Conowingo Dam - Good Spot for a Beginner Flyrodder!

Type: Tidal
Region: North Central
Location: Conowingo Dam

I went to the steps below the Conowingo Dam just before dark last evening. Using a 5wt fly rod with floating line and a small Bob Clouser type chain bead eye pattern, white and chartreuse. The white perch were hitting about every drift mostly small summer fish 5-6 inches got one that was about 7 inches. I caught a nice healthy looking smallie and one summer rockfish all in under an hour. I had forgotten how much FUN it was to fish that spot when the water is low during the summer. For the beginner flyrodder that's the perfect place to go. Its an easy wade out, there is a concrete pad covering the pipeline which is nearly smooth underfoot, only knee high water with 1 small gate open, lots of room for a back cast, but honestly I was getting bites while the fly was laying in the water at my feet. The hour before dark the perch really feed hard so not a lot of patience is required. I also saw small groups of rockfish pushing bait around so there is also the possibility of catching a nice rock or walleye moving into the shallows. The only thing I would recommend is using a stripping basket to keep your fly line up out of the moving water. If you don't have one just use Tupperware wash tub and drill holes in it for water drain and slots for a wader belt for around your waist.