Beginner’s Fly Fishing School

March 23, 2015

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Sunday, March 29th, 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 …

Cooped up? Check Out Used Fly Fishing Gear at Backwater Angler

March 23, 2015March 22, 2015

The winter of 2015 was long, even for chickens! Downtime has allowed us to go through some great used gear that is ready for others to fish. We’ll start with the used reels: Abel Big Game #3, Billy Pate Bonefish Anti-reverse, Billy Pate Bonefish direct drive, Tibor Riptide dark green w/ Atlantic Salmon Engraving and extra spool, Islander LX 4.0 Gold w/ extra spool, Hatch fanatic 5 plus balck hub, Tibor Tailwater Cl Black w/ extra spool, Sci. Anglers System 3, Orvis DXR tarpon, Lamson LP4 reel with extra spool and a Seamaster Tarpon #1296 in the original box, bag w/ warranty card. We have …

Abel Fish Graphic Super N Reels

March 20, 2015

Need a little color to brighten up the winter blues? Stop in and check out the California handiwork exhibited by the Abel reels at Backwater Angler including a trio of Super 5N reels (top photo, clockwise) DeYoung Montana Brown, Mayfly, Brown Trout and (bottom photo, clockwise) 11-12N in Dorado, 9-10N in Atlantic Salmon, 7-8N in Chrome Steelhead and a 7-8N in Bonefish. These beautiful reels are testament that you don’t need a lot of fly reels-just the “right” ones.

Ice Out and Flooding along the Gunpowder River

March 13, 2015

The River crested at the Falls Rd gauge at 5.82 ft and 1,200 Cfs on Wednesday, March 11. The Spring thaw was not gentle in the least. Today, Friday, the 13th flows are down in the mid 300’s making fly fishing the Gunpowder River challenging at best. With more rain in the forecast and Prettyboy reservoir at over 100% of capacity it’s likely that the River will experience another bump upwards over the weekend. If the River stays above 350 Cfs fishing streamers from the safety of the banks may be the best and only option. To give one perspective, the shop does not guide …

Fresh Snow and Good Flows along the Gunpowder

March 7, 2015March 7, 2015

A much needed break in the winter weather awaits. The Gunpowder River is clear, 37 degrees F and flows are now at a fishable level. Heavy rain mid-week cleared away most of the snow as the upper river jumped from under 100 CFS to 610 Cfs at 3.83 FT at the Falls Rd gauge. River levels dropped fast overnight to 176 Cfs and should continue to fall through tomorrow morning into the mid to low 100’s. It was 8 degrees this morning in Monkton and the Gunpowder River is once again blanketed in a fresh eight inches of snow. Thanks to John for plowing the …

Snow Island on the Gunpowder River

March 7, 2015March 5, 2015

This snowy branch frames a yearling and two geese on the island downstream of the Corbett Rd. Bridge. The yearling crossed the side channel and found itself on this island with a pair of geese waiting out the storm. The Gunpowder River crested at 2,200 Cfs and 7.75 feet at Glencoe Rd. during the heavy rain event that cleared much of the old snow out and down into Loch Raven.