Predicting the exact dates the cherry trees will blossom in
Washington is a challenge for even professional prognosticators,
but an early bloom seems likely this year. The last time we saw an
El Niño with this much influence on temperatures was in 1997 and
1998 when the blooms peaked the last week of March. According
to the National Park Service, on average the peak occurs on April
4 th. A few things are certain: many, many pink blossoms will appear
sometime, thousands of visitors will converge on the Tidal Basin to
take in the magnificent sights, and the best way to see the show will
be by boat.
In addition to the flowering showcase, the annual National Cherry
Blossom Festival features giant balloons, an energy-packed parade,
music, a fashion show, sake tasting, kite flying, and much more.The festival runs March 20th to April 17th this year, and if you’re
lucky enough to stay for a while, bring layers of clothing, pants, and
shorts as there’s no telling what to expect weather-wise.
As for docking preferences, the channel hosts three marinas:
Gangplank Marina (202-554-5000, gangplank.com), Capital Yacht
Club (202-488-8110, capitalyachtclub.com), and Washington
Marina (202-554-0222, washingtonmarina.com). Call ahead or fill
out their online reservation forms. While they don’t have fuel, these
marinas all offer fine services. Another option is to anchor just off
East Potomac Park.Boats, gear, and experts
Before the cherry trees bloom, boats of all shapes and sizes
appear in the Dulles Expo Center for the annual National Capital
Boat Show, in Chantilly, Virginia. Dealers throughout Virginia and
Maryland display their runabouts, saltwater fishing boats, ski
boats, pontoons, deck boats, jet boats, jon boats, and PWCs
during the show, which runs from March 11-13. Exhibits include
marinas, boatlifts, floating docks, outboard and inboard motors,
marine electronics, and more. Some experts will be there to
answer questions and provide information on maintenance, repair,
financing, insurance, and safety for the upcoming season on the
Mid-Atlantic.Market tested
A good place to pick up some bargains this month is the
Boating & Fishing Flea Market hosted by the Poquoson Kiwanis
Club in Virginia with help from the Bull Island Anglers club. This
year’s market is Saturday, March 12th from 8AM to 1PM, rain or
shine. New and used boats, boating and fishing gear, nautical arts
and crafts, and refreshments will be offered both inside and outside
at the Poquoson High School. If you’re looking to find a fishing
partner, the anglers club meets the fourth Monday each month at
7 PM at Trinity United Methodist Church.March fishing
Croaker and flounder typically begin biting this time of the year
in Virginia’s salty waters. Croaker like to feast on peeler crab baits,
bloodworms, squid, and shrimp and can be found in tributary
rivers of the Chesapeake as well as the coastal ocean waters
and inlets. Flounder will go after live bait (minnows and small
fish), fresh strip baits (bluefish, flounder, shark belly, squid), and
minnow/strip combinations as well as artificials such as bucktails
and paddletail lures with spinners. Both species can be caught
by drift fishing with natural baits fished on the bottom or by slow
trolling baits on the bottom.
By Christopher Knauss24 s SOUTHERNBOATING.COM s MARCH 2016The Thomas Jefferson Memorial framed by cherry blossoms in
Washington, D.C.NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
CHESAPEAKE
& MID-ATLANTIC
CHESAPEAKE
& MID-ATLANTIC
REPORTREPORT
Cherry blossom time along
the Potomac