October 2013 – BACKWATER ANGLER

Dry Fly Fishing on the Gunpowder River

November 22, 2013October 18, 2013

The Gunpowder River is clear and flowing at 82 Cfs and is 56 degrees F. With ideal flows and water temps in the mid to high 50’s wild fish are looking up. Fur ants and low water caddis have been effective this week. Long light leaders are still making a difference out there. Nymphing is getting a bit tough with lots of leaves about. Thanks to Kerrie for joining me on the stream in mid-September and giving me the OK to post some feedback and pictures from our trip. Theaux, Thanks again for guiding me yesterday.I had an absolute blast and learned a lot. Please …

Baltimore City DPW and Gunpowder River Flooding

October 13, 2013October 10, 2013

A full Baltimore City Reservoir and a Nor’easter that brought rain to the Hereford Zone last evening through today combined to create a spillover event at Prettyboy Dam. The Gunpowder River flow rose from 75 Cfs to over 1,190 Cfs. Water temperatures also moved up sharply from 56 to 66 F. This photo taken last night shows a full Reservoir while the storm approached the area. With relatively no freeboard (or buffer) at Prettyboy Dam, and heavy localized rainfall, spillover and related severe flooding occurred throughout the Hereford Area of Gunpowder State Park impacting the riparian habitat of the Gunpowder River. For weeks the River …

When One Wild Fish is Sometimes Enough

October 5, 2013

The Gunpowder is flowing at 104 CFS is clear and 56 to 58F. With River flows and water temps up, wild fish don’t have nearly as long to study flies and they will be snapping at well presented dries. For now, plan on ditching the 7 and 8x and enjoy fishing some more reasonable ( 9 ft 4 and 5x) leaders and tippet (5x and 6x) for now. Larger hopper patterns and heavy streamers will account for a number of fish at these flows. Nymphing with some shot and a double nymph rig-like a copper John followed by a small hare’s ear will do the …