Fly Fishing North Branch of the Potomac

[@DOUBLEO_ObsessionOutdoors]

Gorgeous!! Heck of a place there!

[@tightliningmd]

This place is really nice, and hosts some very large fish. I hope one day to pull one out of it. For now though that big native was worth it!

[@AboutTrout]

The only time I fished that river I also forgot my boots. Glad I’m not the only one 😂

[@tightliningmd]

Thank god I am not the only one! What a terrible place to forge them though. I bet i have fished close to 100 streams, or more in my time fly fishing. I bet this is the hardest place to wade out of them and the ONE I would not want to forget the boots. Yet of course it is the only one I have lol. Thank god we found that ski pole in the place we were staying. Otherwise it would have been a disaster. Thanks for watching!

[@WildBlueDiscovery]

Nice chase by that golden! I like that hat!! Thx for sharing.

[@tightliningmd]

Not often is a chase that visible on film. I figured I would have to share it. Sadly he decided to refuse at last second. I have another one do that on the nymph a few times too. Oh well! Thanks for watching Craig!

[@kaseykatchem]

Super cool, we fish a lot of the same waters and I’ve hit all of those same holes you fished in this vid. I’m sure we crossed paths out there on the water.

[@tightliningmd]

Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching! I’d imagine we have crossed paths and didn’t know it or minimally been on same river. This year I’ve primarily just been on Gunoowder guiding. But occasionally step out for some me time. Tight lines and hope to see you out there.

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

I have left things behind before and it sucks! I actually wet waded a river once that was in the 40's... not happy with that one as my legs go so numb I literally could not feel the rocks and fell down and got soaked head to toe. Now I put everything I need to bring in a plastic bin. I just grab the bin (boots, waders, flies, etc) and my rods and I'm good to go.

[@tightliningmd]

I wouldn't make that mistake twice. I would assume the water I was in was 55-60, and I have done around that before. Your situation was worse though, congrats! I like the idea of a bin, Always a good idea! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@WhiteDogTrailCompany]

@@tightliningmd I actually did the bin initially so I would have a place to put my wet stuff without getting my car all messy. But then it worked well for keeping it all in one place too :)

[@DanJacober-g7e]

I often hear people say the Savage is the most difficult river to wade in MD.. Imo, the Savage has nothing on the NBP. Treacherous indeed. One of my all time favorite rivers though.

[@tightliningmd]

Savage is tough, definitely tougher than GP. However, the NBP is the worst I have ever waded in any area, not just MD. Surely there are worse somewhere, but I haven't seen it yet. If you don't have a wading staff on that river, you are done! I don't care how good of a wader that person is. Some awesome fish in there make it worth it though! Thanks for watching and supporting Dan!

[@compasspropertiesnow]

Another nice video Mike. I have to say I really like your channel. You have definitely hit a sweet spot! Don’t worry about the waders, I forget stuff all the time. You name it and I have left it behind; waders, rod, reel, fly box, snips. Last time it was my forceps. 😣

[@tightliningmd]

Thanks 👍 Appreciate that Ed. Don't forget sunglasses! I have left those too. With all my camera gear for the Go Pro, surely I have left some of that before too. It has been refreshing to hear everyone elses trials and tribulations. I should have don't a thread like this when I broke my rod! Would have loved to have heard all the stories of car doors, stepping on them, running over them, I have done all of those too lol. Tight lines!

[@sampenn787]

Another awesome video! Keep it up! Tight lines 👊

[@tightliningmd]

Appreciate the support, thank you. Wish we caught a few more, but just spending time together was reward enough. Thanks for watching and tight lines!

[@BeyondTheFly]

Been there with forgetting the waders and boots, hahahah. That mist coming off the water is awesome. Makes for a beautiful backdrop. Good job as always mister.

[@tightliningmd]

I am glad I am not the only one :) I agree, the mist coming off in the morning was definitely picture perfect. Thanks for watching man. Headed over to check yours out as well!

[@BeyondTheFly]

Tight Lining MD the worst day I had was leaving one boot and the net at the house. That was the queue it had been too long between outings. Hahahah!

[@anthonybilenki791]

Haven’t forgotten my boots or waders. As I started trout fishing in December ‘19 I was having a tough time. Couldn’t catch a cold! In February I was fishing Morgan Run and was finally raising fish on wooly buggers. Finally got a nice 10” brown there. Got the customary picture. Let it go. As I was driving home I realized I left my fly rod propped on a tree at the stream. Had to turn around and pray, driving 20 feverish minutes back to Morgan Run. Rod was where I left it. I enjoy your videos. They’re helpful and have made a difference in how I survey a spot I’m going to fish and techniques that have helped me. Fishing Gunpowder River a lot now since local streams are warm and low. Best, Tb

[@tightliningmd]

Hey Anthony, thanks for your story. I left my rod on Valley Creek, AFTER A SKUNK on the stream, and didn't realize it until about 60 minutes into my drive home. I raced back, and thankfully it was still on the ground where I had parked. Never prop your rod up and think you will come back to after changing lol. I now put that away first every trip. I did end up breaking a section of it when I guess I drove over it leaving? Either way, I was happy to get it back. I also left one just before sunset, because I was fishing two rods that night, and switched to dry flies. Didn't realize it until sunrise the next day when I was leaving to go fishing. Sure enough it was gone when I got there. I couldn't believe it was gone since I fished close to sunset and was back within 30-45 mins of sun up. A buddy posted in a Facebook group for PA fishermen in that area for someone to say if they saw it. THANK GOD, a teenager responded and said he found it. Still the same rod I use to this day. Morgan Run is a good stream in Fall, Winter, and Spring, not really summer. They do like buggers. LOVE mop flies in green and cream. Also, hares ears work for me there too. Gunpowder is fun, same flies work there too. Interesting bc one is all stocked and other is almost all wild. Just on GP yesterday and nabbed a few. Keep after it and tight lines!

[@hardmanfishing]

Welcome to WV! The "golden rule" is something I almost lived by when I used to stock trout fish a lot more. Especially on the bigger rivers. Awesome native towards the end as well! I tend to catch a bunch of them in the main stem of rivers for some reason this time of year. Couldn't tell ya why! Keep up the good work Mike

[@tightliningmd]

For sure! Had my hat ready and everything. I had been excited about getting up here to wade. Glad to see someone else follows the "golden rule". I forget who told me about it, but man were they right. The native was an excellent bonus fish. Would have been happier to get a slab of a brown or rainbow. However, relatively speaking for the size of the brookie it is like catching one of those slabs in the other species. Thanks for watching guys and look forward to this weeks Colorado Series!!!!!

[@hardmanfishing]

@@tightliningmd For the most part any bigger browns in those types of rivers are off the beaten path. I mean I have no idea where you were but those rivers do get some amount of pressure. So finding the most secluded sections usually lead to the biggest/more pristine fish. Of course then you might not be able to use the "golden rule" its sort of a give and take. But I actually am posting two videos this week because I didn't want to post one 30 minutes video. Tight lines!

[@SCOutdoorsProductions]

Another solid video man. That brookie was gorgeous! I do a ton of wet wading in the summer, buy it sure is a lot easier fishing for smallmouth haha. Wet waded big spring recently, that was definitely not my best call. Tight lines, looking forward to the next!

[@tightliningmd]

Thanks! I appreciate the feedback and support. I did a wet wade for smallmouth this summer as well. Water was easily 75-80, felt like a bath lol. Very easy to handle :) Wet wading big spring though, or generally any spring creek, vastly different. Feels good on a 90 degree day though! Thanks for watching!

[@pawoodsnwater7551]

Yo Mike! Nice video, great to share with family, no better way. Beautiful Brookie, also cool to see that palomino chase your streamer. Thanks for sharing buddy!

[@tightliningmd]

Hey Scott! It was nice to catch up and share a stream. We hadn't fished together in two decades. It was an honor to fish for a few hours then grab lunch. That palomino was a biggun, but they were all smart in there. I had many chases on nymphs and streamers from them, but they always refused and then tucked away quick after showing themselves. Thanks for watching!

[@givefit]

i think a big bow mighta taken a bite outa that smaller one... some massive fish in there. all the md state records out of the NB

[@tightliningmd]

I am totally with you on that. He is a lucky fish if so! I have hoping to tangle with a beast up there. However, it was just not meant to be that day. Appreciate you watching and tight lines!

[@givefit]

Tight Lining MD they’re up there!

[@scottlowe3355]

Great brookie! I have definitely forgotten my waders and my wading boots, sometimes on separate occasions. Has made for some creative wading and cold days!

[@tightliningmd]

When you get to a stream, and something was forgotten, there is no turning back. I left my waders on a PA trip in October. I had to wet wade lol. It thankfully was a warm October day, but that water was cold for sure. Oh well, the alternative was not fishing, and that didn't work for me :) Thanks for watching Scott!

[@Osnyfishingadventures]

What's up Mike! Awesome looking brookie, as well as great scenery up there! Tight lines buddy, and keep the great content coming!

[@tightliningmd]

Hey Owen, thanks for watching. It is gorgeous out there for sure. Savage is equally as nice. I might turn a small video out of going there during this trip. Thanks for watching and nice video yourself earlier!

[@Osnyfishingadventures]

Tight Lining MD thanks Mike!!!

[@serapheum]

Do they stock rainbow fingerlings up there? You guys below the JR dam?

[@tightliningmd]

I am not sure to be honest. I know they stock the heck out of that river by WV and MD. I assumed they were fingerlings put in by either state. However, I know there are wild bows in there, so maybe they are just year of the young fish. I wouldn't know for sure. Good question! We were below the JR dam fishing in Barnum. I am not sure how far up the dam is from there, but we walked about 1/4-1/2 mile up and didn't see it on our travels. I did hear all that water up towards it is gorgeous and good fishing. It was just a bit low that day. Then again if it was much higher the wading would have been hard. That stream really puts out a good flow/push. Moreso than any other tail water I have fished for sure! Do you fish there often?

[@serapheum]

@@tightliningmd looks like they do stock fingerlings downstream so they will move up to where you all were I bet. dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/hotspots/northbranch.aspx

[@DownstreamDownrange]

Ahhhh that’s one stream I never got over to fish when I was at wvu for school!!! Big mistake on my part ! Great video mike

[@tightliningmd]

Definitely more to it then I showed. I did a float trip here, but I have heard good things about wading as well. I didn't have the luck I had hoped for overall, but still salvaged a decent day. Thanks for watching!

[@slapnutzracing2152]

Shoulda fished 10 years ago it was a blue ribbon trout stream until all the local meth heads poached it out. 40 and 50 fish days on a flyrod was common back then. I'm local and fish it often and have seen a major decline in the fish.

[@DownstreamDownrange]

sLaPnUtZ rAcInG sounds familiar even here in NY

[@robperry9065]

Really nice brookie Mike! I really enjoy you sharing your videos. I’ve never seen a rigging and fishing technique like yours. It’s so helpful to see and try all these techniques so I can be prepared for anything. There’s also nothing better than a hare’s ear in my book. Thanks again for sharing your technique and experiences.

[@tightliningmd]

I appreciate that! I enjoy turning them into something people can watch and enjoy. Still room for improvement for sure, but they have definitely gotten better over the last couple of years since I have started. The hares ear is a staple fly for sure. Not to mention, plenty of variations you can do with it, as well as the Walts Worm, which isn't much different. I like a pink beaded Hares Ear, Sexy Walts, Gold Ribbed Hares Ear, all fan favorites of mine. Eventually I will start doing a tying series of what I use, I think that would be fun. Thanks for the feedback and watching, I greatly appreciate it!

[@tommykriston1423]

It was a great day fishing with you again. Hope we can do it again soon.

[@tightliningmd]

It was great, and lunch was awesome. Thank you so much for everything. Can't wait to go out again soon. Maybe those cabins I mentioned to ya in the spring. Have a good weekend, love you.

[@ronen6283]

What are the best trout spots you would recommend within an hour or two from montgomery county? I went to yellow breeches but the fish were too pressured to eat

[@tightliningmd]

Breeches is a good fishery year round, just need to be in right conditions and right areas. Not all days are the same, nor areas of that river. Just need to find out through trial and error. There are many streams, which I mention by name. worth checking out within two hours. Maybe give some of those a look and try it out. Although I have never fished VA, I know I have heard of some good creeks that way too.

[@ronen6283]

@@tightliningmd if I started fly fishing, what’s a good first spot you recommend

[@tightliningmd]

@@ronen6283 Gunpowder River, and maybe in the fall Morgan Run.

[@cpullic]

Went to gunpowder the other day - left my rod in my garage 😕 been there 😂 Beauty Brookie Mike 🍻

[@tightliningmd]

Lol yup. I try to bring two with me now. After breaking one, and not having an extra out in the savage area, I have tried to always keep a spare ready. Went to GP today. Not a bad day, but not a good day. Netted a few fish and got out of the house. I was happy :) Thanks for watching!

[@GIBBYVETOUTDOORS]

I’m still healing from my spill in the north branch. Jammed my pinky pretty bad and thankfully my buddy grabbed my arm otherwise I was going over the rapids. Was definitely scary. And that cold water rushing into the waders was something I wish on no one , ha! 🥶

[@tightliningmd]

Damn, that's a crazy story. I had something similar happen to me on Kish Creek a few years back. Took a dip wading out too far during high water conditions and lost footing, current started taking me away. I went under, and thankfully after a small ride managed to pop up and somehow regain footing. No clue how I did it and managed to keep balance. I had no wading belt on and there was no shallow water downstream in sight. Had I not gotten lucky, that could have turn out VERY differently. My buddy was upstream at the time, so no one was gonna be able to grab me. Scariest thing I have experienced. Glad you didn't break anything or worse. Another friend of mine took a spill on Savage due to the slippery conditions. Water was low, but because he fell he landed his knee cap into a jagged rock and ended up needing physical therapy and almost surgery. Took him a few months to get right. Crazy! Very thankful the worst I have had was a real bad sprained ankle while fishing. Hobbled my way back to the car, after completing my session :) The stories we tell aren't always just about bigger fish than we actually caught lol. Thanks for watching!

[@troutmanoutdoors2332]

"He's the one that got me into fishing and now it's become a.... youtube channel." Don't mince words. You meant obsession! :) Nice video, Mike.

[@tightliningmd]

You got that right! I skipped right past that. I was definitely thinking it, and made an audible at the line. It did become an obsession, which ultimately led to fly fishing and a KZbin Channel. We all had someone in our lives that got us into the sport. That is my guy. Appreciate you watching and thanks for commenting!

[@matthewjasinski5636]

Nothing beats catching a large native brook trout, IMO. I think our DNR has been working hard to conserve and rebuild the habitat for them. Hopefully the fishing will get even better.

[@tightliningmd]

Well said! I know they are trying to change some of the regs to all catch and release zero creel if I am not mistaken. Hopefully, if that passes, we will see a nice bump in the overall quality of the brook trout fisheries. It is definitely a dying breed, so that would be great to see it sustained. Thanks for watching Matt!

[@nateb8465]

I forgot waders on E. Branch Clarion River recently. Wet wading tailgaters sucks! Let's go numb and my skin stays pink for hours after... Still better than staying home.

[@tightliningmd]

Never fished there, but have heard of it. Tailwaters, are definitely tough to wet wade. Those rocks were slippery, and tennis shoes did not help lol. I totally agree with you about staying pink and cold lol. My hour drive home, plus lunch, and I was still freezing and couldn't wait for a warm shower. However, anything is better than wasting the day doing nothing at home. Thanks for watching and tight lines!

[@nmuguy]

Brook trout are always “natives” in this area! I think you meant , was it a stocked fish or a “wild” trout.

[@tightliningmd]

What I meant by that clip is that either it was likely a native brook trout, very common in Western MD and WV, or if it was put in by the state, since they stock a lot there, and that would make it a stocked fish. I am not aware of any "wild" brookies. Although I am sure some populations of stocked brook trout have spawned before and created a wild strain. I spoke with a guide from out there and he confirmed the native brookies are really coming back strong in that stream. I appreciate you watching and commenting!