The Gunpowder river is dropping today from 299 Cfs and should stabilize in the 180 CFs range through the weekend. The river is slightly off color because the reservoir is “turning over.” Lower water levels mean that those intent on wading can get out and cover more water throughout the catch and release stretch of the Gunpowder river. Small olives, caddis and midges have been coming off between Masemore through the Falls Rd stretch. Longer, finer leaders will once again be necessary to trick these wild fish with smaller patterns so start in the 9ft to 12ft 5x range and a some 6x, especially with the midges.

We’ve had an excellent stretch of fly fishing during recent high flows as witnessed by the following stream report and photos submitted by Philadelphia area fly fisherman Tom Buterbaugh. On his first visit to the Gunpowder Tom struck gold in the form of a 20″ wild brown.

Theaux,
My report from 10/05/2007 is as follows:
Mike and I arrived at the Falls Road access about 8am and hiked it in about 3/4 mile. The water looked too good to keep walking… With flows about 230 cfs we started nymphing with a Pheasant Tail/Serendipity tandem. Things started slow and then I picked up a nice 12″ brown on the PT. I caught two other smaller browns and lost one by 10am. Then I hooked what I knew right away was a good fish.
The 20″ brown took me down stream about 50 yards before I could land it. What a great stretch of water. This was my first trip to the area, but definitely not my last!

Regards,
Tom Buterbaugh
West Chester, PA