posted on: September 7, 2011

Catoctin Mountains Report

Type: Nontidal
Region: Central
Location: Catoctin National Park

<P>I fished all the tiny streams and headwaters three different times in five days in Catoctin National Park and Cunningham Falls State Park. The first day I headed to Big Hunting Creek (above the lake.) Very hard to sneak up on fish this time of year, when the water is low and they can hear and see you coming. This is also a fly-fishing only section, and since I just started fly fishing and fly tying this year, I stuck to the easy stuff. I fished a 3 weight rod and as my fly choices, I used size 10-12 black woolybuggers, and a size 16 Elk hair caddis. I managed a few hits on a woolybugger. Then I switched to a mayfly imitation size 16 fly, then I hooked into a 16.5 inch wild Brown Trout. This was by far the biggest wild trout I have ever caught. No pic though. Safely released back.</p> <P>Next it was onto Little hunting Creek, for hopefully some native Brook Trout action, around where Route 15 goes over the creek. This time I fished a few spinners with no luck, then I tried Trout Magnet with no hits. They were all hiding under boulders and a big concrete overhang. Ever once in awhile a big brown trout would come out and take a look around. But then I took a closer look and he was all scared up. A big snapping turtle would sometimes bite the trouts tail, but the trout would always barely escape. Nothing, no hits, no taps, none caught.</p> <P>Next to a trib creek of Big Hunting Creek, I really don't fish this tiny stream much and have never caught anything in it. And to a beginner with one glance to this mere 4 foot wide stream would simply fish elsewhere. But, I have seen the native Brook Trout there, and I won't give up on it. The native population in this stream is not too good, but I still need to scout more of this stream.</p> <P>Finally off to the headwaters of Owens Creek, I managed to land a very nice 13 inch wild Brown on the first cast. I also landed 2 Native Brook Trout, all within an hour. The brook trout were very nice nice in size, one was 6 1/2 inches and the second one was 8 inches. The 8 incher is the biggest native brookie I've ever caught. They will sometimes grow to 9 or 10, or mabe 11inches in these streams but it's rare. All fish taken on ultra light spinning tackle (2 lb Fluoro.) It takes a lot of scouting and walking to search for good holes in these small streams and creeks, but with experience and knowledge you can catch a lot of wild browns and native brookies. Catching a wild (or native) fish is one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I have had a 3 1/2 hour fight with a 36 lb Grass Carp on 2 lb test, yet catching a big wild brown trout or a small native brookie has meant more to me.</p> <P>You'll never forget the first native brookie you caught.</p>