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Trout Hike – Patuxent (MD – Laurel)

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I pulled into High Point Park a little bit confused as to how to move from the parking lot near the tennis courts down to the river. After turning on my GPS and getting oriented, I realized that I needed to move through the open field towards the woods on the smooth, asphalt path. I followed it until it took a hard right at a gazebo where I could see and hear the river far below. If you come to this spot after the leaves are out, you will not be able to see the river from the trail that runs along the high ridge the trail. Not knowing where else to go or whether the trail would drop down to the river, I decided to follow the beaten path down the precipitous drop-off on the other side of the structure. About halfway down, I saw a wide path below and wondered how it got to this location — a mystery I still need to unravel.

The river was running full and reasonably fast but not unwadeable. The water had a slight murky tint that was not cloudy enough to mask the good rocky bottom below. The only thing I needed was reassurance that the trout that I hoped had been stocked up near the dam had migrated this far downstream. I had already driven by the Route 216 crossing point and had not identified any parking place in the immediate vicinity of the bridge. However, that bridge is in the “metropolitan” area of Laurel and there may be a parking lot tucked away on the downstream side of the bridge that would permit access. Trying to solve the stocking truck calculus for this area is problematic. There appear to be only two access points unless the river is stocked using an ATV from the trail. Other than that, it’s either at the bridge or at the dam.

I tied on a pair of nymphs — a small chartreuse Copper John with a Prince nymph dropper and began to flip out into the deep current. With the depth of river averaging 2 to 3 feet, it was easy to move around on either bank as well as push into the river to target the good-looking locations. My casting skills began to slowly come back after the cold winter’s extended and unappreciated break – I was getting some good drag free drifts but nothing was hitting on the nymphs.

Deciding that I had to switch to trout magnets with the assumption that these trout had been stocked recently, I tied on a bright pink one, and then tried a green and black. Nothing. By this time I’d moved a couple hundred yards upstream and with no indication of movement — I had not seen any activity as I splashed my way upstream — so I decided to pack it in and go someplace else.

Bottom Line: I’m sure there are fish here. The river looks good for a central Maryland body of water; it is full of rocks and good holding structure. On a better day, I’m sure you would have a great time in this location.

Getting There: From I-95, take exit 35A to merge onto MD-216 towards Laurel.  Turn right on All Saints Road followed by another right onto Old Scaggsville Road.  Take the 1st left onto Superior Ave and follow it to the park. 

Google Local Coordinates: 39.114129,-76.862948

Secrets Revealed?  No.  This is a very public location that is documented in the Maryland DNR stocking plan

Date Fished: 3/27/2010

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River looks really good – plenty of rocks and bottom structure

Good fallen trees adds to the interest

The river runs right through a residential area.  There are plenty of homes perched on the high ridge on the south bank.

Unless stated otherwise, this article was authored by Steve Moore

Disclaimer and Warning:  The contents of this site reflect the opinion of the author and you, the reader, must exercise care in the use and interpretation of this information.  Fishing is a dangerous sport.  You can slip and fall on rocks and sustain severe injury.  You can drown.  You can get hooks caught in your skin, face, eyes or other sensitive places.  All sorts of bad things can happen to you when to go into the woods to visit the places documented here.  Forests, streams and lakes are wild areas and any number of bad things can happen.  You must make your own judgment in terms of acceptable behavior and risk and not rely on anything posted here.  I disclaim all liability and responsibility for any actions you take as a result of reading the articles on this site.  If you do not agree with this, you should not read anything posted on this site.

Disclaimer and Warning:  The contents of this site reflect the opinion of the author and you, the reader, must exercise care in the use and interpretation of this information.  Fishing is a dangerous sport.  You can slip and fall on rocks and sustain severe injury.  You can drown.  You can get hooks caught in your skin, face, eyes or other sensitive places.  All sorts of bad things can happen to you when to go into the woods to visit the places documented here.  Forests, streams and lakes are wild areas and any number of bad things can happen.  You must make your own judgment in terms of acceptable behavior and risk and not rely on anything posted here.  I disclaim all liability and responsibility for any actions you take as a result of reading the articles on this site.  If you do not agree with this, you should not read anything posted on this site.

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