Fishing report
The locations
Piney Run: Panfish action is terrific, says Clyde's Sports Shop in Lansdowne. Minnows, worms, and waxworms are your best bet. The weed beds are getting thick, with fish hanging out along the edges. Try a 4-inch, curl-tail worm rigged Texas style. Circle July 20 on the calendar, the next opportunity at the park for nighttime fishing, and stock up on black jitterbugs.
Prettyboy Reservoir: Fish pigs and jigs and plastic worms for bass in the coves and near the deeper foundations, says guide Duke Nohe. During four days of fishing in the last week, Nohe, Joe Butta and Clem Luberecki caught 62 bass, most at about 35 feet. The water is clear to about 30 feet. White perch can be caught under Beckleysville and Hoffmanville bridges with little spinners trailed by night crawlers.
Loch Raven Reservoir: The perch action's still good at Dead Man's Cove, Peerce's Cove, and Feather Island, says Kevin McComas at the fishing center. With the water at 80 degrees and the weeds about 2 feet below the surface, the bass are hanging back. Go for rubber worms, tube jigs, and Carolina rigs. On some evenings, the top-water bite is really good on poppers. Crappies are biting in the evening between Warren Road and Warren Point. Shad darts and wax worms will do, but "there's nothing like a minnow," McComas says.
Susquehanna River: Above the Conowingo Dam, set up shop on Broad Creek for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Best baits are rubber worms and spinners. Below the dam, anglers are enjoying a good run on rockfish, using live eels, says Capt. Mike Benjamin at Herb's Tackle Shop in North East. Zero in on the islands and the old bridge piers for success with poppers.
Gunpowder River: The sulphur hatch is over. Yellow sallies, size 16, are hatching below York Road, says Wally Vait at On the Fly in Monkton. Tricos, size 18 or 20, have started, with some spotted at Big Falls Road and Monkton Road. There have been a few light cahills in the afternoon and sporadic caddis, especially in the afternoon and evening until dark. There's been great terrestrial fishing in the evening with firefly beetles, and a great flight of flying ants before noon on some days.
Middle River: Bass fishing remains good, with the top bite working morning and evening, says Bill Horstman at The Fishin' Shop on Pulaski Highway. In midday, switch to jigs and worms, and Carolina rigs and fish off the points. Rockfish, on the rise, are taking live eels. But pickerel, which are taking bass baits like crazy, are the overlooked fish. Try around Dundee and Saltpeter creeks, Horstman advises.
