The Potomac river runs in a southerly direction from Harper's Ferry just west of Frederick with several nice tributaries just to the east, even closer to Frederick. One of the largest tributaries, the Monocacy, has proven to be a great river for both fishing and scenery. With headwaters originating in Gettysburg, PA, just ~40 miles to the north, I classify the Monocacy as a "medium flow". However, it can often surge to ~20,000 cfs in periods of heavy rain! Normal summer/fall lows are near 150-300 cfs, making for slow-to-medium paced floats and minimal portages or dragging.
The name Monocacy originates from an indian name for "river with many bends". This flow cuts through rolling hills of farmland with small mountains in the distance. The lower sections of the river are peppered with rock outcroppings and various hardwoods. The bottom is a mix of granite boulders and sandy river pebble bottom. Despite the infrequent developed land near the banks and urban settings nearby, wildlife is plentiful, and humans are not. I often see no one on these floats, something I cherish in a canoe outing.
Access is very good. A managed paddle trail extends some 40 miles above the confluence with the Potomac with boat ramps and established canoe launches along the way. See more here --> http://md-frederickcounty.civicplus.com/documents/7/229/Monocacy%20River%20Water%20Trail%20Map%20%20Guide.pdf
Smallmouth fishing is good, not exceptional. Depending on conditions, my numbers are decent, typically averaging 2-4 fish every hour. I've caught a few good sized fish (14+") in this flow, but nothing like the warmer, larger, and more fertile foothills flows of NC or SC. One big plus is that the state of Maryland manages the Monocacy as a catch and release fishery for black bass year round from Buckeystown dam down to the Potomac. I usually fish the lower stretches, but want to explore further upstream. I've read there are musky in this flow, a fish I've yet to catch.
This weekend we're on our annual fall trip to the area, visiting with family and catching a fall festival with the kids. Weather has been overcast and upper 60s. Leaves are turning and dropping. Colder weather is moving in with nights in the low 40s.
Yesterday I floated from MD 80 to Mouth of Monocacy (access points 16 and 20 on the map, almost 10 miles). River flow was just under 500 cfs, which is about twice my preference. The river hit flood stage about 1 week prior and has just settled down to a reasonable fishable flow. Water conditions were murky (stained) for this flow, with visibility around 2-2.5'. Water temps were 62-64 deg F.
I launched at 8:30 am and reached my takeout at 3:45 pm, even with an upstream breeze most of the day and a few brief stops to stretch and/or fish a particular area.
On this trip, the smallmouth were only caught in areas of swift water. They were scattered and active, yet very hesitant. Over the course of the day, I tried many lures to zero in on their preferences. In the end, a jerk-pause presentation of the rapala x-rap in a orange/black color caught the most fish. I also landed fish on the following: torpedo, rebel craw, fluke jr, white curly tail, yellow curly tail, black spinnerbait, cordell spot. Often, I'd see the fish chasing the lure and turning away near the boat. The x-rap seemed to entice the bite more than any other.
No big smallmouth on this trip. The surprise today was hooking and landing the biggest creek chub I've ever caught. Normally, they are good fighters, but this one was a slouch. I saw lots of wildlife on this trip, including: a pair of female turkeys, muskrat, a large buck (8 or 10 pointer), a few does like the one pictured, probably 50 wood ducks, herons, and a hawk that was munching on a large red tailed squirrel up in a sycamore overhanging the river.
This was a very relaxing trip and a great way to spend a vacation day. Folks reading this may think I'm trying to avoid my mother-in-law, but I assure you that's not the case. She's happy to entertain the kiddos with my wife, while I spend time alone on the water. Plus, there's always a good meal waiting when I return. Can't beat that!
