Shenandoah and Potomac in November

[MassBass]

I'll be heading down south in early- mid November for a wedding and I intend to make a fishing expedition out of it. For reference the event is in Bluemont VA. My interest is piqued in the 'doah and Potomac, however I don't know what kind of fishing I would be getting into in November. Do the smallies shut down? Is there a cold water fishery? If these rivers are washed out high and mighty by then, is there any good lake and pond opportunities? Not looking for spots, just general intel about fishing around there in November. 

[Logan S]

November won't be 'cold water' yet, should be some good fall fishing.  I'd expect the rivers to be low and clear, they all are around here in the fall unless we get a major storm around the time you're coming.  

 

Not an expert in that specific area but I grew up fishing the upper Potomac both wading and from a boat.  Generally speaking the upper parts of these rivers are known more for quantity than quality.  A 3" senko on a weedless head will catch em, as will most other finesse techniques.  It's true river fishing, so lots of rocks and lots of current, even when the rivers are low. 

 

Hope you enjoy your trip to the area.   

[MCS]

My inlaws live in boyce. under the bridge at 50 is decent. there is slow slow water up river. there is a low water bridge that has some decent bank access a few minutes up the road. Lake Frederick was my go to. Can walk around to fish for bass. Go to the pier and rig worms with split shot, or small crappy jigs down on the bottom. Get some nice shell crackers. 

 

Watermelon park was a no go even back when I lived there 15 yrs ago. It is overfished. You got to remmember there are apple orchards up there. Alot of folks keep and eat fish any size. Public fishing areas are hit hard, they don't do too well on bass etc. but they eat up all the bait fish. Craws are king tho. 

 

Also that stretch of doah from front royal to berryville state of VA stocked with muskie. I believe 42 incher has been caught from that stretch before. 

 

This is all off my memory 15 yrs or so ago, I think last time I was up there was 2018. still was the same back then.