A quick update from the Susky Flats. Wednesday – Arrival date. By the time I got the boat launched and tied in the slip it was almost 6:00 p.m. Didn’t have anything else to do, so I decided to spend the last two hours of daylight looking around the flats. Wound up with some schoolies to 25″ and a surprise 15-pound striper that hit a six-inch Chartreuse BKD. Nice evening, wish I had had some guests on board. Thursday – Phil Bangert joined me for a day trip and we fished hard to land maybe 35-40 rock to 25-inches. No big fish this trip. Phil did manage to break out the fly rod and he proceeded to out-fish the spinning outfit! Fun morning. Took my Dad out for the evening trip and we hit a nice stack of fish east of the battery, most falling in the 16″ to 22″ range. Then I hit a drag-screamer that put the Stradic’s teflon washers to the test. I slowly pumped it back in and quickly measured a 36-inch, 22-pound beauty (sorry, no photo – didn’t want to keep her out of the water after such a game fight). With a healthy swat of the tail she was on her way, no worse for wear. That’s the appeal of the flats; one cast can be a 20-inch schoolie (don’t like the word dink, doesn’t do these fish justice) while the very next retrieve can bring on a drag-burning twenty-pounder. Friday – Bill Enos and his friend (also Bill) were the unfortunate recipients of a strong northerly blow which turned the flats the color of chocolate milk. There were two or three really big fish caught but not on my boat. A few schoolies around also, but many skunks to report as well. We elected to call our trip at noon. There are some really nice fish around and I think things will pick up once the waters settle a bit. Home for Easter with the family and will be back at it bright and early Monday morning. Happy Easter everyone!
Josenhans FF ~ Flats Update
7 04 2012Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: Bass Kandy Delights - BKD, flounder, rockfish, Susquehanna Flats, Virginia Eastern Shore
Categories : Fishing Reports
Josenhans Fly Fishing ~ More Flounder, and Walk On Trip at the Susky Flats
31 03 2012The Susquehanna Flats has come alive while I’m off flounder fishing – but I don’t miss it! The wind has blown all week. Couple that with a few cold nights and the water in the back bays along the Virginia seaside has seen a marked drop in temperature. While it was 61 degrees before the blow, a friend fished all day Wednesday with the meter reading a cool 51 degrees. We were more fortunate yesterday, as my gauge read a steady 58 all afternoon. My fishing companions this day were Chris Cianci, Chuck Prahl and Jay Harford. While the action wasn’t off-the-charts hot, it was steady; and we ended the afternoon trip with ten legal flounder up to 20 1/2-inches. Most were in the 18-inch range. Good weather, friends and great conversation made for a very pleasant way to spend a spring afternoon. Three more flounder excursions then it’s off to the flats. I’ll try to keep the reports coming, but I’ll need to bum a computer to do so. Fishing everyday at the flats might not give me much time to write, but I’ll at least try to send some photos – bear with me..
Susquehanna Flats Walk On Notice – I have two spots available for a half-day evening trip on Thursday, April 12. I hope to be casting poppers to BIG rockfish!! The total cost per person is just $115.00, which includes fishing license, quality G. Loomis rods, Shimano Stradic spinning reels, tackle, ice, drinks and light snacks. No hidden fees!! We’ll start at 3:00 PM and fish until dark. I’ll meet you at my slip at the Havre de Grace City Yacht Basin next to the Millard Tydings Memorial Park. There’s nothing like seeing a ten to twenty-pound striper smash a top-water lure as it skips across the calm surface of the flats. First two calls are in, so don’t delay! Email is kjosenhans@aol.com or call my cell at 443-783-3271.
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Tags: flounder, G.Loomis, rockfish, Susquehanna Flats, topwater, Virginia Eastern Shore
Categories : Fishing Reports
Josenhans Fly Fishing ~ Spring Fling!
20 03 2012
The past three weeks have been all white perch and crappie. Throw in the occasional pickerel – along with a wayward rockfish, or three – and we’ve had some pretty good spring fishing. Flounder are making a showing on Virginia’s eastern shore and I will be making a trip or two down that way before I head to the flats. Speaking of the Susquehanna, the latest intel has clear water, with temps in the 50’s on much if the flats; prime conditions for stripers. Reports have it the big pre-spawn fish are moving up the bay, so everyone’s thinking the flats should bust wide open at anytime. I’ll be there when it does, so get your trip booked now. Here are some shots from past couple of weeks, with the most recent trips posted first..
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Tags: Chesapeake Bay, crappie, fly fishing, Nanticoke River, pickerel, Pocomoke River, rockfish, Susquehanna Flats, white perch
Categories : Fishing Reports
Josenhans FF ~ January Newsletter
21 01 2012Josenhans Fly Fishing = Fly Fishing & Light Tackle Charters
While the name may say “fly fishing,” most of you are aware that I am certainly no stranger to the spinning rod. I carry quality G.Loomis rods and Shimano Stradic spinning reels for your use. In addition, you are more than welcome to bring along your own tackle on your guided trip. I always love to compare tackle and techniques with my fellow anglers.
In gearing-up for the 2012 fishing season one of my first steps is this slightly overdue newsletter. During the past few weeks, I have made the occasional trip to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT) with some nice rockfish being caught on both fly and spin tackle. Take a look at the fishing reports section of my blog for the latest in CBBT action. The next couple of months will also yield some very good light tackle and fly fishing action on the Pocomoke River. See below for trip info. Now for a brief rundown on what to expect in the coming weeks and months.
Fishing Opportunities in 2012
Pocomoke River – I am currently booking trips on the scenic and wild Pocomoke River. We’ll put-in at the Byrd Park ramp in Snow Hill, Maryland where we will chase yellow perch, crappie, pickerel and largemouth bass. This is a great way to spend a midwinter’s day casting ultra-light spinning or fly tackle. The winding nature of the Pocomoke creates many protected and productive shorelines that can be fished comfortably, even as cool winter breezes keep bay boaters in port. The all-inclusive cost for a six-hour trip is only $275 and I’ll supply the coffee and donuts. Take a look here for some of last season’s Pocomoke action Pocomoke River Fishing 2011.
March White Perch – Beginning around the first of March I will be guiding clients to some terrific white perch action on the Nanticoke River out of Sharptown, Maryland. This is a fun trip for adults and kids, as there is always plenty of action. When the run is on, the perch generally average 10 to 12 inches, with fish of 13 inches or greater caught every season. This was one of my most popular trips last spring, and with the peak of the run lasting maybe three weeks, it’s best to get your name on the books today! Check out some of last season’s action at Nanticoke White Perch
Susquehanna Flats – Even though last season’s flats fishing was a bust, I believe that with this winter’s low snowfall (so far) amounts, this coming spring’s catch & release flats fishery could prove to be outstanding. There have been good numbers of big fish in the lower bay and offshore of the Virginia Capes; so I’m looking forward to a big migration towards the Susky this spring. I have some good dates available during the peak period of the last two weeks in April, so book early to get the day you want.
Red Drum at Fisherman’s Island, VA – I have had quite a few requests to make the trek to the barrier islands of Virginia near the CBBT to try for trophy red drum during the spring run. There has been a super fishery for the past few years with big reds averaging 30 to 50 pounds. While much of this is fishing live bait, on good weather days these fish can be caught casting bucktail jigs, spoons and flies. If you would be interested in this type of trip, please let me know well in advance. The timetable for this will be the first week or two of May.
Tangier Sound Spring/Summer Fishing – What with the mild winter weather we have experienced, I really expect to see some great speckled trout fishing beginning around the first of May. We caught some BIG specks last fall, and a spring run of big pre-spawn trout is long overdue. Don’t miss out on the return of this great shallow water gamefish. Flounder fishing was off-the-charts last summer and I am hopeful for more of the same in 2012. Bluefish provided fantastic light-tackle action throughout the late spring and summer months in 2011, especially for fly-fishers looking for a good fight on the long wand. The early morning rockfish bite was very good at times, as big stripers smacked out Storm and Stillwater poppers all over the sound. There is plenty to do while fishing out of Crisfield.
Winter Speaking Engagements – I will be speaking at several fishing club meetings and events in the coming months, so if you’re in the neighborhood stop in and say hi.
February 8 – I will be speaking at the monthly meeting of the Saltwater Fly Anglers of Delaware in Lewes, DE. Come out and enjoy a PowerPoint presentation on Tangier Sound Fly Fishing. I will also touch on the Susquehanna Flats C&R fishery and my outlook for this spring. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and you will find directions on their Web site.
February 21 – I will be speaking at the monthly meeting of the MSSA’s Essex/Middle River Chapter at the Commodore Hall in Essex, MD. Located at 1909 Old Eastern Ave., the meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. I will give a PowerPoint presentation on Fly and Light Tackle opportunities on Tangier Sound, with a special emphasis on the great speckled trout and flounder fishing that we enjoyed this past season. I’ll briefly touch on the Susky Flats as well. Come on out and enjoy an evening of fishing talk!
February 25 – I’ll have a table at CCA’s 10th annual TieFest, the region’s premier fly-fishing show, located at the Kent Narrows Yacht Club in Chester, MD. Show time is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free. This is a must-attend event for any fly angler who’s wet a line in saltwater. I always book a lot of trips at this show, so arrive early and stay late. The food and friendly atmosphere make this my favorite event of the entire year. See you there!
A final note: I am in the process of updating my Web site Josenhans Fly Fishing with new photos and graphics. In addition, for the most current reports and happenings, please check-out my blog at Josenhans Fly Fishing Blog as daily reports may be posted here before they are distributed via the e-newsletter. Thanks for reading, and here’s to a fantastic 2012 season!
Capt. Kevin Josenhans
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Tags: bluefish, CBBT, Chesapeake Bay, flounder, fly fishing, G.Loomis, Nanticoke River, pickerel, Pocomoke River, rockfish, speckled trout, Susquehanna Flats, Tangier Sound, topwater, white perch, yellow perch
Categories : Fishing Reports
Josenhans FF ~ Flats is Toast
29 04 2011Uncle!! The springs rains just wouldn’t leave us alone. There are 18 spill gates open at Conowingo Dam as I write this. Oh well, we’ll get ’em next year. I hear the big red drum have moved into Tangier Sound. If anyone would like to try an evening trip for the fish of a lifetime please let me know. These fish average 30# – 40#. Here is one more pic from the flats this spring. Photo and fish courtesy of Scott Evander.
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Tags: rockfish, Susquehanna Flats
Categories : Fishing Reports
Josenhans FF ~ Wet Spring
16 04 2011Pennsylvania rain, cool water temperatures and a lack of fish have made it slow going on the flats. Most fish caught have been on cut herring and the occasional trolled/cast plug up in the river. Right now, all fish are big – twenty pounds plus – there just aren’t that many of them. Last year was like this and then, literally overnight, the flats was overrun with stripers. Looking for the action to pick up soon, provided this storm cycle we’re in lets up.
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Tags: rockfish, Susquehanna Flats
Categories : Fishing Reports
Josenhans FF ~ Ready for the Flats
4 04 2011I had the boat in the shop this past week to replace a clogged fuel filter in the engine. I think this HPDI has about four of the things in the gas line. It’s a wonder any gas gets through at all. Ethanol seems to be the culprit in this case as it’s cleaning out my inboard fuel tank and sending all that crud through to the engine. Thinking about switching to ethanol free fuel. I’ve got a trip or two on the Pocomoke this week for crappie, bass, etc. and then I’ll be heading up to the Susky flats. I’m just about booked solid starting next Monday, but I still have two days open before the season ends on May 3. If anyone wants one of these last two dates, now is the time to call. I have a few guys on standby should the fishing get hot, but the early bird gets the rockfish. Still a few spots left for a half day evening topwater trip as well.
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Tags: fly fishing, rockfish, Susquehanna Flats
Categories : Fishing Reports






















