June 24th Gunpowder Fishing Report

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 67 CFS and is a cool 52 degrees. As the warmer summer weather sets in, we have been seeing a large amount of fish taking terrestrials and mayfly nymphs. Patterns such as a quick sight beetle, foam ant, and smaller sized chubby chernobyl’s have been working great as indicator flies for dropper rigs. Off the the back of those terrestrials we are putting patterns such as perdigons and pheasant tails. If you are looking to fish single dry flies come on in and check out some of the new flies we just got in; our Adams and caddis patterns have been restocked and are ready to be fished!

Abel Reels

A new line up of Abel reels are in the shop! From large saltwater reels like the new Abel Rove to the lightweight Vaya, we have many different sizes and paint jobs to choose from. The most notable of the new hand painted reels are the Vaya 5/6 in Native Brown Trout, the 9/10 SDS in Blue III, and the Vaya 5/6 in Larko Brown Trout.

Abel Vaya Native Brown Trout

Abel SDS 9/10 in Blue III with Aluminum Handle

Larko Brown Trout Vaya 5/6 Reel

If you’re looking for something a little less flashy, we also have many models in the satin and standard black. These still offer the unmatched quality of Abel without the glamour and price tag. Give the shop a call at 410-357-9557, an email at backwaterangler@gmail.com, order online, or stop in to get one of these reels for yourself!

Notice: The shop will be closed on Father’s Day, June 19th.

 

Backwater Flat-brim Hat Sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the heat rolling in there isn’t a better time to get a new hat. With every purchase over $75 made in the shop we will be giving away one of our Backwater Angler Flat-Brim hats. They come in a heather, blue, and brown colors and will be provided to customers while supplies lasts.

These hats are a $30 value that we will be giving away. If you aren’t going to spend over $75 then you can get the hat directly through our website. These will be a good addition to any Father’s day gift so that they are set to go out on the water.

BWA Embroidered Flat Brim Fitted Hat

Early June Fishing Report

A brown trout picked up nymphing during our Fly Fishing School over the weekend.

With Summer about to hit the flows have dropped down to 60 CFS with temperatures in the low 50s. Even with the drop in flows the bug activity has been quite active with lost of sulphurs coming off throughout the day. The best way to fish effectively is with a slightly longer leader between 10 and 12 feet. This will allow you to present flies without having the fly line bother the fish in the pool.

Nymphing has been quite effective throughout our mornings and in our deeper pools. These fish will often hold deep when hatches are not active and fishing a nymph rig is the best way to go. Our mayfly imitations have been the most effective throughout the river with a midge trailing behind to get any of those picky fish.

Father’s Day Great Eight Gifts!

Abel Reels- Abel is the pinnacle of fly fishing reels. They offer the best durability, warranty, and style in the Fly Fishing business. These are a one time purchase, leaving the customer set for life. We offer many variations of Abel reels from basic colors to eccentric hand painted designs.

Underwood On The Hunt Deep Green Vaya 5/6 Reel

Ross Reels- Ross focuses on the durability and ergonomics of a fly fishing reel. It contains all the strength and technology harbored in Abel reels without the flashy finishes. These reels are truly the best bang for your buck.

Ross Animas

Fishpond Submersible Sling- The Fishpond line of submersible packs are optimal for the most active or most clumsy of fisherman. These packs allow you to push your waders to their limit without the worry of wet items like your keys, phone or other valuables.

Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Sling

Airflo Fly line- The newest edition of Airflo Lines have been spectacular for the employees and the customers of Backwater Angler. They offer a smooth cast that will load the majority of rods well.

Airflo SuperFlo Universal Taper

Gift Certificate- As always a Gift Certificate is a safe bet when buying a gift. If you’re entirely unsure what to get for fathers day you can always let them pick.

Backwater Angler Gift Certificate

Scott Centric- The Centric is one of the best rods on the market right now. It had the most advanced technology that creates a quick and sensitive response with the rod. A 5 weight would be ideal for fishing out west and on our bigger eastern streams while the 4 weight will be more ideal for our local bodies of water.

Scott Centric

 

Patagonia Waders- The Swiftcurrent Line of waders has been found to be the ideal wader for fishing throughout the temperate climates like ours. They are lightweight but durable enough to withstand the thorns and brush that tear up weaker waders. Patagonia also offers a great warranty program that allows you to send the waders in for repair if needed.

Patagonia Men’s Swiftcurrent Waders

Umpqua Fly box with Fly Selection ($75,$125,$175,$250): We can offer a personalized fly selection at 4 different price ranges. We can pick specific flies for whatever best suits their fishing needs in high quality fly boxes.

Umpqua Day Tripper Box with Personalized Fly Selection

June Fly Fishing Schools!

With our Hatches in full effect the month of June is the perfect time to learn how to fly fish. We have 3 spots available on June 12th and on June 18th. Our Fly Fishing Schools includes a 3 hour course with all gear necessary to learn. In the first half of the course we go over our basic knots, casting skills, fly types and choices, and our techniques on the river.

Following Instruction on the bank we practice our techniques on the water. You will get to try the 4 main techniques we use while fishing this river: dry flies, wet flies, nymphs and streamers. Our guides will go over the techniques and help each individual with to best prepare them for a trip on their own.

Please contact us at backwaterangler@gmail.com or 410-357-9557 and we will get you set for trip on the Gunpowder River.

Late May Fishing Report

With hot temperatures in the forecast we can only expect the fishing to heat up over the weekend! The river is flowing at 113 CFS and fluctuating between 55 and 62 degrees F. There have been great sulphur hatches throughout the day and into the evenings allowing for exceptional dry fly and wet fly fishing. Swinging wet flies like a partridge and yellow have been very effective throughout the warmer portions of the day. Into the evening this will continue to be effective however we begin to see more dry fly action as the day goes on.

The heat this weekend could provoke some really good spinner-falls in the evenings and result in an incredible time fishing. We have been fishing our sulphur patterns throughout the evening followed  by variations of rusty spinners just before dark. Stop in the shop and get yourself ready for one of the best hatches on the river.

May Stream Report and New Shop Hours

The Gunpowder River is flowing at a beautiful 127 Cfs and fluctuating between 57 and 59 degrees throughout the day. The decreasing flow and warm temperatures have created incredible conditions for fishing of all kinds. Earlier in the day nymphing has been the most effective while imitating the mayfly nymphs. If you watch your waders you will see these bugs latched onto you as your day goes on.

As the water warms up throughout the day more sulphurs have been hatching and the fish respond accordingly. Having several different patterns and patience are the key to fishing the hatches. Take your time through the pools and and don’t get too caught up over one fish, there will be plenty more a few feet from it willing to eat. These hatches show you how many fish this river truly holds. Stop by to get some patterns and enjoy the fishing this spring!

Backwater Angler shop hours for May:

Monday: 10am-3pm                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Thursday: 10am-3pm                                                                                                                                      Friday: 10am-3pm                                                                                                                                          Saturday: 10am-3pm

We are closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday.

 

 

Late April Gunpowder River Stream Report

Water levels in the Gunpowder have been falling steadily from the 180’s last week to 110 mid-week and are plateauing a little below 70 Cfs and well into ideal wading and fishing conditions. With the cold nights seemingly hanging on water temps have been swinging down from 56-57 F earlier this week to 49.5 F this morning. As to hatches, we’ve seen a few speckled, gray winged caddis and tiny Blue Winged Olives. Find time to explore the tributaries bounded by Mt.Laurels and Rhododendrons and fringed by Mayapples. Now is the time to fish below the confluence of these small noisy runs moving groundwater from the upland seeps and springs dotted with Skunk cabbage and leaving only bits of mirrored Mica confetti strewn in the quiet gravel filled pools. Though small, they have enough flow to warm up the downstream segments if for just a few yards adding vital surface water from the land to the otherwise frigid cold waters emanating from the Dam. Here one can catch a glimpse of a ramshackle cadre of Sulphur yellow mayflies with wings too wet to lift off mired in current and fumbling around the surface film before they disappear down the hatch of a wild trout nosing in the foam laden shallows.

April 8 Gunpowder River Stream Report


Unsettled weather carries cold fronts passing, April showers in full swing and the Gunpowder River rising. Looking skyward to catch a notion of light and a bit of blue foretelling of fair winds ahead I send a wish upstairs that my garden plot may dry out enough so I can get back to working the soil…That said the Gunpowder River is flowing at 277 Cfs and falling. That’s 277 cubic feet, say the size of a basketball, pouring over one’s favorite rock through the Upper Gorge every second. Unless it’s a bank fishing outing that’s mighty quick through the narrow upper river corridor.If you have a kayak bring your helmet and scope any snags and deadfalls before committing…Wade fisherman will be better served under 125 Cfs so check the gauge-it will move downward quickly. Water temp is climbing from 47.5 F and the magic # is 51 F that will surely wake up a few wild browns hanging on the bottom and behind wood. We’ve had a few in today chasing fishing with sinking lines and tips and streamers. Better fishing is just ahead, particularly when the River calms down and stops resembling sheet flow.