Monocacy River September 12, 2026

When: Saturday, September 12th, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: Monocacy River, near Frederick, MD.

Our September chapter outing will be held at the Monocacy River to stalk smallmouth bass. Originating near the Pennsylvania line, the Monocacy River forms at the confluence of Marsh Creek and Rock Creek. From this point the Monocacy flows for 58 miles to the Potomac River. The river varies in width from 40 feet to 375 feet. The Monocacy flows gently with an average gradient of 3 percent. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are targeted the most. There are Catch and Release Regulations for both largemouth and smallmouth bass from the Buckeystown Dam downstream to the confluence with the Potomac River. Sunfish and catfish are also pursued. Redbreast sunfish are the predominant panfish species however, black crappie, rock bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, longear sunfish and green sunfish are also present. For those of you who own a kayak or canoe, boating access points are available, but water depth and flow can limit users of paddle craft for much of the year. To check the Monocacy River flow rates from
the USGS gauge in Frederick, click on https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=01642190&legacy=1

Directions to the Meeting Area: Drive time is approximately 1 hour (50 miles) from Silver Spring. We will meet at Pinecliff Park (8350 Pinecliff Road, Frederick). Head to the first parking lot on the left, once you enter the park.

We will be serving a hot dog lunch: Head back to the Meeting Area at 12:00 for lunch. Bring your drinks and if you want, bring chips, and or desserts to share. If you are bringing friends or family members, please let us know how many people are attending so we have enough hot dogs for everyone.

Fly Fishing Guide to the Monocacy River:
Angler parking areas.

1. Pinecliff Park (8350 Pinecliff Road, Frederick) - Boat ramp available.
2. Urbana Pike Bridge (Rt 355) (4823 Urbana Pike, Frederick) – There is a parking area on the side of the road. At the Bridge, access is a steep descent aided by a rope.
3. Gambrill Mill Park (4801 Urbana Pike, Frederick) - Drive south on 355 (Urbana Pike), go about 200 yds past the Urbana Pike bridge and take the first left onto Araby Church Road into Gambrill Mill Park. Turn into the first parking lot on left, then follow the boardwalk about 100 yards to the river. The park access to the river here is much easier than the Urbana Pike Bridge access, and you are only 100 yds upstream of the bridge crossing.
4. Buckeystown Park (7221 Michaels Mill Road, Adamstown) – fish the area of boulders and riffles upstream of Buckeystown Community Park.
5. Riverside Park (1801 Monocacy Blvd, Frederick) – Large parking lot and boat ramp.
6. North toward Thurmont, Devilbiss Bridge (8276 Devilbiss Bridge Road, Thurmont) – Boat Ramp.

Rods: For Bass, 5-7 wt. rods, 7 to 9 feet. Bass are not shy of leaders or tippets, use 3-4X. For sunfish use 3-4 wt. rods and 5-6X tippet.

Fly Selection: Poppers and Hoppers early in the morning for smallmouths. Nymphs - Mop Flies, and San Juan Worms. Streamers - small Wooly Buggers, unweighted #6 or 8 Muddler Minnow. Assorted panfish flies.

Cast mostly under trees and close to the rock walls. Cast into shadows on a sunny day. As it gets warmer and the sun is higher in the sky, the bite turns to Sunfish.

As with all of our outings, we welcome new members and those new to fly fishing to come and join us. Feel free to bring along friends and family members. There will be seasoned fly anglers on hand to happily offer assistance to any new members.

To Sign-up for the Outing: Please fill out the Registration/Liability form for the outing online at https://pptu.org/events/outingregistration

Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please contact Ron K.

Ron Kerrick (Assistant Outings Coordinator)
Cellphone: (240) 423-8375
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