Brunswick, Maryland,
September 17, 2010
There was one bit of advice I got
from the folks I met at last week's Spey Day gathering at Fletcher's Cove in Washington, DC.
Practice. Then go out and practice again. According to
Dan Davala, if you want to be able to throw a decent
line, "you have to practice, practice and practice."
So I decided to go practice with the spey rod. Although
getting to Fletcher's Cove on a work day, during rush hour,
was do-able, it wouldn't be pleasant. Canal Road is one way
during the morning rush until 10:30 so if you wanted to get
into the parking lot, you'd have to do it backwards unless
you get real lucky and get a break in traffic so you can
pull a U-turn and go down the ramp the regular way instead
of going down ass end first. For me, anywhere near the city
was out of the question. Too much traffic and aggravation.
My original plan was to practice at the boat ramp just
below the Point of Rocks bridge off I-15. I had fished
there before and at this time the water is usually low with
minimal current. However in a spur of the moment decision I
decided to head for the town of Brunswick to check out the
area and to practice casting.
Brunswick is located on the southwestern edge of Frederick
County, Md., about 45 miles up the Potomac River from
Washington, DC.
The town had many names over the years--Buffalo Wallow,
Coxson Rest, Eels Pot, Potomac Crossing, Tankersville,
Berlin and Barry until 1890, when the B&O Railroad
named it Brunswick because many residents came from
Brunswick, Germany.
Besides various parks and historic sites Brunswick is the
home of El Sloppy Tacos, an eatery featuring a variety of
Mexican, Caribbean and Central American fare as well as
southern barbecue ribs. But if you just want a cup of
coffee or hot chocolate to go with your panini sandwich
and designer soup and want to cruise the internet on
your iPad then check out Beans in the Belfry. It's sort of like a Panera Bread
store on acid. The town also has a great railroad museum
with one of the largest model train layouts on the East
Coast. The Brunswick Railroad Museum is also
rumored to be
haunted.
I arrived at the boat ramp and there were only three cars
there, counting mine. I geared up and waded out and began
my practice session. It was a beautiful day and there were
some hatches coming off in the slow water with an
occasional splash breaking the water as a fish fed from
below. But I ignored that and set up my line and began to
go through a series of casts. Single Spey, Double Spey,
Snap-T. Some casts were beautiful. A lot were ugly. I also
switched directions on the river and also practiced with my
left hand on top with almost the same results. And the wind
really kicked up later in the afternoon but at least I
didn't hook myself, keeping the fly downwind at all times
by using different casts that put the fly in a safe spot.
Although I spotted fish rising, probably bass or sunfish, I
passed on the fishing. I was here to work on the delivery
and presentation--better to do it now than when you
actually go fishing. So here I stood, knee-deep in the
Potomac River throwing cast after cast and trying to smooth
things out. Using a spey rod is not like casting a fly rod.
Everything slows down and I caught myself rushing the cast
or pushing with the top grip, like on a fly rod, instead of
snapping the butt of the rod in. And about that D-loop...
Practice, practice, practice.
DIRECTIONS:
I took I-15 outside Leesburg
and after crossing the Potomac River at the Point of Rocks
bridge went left (after going around the traffic circle)
onto 464, Point of Rocks Road. I followed Point of Rocks
Road but just outside of Lander, the road was closed
(except for local traffic) and I had to take a detour up
Lander Road and onto highway 340. From there I exited onto
17, Burkittsville Road. Turn left and follow Burkittsville
Road to a major intersection with Petersville Road. Turn
right and continue following Burkittsville Road into
Brunswick. Go around the traffic circle and continue on
Burkitsville Road. Take a right onto N. Maple Avenue and
follow that road as it becomes S. Maple Avenue and crosses
the railroad tracks. After you cross the last track you
will see a sign directing you to a boat launch area and
C&O Canal park. Go right and follow the road into the
parking area. The I-17 bridge should be towering above you.
Depending on the tide, you can gear up and walk out the
mouth of the channel into the Potomac River or walk across
to the bank opposite the boat launch and you'll see a trail
that takes you to the river.