North Branch of the Potomac 11/17 Garrett County Maryland

ryansheehan

ryansheehan

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 1, 2015
Messages
2,635
Flow: 405 cfs
Water temp: 53
Air temps:mid 30's to 50
Hatches: A few midges and an olive or two

Got out for the first time in a long while. Coaching little league really did a number on my river time but that is over now, bring on the winter fishing. It was a great day to be out, there was about 6 inches of snow on the ground. Fish were very eager to take a nymph. Just about every pattern I tied on would work as long as the drift speed was good. Prince, stonefly, San Juan's, PT and midge patterns all accounted for multiple fish. I tended to stick with the bigger patterns in the faster water and go small in the slow pools. No big fish but alot in the 12-14 inch range. There was a group of 3 guides out with clients using spey rods. That was a first for me to see on the north branch, a little over kill if you ask me but to each his own.
 
Good report - I think we're all eager to hear that some folks are getting out on bigger waters and having some luck.

Been a long time since I've been out to the NBP. The water temp seems warm to me, perhaps tailrace effect. I wonder if your timing was good and you got on some active fish before snow melt cools 'em down(?).
 
The North Branch is popular during the colder months with trout spey anglers. Some of those rods are three weights; not at all overkill.

And Beaver Creek fly shop runs a trout spey clinic out there. You may have seen them.
 
Could be, I've spent a lot of time in the winter months on the nb and never once seen a spey rod. I've never used one and didn't realize they could be using 3 weights. As for the temperatures for this time of year it's not unusual, in fact it was in the high 50s this time last year. Randolph Jennings is almost 300 feet deep and they are able to draw from different depths. They just upped the release 400 to 2000 and the temp dropped to 50 so they must be grabbing some water from a little higher. The higher temps in the early winter can make for some great fishing.
 


Anyone know what USGA site or any other site that would give me water temps and flows for the North Branch? I see water temps for the Savage. Can I use this as a proxy for the North Branch? Any other info would be appreciated. I am interested in going back this weekend or early December. Keep posting these reports! Great stuff.

Cheers,
 
Thanks for the links. I forgot about the streams running through WVA and MD. I have my one year license and I'm only 2 hours away and visit the area from time to time. My son is getting his learner's permit this weekend. I think you know where I'm going with this.

All the best,
 
ryansheehan wrote:
Could be, I've spent a lot of time in the winter months on the nb and never once seen a spey rod. I've never used one and didn't realize they could be using 3 weights. .
Click to expand...


The Marblehead Flyfisher store near me specializes in light spey - 2,3 and 4 weight casting streamers for trout and bass.

they tend to be more switch rods - 11 or 12 ft.

I've heard of guys fishing them for shad down near Port Deposit, so i'm not surprised they have made their way round to the NB.


They are easy for beginners to learn to cast and if you can perry poke, snap or circle T cast, you don't need any water behind you to form the D like you do on a Double Spey cast etc.

they use heads as short as 11ft with MOW tips etc but its not pretty and personally i'd be loathe for try it on the small creeks where folks are dry fly fishing or light nymphing etc. due to the water disturbance, but where its fast and deep i'd try it i think.




 
Just a little tip for anyone who hasn't seen it before;
http://www.nab-wc.usace.army.mil/northBranch.html

I highly recommend looking at this before you go. It actually tells you what the river will be for the next 3 days. Note that it may change based on weather events. Also, don't be afraid to call the number listed. Usually a very nice lady who answers and she is more than happy to share any other info on what's going on down there.

Today was a prime example. They dropped it for downstream work a few days ago and if you would've went this afternoon without looking at the corps of engineers site you would've gotten quite a surprise. I've been on the NB during a ~300 to ~1500 bump and you don't want to be on the wrong side when that happens!

I normally fish it a lot, but this year the flows have been outrageous. I was excited to see 400 a few days ago, but of course, it's wrecked just in time for the weekend.
 
Anything below 400 is fishable. That is, you can actually cross it and reach holds. At 400 and above it can be dicey. In general, it's a very strong river and the bottom is mostly boulders. I never cross it without a stick from the bank or a wading staff. Especially in colder weather.

Up to 1000 cfs, you "could" fish from the bank or just in the river in some places, but it's so wide that getting to where the fish are can be tricky. They're spread out a bit too, so higher flows makes it difficult to find em.

In my opinion, it's not what it used to be. The last 3 or 4 years have been tough. Back when they had the hatchery at the tailrace it was bonkers. Still a lot of fish, but not like it was.

I should clarify that I'm talking about the Barnum section. You can catch trout well below Westernport. The fish move a lot in that system. From the savage to the NB and vice versa. Some ok water above the dam too, but it's really a put and take affair up there.

It's a perfect river to float. Inflatable single man pontoons, kayaks or a very experienced solo canoeist maybe. The section between Westvaco (or whatever it's called these days) and the lowest access (blue hole) are very cool and people rarely get down in there unless they're floating.

Chucking meat would be good this time of year.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Montana Angler Fly Fishing
Montana Angler Fly Fishing
Harman's North Fork Cottages

Share this page

Back
Top