BACKWATER ANGLER

Gunpowder River Fishing Report

September 11, 2025September 6, 2025

Flash Sale! On September 11th only! All leader and tippet 50% off from 10 till 6PM. Please remember those that were lost and consider seeking out and finding peace on the River. The flows are back! We’ve received a bump to around 115 CF/s and temps are steady around the 50-58 degree range through the day. Despite an increase in flow and some rain, the river continues to be especially clear. 6-7x, 9-foot leaders are the recommended size for these picky clear water fish. As for what to fish? Terrestrials are still getting hit. As we move through September, the recommended dry dropper setup is …

Gunpowder Fishing Report

August 28, 2025

The river has bumped back up to a flow of around 61 CFs, Steady around 56 degrees, and still clear. We recommend throwing your more natural-colored nymphs such as hares ear and pheasant tail, both beaded or un-beaded. Additionally, anglers have continued to find success throwing terrestrials on a dry dropper rig in the warmer “mid-day” hours. And finally, the shop will be closed Monday and will open again on Thursday so be sure to make it in by Saturday to stock up on gear before that Labor Day weekend fishing trip!

Gunpowder River Fishing Report

August 11, 2025

Average size brown caught on a size 12 irresistible Flies and Conditions The Gunpowder River is flowing at 31 CFS and is 53.3F. Expect to see exposed gravel bars throughout the catch and release area. That said the water is cold. Consider spending less time wading and more time walking the trails to find deeper water along bend pools and drops. We have a neat foam pattern in the muffin tins that easily passes for an ant or beetle that has been working just fine on the end of a short section of 7x. When fishing dries a clean presentation is almost more important than …

Gunpowder River Fishing Report

July 11, 2025

The Gunpowder is currently flowing at 194 cfs and dropping. The water temp spiked at 62 yesterday and is now back down to its normal 65 degrees. With the high flows streamers and terrestrials have been fishing really well. Throwing a 8-12 size wooly bugger in black or olive has been producing the best results for streamers. For terrestrial fishing ants and small hoppers have been crushing it. You can even run a dry dropper rig to increase your chances with nymph off the back of your dry. For dropper currently we recommend fishing a jigged pheasant tail about 3 feet under your dry. In …

Backwater Angler is Seeking a New Proprietor

July 10, 2025July 10, 2025

Twenty four years ago, Backwater Angler carried-on the spirit and tradition of service of Wally Vait’s original Gunpowder River fly shop called On the Fly (founded in 1989). Since then, the staff has enjoyed sharing in a tradition of curating products designed to last, instructing and teaching fundamentals of fly fishing, and promoting the stewardship of natural resources through this indelible, lifetime sport. The river, our valued employees, and our loyal customers have provided much joy, support and encouragement over the years. Our intention is to see to it that the shop and guide service will be passed on to the right entrepreneur, (or group) …