The Gunpowder is gin clear and flowing at 101 CFs and has dropped to 52 F this week. Reports this week have featured lots of rising fish that have been easy to see and difficult to catch. Black flies in the #22-24 range have been best imitated by the poly wing pattern called a snow fly from the Little Lehigh. Mike Bachkosky just delivered 65 dozen or so Hendrickson emergers, dries–including some beautiful Catskill style wood duck flank winged patterns–and bright spot parachute spinners that now occupy the muffin tins. With the passing of the Spring Equinox just behind us, winter wind whipping through bare branches has been replaced by peepers singing in earnest. Rest assured that the whir of a weedeater and the din of a mower will soon drown out their chorus. For most, it’s time to knock the dust off of the gear and make some semblance out of tackle ditched in the late summer for other pursuits. This year the weather and the hatches likely won’t wait. Anglers are already speaking of Grannoms at Penn’s and Shad at the mouth of Deer Creek and Rockfish moving up into the Susquehanna flats. At the end of this post we have a few historical related posts that might be helpful in deciding how to answer that age old question; to mow or to fish?

Thanks to Chris for the following Gunpowder River stream report and photos:

Greetings Backwater Angler,
Spent a fantastic, warm Spring day out on the Gunpowder. Things seem to be really shaping up to be a good season. More and more fish seem to be rising and the hatches are really coming to life. The predominant hatch where I was today was the midge (darker shades) and the occasional little black stonefly. Naturally, the fish were keyed into the small stuff and preferred a good presentation: tiny black flies dropped with a black un-weighted zebra midge fished in shallow water did the job today. Really counting down the days to the big mayfly hatches!

Best,

Chris

Related Posts:
From 2011:Hendricksons and Rising Water Temps on the Gunpowder
From 2010: Hendricksons and Perfect Flows on the Gunpowder
From 2009: Don Quixote and Quills along the Gunpowder
From 2008: Gunpowder River Midge, Caddis, Hendricksons Afoot and Shad…
From 2007: Maryland Dry Fly Fishing with Hendricksons, March Browns, Blue Quills and Quill Gordons

The Gunpowder river is flowing at 103 Cfs, clear and is 50F. Water temps along the catch and release section have jumped over six degress this week. Stoneflies are in full swing and black flies have been coming off above Falls in the gorge. Hendricksons have been coming off sporadically and everything is pointing to an early spring.

Thanks to Stephen for the stream report and for joining Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER®!

Theaux,

I know I should probably be emailing you on the other site, but I was the one in the store talking to you about GRK on Monday. You mentioned you could send me some information about the event on March 12th. I am joining the team and am excited about it. I will be putting the form and check in the mail tomorrow. I had a blast at Monkton Station after stopping by the shop on Monday. I only caught one trout, but I nailed some of the monster fallfish, ha. I caught one and was very impressed with the size. The second, out of the exact same spot, I had to take a picture, and the third, which I hope was a fallfish, was bigger yet. I didn’t really get a look at the third, but it was noticeably bigger and stronger. I was giggling at the size and fooling around a bit than I should have when the hook came loose. Of course the second I lost him I started wondering… Nah, it couldn’t have been a big brown.

The Gunpowder River jumped up this week to 266 CFs and is now dropping and flowing at 196 CFs. Expect levels to move up through the weekend as we get more rain. Water temps have been between 42 and 43.5 F owing to spillover. Fish are taking a mix of stoneflies and black flies on the surface. Streamer fishing has been more productive than nymphing for most. Look for fast riffles near jams. Fish are likely ambushing stonefly nymphs during the morning hours. Swinging double nymph rigs in the shallows near leaf litter to the banks should work fine. By mid-afternoon one can skate dries. We’re just a few weeks from Hendricksons so be sure to stop in for a new fishing license. It’s time to dust off your gear in anticipation of an early spring.
Thanks to Joe for the following stream report:

Theaux:
Just to let you know I was out yesterday downstream of Masemore and certainly flow was up but still able to wade safely with a wading staff and being a bit discriminating. Streamers with cone heads were most successful in riffles. Tried a variety of approaches including nymphing with little success. Unfortunately, dydimo is much more evident than past weeks and may be being stripped off upstream rocks due to increased flow. Required frequent examination of leader and flies and cleaning. Did see an isolated BWO and what looked like black gnats. I saw several surface rises but no takers even to a BWO, black fly (gnat) combo.Wind was only occasionally an issue, with water temps where they are sun felt great.

Best,
Joe