Alex McCrickard - BACKWATER ANGLER

South Central Pennsylvania Fly Fishing Report

August 10, 2010

I recently spent a few day trips fishing some of the limestone spring creeks in south central Pennsylvania. The Letort Spring Run and Big Springs are two fantastic streams in close proximity to Carlisle–add in Falling Springs Branch near Chambersburg and you have three of the best spring creeks east of the Rocky Mountains. Fishing these spring creeks is much different from your average trip to the Gunpowder River. This is mostly due to the change in water characteristics. The wild browns and rainbows that reside in these spring creeks demand extreme stealth and perfect presentation. With a narrow stream bed and excessive aquatic plant …

Low Water Terrestrial Fishing on the Gunpowder River

July 2, 2010July 1, 2010

Anglers fishing the Gunpowder river have experienced low and clear water throughout the catch and release section. At Falls road the river is flowing at 35cfs and water temperatures are in the 50 to 55 degree range. At Glencoe road the river is flowing at 75cfs and water temperatures are around 60 degrees. Stealth and a careful approach is absolutely necessary when fishing in these low flow conditions. Ten to twelve foot leaders tapered to 6x and 7x have been the ticket. We have seen lots of cream and black bodied midges throughout the mornings. The browns have been keying in on size #20-24 griffiths …

Fly Fishing Maryland in August

August 12, 2009

The fishing on the Gunpowder has been productive in the past week. Anglers fishing in the mornings can expect to see fish sipping tricos in the flats and tailouts of riffles. With the weekday flows at 30cfs, the fishing has been technical. A stealthy approach is necessary in order to catch these finicky fish-12 foot 7x leaders are an absolute must for fishing these tiny flies. The water temperature is still in the mid 50s. With hot humid days in the upper 90s, alot of fisherman have been wet wading. When fishing the trico hatch, its important to correctly match the hatch. The fish generally …

Fly Fishing Report: Wyoming’s North Platte River

July 17, 2009

I recently spent a week fly fishing the North Platte River and its tributaries at A Bar A Ranch just outside Encampment, Wyoming. My family and I spend a week there every summer and the fishing is fantastic, this trip being no exception. When we arrived, recent rains had muddied the North Platte, which was running near 1600 CFS. Throughout the week the river dropped and cleared to a flow of around 700 CFS, partially due to irrigation upstream. The Salmon fly hatch was practically over but large Golden Stones were out and about. Cream and Tan Caddis in sizes #14-18 hatched out in large …

Fly Fishing Codorus Creek

January 21, 2009

Throughout the past two weeks, I have been exploring a creek located in southern Pennsylvania, just West of the small borough of Jefferson. The stream is called Codorus Creek, and it is only a twenty-minute drive from our Gunpowder River. Codorus is a small tailwater, about twenty to thirty feet wide, and flows year round from the cold depths of Lake Marburg. The stream has some interesting characteristics and features that are different from the Gunpowder. However, Codorus is similar in the fact that it is dominated by wild brown trout. Most of the stream winds its way through cornfield after cornfield. I have only …

North Platte Fishing Report

August 7, 2008

In mid-July I was lucky enough to spend an entire week in Wyoming. My family and I stayed at a ranch on the North Platte River just outside of Encampment, Wyoming. The North Platte was flowing high due to significant snow melt. The conditions were great and we were able float the river three times. Tackle and Techniques are slightly different out West in comparison to the East coast. We were mostly fishing with five and six weights where on the Gunpowder we typically use three and four weights. On larger water a larger rod is necessary. Big flies and large trout are easier to …