After numerous rain storms and a good deal of waiting Prettyboy Reservoir is finally spilling over into the Gunpowder River. On Friday it began as a small trickle of water, but with storms through Friday night into Saturday the river rose over 40 Cfs and leveled out in the mid 70 Cfs range!

After helping a Backwater Angler guide get his clients out the door early on Saturday, I was itching to fish during the rise in flows and took the day off (thanks Theaux).  I chose to fish the mid-lower section of the  C & R area, which has been particularly challenging in recent low flows. The clarity was just off a little, which was perfect. The water level climbed with the added spillover, on and off rain, and resulting runoff from various creeks and bridge crossings.  I tried two access points and saw only two other anglers on the river, and one was a BWA Guide. The fishing was exceptionally good and many of the browns, 9-12 inches, were holding in deeper pools, and runs. Browns were eating attractor nymphs as well as zebra midges, caddis larvae patterns and nymphs in the 16-22 range. Areas which seemed to lack good numbers of fish the past few months yielded up to 3-5 fish per pool or run. As long as the inflow to Prettyboy is greater than the outflow, we should see water continuing to spillover, although it may slow after some time.