Also from SR 63, north of I-70, turn left onto U.S. Route 40 to the creek bridge. Good fishing can be found around the deep pools underneath the two bridges or upstream behind the racetrack. Farther north along SR 63, turn left onto Broadfording Road and travel approximately half a mile to the creek, where you'll find a small parking area on the south side of the bridge.

Or navigate precariously over the one-way bridge and travel one mile and turn left onto the narrow and poorly paved Cress Pond Road.

BIG PIPE CREEK
Historically, the Big Pipe Creek and southernmost hills served as a strategic outpost for Union General George G. Meade's aptly named Pipe Creek Line during the Civil War.

Today, Double Pipe Creek and its major tributary, Big Pipe Creek, are relatively unknown and underfished by springtime Maryland bass anglers.

Big Pipe Creek wends its way slowly east to west through the rolling hills and lush valleys of picturesque north-central Carroll County. Originating near the outskirts of Westminster, it eventually merges with the Little Pipe Creek to form the greater Double Pipe Creek near the small town of Detour.

The Double Pipe curves westward for only a few miles to its confluence with the Monocacy River. Fishing along these creeks is mostly accessible by the bank for anglers wearing chest waders.

The average bass caught in these creeks are generally smaller in size than those from the Monocacy or Conococheague, but smallies in excess of 16 inches can be caught.

In the shallower, uppermost reaches of the Big Pipe, good bass fishing spots are difficult to find.

Better places to fish begin west of Taneytown. From the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), travel along I-795 north to pick up SR 140 west and follow to Taneytown. Just south of Taneytown, SR 140 crosses the creek.

Traveling west of the creek along SR 140, follow the roundabout to pick up SR 832 south. Turn right onto Fesser Road, left onto Trevanion Road and then right onto the poorly paved Nusbaum Road.

Good bank-fishing opportunities begin at the pull-off where the road diverges from the creek. The deeper water created from backflow from the Otterdale Mill contains lunker spring bass. At Otterdale Mill, turn left and head south to Middleburg Road.

As you follow Middleburg Road west, several narrow country roads (Hapes Mill and Crouse Mill) diverge north to intersect the creek.

West of the small town of Middleburg, turn right onto SR194 and follow to the creek near Bruceville.

Underneath the bridge, and downstream through the small ripples and eddies at the rocky bend, are several must-try spots with excellent bank access. North of the SR 194 bridge, turn left onto Keysville-Bruceville Road and left onto Naylors Mill Road across the one-way creek bridge.

Finally, turn right onto SR 77 and follow to the town of Detour. Parking access to fish the Double Pipe Creek is located at the Double Pipe Creek Park in Detour. Good bass fishing is found about 100 yards upstream around the slow-flowing deeper section, created by the merger of Big Pipe and Little Pipe creeks.

To learn more about bass fishing in Maryland streams and rivers, click on "Fisheries" on the DNR's Web site, www.dnr.state.md.us.