Month: August 2009

St. Croix Imperial Fly Rod Review

Thanks to Ben for the gear review on the St. Croix Imperial fly rod penned earlier this Summer. Theaux, This past weekend was a fantastic experience in Western Maryland. I started my morning by trying out my new St. Croix Imperial Fly Rod. The 7 ft 3 wt rod was the perfect tool on the small brookie streams that are in abundance near theSavage tailwaters. This rod works magic for the close in fishing that brook troutstreams demand. Whether it was flicking a hopper or twitching a caddis, thisfast action, lightweight rod delivered pinpoint, delicate presentations that had brook trout pouncing on my flies all …

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Another Weekend Release on The Gunpowder River

The shop just received word that yet another release on the Gunpowder will provide perfect conditions for fishing through this weekend. Anglers should expect clear, ice cold flows in the low fifties and levels in the 120 Cfs range. Tricos swarms are getting thick and many spinners may fall as late as 11:30 a.m., as described by customers stopping by the shop today. As I write this a few calls have come in confirming the water is already on the rise, by those anglers who braved the low flows for an afternoon’s fishing. In addition to dry fly fishing, nymphing, streamers and dry-dropper rigs are …

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Guided Fly Fishing Trips in Western Maryland in August

Backwater Angler guides will be available for guided four and six wade trips on the Savage or North Branch of the Potomac Rivers during the week of August 17th through the 21st. Late Summer low flows on the North Branch of the Potomac means easier wading and better concentrations of trout in the deeper pools. Hopper dropper fishing on the North Branch can be a lot of fun and great way to effectively cover water this time of the year. The low flows on the Savage River can make for challenging dry fly fishing, but in many pools fish can be selectively feeding on tiny …

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Low Water, Tricos and BWO’s on the Gunpowder River

The Gunpowder river is flowing at 32 Cfs, is 54F and gin clear. Passing clouds this week have made tiny Blue Winged Olives a good bet. The Trico hatch has been consistent from Falls Rd downstream through Bunkerhill. We’ve had some reports this week of Tricos spinners falling as late as 1 PM. Long leaders in the 9 ft to 12 ft range ending in the 6 to 7x range will make a difference between fishing and catching wiley Gunpowder river brown trout. We have Mike Bachkosky’s Tricos on the front counter sized #20-#24 and lots of 7 and 8x should you need it! If …

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Paul Young Perfectionist Taper Bamboo Fly Rods by Dean Turner

Dean Turner formerly of Monkton, Maryland now resides in CT, a state also known for a few trout streams. He’ll will be swinging by the shop this Thursday to show off his wares. Even with the resurgence of Bamboo that anglers are currently enjoying he’ll never be accused of beating his chest. Dean keeps a low profile and we like it that way. In fact, the rods he quietly delivers to us, leave the shop very quickly. Each model features unique taper designs with swelled butts that make these rods very powerful indeed. They are ideal rods for the angler just “moving into” bamboo. All …

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Gunpowder River Weekend Release at 120 Cfs

  The Gunpowder is up from 30 Cfs to 120 Cfs for the duration of the weekend. The continued work by Baltimore City on Prettyboy Dam midweek and recent heavy rains has led to an off load of water to keep the Gunpowder’s flow solely bottom release. The resulting rise in levels will spread many fish out, and make them much more aggressive. Tricos, tandem nymph rigs, streamers and big terrestrials are all good options on the river in these flows. The Trico hatch in the morning has provided great surface action, even in the lower flows, but at higher levels the trout are much …

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