Time for a recap on the Gunpowder fishing the past few weeks. The low water has made some access points very difficult to fish. Options include targeting boulder pools, rougher water versus shallow riffles, and heading south below the catch and release sections. 12-15 foot leaders and staying nearly out of the water are required for fishing the catch and release sections.

Anglers fishing the lower river should know that water temperatures which allow comfortable wet wading may be getting a bit warm for trout fishing. Bring a thermometer and look for a temp less than seventy degrees. Be sure to reach deep into the water in the moving areas to obtain an accurate temperature. At Blue Mount Rd the Gunpowder was 64 at 1:30 p.m. when the air temperature was reaching the high nineties. Twenty minutes later the shallow Lower Glencoe access was reaching 70 at the height of the day. Get to these spots early when trout will be more active in warmer temps, but before it gets too warm for them.

What are the trout eating? We are on the cusp of some incredible beetle fishing. The Japanese beetles are now flying about and should be dining on the Gunpowder stream-side foliage very soon. Hoppers are already out along with cicadas and some chernobyl sized horned beetles. Fishing a big Para-hopper is bringing up the larger fish (10-14 inches) that have no interest in small caddis and sulphur mayflies. A size 14 Green X-Caddis has been working wonders when sized 16-18 caddis patterns seem to get only small fish. If your getting smaller trout, switch to bigger dry flies sized 14-8 and drop a caddis pupae two feet off the hook to give yourself a sense of confidence. Keep this fly on all day and target deeper areas along banks, under trees and alongside logs.

The current low flows are not an accurate gauge for the amount of water available in PrettyBoy Reservoir. The 34 CfS flow level means that the City is managing water to prevent spillover from occurring on Loch Raven, as it is nearly full. This plan ensures no water will be wasted, versus sending more water downriver that would cause Loch Raven to spill over. At least we should have plenty of water in August, and remember it could be worse, it could be 19 CFS. With all the heat and lack of rain we can expect Loch Raven to drop as water is used. We have been in close contact with the City and State regarding gate changes and the resulting temperature changes. We can just hope for a lot of isolated rain in this area during the late Summer so that Prettyboy Reservoir maintains a safe level to provide for future needs downstream at Loch Raven. It appears that storm systems have been replenishing Loch Raven, as the increased development and roads mean more raindrops trickle downhill versus the sponge-like surrounding countryside of PrettyBoy Reservoir.