Big Hunting Creek Maryland Fly Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone and tailwater
Species
Brown Trout (wild)
Rainbow Trout (Wild and stocked)
Brook Trout (wild and stocked)
Size
Small
Location
Western Maryland
Nearest Towns
Thurmont
Season
Year-round
Access:
Easy to difficult
Non-Resident License
State of Maryland
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
The fishing season is open year-round
Spring:
Springtime is the best time to fish Big Hunting Creek due to the numerous aquatic insect hatches.
Summer:
The water can get a little low and warm in July and August but fly fishing opportunities still exist.
Fall:
Fall is an excellent time to fish the river. The wild browns spawn in the fall months.
Winter:
It is possible to catch trout throughout the winter months.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 & 12 ft., 5 or 6X, Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Superb Five or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Big Hunting Creek In Maryland
Big Hunting Creek was the first stream in the state of Maryland to be stocked and the first stream to have a “Fly fishing only” section. Later, a “Catch and Return” section was added. Today, the stream above Cunningham Fall Reservoir is maintained entirely as a wild trout fishery. Only a small number of rainbow and brook trout are stocked in the tailwater section below the reservoir. The brown trout in the tailwater are wild, stream-bred trout. Both sections are managed under “fly fishing only – catch and return only” regulations.
Big Hunting Creek flows through the Catoctin National Park and Cunningham Falls State Park. Since 1974, both parks have been managed under “Catch and Return, Fly Fishing Only” regulations.
This is a relatively small stream starting out only about ten feet in width and growing to a maximum of about thirty. The section above the lake consist mostly of pocket water with some runs and riffles. Below the dam, the tailwater is moves along rather slowly but the rate of flow picks up further downstream and the declination of the stream increases. There’s a relatively deep George section that although near the road, isn’t exactly easy to get to or fish. Because of the more difficult access and the fact it hold a good population of wild brown trout, altogether, it is probably the best section to fish.
The Potomac Valley Fly Fishermen and the Maryland Fly Anglers, raise or purchase rainbow and brook trout and stock the Big Hunting Creek tailwater each spring as part of the Co-operative Trout Rearing Program. Many of these weight up to a pound and offer anglers a shot at larger trout.
Brown trout dominate the population of wild trout in both sections. There are both wild browns and brook trout in the non-stocked upper section above the lake but browns still represent the majority of the trout population.
You can access Big Hunting Creek is from state route #77. The road closely follows the creek upstream from Thurmont.
Keep in mind the newly stocked trout will take about any fly because they have been hatchery feed but after two or three months they get use to eating the natural foods and insects and become more selective. Also, the stream has a good population of wild trout and holdover trout that have been stocked for over a year that are very selective. For that reason, your odds will be increased if you use specific imitations of the most plentiful and available for the trout at the specific time you are fishing. Perfect Fly is the only fly company in the World with specific imitations of all the major species of aquatic insects in all stages of life that trout eat.