Antietam/Red Run, 05/22/26

I met Ben at 7:45AM at the farmhouse and we set off for a half day on the water. The rain was a blessing raising the water level to an outstanding 2.5’ and running stained. It dropped to a cool 53 degrees. It was a cloudy day with off and on showers. By 9AM, I finally saw why Jerry Armstrong calls Antietam a “Bug Factory”. There were caddis and tiny BWO’s, hatching. Then some ISO’s, two species of sulphurs and then the biggest Yellow Drakes I have ever seen. Within an hour it was nothing but floating Mayflies. It felt like I was in the Catskills at dusk. It was insane, but that is why this water is so special. Nothing was rising, but that was the water conditions. The nymphs I had Ben using did not drift but a foot or so below the surface and it was a trout. Needless to say wild trout know when to feed hard and then when to shut off. Unfortunately, Ben was having a major leg issue. Giving him the “At A Boy” award for trying today. We decided since he is coming back in September to bail early and fish a longer day in September. He had two on, one was a nice brown and he missed at least 6 more. I would not be afraid to look into early July dates if you want on this amazing water. Mid-September into the end of October is fantastic pre-spawn fishing and that time frame is filling up fast.