Big Hunting Creek, Frederick Co., Maryland 02/06/2016

[3wt7X]

Time Fished: 0100pm-0330 pm

Weather:
It was a little chili outside, but it was a comfortable 40 degrees with all the hiking in wet snow. It was mostly sunny, with a few sparse clouds. There was a brisk breeze now and again, but it was pretty negligible.

Water Conditions:
The stream was beautiful. It was up from the recent rains coupled with the run off, but the color was perfect with a slight stain. I wish this stream could maintain these flows year round, it would be a heck of a wild brown trout fishery.

Hatches:
Small 22-24 grey and black midges, along with black stoneflies crawling on the rocks and wooded areas. The stoneflies were around a size 18.

Results:
It's been awhile since I've posted a report, mostly due to a heavy work schedule. This was only my second trip out this year, and it was a short, but productive one. The fish were taking dark nymphs size 18 and 20 in tandem rig in the deeper holes. You had to put a few drifts in, but they were on them. My most productive nymph was a size 20 zebra midge. The bigger fish were moving for cone head buggers as well.

 

[raftman]

I really dig the coloration in the first photo. Nice report! I love chili weather too 🙂

 

[Dave_W]

Great report and good to see. You gotta love those higher water levels on BHC.
(Reminder to self: get a MD license sometime soon)

I noticed some local creeks in Michaux/South mountain were high but dropping to a nice level during my travels on Friday. Some of the snow melt has slowed with the return of colder temps. The next few days could be ideal for mountain small stream fishing.

 

[Longbow]

Very nice! Love those colors. I work out that way frequently. Will need to check that stream out.

 

[raftman]

I had a chance to check out Big Hunting for the first time this past weekend when the temperature reached 60. I fished the lower section and didn't see anyone else until around lunchtime. I brought to hand a few wild browns, all on small dark nymphs (stoneflies and princes). The water seemed a bit high and cold. Beautiful, tough stream! By the time I left, every pull off had a car in it.

 

[Muskyman]

I fished Big Hunting Creek in 1992- 1996 4 day a week from daylight savings in to out. Wonderful stream to fish and was contained in Hal Raines book "Fly Fishing through the Midlife Crisis" Big Brooktrout at that time. Haven't got back since fall of 1996, but hoping to do so.

 

[Dave_W]

Muskyman wrote:
I fished Big Hunting Creek in 1992- 1996 4 day a week from daylight savings in to out. Big Brooktrout at that time. Haven't got back since fall of 1996, but hoping to do so.

I'll bet we crossed paths many times.
BHC was much more heavily stocked in those days. Today most of the FFO section is not stocked (they put a few fish in at the bridges and pools) and holds mainly wild BTs. Due to the reduced stocking, there are also a lot less anglers these days. Otherwise you'll be glad to see that the stream is essentially unchanged.
A longtime favorite stream for me too.