North Branch Potomac River - Luke - Maryland
Fly Fishing River Report & Conditions
North Branch Potomac River – Luke - Water Flow Chart
North Branch Potomac River – Luke - Weather report & radar
North Branch Potomac River – Luke - General hatch chart
| Month | Hatch | Time of Day | Recommended Fly Sizes | Popular Fly Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Midges | Afternoon | #18 – #22 | Griffith’s Gnat, Black Beauty |
| Stoneflies | Dusk | #8 – #10 | Hellgrammite, Black Stonefly Nymph | |
| February | Midges | Afternoon | #18 – #22 | Griffith’s Gnat, Black Beauty |
| Blue Quills | Midday | #16 – #20 | Blue Quill Dry, Blue Quill Nymph | |
| March | Blue Quills | Midday | #16 – #20 | Blue Quill Dry, Blue Quill Nymph |
| Little Black Caddis | Afternoon | #16 – #18 | Peacock Caddis, X Caddis | |
| April | Mayflies | Afternoon | #12 – #16 | Spotlight Emerger, Klinkhammer |
| Caddisflies | Dusk | #14 – #16 | Elk Hair Caddis, Tungsten Caddis Pupa | |
| May | Green Drakes | Afternoon | #10 – #12 | Green Drake Dun, Green Drake Nymph |
| Dobsonflies | Morning | #6 – #8 | Muddler Minnow, Dark Stonefly Nymph | |
| June | Damsel flies | Midday | #10 – #12 | Damsel Nymph, Adult Damsel |
| Scuds | All Day | #14 – #18 | Scud Olive, Scud Grey | |
| July | Terrestrials | Afternoon | #12 – #16 | Hopper, Ant Patterns |
| Hoppers | All Day | #10 – #12 | Classic Hopper, Stimulator Orange | |
| August | Terrestrials | Midday | #12 – #16 | Beetle, Cricket |
| Hoppers | All Day | #10 – #12 | Parachute Hopper, Foam Hopper | |
| September | Hoppers | All Day | #10 – #12 | Stimulator Olive, Dave’s Hopper |
| Midges | Midday | #18 – #24 | Zebra Midge, Peacock Midge | |
| October | Blue-winged Olive | Midday | #16 – #20 | BWO Sparkle Dun, RS2 |
| Midges | Early Morning/Evening | #18 – #24 | Zebra Midge, Peacock Midge | |
| November | Blue-winged Olive | Midday | #16 – #20 | BWO Sparkle Dun, RS2 |
| Midges | Early Morning/Evening | #18 – #24 | Zebra Midge, Peacock Midge | |
| December | Midges | Afternoon | #18 – #22 | Griffith’s Gnat, Black Beauty |
| Stoneflies | Dusk | #8 – #10 | Hellgrammite, Black Stonefly Nymph |
North Branch Potomac River – Luke Access Points
The North Branch Potomac River in Luke, offers numerous spots prized for fly fishing. Notable access points include:
- Barnum Whitewater Area: Known for its excellent trout population. Accessible via river right at Barnum Road.
- Bloomington: Renowned for its challenging rapids and diverse fish species. Can be accessed by following Bloomington Road to the river.
- Kitzmiller: This area offers swift currents, keeping trout active. Access point is at the end of Oak Street.
- Westernport: Renowned for its vast trout fishing opportunities. It’s accessible from Main Street in Westernport.
- Keyser: The smooth currents here make it a favorite amongst novice fly fishers. Riverside Park in Keyser is the key access.
North Branch Potomac River – Luke Fishing Spots
The North Branch Potomac River – Luke, offers several outstanding spots for fly fishing. These locations provide an enchanting experience, ideal for catching a variety of fish species.
- Kitzmiller area: Known for its exceptional trout fishing, this spot is popular amongst experienced anglers.
- Westernport: This area, favored for its productive fishing, often yields catches like smallmouth bass and walleye.
- Barnum: This location, rich in trout, is suitable for both novice and proficient fly fishers.
- Jennings Randolph Lake Tailwaters: Boasting high-quality fishing opportunities, tailwater yields consist of rainbow and brown trout.
- Bloomington: This region is popular among anglers for its trout and smallmouth bass fishing.
Regardless of your fly fishing proficiency, the North Branch Potomac River – Luke offers plentiful options suited for various skill levels and fishing preferences.
North Branch Potomac River – Luke Local Fish Species
- Brook Trout: Known for their beautiful colors, brook trout are a popular fish to target on the North Branch Potomac River.
- Brown Trout: These fish are more elusive, making them a fun challenge for fly fishermen.
- Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth bass are game fish that provide a good fight when hooked, making them thrilling to catch.
- Largemouth Bass: Largemouth bass are also targeted by anglers. They are easy to identify by their large mouths, hence the name.
- Muskie: Muskies are big, powerful predatory fish that can reach impressive sizes. They are a prized catch for fly fishermen on the river.
- Walleye: These fish can grow large and present a challenge to reel in, adding to the excitement of the sport.
- Bluegill: Bluegill are small fish that make for fast-paced, action-packed fishing. They are popular on the North Branch of the Potomac River due to their abundance.
- Pumpkinseed: Similar to bluegill, pumpkinseeds are small, brightly colored sunfish that are plentiful in the North Branch Potomac River.
About the North Branch Potomac River – Luke
Curving through Maryland and West Virginia, the North Branch Potomac River boasts a rich history as captivating as its landscape. Firstly named by American Indians, the Potomac, meaning “river of swans”, has always been a vital waterway for trade and transport. Over time, its significance grew.
- In the 1700s, George Washington himself dreamt of making the Potomac navigable to promote westward expansion.
- During the Revolutionary War, the North Branch served as a critical supply route.
- By the late 1800s, a town named Luke was established along its banks, becoming a bustling hub for paper manufacturing.
Just as intriguing is the river’s natural beauty providing homes for various species of wildlife. Despite seeing industry and wars, the North Branch Potomac River exhibits resilience. Its waters keep flowing, serving as a historical mirror reflecting the stories of the past.
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