Patuxent River Fly Fishing

Overview

Near Damascus, MD, west of Route 27, the Patuxent becomes fishable where Long Corner Road crosses the stream. This catch and release sections goes for 12 miles and stops at Route 97 where the river flows into Triadelphia resevoir.

Most of the Patuxent flows within the Patuxent River State Park and divides Howard and Montgomery Counties. The Patuxent is a low gradient stream which flows through some heavily wooded areas and a few meadows.

River Size

The river ranges from 10 feet wide to 40 feet wide in a few places. There are many undercuts banks, riffles, pools and eddies to fish. Many fallen trees and branches create some great holding areas for trout.

Stocked Trout

Years with mild Summers, sometimes see holdover rates of the stocked trout to be as high as 30%. There is also some reproduction of Brown trout in this river.
These trout tend to move to the feeder streams during the hot summer months.

Wild Browns

The wild streambred browns tend to survive in the river regardless of how the summer conditions are. The wild browns can be found up above Mullinix Road and also in and around Cabin Branch. There are some large fish in this stream. In the Fall, one can observe the large Browns spawning. Some of the Brown trout are over 20″.

Flies

Deeper pools will hold some nice fish. Nymphing and streamers work well especially in the deeper pools of the Patuxent. You might find a fish or two working the surface. Caddis emergers along with BWO emergers work well to those fish. Beetles and Ants are also a good bet. Parachute Adams can’t be beat for a true riser working the surface. F

Regulations

Catch-and-Release regulations flies and lures only. Maryland freshwater license and a trout stamp are required.