Monthly Archives: June 2017

Low Flows, Terrestrials and Midges

Hoppers ready for a swim

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 32 CFS, 52 F and is clear. Try to find some shade this weekend. Wet wading works fine this time of year just watch out for the poison ivy and ground bees. A float in any size craft or even a Gunpowder River tubing trip will likely turn more into a muddy drag. Small midge patterns fished behind an ant or beetle on 7x is a great way to trick wild fish! Thanks to Gene Howson for the stream report:

In the past week the flows have been reduced to 32cfs. Low flows can make the fishing more challenging those willing to fish long leaders, 7x tippet and stay out the river as much as possible can still catch plenty of trout. Terrestrials can catch fish all day but smaller midge patterns will catch more fish whilst they are emerging in the tails of pools.

Please note: The shop will be open 4th of July weekend:
Friday from 10 till 5
Saturday 10 till 4
Sunday 10 till 4
Monday 10 Till 5
Closed on Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th.

Beginners Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Sunday the 16th of July 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 8:00AM until 11:00AM. 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 the 9th of July 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 8:00AM until 11:00AM. 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.

Terrestrial time on the Gunpowder

Evening light on the Gunpowder

The Gunpowder is clear, flowing at 61 cfs with water temperatures in the high 50’s.

As the sulphurs are finally winding down fish start to diversify their feeding habits. This means anglers who are willing to fish different methods depending on the conditions will typically catch more fish. Caddis are hatching regularly and fishing size 14-18 caddis patterns; pupa, emerger or adult patterns will all work. Terrestrials cast up along the bank is usually effective for tricking those fish who are keeping an eye out for an easy meal. Zonkers and wooly buggers have been catching the larger fish when fished tight to undercut banks.

Streamer fish in the rain

Beginners Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Saturday the 8th of July 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 8:00AM until 11:00AM. 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, 2nd of July 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 8:00AM until 11:00AM. 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.

Ants, Winston and Abel for Father’s Day

IMG_0130-2The Gunpowder River is clear and flowing at a near perfect 75 Cfs and is in the mid 50’s F throughout most of the day. Thanks to Gene for the great shot of Backwater Angler Staffer Carl Cartier showing how to handle a solid Brown trout in a bend pool on the Gunpowder with a short Leonard and a long leader. The last of the Sulphurs can be found above Falls Rd each evening. If you are starting earlier, Ants and caddis are worth a shot. Be sure to stop in a pick up a few parachute ants and some 7x tippet. We have lots of Happy Father’s day items – from 5 piece Winston LT Fly Rods to Abel Zingers. Check out our new long-sleeved button down embroidered Backwater Angler logo shirts. When all else fails, gift certificates are always a sure bet and a walk in the woods along the river is priceless.
Please note Shop Hours Father’s Day weekend are:
10 till 5 on Friday
10 till 4 on Saturday and Sunday

Fly Fishing on the North Branch of the Potomac

Summer seemed to arrive almost overnight a couple of weeks back, whilst freestone streams can struggle with warm water, tailwaters continue to produce great fishing opportunities. I fished out in western Maryland earlier this month on the Savage and the North branch of the Potomac. Both tailwaters like the Gunpowder – but aside from that they offer much different fishing experiences. I floated with guide Tony Lohr from Savage River Outfitters down a spectacular section of the North Branch downstream from Westernport. This was my first float and it was an experience to remember! In this fast, heavy water a 5 to 6 weight rod is ideal and the raft allows you to fish the best of the river that otherwise can’t be reached.

Whilst nymphs and streamer were catching fish, the dry fly fishing from midafternoon until dark was outstanding. The rainbows in this river gave the strongest fight from a trout that I have ever encountered and going any lighter than 4x is both unnecessary and too weak to properly handle these fish. The icing on the cake was an 18-inch brown trout that annihilated a streamer on what ended as the last cast.

– Gene

Please note we have the following rods in stock ready to cast from:
Scott – 9′ 6wt Radian and Meridian, 9′ 5wt Flex
R. L. Winston – 8′ 6″ 5wt WT and 8′ 9″ 5wt LT
G. Loomis – 9′ 5wt NRX LP, 9′ 5wt Pro 4x and 8′ 6″ 6wt Shorestalker
St. Croix – 9′ 6wt Bank Robber, 9′ and 8′ 6″ 5wt Imperial

brown trout

Beginners Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Sunday, June 25th 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 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. 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.