Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® Year End Holiday Wrap Up

December 30, 2014

Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER 2014 Year End Holiday Wrap up:The Gunpowder River is a drinking water source for over 1.8 million residents in the Baltimore-metro area. It is recognized as a world-class wild trout fishery and is an important boating and swimming destination. Our legal projects, outreach and advocacy are strengthened by your support. The winter solstice allows us to reflect on the past year. We are especially thankful for three notable gifts. Support from our volunteers, legal support provided to the organization. Generous donations from our new and renewing members are also vital to our efforts! In 2015, communities in the lower River that have been …

Fly Fishing the Gunpowder River on New Year’s Day

December 30, 2014

The Gunpowder River is clear and flowing at 77 CFs. Water temperatures in the catch and release section dropped today from 43.5 to 42 degrees F. Small traditional feather-winged and buck-tail streamers have been moving a few fish from Masemore through Bunkerhill. These patterns work best when paired with a sinking leader and a short trace of tippet in the 5x or 6x range. Nymphing has been tough in the fast water. Zebra midges behind a red butt or small rubber legged stonefly have been working in slower moving water along the banks. The big boulder pools are still holding a few large fish but …

Fly Fishing near Baltimore and D. C. during the Holidays

December 23, 2014

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 77 CFs, is gin clear and 44 F. The River is in good shape. The trails are greasy so plan on bringing along a wading staff. Now is the time to put in studs in your wading shoes. With highs forecast in the low 60’s by the end of the week, plan on seeing a few stoneflies in the #14-16 range and olives in the #20-22 range along the River. Rabbit strip streamers and zonkers are an effective way to cover larger stretches of water. Thanks to Josh for the stream report and photos. Fishing small midge patterns behind …

Sweetgrass Rods Day with Jerry Kustich

December 7, 2014

Please join us on Saturday December 13th for a Sweetgrass Bamboo Fly Rod Demo Day with Jerry Kustich. Jerry will be in the shop from 11 AM till 1 PM and will have plenty of samples and stories of steelhead, permit and life on tap. Thanks to Sweetgrass for the use of the following bio of Jerry from the Sweetgrass Rods website: Jerry Kustich has been a part of the “Boo Boy” team for the past twenty years learning the many intricacies of rod building. Always found on a stream testing anything from flies to waders to pentagonal bamboo designs, he has become an outspoken …

Tiger Trout in the Gunpowder River

December 7, 2014December 6, 2014

The Gunpowder River is up from 75 CFs and is flowing at 117 Cfs. The water is clear, a little green and is 46.5 degrees F. The wind might make it difficult to fish the tiny BWO’s reported earlier this week during the gloomy wet days. Give the games a break, put some gloves and hit the River. Stay warm by nymphing with bead head stoneflies in the #10-14 range with soft hackles like red butts trailing in a #14. With the River up, streamers on sink-tips are still a good bet-especially around the log jams and chute runs in the boulder pools. Try midge …