and Thanksgiving. Please contact me asap if you have an interest.

Chesapeake Women Anglers (CWA) Crisfield trip with Capt. Dan Harrison and your’s truly – http://www.chesapeakewomenanglers.org

LaJan Barnes (CWA) with a healthy redfish

Pati Nicholson (CWA) shows-off a beautiful speck

Lucia DiRado (CWA) joinined in on the great speckled trout action!

Gene Jones with a nice speck on the Big Annemessex River

George Jones hefts a fat speck

Scotty Bolles with his Annemessex River speck

The “Jones Brothers” George & Gene – Sorry, no relation to the boat builder

What a Day!! Dave Wilmoth with one of a pair at 6 pounds!

Rob McColligan boated this nice spotted trout

Ron Long proudly displays a big speck

Dave put’s the finishing touch on a 42 speck day with his second 6 pounder!

Dick Franyo with one of 23 specks he and Joe Evans caught on fly tackle

Terry Tubman landed this 5 pound beauty in lower Tangier Sound

Phil Todd and Terry having a great day catching big specks

Bobby Shenton, Phil Todd & Terry Tubman show off some of the days catch

Tom Stapf & John Plowman pulled 17 nice trout from a small stretch of clean water on a blustery October day

The pool winner? Beautiful speck John!!

Kevin Gladhill braved the wind and cold to pull a few nice specks from the shallows

Michael Rembold took top honors for specks on yet another wind-blown day

Maurice Klein enjoyed good success with specks, rock and redfish.

Keith Campbell arived during the transition from specks to stripers

Kevin Campbell proved the specks were still around

These pelicans should be heading south very soon

Matt King shows off a healthy shallow water striper

Bill Enos with a fine rockfish, and..

..a beautiful late-season speckled trout

Skip Powers with a colorful speck on his birthday. Happy Birthday Skip!

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Tags: Big Annemessex river, CBBT, Chesapeake Bay, fly fishing, G.Loomis, Red Drum, rockfish, speckled trout, Tangier Sound, Virginia Eastern Shore
Categories : Fishing Reports

Josenhans FF ~ Specks Hanging On!

14 10 2012

As you can probably guess by my lack of blog posts, it has been a very busy fall fishing season. Since Labor Day, I have been on the water just about every day that the weather has allowed me to fish. While business is booming, I’m afraid it does not leave me a lot of time for writing updates. I apologize for this and will try to be more current with future fishing reports. Now, on to the current fishing situation. Speckled trout catches have slowed a bit during this recent cold snap, but I look for things to pick back up once the weather stabilizes. Last season, we had some of the year’s highest catch totals during the second and third weeks of October. Keeping my fingers crossed! The flip-side of cooler water temp’s is rockfish action has really taken-off! Yesterday, we enjoyed my best day with stripers since early June. Rock to 26-inches are keeping clients happy while searching for the sometimes finicky specks. Redfish are still around, as well. Enjoy some snapshots of this fall’s successes!!

Kyrie Perdue hefts a beautiful fall speck!

Jay Burkholder landed this nice rockfish on a very windy day fishing out of Onancock, VA

Jay added this very nice speck!!

Todd Allen shows off a fat speck

Gary Beard got in on a little redfish action

Gary’s son Randy with a gorgeous puppy drum

Diane Hurley fooled this colorful speck

Ray Shelesky with his six-pound speck

Steve Shelesky caught his on the fly

Steve and his dad Ray had a great day catching specks

Norm Bayer proudly shows-off a fat speck. Norm is a sales rep for Teeny Fly Lines and Shu-Fly fly rods

Bob Hedrick with a fly caught speck

Joe Lundin joined Norm and Bob in the hot action!

Lew Armistead with a nice fly-caught spotted trout

John Holton with a beauty of a trout!!

Mark Nichols had a day to write home about!!

Mark Symmes with one of 42 specks between him and Mark N.

Mark S. with this season’s 1000th speckled trout

Mark N. with a nice spottail

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Tags: Chesapeake Bay, fly fishing, G.Loomis, Red Drum, rockfish, speckled trout, Tangier Sound, Virginia Eastern Shore
Categories : Fishing Reports

Josenhans FF ~ Tangier Slam!!

4 09 2012

Tangier Slam – In the world of flats fishing, a ‘slam’ is oftentimes considered three, maybe four different species of fish, caught by a single angler, with a specific type of gear during a given day. Well, how about six species! That’s just what has occured several times during the past couple of week’s on board my Jones Brothers while fishing here on Tangier Sound. In fact, five species seems to be the norm rather than the exception. Stripers, bluefish, speckled trout, flounder, redfish and croaker are common catches while casting artificial lures on light spinning tackle or fly gear. On a recent outing with Don Harrison, his friend Doug Portner and Doug’s son Connor, while we didn’t quite reach six-species, sheer numbers made up for the species count. We began the day casting to breaking bluefish in the 12 to 17-inch range, enjoying action in which triple hook-ups were common for perhaps ninety minutes. We switched gears to look for specks, managing close to a dozen for the day up to 21-inches. Mixed-in with the trout were perhaps fifteen nice rockfish to 24-inches. The day ended on a hot note as the guys simply tore-up the puppy drum, landing maybe 50 in the 12 to 17-inch range, with a couple just shy of the legal 18-inch limit. All told, over one-hundred fish were boated giving the three anglers a day to remember. And to make his “slam” something really special, young Connor also accomplished several “firsts.” As is first striper, first bluefish, first speckled trout and first redfish! Way to break-out on the saltwater scene Connor!! Tangier Sound has always held a nice variety of game fish during the summer months and six or more species in a days fishing is not unusual. I look for this fantastic shallow water angling to continue right through the fall months.

Speckled trout continue to grab most of the attention here on the sound. Daily catches averaging ten-specks-per-angler have been the norm rather than the exception. Now that September is here, I look for the speckled trout top-water bite to really take-off! Last season, our top fish was an eight-pound beauty that exploded on a Stillwater Smack-it! popper.

Share a Trip – Once again, I am in need of several anglers to share the cost of a guided trip. The details are as follows:

Trip 1 – I need a fly fishing angler to share a full day (8 hour) trip with another fly angler. Cost per angler will be $225, all-inclusive.

Trip 2 – I need two spining anglers to share a full day (8 hour) or 3/4 day (6 hour) trip with a third spin fisherman. Cost will be $150 each for the full day, or $135 each for the 3/4 day trip. There is a catch (no pun intended) – My first available date is October 20. Speckled trout should still be around, along with stripers, bluefish, flounder and redfish. In addition to the 20th, I have open October 22, 23, 25, 27, 30 and 31. If interested, please email, or call me at your earliest convenience. My contact info is kjosenhans@aol.com or 443-783-3271. Thanks and good fishing!!

Nick Weber drove a long way to catch a speckled trout, and succeeded

Nick’s son Matt with a nice flounder

Not to be outdone by Matt, John Crowley bags a big flounder of his own

Matt LaFleur with an over-stuffed speck

Jerry Price adds a puppy drum (redfish)

Toby Godwin with a pretty speck

Darren Short found this big speck at the end of his line

Chris Mitchell surprised us with a 26-inch striper

Tom Phillips got in on the speck action

Chris adds a nice speck to his rockfish catch

Andrew Lepczyk caught this fine striper under working birds near Sharps Island

Pete Rolph has been trying to make this speck trip for two years – it paid-off!

Mike Johnson has his arms full with this hefty spotted trout

Elliott Pochettino can barely hold up his big speck

Owen Pochettino shows off his big fly-caught speckled trout

Don Harrison with a speck on his way to a Tangier Slam

..Likewise for Doug Portner..

..and Doug’s son Connor!

Doug boats a nice rockfish

Connor adds his own big striper

Connor with one of his many redfish

Terry Tubman with a fine Tangier Sound speck

Keith McGuire ran his boat over from the western shore to catch specks

Scott McGuire shows-off a specks canines

Scott with a nice spot tail

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Tags: Big Annemessex river, bluefish, Chesapeake Bay, croaker, flounder, fly fishing, Fox Island, Little Choptank, Red Drum, rockfish, speckled trout, Tangier Sound, topwater, Virginia Eastern Shore
Categories : Fishing Reports

Josenhans FF ~ Hot August Fishing, News

4 08 2012

What a summer of fishing this has been! Hot weather and even hotter fishing, especially for speckled trout. Right after my last blog entry, I took a planned two-week mini-vacation for some much need R & R. I had been running full-steam since the beginning of flats season. It was time for a break. In addition, my Yamaha made a trip to the doctor to have her fuel injectors cleaned. Seems they only do this in Florida. After a few extra day’s wait for shipping, I am happy to report the prognosis is excellent; as the 150 HPDI once again purrs like a kitten. Now back to the fishing report…

The last trip before my break Dave Elvin, Mike Nolan, John Scott and his son Troy enjoyed a banner day catching 30 specks ranging from sixteen to twenty-one inches. Thrown in was an assortment of rock, blues and croaker and, needless to say, it was very hard to take time off. It didn’t help matters when my first day back I was greeted with 15-20 Kt winds that roiled the shallows, yielding but a brace of specks. The next day I traveled to the quaint township of Onancock, Virginia. My clients for the day had rented a private home just on the edge of town, so I agreed to meet them at the town dock. The fifteen-minute run to the bay down Onancock Creek provided a picturesque cruise past a mix of stately old Eastern Shore homes, smaller shore dwellings and miles of unspoiled shoreline. I think I could retire happy living on Onancock Creek. In addition to the beautiful scenery, fishing’s not bad either. Final tally for the day was 23 specks to twenty-two inches, a baker’s dozen of feisty bluefish and a handful of rockfish. Once again, all was right with the world. During the past two weeks, speckled trout catches have been as high as 35 per day, with a handful of days in the 20’s. Flounder catches are still well off last years pace, but the few times we have tried has yielded some nice fish to 24-inches.

Late-Summer and Fall Bookings are running way ahead of last season’s pace, so if you want to enjoy some of this fabulous speckled trout fishing please don’t wait to reserve a date. I have been blessed with many new clients this season and for that I am truly grateful. And to my long-time friends, words alone cannot express my gratitude for your continued support.

Share a Trip – I occasionally receive requests to find a fishing partner(s) in order to share expenses. This way, you get the full trip at half, or even a third the cost. I will act as your booking agent and make all the arrangements, in advance. If this trip arrangement interests you, please let me know. Enjoy some photos from the past two weeks.

Randy and family began their trip at the Onancock, VA Town Wharf

Julie holding a beautiful spotted trout

Randy’s daughter Kylie loves to fish and her smile shows it

Somers Cove Marina at sunrise – Crisfield, MD

Scott shows-off a puppy drum – I think it’s going to be a fun fall with redfish

A first for my boat. At five-pounds, this Smooth Puffer put up quite a fight..

…not so much when swelled-up!

Troy with his largest speckled trout to date

Mary with an awesome speck

Michael with a nice speck of his own – what a morning this was!!

Troy with one of his six biggest specks to date – all caught on my boat this morning

After 28 specks to 23″ in just four hours, Terry T. and Bobby S. enjoyed the view on the ride home (No, it wasn’t quite that close)

Rodney Sunday with his first fly-caught speckled trout

and, while he’s at it…

..his first fly-caught bluefish! I think he’s hooked!!

Not to be outdone, Rodney’s dad Corey landed this pretty trout

Let’s not forget there are some nice flounder out there!

George Lenard of http://www.specializedbaits.com fame fooled this fat 22-incher with his Blue Crab pattern

Dave Gedra with a nice flatty on a Specialized Baits Li’l Jimy

Redfish like Li’l Jimy’s, too

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Tags: bluefish, Chesapeake Bay, flounder, fly fishing, G.Loomis, Li'l Jimy, Red Drum, rockfish, speckled trout, Tangier Sound, Virginia Eastern Shore
Categories : Fishing Reports

Speck Fishing as Hot as the Weather!!!

8 07 2012

Bring on the heat!! Even with the sweltering temperatures of late, there has been no let-up in the speckled trout bite! Given decent weather and a break from the wind, on most days we are catching 20 – 30 fat, healthy specks on a variety bucktail jigs, soft plastics and flies. Specialized Baits Li’l Jimy’s, Bass Assassin 4″ Sea Shads, Clouser Deep Minnows and Cactus Stripers are all gobbled-up like cotton candy at a carnival. I have seen stretches of good speck fishing in my 30 years of fishing Tangier Sound, but never have I experienced such a prolonged period in both size and numbers. The specks are averaging 17″ – 21″, and this past Monday, Dennis Dame boated a gorgeous five-pound, 25″ specimen on fly. With a little luck, look for this incredible fishing to continue right through October. On the flip-side, the fantastic flounder fishing that we had last summer has, so far, failed to materialize. That said, I haven’t been putting in a lot of time trying, for obvious reasons.. Bluefish to 20-inches are available if you want a hard-fighting gamefish to put a bend in your light spinning or fly rod and a few stripers are always around. I have less than a handful of dates remaining open in July, and August is fast becoming booked as well. Drop me an email or call if you would like to get in on some hot summer fishing. If a full day sounds a bit too long in this heat, the less-expensive six-hour trip is plenty of time to fish a tide, and we will be off the water before the oven cranks up!

Walk-on Notice

On the subject of guided trips, I am in need of one or two anglers to share the cost of one or two days fishing with another angler. The date(s) requested are July 26 or 27 and August 20, 21, 22 or 23. This will be a full day, 8-hour trip. Cost will be $150 or $225 per person, subject to total number of anglers. Specks, blues, rock and maybe even some flounder should be available. I look forward to seeing you on the water!!