Month: September 2008

Trico Hours at Backwater Angler Extended…We’re open at 8:00 AM Saturdays and Sundays through September

The Gunpowder river is flowing at 68 CFs is 56 F and is gin clear. I walked upstream on the trail Monday evening after work and found dozens of fish rising to a steady midge hatch. Pushing through the big ferns and spiderwebs that framed the overgrown trail, I passed only two other anglers before finding dozens of fish taking midges with abandon. The Herons were conspicuously absent. A lone Kingfisher quietly weaved and bobbed through the Sycamores. Moving quickly upstream, the bird, intent on taking everything in, shared only a trill that bounced through the mist that softens the big boulders and jams this …

Read more

Clouds Of Tricos On The Gunpowder River, Maryland

The Trico Mayflies are still hatching in big numbers on the Gunpowder despite making their first appearance over a month ago. Recent reports from anglers and guides mention pods of steadily, rising trout during mid morning hours throughout numerous stretches of river. While many recent guide trips have resulted in steady action and great days on the water, the fishing is far from easy. Commonly known as the Angler’s Curse, tricos are not a favorite hatch amongst all anglers, due the tiny size and big numbers of the adults. Few anglers can deny how eager the trout are to rise to these bugs once they …

Read more

2008 Gunpowder River Electrofishing Survey

Please join the Backwater Angler Staff and DNR Fisheries Biologists for the Annual electroshocking survey on the Gunpowder River. The following schedule will be kept firm. The only exceptions will be if electrofishing conditions are unacceptable, (ie. Flooding,muddy water, or torrential rain). Volunteers should check with me, (cgougeon@dnr.state.md.us) at work, (410) 442-2080 or on my cell phone, (410) 570-5718, a day or two prior to the work date to confirm that the survey date will go as planned. All meeting times will be at 9:45 A.M. at the planned meeting location. Bring chest high waders if you plan to assist us in the stream. Those …

Read more

Gunpowder Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a flyfishing school. On Sunday, October 12, a Backwater Angler Guide will be teaching a fly fishing school that is ideal for beginners. If you’re planning on flyfishing Maryland, or anywhere else for that matter, this course is a great introduction to the sport. The school covers knots, casting, gear and fly selection. Schools are held in a meadow overlooking the Gunpowder river by a Maryland state licensed and insured fishing guide. Class is held from 11:00 AM till 2:00 PM. Cost is $100 per person and includes the use of gear. Class size is limited to 4 and pre-registration is …

Read more

Adirondack Fly Fishing on the Ausable River, New York

I recently spent a vacation with my girlfriend in the Adirondacks in New York. We were fortunate to experience great weather, views and river flows all week. The water was at Spring levels and in the low sixties on the West Branch of the Ausable, which is where I spent a few hours fishing each day. The West Branch of the Ausable River reminded me a lot of the Savage and the North Branch Rivers with endless rapids, chutes and pocket water areas. The first few days I tested the water with snow shoe rabbit winged dries, which have a storied history on these waters. …

Read more

Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper Trash Bash

Please join the Backwater Angler staff, Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper, Eliza Smith Steinmeier and Terry Backer, Long Island Soundkeeper, on October 18, 2008 from 4:00- 8:00 PM for a silent auction fundraiser including great food, and live music by Captain Quint at the first Annual Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper Trash Bash. The event is being held at Nick’s Fish House overlooking Middle Branch. The Mission of the Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper is to protect and restore the Baltimore Harbor and the greater Patapsco River & its tributaries through enforcement, fieldwork and citizen action in order to make the river suitablefor recreation including fishing and swimming, to improve public …

Read more