Morgan Run Fly Fishing Report 7/18

     I took a break from Bassin' this past Thursday to fish the Klees Mill stretch of Morgan Run from sunrise into the late afternoon. Despite heavy rains earlier in the week that bumped flows up to over 200cfs the stream has leveled out and is back down to 37cfs. In the morning, fishing small (sz.10-12) dark streamers through the larger pools produced a few Rainbows in search of a hearty Breakfast! As the sun came out however the streamer bite slowed and I finished out the afternoon nymphing. Running heavily weighted chartreuse Caddis Larva (sz.12-14) through the many deep pockets, slots, and runs that characterize this stretch of the stream accounted for an additional mix of Browns and Rainbows. 

     Anglers intent on fishing dries might want to try a Black Parachute Ant (sz.16-20) around some of the new downed trees and branches left over from the recent storms. I watched as several Trout came up for what I can only imagine were unfortunate terrestrials that lost their footing amidst the woody debris! Anglers intent on fishing dries and pulling their hair out could also fish Midges in the slower pools. Try an ICSI Midge (sz.20-26) or a Parachute Adams (sz.20-26) if you start to see sporadic rises.

     The best part of this late season outing was that I practically had the whole stream to myself. Aside from a few swimmers that occupied one of my favorite holes I didn't come across another fisherman the entire time I was there, and along with the solitude I found Trout and plenty of them. This late in the Catch and Release season especially on a stream like Morgan Run that sees heavy fishing pressure it was nice to find fish exactly where they should be doing exactly what they should be doing. Although not as vividly marked, or as feisty and selective as their wild counterparts swimming in other Maryland streams, with a good presentation the Trout that reside in Morgan Run can be rewarding nonetheless.

This "shapely" Morgan Run Rainbow fell for a sz.14 Czech Catnip fished through a deep run at the end of a sharp riffle.