Monthly Archives: March 2013

Gunpowder River Easter Stream Report

Easter Eggs
The Gunpowder River is flowing at 110 Cfs, is gin clear and 46 F. Just a few cream midges, tiny olives, stoneflies and Hendricksons were lifting off today. Not many fish were rising freely but they are starting to look up. It’s still tough to move fish with dries first thing in the morning but one will find more active fish as the day progresses. Streamer fishing with zonkers across runs and deadfalls continues to be a sure bet.

Please Note: The shop will be closed Easter Sunday and will reopen on Monday, April 1 at 10 AM.

Erie, Pa Steelhead Report

Steelheading in Erie, PA

Thanks to Chic for the steelhead report from Erie, PA.

Backwater Angler and Gunpowder regulars Chic and Kay Dambach drove 7 hours northwest to Erie, PA in late March to play with some beautiful and enormous steelhead. The weather was cold and snowing, but guide Mark DeCarlo helped find the fish and he picked the right flies – small pale egg patterns and white wooly buggers. Chic and Kay did the rest. Chic has done it many times, but this was a first for Kay. She hates the cold, but she’ll be back for more regardless of the weather.

April 14th Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Sunday, April 14, 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. Class is held from 11:00 AM till 2:00 PM. Cost is $125 per person and includes the use of gear. A Maryland non-tidal fishing license and trout stamp is required and may be purchased at the shop with check or cash the day of the school. Class size is limited to 4 and pre-registration is required. Please give us a call at 410-357-9557 to pre-register.

April 7th Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Sunday, April 7, 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. Class is held from 11:00 AM till 2:00 PM. Cost is $125 per person and includes the use of gear. A Maryland non-tidal fishing license and trout stamp is required and may be purchased at the shop with check or cash the day of the school. Class size is limited to 4 and pre-registration is required. Please give us a call at 410-357-9557 to pre-register.

Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® Stream Cleanup with Cub Scouts

Thanks to Cub Scout Pack 497 Wolf Den from St. Joseph School in Cockeysville, MD for cleaning up the Gunpowder River. The North County News ran a nice group shot of the pack in the April 18 edition.
Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER Stream Cleanup with Cub Scout Pack
I’m proud of these young folks! Their effort on March 15 was inspiring. All along the trail during the clean up I heard them shout , can, bottle and then… diaper! Over 35 lbs of trash was picked up-their grassroots effort is instrumental in safeguarding Baltimore City’s drinking water supply and making the Gunpowder River safer for fishing and swimming!

Rodmounts Sumo Magnet Review

Rodmounts Sumo MagnetHow many of us wish we could step out of the car or truck and just go fishing without having to lose time rigging up in the parking lot? The answer is the Sumo Magnet Rod Mount which easily fits under the back seat of vehicle when not in use. The kit is priced at $149.95 and will hold up to 6 flyrods-perfect if you’re fishing with a bunch of friends or checking out a few access points throughout the day. At first I was hesitant of the design and unsure of how well it would hold up during harsh conditions. After using it this winter, I’ve found it to be a great tool that has helped me spend more time fishing.

Blackbirds, Greasy trails and Stoneflies

Gunpowder River Stonefly
The Gunpowder River is a green, flowing at 152 Cfs and is 41 degrees. Fly fishing this weekend should prove to be a little more comfortable (warmer and less windy) than during the past week. Wednesdays anticipated snowstorm resulted in more blackbirds falling out of the sky than snowflakes. While most of the white stuff left us by Thursday morning, the trails are still plenty wet and a little greasy. If you have a pair of studs in your shoes use them. If you need a pair, stop in and we’ll make sure that you pick out the right kind for your Simms, patagonia or Chota boot before you head out. If you were planning on taking dramatic shots of snow covered boulders along the Gunpowder this March, photoshop may be your only hope now. Stoneflies and Olives are a good bet as the water drops and the air temps rise through the weekend. Try #14-16 red butt soft hackles in the gravel during the morning hours and bring along some snowshoe rabbit BWO’s in the flats and pools and a few Troth style Deer hair winged black stones to fish the riffles mid-afternoon. Leaders in the 9 to 12 ft length ending in 6 and 7x will do the trick. –Always remember that one has a much better of catching fish if, and when, one actually goes fishing.