With the water temp in the mid 40’s and flow around 200 Cfs, we’ve had mixed reports from folks spending their last vacation days of 03 fishing the Gunpowder. After a few warm days, cream midges sized #20-22 and tiny Olives accounted for a few fish, streamers have been working a little better on a dead drift and swing then when stripped across pools. If you’d like to toss a few nymphs, start with a nice, buggy, Hare’s Ear in a #14.Zug bugs and Carey specials are also important patterns to have in your box.

Water level has been dropping this week, and with the Sun out most are fishing green weenies and red butts downstream in the riffles between Masemore and Bunkerhill. Not many fish have been caught on dries lately, but large zonker style streamer like the Barr’s Bouface sized #4 & 6 are tricking a few fish. Water temp is still around 48 and the flow has dropped to the low 200’s.

With weather like this we hope that you hit the stream today.We had quite a few folks out early picking up fish on Hare’s Ears and Pheasant Tails below Masemore Rd. Water temp is a little under 50 F and is nice and clear. York Rd through Big Falls would be a nice stretch to cover with a streamer in the next few days.Be sure to check the flow before you go by clicking on the link to the USGS stream gauge on the front page of the site.

Note: Need flies for tomorrow?
The shop will be open Wednesday from 10 till 3 PM.

We ‘ve had several people getting out before the big melt today. Water has dropped to around 285 CFs and should bump up a little today as the white stuff goes away. Olive or black streamers sized #4-8 should be fished on a dead drift in pools and runs below Masemore. Stonefly imitations such as orange butts and prince nymphs sized #14-16 should be in everyone’s box by now. It is best to fish these patterns during the morning and then switch to a dark bodied caddis imitation sized #18-20 as it warms up during the day.

Fly fishing for some can be a performance art, heck, we’ve all been guilty of smugly false casting one too many times in front of onlookers. One summer day in the Smokies I got hung up in a bush before a puzzled group of hikers. After a few choice swear words and allowing an audience to witness my fall from grace, I realized that the fish didn’t care who was watching. Since then I’ve kept my casting to a minimum.

Note: The day after I went fishing, the river hit a new recorded high on Thursday of nearly 2000 CFs. See the pictures at The Fly Fishing Show in College Park, Maryland on January 10 and 11.

We had a few folks in today casting midges to fish at Masemore. The cloud cover has certainly helped us get closer to fish but with the flow down to around 150 Cfs long leaders have become as important as a stealthy approach. Grab some Stanley’s Ice Off Paste the next time you’re in the shop-you’ll need it if you’re fishing this Winter.

Note: Getting out before therain hits? Try a black #22 CDC midge in the film between the powerline pool and Falls Rd.

Yes, Martha that green banner up at the top of the page is a link to our online catalog. We have gloves, socks and other gear featured in a secure shopping environment-give it a look and let us know what you think.

Water has been dropping since Saturday afternoon and it’s getting a little colder at 49 F. We had a few guide trips over the weekend and most of the fisherman connected with small streamer patterns.

The Whitlock near nuff sculpin continues to be a shop favorite. These patterns are tied with lead eyes”clouser style” and are very effective around log jams and deadfalls. A #10 brown flash-a -bugger is also a good searching pattern.Masemore upstream to the powerlines has been a productive stretch and York to Big Falls is a worth a look.