Monthly Archives: July 2018

Gunpowder River Flow Update

The Gunpowder River is still flowing at a dangerous level.

At Falls Road it is 4.52 FT, flowing at 814 Cfs and the water temperature is 73.58.

At Glencoe Road it is 5.22 FT and flowing at 1,320 Cfs.

That said, NO ONE should be entertaining any thoughts of fishing, floating or tubing the Gunpowder River until this spillover event subsides.

Beginners Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Sunday July the 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 10:00 – 1:00pm. 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 July the 28th 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 10:00 – 1:00pm. 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.

Low water has returned on the Gunpowder

The Gunpowder is 33 cfs, clear and water temps are swinging from 49 to the mid-50’s.

The river has dropped to a tricky level for fishing. The fish stack up in deeper pockets and are easily spooked.  That said, fish need to eat, catching them becomes a case of staying out of the water where you can and fishing 12 foot + leaders with 7x tippet when fishing dries. On weekends fishing from Masemore road up to the dam is recommended as the river tends to get too crowded for successful trout fishing during the day, especially under bright sun.

Caddis have been the go-to flies through the day. X-caddis or elk hair caddis size 16 should fished in the riffles. With low water levels, midge fishing, whether dry or a subsurface larvae will start to produce better fishing opportunities. Fishing an ant down the edges is always a good choice from now until the tricos start to hatch.

Good Summer Levels on the Gunpowder

The Gunpowder is 67 cfs, clear and water temperature swinging from 50 degrees to 54.

An increase from 39 to 67 cfs makes a big difference for fishing on the Gunpowder. At this level trout can hold much more comfortably in the riffles where they can pick off bugs coming down their way. Fish are still looking for sulphurs that come off mid afternoon, but as their numbers continue to decrease for another year, more people are reporting better success on caddis size 16-18 and ants size 16-18.

It’s hard to beat water temperature in the low 50’s mid July!

Beginners Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Sunday July the 22nd 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 10:00 – 1:00pm. 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 July the 21st 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 10:00 – 1:00pm. 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.

July Fly Fishing Report on the Gunpowder

The Gunpowder is clear, running at 39 cfs and starting the day at 50 degrees.

It’s been a week now since the river level has been lowered from the dam. The water temperature has dropped a couple of degrees so sulphurs, in lesser numbers by the day, tend to begin later than before, around midday. Many fish are still dialed in on these. Ants are beginning to catch fish too as they begin to look for other sources of food.

With low, clear water, making the switch to 10-12 foot leaders and 7x tippet makes a big difference when tricking these wild fish.

Low Water and Long Leaders on the Gunpowder

The Gunpowder is at 39 cfs, clear and water temperatures starting the day at 49 F at Falls Road.

On Friday evening the releases from the dam were reduced from 120+ down to 39cfs. Stealthy approaches and long leaders, 7x tippet, are the ticket in the flats and runs. Fishing riffles will continue to produce as sulphurs, while not as many, still provide consistent action in the afternoons from Masemore up to the dam. Caddis are also a good bet. Try fishing a terrestrial down the edges and around log jams now the hot weather has kicked in!

Please note: The shop will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, have a safe 4th!