Summer fly fishing near Baltimore, Maryland might just pass you by if you wait for water levels to increase on the Gunpowder river, near Monkton , Maryland. Despite low water levels this weekend, (38 Cfs and 54 F at Falls Rd), two new Gunpowder river anglers caught their first wild browns on a fly Saturday. On Sunday, two Backwater Angler regulars had a banner day on the stream. Dave H., who wet wades, even during 100 ft gate releases, picked up a 17″ rainbow up top near the dam on a ant and dropper rig. The fish took a #14 Copper John.
Thanks to Marty for the following stream report, who drove 3 hours and 15 minutes one way from Richmond, Virginia to fly fish on the Gunpowder river.

Fellow trout whisperers,

It’s true. There are no big trout in the river. Oh, maybe there are a few bass here and there, but no trout. Nope, no sir, not in that crick. No trout here!

After I left the shop this afternoon, I started up high and worked down to the high trail area. There were several folks out fishing, and everyone seemed to be catching something – though not big trout. Nope. Like I said before, not in that crick. I hit a few fish on a fur ant fished dry, then took a brown that taped out at just over 15″ (see attached pictures) on a #18 EHC tight to the bank. Every fishy-looking spot got a rise or two, and some yielded fish. I managed to long-distance release a very healthy rainbow, also on a #18 EHC near the high trail area. I lost count after 12 fish, which was early. I won’t even guess how many fish I brought to hand today; after 5 PM a very good caddis hatch was upon us and the fish went bonkers for X-caddis in sizes 18-20 tied with deer hair, light olive or tan antron shuck, and olive or tan bodies. I spent my last hour C&Ring another half-dozen fish that were stacked up in a seam picking off anything and everything in the film. I can’t remember a better day in my 9 years of fishing the river – the numbers of healthy fish, the bugs, and the strength of our little browns were almost overwhelming. There were at least 5 different types of bugs hatching today in the uppermost 1/2 mile of river – cream midges, black midges, BWOs, dorothea sulphurs, caddis of all sorts, and there were even a handful of small lime-colored stoneflies (little lime sallies).

All in all (between Monkton area this AM and upper river this PM), the action was more-or-less nonstop. Found plenty of willing participants, with at least a half-dozen fish going 11″ or better! Wish I had been able to corral that wily rainbow – I won’t estimate its size but will say that it put my drag to work on the 4wt outfit. Saw one other beauty of a brown, at least 14″, C&Red not far from the dam.

I am amazed at the adaptability of the Gunpowder fish, having had barely a week to acclimate to the reduced water temps and flows. The bug activity was unexpected, though if you know where the sun warms the water there are usually midges and small mayflies to keep the fish busy.

Thanks for the entertainment today and enjoy the fish pics! My apologies, my fly fishing photojournalism skills are lacking (though I admit my left hand and forearm are model material).

Marty