March 2011 – BACKWATER ANGLER

Late March Fly Fishing On The Gunpowder

March 24, 2011

The Gunpowder dropped close to 100 CFs last week. The river gradually leveled out after the big surge of water on the 11th. Heavy rains last night bumped river flows up to 165 CFs. The Spring rains should provide good flows the next few months, since the river levels will fluctuate with rain and spillover. The City notified the shop they recently made a gate change to the 10 foot level at Prettyboy, and the temperature graph on the USGS shows a spike up to just over 48 degrees. Angler reports from last weekend of slightly off color water was likely the result of the …

Higher Flows On The Gunpowder River

March 16, 2011

The Gunpowder River reached just over 700 CFs on the Falls Road gauge this past Friday. The heavy rainfall in the region filled Prettyboy Reservoir, and water crested the spillway. The initial surge of water may not have led to ideal fishing conditions, but the flow did dislodge a good portion of Didymo from the river bottom. I fished for a few hours at 600 CFs, and caught half a dozen fish, but also noticed Didymo washing down river. The white algae can still be found in most sections, but is far less of a nuisance compared to the previous months. Earlier this week flows …

Water Levels Close To Spillover At Prettyboy Dam

March 8, 2011

I stopped by Prettyboy Dam yesterday to check the elevation levels. The water is lapping at the top of dam. The reservoir needs to rise less than twelve inches to crest the spillway. The ten day forecast predicts showers over the next two weeks. The Gunpowder could see an increase in flow in the near future, and provide ideal fishing conditions. The river may rise, but will remain clear with spillover. If the Falls Road gauge shows a big spike, don’t assume the river will be blown out. Fishing is possible in the first few miles of river, even after heavy rains. In most instances …

Gunpowder River Fishing Reports

March 1, 2011

The recent warm air temps and rain melted most of the snow and ice along the river. A few sections (Falls Road) still have some snow and ice where the hills block the sunlight. The flows on the Gunpowder spiked recently at the Glencoe Road gauge, but remained a steady 30 CFs at Falls Road. The river is clear in the upper miles, and anglers will find slightly higher flows outside the C & R sections. I fished a few days last week, but mainly spent time hiking, filming and looking for hatching insects. Midges and blackflies were hatching sporadically on the warmest days, along …