Octoraro Creek Trail in Cecil County

Type: Nontidal
Region: Northern
Location: Octoraro Creek Trail in Cecil County

Yesterday, I checked out the Exelon�s new Octoraro Creek Trail in Cecil County where there is an encouraging rumor of hungry DNR-stocked trout in the bottom stretch below the Route 222 bridge. Parking and access couldn�t be better with an obvious turnoff just south of the bridge on 222. Look for a bright yellow gate next to the new ball field. The neatly-graveled path winds through the woods beside the creek with access to the shore over a slight grassy berm.

The creek was swollen, brown, and angry-looking from the rain. Nonetheless, a persistent hatch of blue-winged olive and caddis flies lifted off of the river toward the gray sky. I spied a couple of rising fish in the lower section where the creek opened to the Susquehanna, and I tried to entertain them with a basic Adams parachute fly. Apparently, my casting didn�t impress the fish very much�not a new sensation for me when it comes to trout in Maryland. Up by the bridge, Jeff Hamlin from Port Deposit was having better luck with spinning gear; tossing a bright silver spoon.

I�m sure, with dryer conditions, this will be a good bet for trout, particularly if you bring along some worms.

Further upstream via Moore�s Road to Basin Run Road and the Bridge at Dr. Jack Road is parking for about three cars and very limited access to the last of this year�s hickory shad run. I joined three advanced shad fanatics, Dr. Neil Goodrich, Dr. Stan Watkins, and Ray Ferguson for a lesson in hickology and a bucket of Maryland fried chicken. The Doctors have devised a heretical lure system involving conventional lead-headed shad darts dressed with tiny grub tails fished on four-weight fly rods. If you want to see what the �flies� look like you will find a complete sampling of them hanging in the high branches of streamside trees near the granite wall on the north side of the creek.

In spite of the turbid water, waning light, practical joking, and limited access to the �Hot Pool�, we managed eight hicks and one bronze carp between us.

That and a bucket of chicken is all you need for a perfect outing.

But hurry! The hickory run is nearly over.