What flies are hatching on the North Branch Potomac River right now?

Current and seasonal hatches on the North Branch Potomac River include Sulphur, Caddis, Hendrickson. Use the AI Hatch Advisor on this page for a live, temperature-aware recommendation.

What's the current flow on the North Branch Potomac River?

The North Branch Potomac River is running at 61.5 CFS at the North Branch Potomac River at Steyer, MD gauge. Readings update every 15 minutes from the USGS Water Services API.

Is the North Branch Potomac River fishable today?

North Branch Potomac River is rated marginal right now. Flow is 61.5 CFS at the North Branch Potomac River at Steyer, MD gauge. Go in prepared — heavier tippet, cautious wading, or target edges and seams.

North Branch Potomac River Fly Fishing Conditions

Live Conditions

North Branch Potomac River — North Branch Potomac River at Steyer, MD

Marginal

61.5CFS

Discharge

2.36ft

Gauge Height

—

Water Temp

Updated 41 min agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

↓ Falling

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

28.56 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

64°FClear sky

Wind 3 mph28.56 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

🌦️

Drizzle

84° / 69°

0.02"

Tomorrow

🌫️

Foggy

81° / 64°

Sat

☁️

Overcast

78° / 58°

Sun

🌧️

Rain showers

78° / 66°

0.48"

Cold front incoming — go deep with nymphs, surface activity likely slow.

Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min

What should I fish today?

⚡ AI

AI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.

6

Time of Day

Using: 61.5 CFS · BWOs

What should I pack?

Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's North Branch Potomac River conditions.

🪰 Hatch Calendar

North Branch Potomac River · September · Early Fall

Full calendar →

Showing typical dates — water temperature data unavailable for live hatch predictions.

Select month

JanDec

BWOs (size 18-20) returning. Brown trout pre-spawn streamers.

Blue-Winged OliveStreamer

River Map

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USGS Gauge (click for site ID)Fishing Access / SectionScroll to zoom disabled — use map controls

About North Branch Potomac River

The North Branch Potomac tailwater below Jennings Randolph Lake at Bloomington is a major cold-water fishery on the Maryland/West Virginia border offering miles of exceptional trout water through a dramatic Allegheny mountain canyon. Cold bottom releases from the deep Army Corps reservoir maintain year-round trout habitat through long flat pools, boulder runs, and pocket water. Big wild brown trout and healthy rainbow populations make this one of the Mid-Atlantic's most compelling destination tailwaters.

SulphurCaddisHendricksonLight CahillBlue-Winged OliveMidge

Regulations

Special management sections below Jennings Randolph Dam: catch-and-release only, artificial flies and lures only, barbless hooks required. This is a border water also subject to West Virginia regulations — verify current boundary markers with Maryland DNR before fishing. CFS alone does not indicate fishability — check dam release schedules.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish North Branch Potomac River with more confidence.