Well folks, if you’d like to find some peace amidst the getting back to school rush, try the Gunpowder in the next few weeks. Water temps have been in the mid 50’s and Trico’s, Caddis, and Little Yellow Stoneflies have been coming off sporadically. Nymphing in the deeper runs and riffles with a #16 Pheasant tail and #20 Brassie dropper has been efffective.

Tricos are still prevalent during the morning hours. #20-22 Caddis and #14-16 little yellow stoneflies are buzzing around about mid-day. The water temps are still a little on the cool side at 52-55 F. If you’re starting early, try nymphing the riffles and runs with a green weenie and/or Copper John in a #14-16.

The river is low and clear and Trico’s, while always tough to see, are coming off sporadically from Falls Rd.through Bluemount. Reports of Sulphurs above Falls from more than a few anglers has led to frenzied digging into Spring boxes that were all but forgotten.The Rainbows above Falls are being caught with a little more frequency as guides and clients alike resort to nymphs and San Juan worms in the riffles.We’ve had a number of “Chainsaw Vigilantes” floating the river and “grooming” the new deadfalls along the river from as far up as the Falls rd. access. If you see any of this activity , please call PARKWATCH so our Rangers can enforce the Parks’ no cut policy. The # is 800-825-PARK.

Note: Experience synchronized jumping …Tie on a #24 Trico behind an #18 Caddis and hope for the best

The river has been fishing great.The water has come down a bit and water temps have been warmer this week, at 62 F. We’ve had some new people in the shop this week that have been picking up fish on #16-18 Copper Johns and #14 San Juan worms fished in tandem.By afternoon Elk Hair Caddis sized #16-18 have been working in the riffles and if you don’t mind getting up early we’ve seen Tricos starting around 7:00 AM and they’ve been coming off sporadically throughout the day from Big Falls all the way up to the dam. Typically we’ve seen the heaviest concentrations from Big Falls to Monkton but we’re seeing these tiny ones #22-24 much further upstream this year.You’ll have trouble seeing the patterns so try either greasing your leader, (but not the tippet) and wait for it to jump, or fish a Trico behind a #16-18 Elk Hair Caddis or Parachute Ant.

Note: Mike Bachosky just mailed us some beautiful Trico patterns that should sell out quickly.

While it is still a bit of a challenge to park at Masemore, (the lot has lost about 2 inches of gravel in the last two storms) once you get in the river you’ll find that it is clearing and dropping. Pheasant Tails and Green Weenies #16-18 in tandem are good bets in the morning. By afternoon switch to a #18-20 Caddis, (X-Caddis with an olive body or a Henryville) . Cast Ants and hopper patterns as close to the banks as you dare.

Note: THE reason to get out there. The water spilling over the face of the dam has warmed the river up to 60 F. –You should see some active trout out there looking for dries!