Month: August 2008

Beginners Fly Tying:Streamers

Flyfishing and Flytying in Maryland? Please join us for a Beginners Fly Tying Class on Saturday, September 13, 2008 from 11:00 AM till 2:00PM. It’s an introductory fly tying class that focuses on Gunpowder river fly patterns. One of our Maryland river guides will be teaching this fun-filled beginners class. Cost of the class is $45 per person, and includes the use of tools and materials. The class is limited to six and pre-registration is required. Please give us a call at 410-329-6821 or drop us a line at info@backwaterangler.com to pre-register.

Colorado Brook Trout on a Sage 590-4 ZXL

Thanks to Terry Newendorp for sharing this wonderful picture and stream report from the upper Colorado river. I’ve never seen a Rocky Mountain Brook trout quite like this…and it must hold true that new rods are lucky rods… I was fishing with my nephew at ElkTrout Lodge, near Kremmeling, CO. Lots of private water on the upper Colorado River and several tributaries. One day we fished a ranch pond that they had occasional access to. There were some big, beautiful rainbows in there and a few nice, medium-size cutties. I was using my brand new 5wt Sage ZXL, (from Backwater Angler) and sight-casting to these …

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Gunpowder River Float Trips

September is approaching and lower Gunpowder River temps are currently at safe and ideal temps for fishing, so I’m offering float trips to more remote areas of the Gunpowder now through Fall. Wild browns have been taking streamers, nymphs and the occasional hopper from the boat, but deep water nymphing the runs has produced some nice browns. Fishing smaller dries can be tough, as the chubs and fall fish tend to immediately inhale tricos, caddis, etc. Medium size terrestrials close to the bank will get strikes from browns, but not turn as many fish as a streamer. Anglers who frequent the upper river will find …

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Gunpowder River Featured in Leading Fly Fishing Magazines

Thanks to Beau Beasley for the nice Article on the Gunpowder River featured in the July/August issue of Eastern Fly Fishing. Backwater Angler staffer and guide Jason du Pont contributed three photos to Beau’s article, wrote a timely piece for the Conservation section on Tubifex worms and their role in Whirling disease, and was also recognized on the editorial page for his astute eye in identifying Didymo on the Gunpowder River. Whew! Great work Jason! The Gunpowder river was also featured in the “Hot Spots” section of the July issue of American Angler.

North Platte Fishing Report

In mid-July I was lucky enough to spend an entire week in Wyoming. My family and I stayed at a ranch on the North Platte River just outside of Encampment, Wyoming. The North Platte was flowing high due to significant snow melt. The conditions were great and we were able float the river three times. Tackle and Techniques are slightly different out West in comparison to the East coast. We were mostly fishing with five and six weights where on the Gunpowder we typically use three and four weights. On larger water a larger rod is necessary. Big flies and large trout are easier to …

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Fishing Multiple Rivers and Dealing With Invasives

On Western Maryland excursions I spend mornings fishing the North Branch in my Patagonia Watermasters and Sticky River Walkers, and use my extra Cloudveil waders and 8X Stealth Boots on the Savage for the evening hatch. It is too easy to shrug off concerns about invasives and wade from one fishery to another in a 24 to 48 hour period without treating, or changing into new gear. The issue isn’t being the first to contaminate another fishery, or whether others are disregarding protocol, but the problem becomes the increased frequency of spore loading, especially when leaving the North Branch or Gunpowder to fish other rivers. …

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