Gunpowder State Park officials DO have clearing the parking lots along the Gunpowder River on their work schedule, although at this point the rain coming in this evening through tomorrow, coupled with warmer temps, should alleviate the parking woes experienced over the weekend. Today, the Masemore lot is in the best shape, while upper Falls Rd., lower Falls Rd., and York Rd. lots are the worst.
The stream gauge is at 75 CFs today, but it should be moving well into the high 100’s as the snow and ice melts and more spillover occurs. Water temps are still on the cool side at 38-40 today F and will be warming by the weekend as surface water from the reservoir displaces snowmelt along the banks. Stonefly nymphs are still worth a shot, especially in the shallow riffles. Try micro-nymphing with bead heads pheasant tails in the #18-22 range and plan on prospecting a bit before you find some willing fish. When you find them, they will be stacked up, so fish a little slower, until the water warms up a bit. I was out fly fishing Saturday and thanked my lucky Chota Stl+ boots for keeping me upright. Waiting for unbridled dry fly action? We should start to see some little black and early brown stonefly adults in the #14-16 range as the water temp reaches the mid to high 40’s, perhaps as soon as this weekend. -Thanks to Jason du Pont for another great Gunpowder River photograph.