Monthly Archives: March 2017

Mayflies in March on the Gunpowder

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The Gunpowder River is clear, flowing at 32Cfs and is 47 degrees F. Thanks to Gene for the great stream report and photos!

As we end March on the Gunpowder march browns and hendricksons are hatching. However what is most unusual is the fact that sulphurs size 14-16 are hatching alongside them, mainly in the upper sections of the river. The mayflies are being picked off by trout of all sizes from the nymphs in the morning, emergers to the duns by the afternoon. The low flows mean that long leaders and 6-7x tippet are required for presenting a dry fly. Don’t wait until June to fly fish sulphurs this year!
–Gene Howson

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Beginners Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Saturday, April 29th a Backwater Angler Guide will be teaching a fly fishing school that is ideal for beginners. If you’re planning on fly fishing in 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.

Essential Gear for Maryland Fly Fishing

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Over the past year since I began working here I have been lucky enough to use some top of the range equipment across Maryland, Pennsylvania and the Adirondack mountains in New York. Besides the Gunpowder I try to make it out to western MD to fish the north Branch of the Potomac and the Savage as often as I can. The gear I use all has it’s uses for each of these three different rivers.

On the Gunpowder being much more pressured in skinny water I use NRX LP 3wt with a Royal Wulff Triangle taper line. The smooth casting action with the softer tip than the standard NRX along with the non intrusive design of the triange taper aids the delicate presentation needed to catch fish here more often. Patagonia ultralight sticky’s are the choice of wading boots due to their light and comfortable fit which allows you to walk trails and banks without the discomfort of dragging heavy feet!

For the Savage & North Branch the wading environment brings a whole new challenge to contend with along with the fishing. The fast water along with the outrageously slippery riverbed means I use Simms G3 Guide boots with studs. The tough, rigid design gives my ankles the necessary support and the material can stand up to the abuse that these streams put on them. For rod choice the Winston BIIIX super 10 is a rod I chose with these rivers in mind. The abundance of deep pockets mean that in order to achieve a consistently better drift, the extra reach provided with this rod makes all the difference. The boron in the taper can handle the biggest of trout in the fast water whilst the sensitive tip allows you to detect the most delicate of takes.

-Gene Howson

Beginners Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Sunday, April 9th a Backwater Angler Guide will be teaching a fly fishing school that is ideal for beginners. If you’re planning on fly fishing in 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.

Beginners Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Sunday, April 2nd a Backwater Angler Guide will be teaching a fly fishing school that is ideal for beginners. If you’re planning on fly fishing in 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.

Beginners Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Saturday April 1st a Backwater Angler Guide will be teaching a fly fishing school that is ideal for beginners. If you’re planning on fly fishing in 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.

Warmer Water Temps and Active Trout on the Gunpowder River

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The Gunpowder River is clear and flowing at 38 CFs. Water temps this week have been swinging as high as 48 degrees F. Wind has been the only detractor. Thanks to Gene for the stream report and photos.

Spring is around the corner & with the pleasant spells in weather we’ve been having dry fly fishing has been particularly productive on the Gunpowder. Small grey midge patterns are the go-to when fish are rising. Nymphing in riffles has been been consistent on zebra midges and brassies. Darin Crew caught this healthy looking 13 inch fish doing just that. I have been fishing streamers recently, stripping them slowly tricked this 15 inch fish that ate a black and green wooly bugger.

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