MidAtlantic Trout fishing

[J.T. Griffin]

Hey guys,
I fish the mid Atlantic area, primarily Virginia but some in Maryland and do pretty well except for trout other than native brook trout which are gray, but I’d like to catch something bigger every now and then. However I’m coming to the conclusion that trout fishing in the mid Atlantic just stinks.

It seems that locals harvest most fish even in special catch and release areas and that Rivers that do hold fish are so hammered that fish are scared to death.

Is this an accurate asseament or am I just fishing the wrong rivers?

I fished the Jackson river this weekend which is special regulation and caught every kind of fish but a trout. I didn’t even seem to spook one which tells me the locals got them.

Would apppreciate any thoughts or advice on this one.

Thanks,
JT

[Rob Snowhite]

here are the usual hot spots for big trout around here:

Mossy Creek, Va 2.5 hrs drive
N. Branch Potomac, WV 3+ hrs
Falling Springs, Pa 2.5 hrs
Yellow Breeches, Pa 2.5 hrs
Gunpowder River, Md. 1+hrs
(big springs aka the ditch was the place to go back in the day, Pa 2.5hrs)

You have to work for these fish. Lots of walking, quiet stalking, and correct presentation. Of course the breeches will be crowded in the lots but you can walk and find fish throughout from boiling springs down to the bend where residential houses start.

There are plenty of lesser known spots. If you get ahold of the “TU Limestone Streams Of PA” you can find some lesser fished waters closer.

I used to work at a lodge near Harpers Ferry.

[Mike L.]

Mossy Creek, Va 2.5 hrs drive
N. Branch Potomac, WV 3+ hrs
Falling Springs, Pa 2.5 hrs
Yellow Breeches, Pa 2.5 hrs
Gunpowder River, Md. 1+hrs
(big springs aka the ditch was the place to go back in the day, Pa 2.5hrs)

Decent list, with a few exceptions.

[dave nyberg]

The North Branch is a good bet, it borders WVA and Maryland.

[mark s]

Start fishing for bass and your enjoyment levels will go way up.

[Rob Snowhite]

here is a link from the tidal potomac fly rodders

http://switchfisher.com/navigation/trout_trips/mainpage.html

[J.T. Griffin]

Rob, the link seemed to just list a bunch of rivers.

[tyler bruce]

Trout fishing in the Mid-Atlantic is great. You just have to immerse yourself in it. Spend the time learning the streams listed, you will eventually get into some quality fish. There is absolutely a learning curve though for each stream, especially this time of year.

The best thing about trout is the technical aspect. Once you figure it out, it’s like a light bulb going off.

[ken sperry]

Where on the Jackson were you fishing?

[mark s]

Maybe we should do a mini IA meet up sometime?

[J.T. Griffin]

I was actually fishing the hidden valley sectionand did the 2 mile hike. Oh well, I guess I’ll just keep trying.

Mark, I’m down with a DC IA Conclave.

[tyler bruce]

I was at the upper Jackson a couple weeks ago and it was horribly low. I had to go fish Plan B after driving all the way up there. This time of year I can imagine it seeming pretty barren. There are plenty of wild rainbows and some wild browns with additional stockers poured on top of them by the state.

[Rob Snowhite]

found this list of maps in my storage unit on friday:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/u05vzm

[Neal Osborn]

JT,

I really like what Mark had to say about considering targeting smallmouth bass.

[Rob Snowhite]

on a side note, its a small world, J.T. and I were in the same dorm freshman year of college.

[John Williams]

Rob, the link seemed to just list a bunch of rivers.  

I guess my point here is that trout fishing in the area just isn’t very good.  It seems that the poachers get most of the trout and the streams that do make it, like the gunpowder, have trout that are just very spooky and extremely technical (ie, super hard to catch).  

Just wanted to make sure that I wasn’t the worst fisherman on the east coast.  

JT,
Part of the issue is geography. Most of the streams are cold in the headwaters but untill they grow large enough to support good sized fish they are also marginal in terms of temperature (for trout atleast).
YOu really need to head North and west to get to the streams that

[mark s]

Also keep in mind that this winter the Savage Reservoir is going to be slowly drained to fix the release gates.

[J.T. Griffin]

I know, I know the smallmouth fishing here is much better. ::) For some reason I’ve got trout on the mind. (last year it was bonefish). I’m sure I’ll come full circle and learn to love the smallies.

Thanks for all the tips guys.

[anonymous]

The savage used to be fantastic.

[dave nyberg]

They are now draining the Savage.

[Author]

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