Maryland might get overlooked by many fly anglers, but, in fact Maryland is home to a plethora of fly fishing opportunities. Lefty Kreh called Maryland home for most of his life--and that wasn't because of Chesapeake Bay crabs. Nope. Lefty Kreh often wrote about the variety of fly fishing in his home state. Maryland offers some excellent trout fishing opportunities, with both wild and stocked trout in various rivers and streams. Here are some of the best rivers for trout fishing in Maryland.

The Savage River flows in western Maryland, near the town of Grantsville. It is known for its wild brook trout in the upper sections, and brown trout below the Savage River Reservoir. The river runs through the Savage River State Forest and its rugged scenery. Fishing can be challenging but rewarding. Small streamers and nymphs are effective and because the river is remote, fishing pressure can be low.

Big Hunting Creek is a small but well-known stream. Flowing near Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls State Park, Frederick County. Big Hunting Creek as lots of unique history as an iconic trout stream. It is known as one of the first places in the U.S. where catch-and-release fishing was used. The creek has wild brook and brown trout, and stocked rainbow trout. This narrow creek requires accurate casting and can fish well with dry flies particularly during hatches.

The North Branch of the Potomac River flows through the western half of Maryland and feels rugged compared to some other waters in the state. It flows very close to West Virginia. It is well-known as a tailwater fishery below Jennings Randolph Lake, offering both stocked and wild trout, including brown, rainbow, and brook trout. The North Branch is one of Maryland’s best spots for larger trout. The river is also a popular river for float fishing with a variety of boats and crafts being used. Many anglers use streamers and nymphs work well, especially in the deeper runs. The river can be fished from the shore or by wading.

The Patuxent River flows mostly in Howard and Montgomery counties. It is regularly stocked with a variety of trout species. Many anglers like to fish the Patuxent in the early and late seasons with nymphs and streamers. The upper section of the Patuxent River, particularly above the Triadelphia Reservoir, is stocked with rainbow and brown trout. It offers a good mix of pools and riffles, making it an enjoyable stream for fly fishing.

Gunpowder Falls is a special creek very close to the town of Baltimore. This is one of Maryland's most regarded trout streams. Anglers here are especially fond of the section below Prettyboy Reservoir. The tailwater section offers cold, clear water, providing excellent conditions for wild brown trout and stocked rainbow trout. The river features a mix of riffles, pools, and runs. Small nymphs, dry flies, and streamers work well here. The river is known for its catch-and-release section, where artificial lures are required.

Maryland may not have the reputation of great trout fishing some of the other east coast states, but Maryland has plenty of water for fly fishing and enough variety that any angler looking for fly fishing close to Baltimore or Washington DC will find plenty of special places to fish in Maryland. These Maryland fly fishing waters provide a mix of wild and stocked trout opportunities, and they vary in size and fishing style, from small mountain streams to larger tailwater rivers.

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