Fall Trout Water within 2 hours of the DMV?

[Michael Ilecki]

Does anyone have any recommendations for finding decent Trout waters within a couple hours of the DMV during October?

For the group, I went up to Gunpowder yesterday, 10/1/20 and the flow is so low the fish are really spooked and many areas are borderline unfishable due to the low water level. I started my day at Big Hunting Creek MD in Catoctin Park and I didn't even cast a line after I saw how low the water level is currently. I knew the water would be low based on NGS charts but, it was even worse than expected. I'm not really interested in targeting Sunfish, Chubs, or Smallmouths but, I would like to find some "bigger water" where I can actually cast a 4-5 weight to some receptive Trout. Any suggestions?

[jhaner...@gmail.com]

Check the stocking schedule for Conewago creek in southern pa.  Once water gets up a bit and they begin fall stocking should be fishing solid.  Only about 1 hour 20 min drive

[Tom Steeley]

Savage River Tailwater.  There's a shop right on the river at least there was a few years ago last time I was there.  Call ahead to check.  A bit of a drive but flows should be good.

Difficult wading.  Very slick rock bottom.  

On Fri, Oct 2, 2020, 2:24 PM Michael Ilecki <michael...@gmail.com> wrote:

Does anyone have any recommendations for finding decent Trout waters within a couple hours of the DMV during October?

For the group, I went up to Gunpowder yesterday, 10/1/20 and the flow is so low the fish are really spooked and many areas are borderline unfishable due to the low water level. I started my day at Big Hunting Creek MD in Catoctin Park and I didn't even cast a line after I saw how low the water level is currently. I knew the water would be low based on NGS charts but, it was even worse than expected. I'm not really interested in targeting Sunfish, Chubs, or Smallmouths but, I would like to find some "bigger water" where I can actually cast a 4-5 weight to some receptive Trout. Any suggestions?

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[Connor Donovan]

Mossy and the Shenandoah valley spring Creeks or the NB Potomac/Savage are probably your next closest best-bets for bigger, more reliable water.

[caca...@gmail.com]

I'm not sure what everyone's definition of decent is exactly,  But I have always like Passage Creek outside front royal.  Not too far,  Just stocked this week.  put and take and C&R sections.  I think its a petty stream for VA stocked water.  Weekends can be busy and you should probably wear an orange hat,  but that's the case anywhere I suppose.  

[Andrew Sarcinello]

Shenandoah National Park has had much more rainfall than the MD streams and should fish well right now. However, toward the second half of October the brook trout will be spawning and these streams should be avoided.

I've never quite understood the appeal of fall trout fishing in this area, it seems most years there isn't enough flow in the streams to make it productive, although I would never argue that the fall scenery and weather is tough to beat. It can certainly be enjoyable without much catching going on. October is a great month for many species besides trout, which I know you said are not your desired target, but between stripers, largemouths, and pickerel, there are a lot of great alternatives to fishing puddles for trout.