My previous trip to this creek was a wash out so I wanted to see what this place was like when the weather was nice.
Little Hunting Creek is tight. Using a short, light rod would be a good idea when fishing this area especially since the wild browns here are also quite small. Think 2-weight or 1-weight rods or maybe even those special Sage 000 ultralight fly fishing rods. My 3-weight was overgunned for this place.
I parked at the lot near the Bowstring Arch Bridge and followed the walking path to the pedestrian walkway that takes you over Route 15 and into the Manor Area in Cunningham Falls State Park. The well-worn trail parallels Little Hunting Creek and takes you right up to the parking area, historical displays and restroom facilities (there is an entrance fee of $4 if you decide to drive into the park).
One of the big negative things about Little Hunting Creek is the posted private property signs just 200 yards above the parking lot area. That's about as far as you're able to fish on the creek. Check out the details about the private property that lies further upstream.
But I still didn't get a chance to really fish this creek. A woman and her kids were making their way downstream as I was working upstream and kids being kids, rocks and sticks were flying into every deep pool on the creek. Keep this in mind if you decide to fish here during the warmer months of the year. Other anglers have told me about hikers or campers plopping down to soak in the pools and runs they were fishing.
I decided to pack it in an head up the road to scout Owens Creek.
EQUIPMENT: I used a 3-weight rod and floating line. A smaller, lighter rod would work well here.
DIRECTIONS: From Virginia take Route 15 north (to Gettysburg). Take a right on Catoctin Furnace Road (806) and follow it to a parking area on your left just before the bridge that crosses Little Hunting Creek.
The Catoctin Iron Furnace. Thomas Baker and Roger Johnson constructed the Catoctin Furnace to produce pig iron in1776.