|
On my last trip to the North Branch, I made an effort to visit every access point inside the Potomac State Park. I have not seen much written abour Laurel Run - all of the discussion is on the Lostland Run and Wallman access points.
After visiting this spot, I can understand why.
First, the North Branch is the North Branch. The river here features the same cascading rocky runs with pools that you expect. The joy and the issue is that there is a large "lake" about 25 yards to the south of where the access trail hits the river. Judging from the staggering amount of trash that was strewn over the area, this is a popular destination for any number of jerks.
The lake looks like it provides a nice swimming hole as well as a fishing site. The quantity of beer cans indicates that this is a party destination - so if you are expecting a nice day on the river, I recommend you go someplace else - or come here when the weather is not good for swimming.
If you do go here, I recommend you walk south, past the lake and then cross the river where you can. As you work farther south, the pressure drops - no additional dense trash - and the fishing improves. Eventually, you will run into the section of the river I discussed in the article on Wallman North.
Although it would be a shorter walk to get to the section where the railbed bridges the river by walking south from Laurel, it is an easier walk up from Wallman. The west river bank at Laurel is very tough going. There is a small trail that appears and disappears, but you are crawling over rocks for most of the way. The water was a bit high the day I was there and I could not get to the other side where the railbed parallels the river. If it had been a low water day, the crossing would not have been very sporty.
In terms of fishing, this section features spot pools - pools that form a larger eddy behind the bigger rocks. I found that these hold the fish and caught both smallies and trout. Other than the lake, there are no large pools in the stretch I covered. However, I find that most pools are overfished and you can do better working the larger rocks in the stream. Any place with a section of calm water forced upon the torrent by a large rock should hold a fish or two.
|
Switchfisher's bottom line: Mixed feelings. Clearly the lake is very popular with a lot of people judging by the trash I picked up. It's scenic and pretty - it might get better a little farther south (upstream) as this is where it would join up with my other trip report on Wallman north - the series of pools below the railroad bridge are nice. But... I get the sense that there is pressure here. There are more campsites near this entrance to the river than Wallman - so more folks probably just hit the river here. I guess I would only come back to this section if I did not have anywhere else to go.
Getting There: It's a bit confusing.
For detailed directions, please purchase either the North Branch Map Book for $4.95 or the full 190 page Fishing guide to the North Branch for $9.95. After checkout, you can download the books instantly.
The fishing guide is also available in hardcopy - click here
Both books include detailed directions overlaid on topo maps with pictures for the confusing places to get you to the river. The key difference is that the full book walks you up the river from Westernport to Wilson using over 140 pictures with a detailed discussion of what to expect beyond the parking lot.
Sorry to have to do this, but selling these eBooks is how I support the cost of maintaining this site. Please support the site.
|
