The Gunpowder river is clear and flowing at 82 Cfs and is 52 F. Streamers are a good way to connect especially around log jams and bend pools. We have sinking leaders in-stock that really help these patterns roll and tumble. With most of the leaves gone folks have once again found fish by returning to nymphing jigs and zebra midges.

Please limit your wading this time of year, wantonly stepping through redds can jeopardize next year’s bounty of wild stream bred brown trout!

We are truly thankful of your support this season and wish everyone a peaceful and restful holiday!

The shop will be open from 10AM till 3PM on Saturday November 19 and Monday November 21.

We will be closed on Tuesday the 22nd, Wednesday the 23rd, Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th.

The shop will reopen from 10 AM till 3PM on Saturday November 26th and Monday November 28th.

We will be closed on December 1.

The Gunpowder has been at consistent levels today in spite of the rainfall. The water temperature is holding steady at 55 degrees. Flow at Falls Rd is 45 CFS. We have been seeing lots of BWO’s coming off mid-day through the evening and fish have been eager to rise to them. With cooler weather ahead, streamer fishing with a sink tip- leader will work very well. Patterns like BWO Compara-Duns, tan Elk Hair and X-Caddis, black and olive wooly buggers, and Bank Robber Sculpins are worth a shot. Euro nymphing has also been working well. We have pre-made Euro leaders and Euro flies in-stock. Stop in and get outfitted!

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 40 CFs, is clear and reaching 55 degrees F. Fortunately this week’s light frost did not put a stop to the last of the terrestrials. If one still has ants and beetles and maybe a small hopper in the summer box, now is the time to use them. Consider a small dropper off of something you can see-as smaller hooks catch fewer leaves this time of year. Folks have also been connecting with traditional unweighted streamers especially in the logjams and bend pools. Low water typically mean a longer walk that can be worthwhile as long as one uses the trail network. This week, skip the flat water and spend more time in the riffles. Watch out for the last of the ground bees-that said yellow is a great color to try in the next week when trying dries. Longer leaders ending in 6x will make a difference especially given how bright the days have been lately…so seek shade or fish ealy and late if you can avoid raking leaves or cleaning out the garage.

Please note: The shop will be closed from Saturday October 22 till Wednesday October 26th and will reopen on Thursday, October 27th.

With water levels returning to a somewhat “fall normal”, The Gunpowder River of flowing at 43.7 CF
s and is swinging between 54 and almost 58 degrees. As long as one doesn’t pick a bright day you’ll be greeted by lots of eager yearlings and young of the year-even smaller wild trout clobbering small terrestrial patterns. Longer leaders ending in 6and sometimes 7x can make a big difference in low flows. If the idea of squinting evinces a wince, give the pocket water a go above Falls Rd! It is fun section to fish this time of year especially with larger terrestrials and dropper rigs. Floating the river, while tempting, is still challenging with fall flows resulting in more of a push/drag. The numbers of strainers introduced during the last few storms has certainly resulted in some “must portage” bends.

The Gunpowder River is low at 43.7 Cfs and is swinging from 54 in the morning up to almost 58F. That said, longer leaders in the 10 to 11 ft ending in 7x have been productive in the shade. Small, not large, terrestrials will produce this time of year. Small beetles, CDC and foam ants should be in your box. Henryville caddis, tiny BWO’s and midge cluster patterns are all worth a shot. Unweighted streamers are also fun especially when fished upstream rather than on a swing. With leaves just turning get out while you can…

Please note: The shop will be closed this Sunday and Monday and will reopen on Thursday, September 8.

Western Maryland is home to some of the some of the best water on the east coast: The Savage River and North Branch of the Potomac River. Both bodies of water hold Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout. Like the Gunpowder River, these Rivers are tailwaters or are dam controlled. This means that the water temperatures stay consistently cool throughout the year, even in the heat of summer.  Right now, the water levels on the Savage and North Branch are low, at 48.8 CFS and 229 CFS respectively. These are great levels to fish as you don’t have to battle the strong currents present during higher flows.

Both rivers have many challenges, one of the most notable being the wading. Slippery round boulders cover the banks and the bottom, providing many opportunities to fall. Studs and/or a wading staff are highly recommended. The other challenge anglers face is the intricate currents on the rivers. High gradient and big boulders make for lots of different currents in each run. It is important to read the water correctly in order to present your fly well. This river will test your c

Hudson and I were using terrestrials throughout our trip. Opportunistic browns and rainbows were eager to rise out of the pocket water and take a dry or dropper. If you’re interested in more information on Western Maryland, we can set you up with all the gear and knowledge necessary.

A glimpse at the beautiful yet rough terrain along the Savage River.

This picture was taken at Falls Road immediately after a steep drop in water.

Summer low flows have finally hit the gunpowder. Although this picture was taken at the minimum of 26.7cfs on Wednesday, the water has bounced back to 38.0cfs. Water temperatures have seen an increase, ranging between the mid 50s up to 60F. Although this is still a safe water temperature for trout, understand the water lower in the river will be warmer and you must use your best handling of fish to ensure their survival.

Despite the drop in water, our tactics have not changed. Beetles, ants, and small hoppers have been on the menu for fish in our faster water. The slower pools will hold consistently rising fish; however, they will be eating very tiny flies like midges and trico patterns. To target fish on the surface, a long leader will be almost necessary. We have been fishing a 10–12-foot leader to minimize the chance of spooking fish with our fly line. A longer leader will also give you more time before your fly starts to drag in these slower pools.

A dry dropper has been a go-to for subsurface fishing. Nymphing can still be effective in the deeper and faster water however that water is hard to come by in these conditions. Fishing with a dry dropper in the riffles and runs is often the best way to present a nymph without spooking fish.