The North Branch of the Potomac River forms the border between Maryland and West Virginia from it's origin at the Fairfax Stone downstream to it's confluence with the South Branch of the Potomac. At one point, the Potomac could not support trout as the PH was too low resulting from the pollution caused by water flowing from the abandoned coal mines. Today, however, it is thriving fishery as a result of lime "dosers", which are machines that add lime to neutralize the acid. These dosers were placed at several sites in the North Branch watershed starting in 1993.
As soon as 1994, the system of lime dosers had improved the quality of water to the point that trout could once again be restored in the North Branch. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service (MDNR) started to stock trout in the Potomac River in two different management zones above the Jennings Randolph Lake (JRL). Now, 14 miles are stocked for harvest under “put and take” regulations and approximately 7 miles within the Potomac State Forest are designated delayed harvest waters.
The remote and scenic headwaters of the Potomac River above the JRL are stocked with rainbow and brown trout by the MDNR Fisheries Service making trout available to anglers who are willing to take a hike. The stocking is from a tank truck that rides the railways, courtesy of the CSX Company through a cooperative agreement.
The tailwaters area of the Potomac River below the dam support a popular trout fishery that is for serious trout anglers. This portion of the river supports a popular trout fishery that is catch and release only and then becomes under the put and take regulations. Although this area is stocked with brown and rainbows, it also contains wild bred brook, and brown trout. Since the tailwaters are cold all year around, the trout can live all year along for several miles of the river before it becomes too warm for the trout to survive.
Fishing the Potomac:
Above the JRL hiking and backing is the order of the day as there is little access from the road. The lighter rods and lines will be the best to use it this portion and for flies, you may start with dry flies in the small caddis, and mayfly patterns and for terrestrials, the most effective patterns are the hoppers, black ants and gnats.
Below the dam in the tailwaters the river becomes quite large and subject to rapid increases in water levels as water is released from the dam, so and float trips are the best bet. The 6 or 7 WT 9 foot rod will serve you well in these waters.
Spring:
Spring is the best time to fish the Potomac River but the heavy, early spring rains will mean heavy discharges from the dam. Spring will bring insect hatches including caddis flies, mayflies, and stoneflies. Surface action as well as nymphs will be good on a regular basis from early March through July. Matching the hatch during these months is crucial to success.
Summer:
The Potomac can be fished all summer just as other tailraces due to the cooler temperatures of the discharge waters. some of the hatches will remain good longer due to the cooler water.
Fall and Winter:
Autumn is one of the best times to fish the Potomac due to the scenic foliage and the cooler temperatures.
Some of the river areas can be reached easily from roadways, however much of the river is very remote and scenic and can only be reached by hiking in. The tailwater section is best fished by floating in a drift boat. This provides much better access to the prime lies of the trout than you can get from the bank or by wading from the bank. Be careful of the brown and the brook trout redds as they will be spawning during the fall. Winter will remain good and you may want to try some streamers.
Fishing for Trout in Tailwaters
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