Planning a Float Trip; Need help!

Heritage 07/24/2007 - 10:31 Friends of MDfishing.org Potomac Roll Your Own I've been following MDFishing.org for over a year now and have really enjoyed everyones stories, trip reports and general passion for fishing. I've explored many stretches of the Monocacy and the Potomac yaking in pursuit of smallies. I love it. Every trip brings different surroundings with shalllow and deep pools with Mother Nature watching over me.

Now I'm trying to plan a trip to the North Branch of the Potomac, below Jenning Randolph Lake. I've read great things about this area but I'm looking for more information. I'd like to plan a 2 day trip in August, prior to the Dam release at JRL, with an overnight on the river. Here's my questions: My thought is Day #1 to put in at Barnum, MD and take out at Luke, MD. I've read this is about 5 miles/ 5 hrs.. Day #2 Luke to ?. I'm looking for info on the river, fishing, campsites or better float trips in this area. All are welcome to come, let's go on an adventure.

Any feedabck is welcome. Thank you in advance. I hope to run into a few of you one of these days on the river.

The flow below the dam is ade

biggiesmallie 07/26/2007 - 08:39 The flow below the dam is adequate for a float, much more so than above the dame. JRL has all varieties of fresh water fish. The water is very warm this time of the year. For a float I would go below the dam, and to wade I would go below.

Heritage 07/27/2007 - 08:35 I appreciate your guidance, did you mean wade above JRL?

Be ready for some cold water

biggiesmallie 07/24/2007 - 14:18 Be ready for some cold water below the Jennings Randolph Dam. I waded there a few weeks back for trout. The water below the dam is generally better for trout, and above the dam is better for smallies, say around Kitzmiller.

Thanks BiggieSmallie

Heritage 07/25/2007 - 08:10 How is the water flow below JRL? How was the trout fishing? Have you fished above JRL? I have read alot about this area but having never been there your advice is invaluable. Would you plan a float in this general area or wade? Maybe a run to Kitzmiller for smallies---then move below JRL and make a day run for Trout. Sounds great in my mind but execution of a successful adventure takes info. Thanks again.

Hope this helps.

HookUp 07/24/2007 - 10:59 This is a detailed trip done a few years back on the MD DNR website.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/recreational/articles/potomacexp.html

This is one of the best articles I've ever read on river camping.

http://www.riversmallies.com/guestart_cfields1.html

Good luck and post your trip.

Nothing beats dumb luck

thanks HookUp

Heritage 07/25/2007 - 08:14 I have read the article by the DNR group. (part of my inspiration, wish I could float the 383 miles of the Potomac) The RS article is great, very much appreciated. I'll detail my trip on the site for future use and knowledge. Thanks again.

PM Coming

muskalungee 07/25/2007 - 08:57 Welcome to the site Heritage, look forward to your I've fished that section a couple of times, beautiful area and quite a nice float. I'll send you a PM with my notes, but the float from Luke down to the Cumberland fairgrounds is a long one.

On a related note, I was VERY surprised to see the NB mentioned in the last issue of In Fishermen.

Muskalungeeeeeeee!
-Mike

Thanks Muskalungeeeeee! Mike

Heritage 07/25/2007 - 09:24 I really enjoyed your latest trip report. Great fish!! BTW I know you enjoy fishing ponds from time to time, I've got access to a productive one with Large LM. Always fun to fish with someone down bank, let me know if you want to stop by sometime. Southern Fred. Co. I'd love to pick your brain about smallies. I grew up fishing for LM in Northern FL and trout in Central, PA, so as a relative newbie to the Monocacy and UP all insights help me in a big way.

I would appreciate any info you have from past trips. Thanks

ponds

HookUp 07/26/2007 - 07:20 I may take you up on the pond offer sometimes.

eMail me at

rd400dNOSPAM@hotmail.com if you want to hook up.
(take out the NOSPAM in the email addy)

I regularly fishing the UP from the WV/VA boarder down to Riverbend park in VA and know the Pinto to Cumberland streach well too. Have fished between Cumberland the the WV/VA boarder, but not often.

Nothing beats dumb luck

Heritage 07/27/2007 - 08:36 I'll email you my #. How long is it from Pinto to Cumberland?