Trout Hike - Great Seneca Creek (Black Rock Upstream)

After parking in the lot near the old mill building, I walked across the bridge to follow the trail that parallels the north side of the creek. The creek runs down a sharper incline in the half mile upstream from the bridge with associated faster water that does a good job of producing a few pools. Later in the year, those pools turn into swimming holes – but you won't be here looking for trout at that point in the year anyway. The advantage of moving upstream from Black Rock is that you can take advantage of any trout that migrate downstream from the Route 118 and Riffle Ford stocking points.  But, it's a long, long creek and the DNR does not drop enough fish in here to heavily populate the entire length. Therefore, prepare yourself for random trout action at the typical, likely looking spots. Look for the bends in the creek where the water accumulates or anything below a small gradient break. I happened to run across another fisherman and he assured me that there is some small amount of holdover in the creek from year-to-year and embellished the story with the comment that there was at least a 20 inch brown trout upstream underneath a log that he had not been able to convince to bite. Sounds like an urban myth to me based on my experience!  In the two years I fished this creek, the only thing I ran into was stocked trout. Bottom Line: The stream is pleasant and moderate. It is easy to wade, easy to cross with the trail making movement from spot to spot painless. It is only a location to visit during the stocking season and left you want to catch sunfish – there are plenty of them everywhere. View Larger Map	Pressure Trout Size Physical Fitness Bass Size N/A Access Regulations Hard to Find Stocking Scenery Overall Remember to refer to my rating explanations - these are based on what I look for - so RED for Physical Fitness translates to easy physically - you do not need to be in shape to fish this section.  I prefer terrain that is tough to get into and out of. Purchase Switchfisher's books using the links to Amazon below for: Wade Fishing the Rappahannock River of Virginia (more info) Wade Fishing the Rapidan River of Virginia (more info) Wade and Shoreline Fishing the Potomac River for Smallmouth Bass (more info) Trout and Smallmouth Fishing on the North Branch of the Potomac (more info) Getting There: From I270, get onto 124 South at Gaithersburg (Exit 11 if coming from the north; Exit 10 if coming from the south - take Clopper Road up to 124 and then turn left).  Follow it to 28 and turn left.  Stay on 28 until you see Black Rock Road.  Turn right and follow it to the creek. Secrets Revealed?  No.  This is a very public location that is documented on the Maryland DNR site.
Wide and clear in spots	No significant vertical gain
The bends by fallen logs are productive	It even has a rock or two to break up the sand

 Unless stated otherwise, this article was authored by Steve Moore

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Finally, access points may be different or restricted based on changes in property ownership since posting the original article.  It is up to you to make sure you are fishing where it is legal.