Monthly Archives: March 2020

Maryland Fly Fishing Gear Curbside Pickup Halted

OK folks, as they say, we’re all in this together. Stay well. Thank you for your patronage. The shop would not exist as a small retail specialty shop without your loyalty, kindness and friendship. We wish nothing more but for you and your families to stay healthy and happy.

While we greatly appreciate that many of our loyal and quite a few new customers were able to get out on the Gunpowder River during opening day weekend and take part in our curbside pickup offerings, today’s order COVID19-07 from the Governor’s office halts our curbside pickup. The silver lining being that people will be safer at home. We can still sell products on a delivery basis and for that reason have waived all priority mail shipping costs from orders placed during this time. If you can’t find what you need in the catalog please call us at 410-357-9557 and please let us know what you need.

We have instead instituted website https://www.backwaterangler.com/shop/ and phone ordering 410-357-9557 during regular business hours.

We will not be updating stream reports at this time-however please view the archives in the sidebar to get a sense of how the river has historically fished during the 19 years we’ve freely shared our knowledge of the River by visiting and scrolling down the sidebar of the Backwater Angler website. Need a break? One suggestions would be to use the search by typing in Hendricksons or March Browns to get a glimpse of what we’ve been reporting on…

We do not have flies on the website for sale individually and so have grouped fly selections based on river location and category. i.e. Dries, Nymphs, and Streamers Euro Nymphs.

We suggest that you call the shop at 410-357-9557 to place fly orders. We will ship any order free freight USPS priority mail during this time. Please email the shop or check the stream report if you need additional guidance.

For online orders over $25, customers can choose between a pack of Patagonia Provisions Mellow Curry Savory Seeds or Classic Barbecue Savory Seeds
a Patagonia Provisions Inca Berry and Almond Bar, Mango and Almond Bar or an Apricot and Almond Bar.

R.L. Winston Fly Rods for Curbside Pickup


It’s clear that fishing is on your mind-why else would you be reading this? For your consideration and approval are two distinct series of rods from R.L. Winston. I’ve owned my TMF for 19 years -it will be with me for as long as I fly fish for native and wild trout.

Winston – Tom Morgan Favorite

A rod from the “other” series is one Gene has been fishing with great success and enjoyment whilst euro-nymphing and fishing a jumble of streamers and dries.

Winston Boron IIIX Super 10

Ultimately there is no one fly rod that will be well-suited to every situation but you won’t find finer examples of rods that are smooth, light, versatile and purpose built for fly fishing a wide variety of flies than these two. While Winston is not shipping at present, we currently have these in stock ready for purchase online or via phone and available for curbside pickup or shipped USPS to your home shelter. Stay well.

Opening Day of Trout Season in Maryland Beckons

It wouldn’t be opening day, tomorrow, March 28th in the 5-fish-a-day section of the Gunpowder River without rain in the forecast. This time of year we receive quite a few calls from anglers seeking clarification on what sections of the Upper Gunpowder Falls River are catch and release and what sections are stocked. So we’ve provided the following. In short, the stocked section is referred to in the regulations book and the stocking schedule as Upper Gunpowder which means above Loch Raven, not above Falls Rd. So if one wants to take up to 5 fish a day, one may do so from one mile below the Phoenix RD access upstream through Sparks RD, Lower and Upper Glencoe and one and a halfmiies upstream to the Colonial Oil pipeline crossing (white tubes with red caps). The above photo was a Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER sponsored Eagle Scout project by Jacob Danko of troop 380, Hampstead that was completed in 2017-18. These color coded signs are posted at every access point and denote the catch and release, artificials-only section in red, the wild trout two fish a day section and the stocked trout 5 fish a day are prominently displayed at all of the access points of the River to provide outreach on regulations, invasive species and drinking water supply. If you are interested in supporting this work please consider a charitable contribution to Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER.

Fly Fishing Gear in Maryland Curbside and Online


Great news for our customers who by now likely need some social distancing time afield-especially if you need the right gear including leader, tippet and flies-although we won’t talk you out of a new fly rod and reel, waders or boots to help you trick native, wild and stocked trout in the Gunpowder River.

While we are still considered a non-essential business and closed to walk-in traffic. Our doors and bathroom are not open to the public so please plan accordingly. Based on the Governor’s order Number COVID19-06 issued March 24, 2020 we will continue to sell products on a delivery or “curbside” pick-up basis only. For the above reasons we have taken the following precautions to protect our staff and our customers:

We are not selling fishing licenses at present.
We have instead been directed people to use the compass portal.

We are not taking manual payments via cash or credit card at curbside.
We have instead instituted website https://www.backwaterangler.com/shop/ and phone ordering 410-357-9557 during regular business hours.

We do not have flies on the website for sale individually and so have grouped fly selections based on river location and category. i.e. Dries, Nymphs, and Streamers Euro Nymphs.

We suggest that you call the shop at 410-357-9557 to place orders. We will ship any order free freight USPS priority mail during this time. Please email the shop or check the stream report if you need additional guidance.

As an incentive, we will be waiving regular shipping costs for all online orders.
For curbside orders over $25, customers can choose between a pack of Patagonia Provisions Mellow Curry Savory Seeds or Classic Barbecue Savory Seeds
a Patagonia Provisions Inca Berry and Almond Bar, Mango and Almond Bar or an Apricot and Almond Bar.

Patagonia Provisions in Maryland

We are very proud to represent Patagonia Provisions in Maryland and are offering free USPS priority mail shipping on orders over $49.Please give these Patagonia nutritious, shelf stable foodstuff catalog offerings a look. In keeping with Patagonia’s philosophy all are responsibly sourced. Backwater Angler currently offers Patagonia Provisions Organic savory seeds for snacking, sustainable wild pink and sockeye salmon, Buffalo jerky, organic chilis and responsibly sourced smoked mussels and mackerel as well as the veritable almond and energy bars. Please call us at 410-357-9557 or drop us a line at info@backwaterangler.com to inquire about bulk orders.On a laptop or desktop and don’t want to scroll? See an abbreviated listing of all in Patagonia Provisions in the food category. On a tablet or phone? See listings as links below:
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-spicy-buffalo-jerky/
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-original-buffalo-jerky/
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-black-pepper-wild-pink-salmon/
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-lemon-pepper-wild-sockeye-salmon/
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-original-wild-sockeye-salmon/
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-smoked-mussels/
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-lemon-caper-mackerel/
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-organic-spicy-red-bean-chili/
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-original-red-bean-chili/
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-organic-black-bean-soup/
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-organic-mango-almond-bar/
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-organic-apricot-almond-energy-bar/
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-organic-inca-berry-almond-bar/
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-classic-bbq-organic-savory-seeds/
https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/patagonia-provisions-mellow-curry-organic-savory-seeds/

Late March Gunpowder Fishing Report

The Gunpowder is running nicely at 110 cfs and warming from 45 early in the morning towards 50 degrees F.

With spring feeling like it’s here and the current requirement for ‘social distancing’ the park has been busy with people enjoying the outdoors and trout anglers are no different.

Young angler Jacob Warner has been out plenty recently:

The trout have been active and very hungry in the Gunpowder. Trout can be seen aggressively feeding on stoneflies and midges throughout slower water, with an occasional sulphur being taken. Nymphing has been an effective tactic as well, although the excessive amounts of Didymo presently in the water (particularly around Falls road and above) can make it a tedious process. 

 

 

 

Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) Update

Backwater Angler is very concerned about the impact of Covid-19 on our employees and customers. For updates on cases specific to Maryland and to find supporting documentation on prevention please visit the Maryland Department of Health. At this time we will plan to maintain usual operating hours. We are requiring any employees exhibiting symptoms to seek medical care and stay at home for a period of two weeks while providing them with sick pay to get them through this challenging time. We are following federal, state and local guidelines on small business operations. We are regularly cleaning and disinfecting touch-points and surfaces store-wide. We are also limiting the number of people in the store to six at any time and have currently closed our bathroom to the public.

Rather than renewing your fishing license in-store, please consider renewing your fishing license on-line here: https://compass.dnr.maryland.gov

Please note: In order to protect public health and safety and to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Governor Hogan has issued an executive order related to licenses, permits, registrations, and other authorizations that may be expiring or up for renewal during the state of emergency. The executive order immediately grants a grace period of 30 days after the date of termination of the state of emergency.

At present the Hereford Area of Gunpowder State Park remains open, however:

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland State Parks are enacting enhanced measures to mitigate the risk of contact with the COVID-19 virus. This includes enhanced cleaning protocols at our state park public facilities, restrooms, ranger stations, nature centers, and other public buildings. Additionally, in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order, all events and gatherings of groups larger than 50 people and restricting access by the public to certain State Parks buildings and facilities are cancelled. Stay updated on closures here: https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/parkmap.aspx

Following Governor Larry Hogan’s emergency actions to protect public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, Fishing and Boating Services is temporarily stopping spring trout stocking effective immediately until further notice. More information here: https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/trout/stocking.aspx

Please visit our website and stream report for current conditions on the Gunpowder River. We also encourage you to reach out over telephone or email if you would prefer not to travel up to the shop to “talk fishing”.

If you should need any gear and would prefer that we mail it to you please consider shopping online with us at https://www.backwaterangler.com/shop/ or if you can’t find what you need there please give us a call at 410-357-9557. –Especially if you need tippet, leader and flies ect…

Stay well. Thank you for your patronage. The shop would not exist as a small retail specialty shop without your loyalty, kindness and friendship. We wish nothing more but for you and your families to stay healthy and happy.

Mid March Gunpowder Fishing Report

The Gunpowder is at 72cfs, clear and 43 degrees F swinging up to 47 F.

Little black stoneflies size 16 have been coming off and the fish are looking for them during the warmer part of the day.

Plentiful midges and the very occasional mayfly has been reported by customers including some small sulphurs! I would imagine the warm winter we’ve had can bring the hatches forward, we saw a similar thing occur in spring 2017 after a warm winter. Don’t be without some unseasonable patterns on the river just in case.

With the water being so clear and many of the fish holding in shallow water, fishing a dry dropper has been effective as you can present a nymph well without getting close enough to spook them.

 

Beginners Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Saturday the 18th of April 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 9:00-12:00pm. 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 the 11th of April 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 9:00-12:00pm. 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.