I didn’t know what to expect on Beaver Creek, a fly fishing only section in Central Maryland. As with any of the fly fishing areas, you are not allowed to use spin gear, bait or even flies that are molded replicas of insects or worms. I was also looking forward to this since Beaver Creek was one of the few areas in Central Maryland that enjoyed a fall stocking. Sounded good.
With that as background, John and I headed over there in late December. We followed the good directions in Gelso’s book and easily found the parking area for this stretch. The first thing that jumps out is that you are in the middle of a small built up area. The parking lot is across the street from a small store and there are a few houses on the road as well. But, you can see the creek behind the homes and store, so we figured it was Ok to walk over.
As we walked up the street to find a good spot to cut over to the creek, we were reassured by the sign that marked the special regulation area. It did caution that this was private property and to respect it. So, the landowners associated with Beaver Creek have traded access for their own stocked trout water – sounds like a fair trade to me. I wish the folks over on the Jackson would adopt the same attitude.
John peeled off to the right and I started walking downstream to see what was what and to give him some space. As I approached the stream, I noticed several torpedo shapes blazing for cover. Wow. Fish are here.
I walked downstream about 50 yards and began fishing in a pool at the base of a hill and tried to ignore the home at the top. Except for the home, it was a classic Maryland spot with the requisite tree in the middle of the pool, a rock or two and a deep pool.
I worked streamers – Patuxent special, a crawfish pattern and buggers to no avail. Moving around the corner, I was rewarded with more good looking water that crashed downstream in a narrow, but deep looking run. Just like the pool, it was bordered by homes. Geez. You have to wonder. I know if I had a trout stream in my backyard, I would probably fish it. Change that to absolutely would fish it. The key question is do the homeowners respect the catch and release regulation or do they run out and catch some trout for dinner? Who knows. You have to hope everyone does the right thing.
I fished down the stretch for another 30 minutes or so with no luck. The creek is fairly narrow in this section, but has deep runs that are marked by a few rocks poking up with breaks over riffles in some areas. Since it is in a housing area, the banks are manicured and it is not a problem to move from place to place – easy walking.
Beaver Creek Trout Fishing Bottom Line: I’m sure that this is a nice section to fish. However, late December is not the most productive time to fish anywhere as the fish are moving slow and catching them requires more skill than I have. Beaver was stocked in the fall. The fish are there. After all, we both saw them. If you can deal with the cold, charge on in!
Othe the other hand, I’m done for the winter but will return here in March when the weather warms up and the fish become more active.
Getting There: Take I70 to exit 35 (Rt 66). Go south on Rt 66 and turn right onto Black Rock Road. This road comes up fairly quickly after you exit I70. Turn left at the stop sign and the parking area is about 25 yards down the road in front of a small business. You must walk behind this store / homes to get to the stream.
Looking upstream at the line of homes and the small store that mark the upper entrance to Beaver Creek. The intersection you see at the center of the picture is where you turn left to get to the parking area.
View downstream after you turn the corner. There are homes to the left and right that are outside of this picture.
Looking upstream to the corner. Houses on the right out of this shot.
Beaver creek is one of the few fly fishing only sections of water in Maryland. Big Hunting Creek is another.
Beaver has the potential that I did not realize when I was here, but I will be back. This place has a great reputation and needs more than one quick trip to determine whether that reputation is deserved.
Unless stated otherwise, this article was authored by Steve Moore