Anyone fish along the Northwest Branch Trail?

[Justin Schoop]

A friend recommended that I fish this creek. He's ridden by it on his bike and knows that I'm into fly fishing so recommended it. I'm just wondering if anyone here has experience along that trail. I want to try it out since I can bike there. Cheers!

[Todd Kuethe]

I've fished the section almost directly below 495.  It's really pretty and a fun spot to fish.  I couldn't get the few trout I saw interested (stupid goldens!), but the panfish were incredibly fun a the dry fly.  Highly recommend you check it out.

[Justin Schoop]

I am definitely thinking of trying it out in the near future. Did you wade at all or fish from the bank?

[Todd Kuethe]

In the mile or so stretch I've explored, you could easily fish from the shore in a number of spots, but you'll likely be limited to roll casts.  I waded just because it's more fun.  I also target prettier areas for the same reason.  

Switch Fisher has a nice breakdown of the stream with pictures (1)  http://www.switchfisher.com/trout_content/eastern_maryland/TroutHike-NorthwestBranch.html  and (2)  http://www.switchfisher.com/trout_content/eastern_maryland/NorthwestBranchOverview.html 

[Alek]

Does anyone know whether the Northwest Branch (of the Anacostia) is likely to have holdover trout over the winter?  I think it was stocked in the fall but won't be stocked again until march.  

[Deadbait]

Alek - I live about 5 min from the NW Branch and can say sadly that it does not have holdovers. It barely has holdover bass. But do give it a try once its stocked, you won't believe you're in the beltway once you're down in the gorge. And you may get into a nice smallie as a surprise. All you need is a 3wt and a bugger and sneakers once it warms up.

[McFly]

I;ve been interested in fishing this area for years but never made it up that way, I have a family friend the lives up by University Blvd and I'll stay at his place and fish for a few days. What is the best time and what flies should I use? I have a very expensive under used 3 wt I plan on using.

On Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:24:22 PM UTC-4, Justin Schoop wrote:

[Alek]

Deadbait:

does it pay off to work the stream, or do all the fish get hauled out of the pools they were stocked in?  It is a surprisingly nice place to go for a walk-- I'd like to fish my way up and down it, but not if the fish are all staying put in the millpond.

[Lucas Rudd]

yes, caught one bullhead on a black and yellow woolly bugger 

On Wednesday, June 20, 2012 6:24:22 PM UTC-4, Justin Schoop wrote: