Month: May 2020

Smallmouth Fly Fishing on the Susquehanna

The Susquehanna River offers some amazing water to target smallmouth bass. After fishing the river for years with spinning gear, I recently transitioned to fly fishing for smallmouth. My thoughts in presentation are still the same although I’m using a different setup. I have been using the new Patagonia Swiftcurrent packable waders the last few times I’ve fished there. Studs in your boots are almost necessary if you decide to wade. Big boulders and slippery mud make wading a challenge, so be careful. I used a basic 7 weight combo that I’ve had for years with a floating line. Flies were thrown on a 2x …

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Beginners Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Saturday the 6th of June 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 on the day of the school. Please consider looking at …

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End of May Gunpowder River Fly Fishing Report

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 101 Cfs, 55 degrees and clear. Many of us have been waiting all year for these ideal conditions. Plan on seeing a mix of sulphurs, #16-18 caddis and #18-22 midges out there. Wild fish are always a little tricky on bright days so fish early or late if you can. Avoiding “parking lot” water and focusing on riffles is a good bet. Leader length is the 9 to 12 foot range ending in 7x can make all the difference in turning a follow into a take. Thanks to Keir Joyce for the wonderful photo of a Gunpowder River Brook …

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Fishpond Gear in Maryland

Gene has spent the latter part of the afternoon unloading a few boxes from the folks at Fishpond. He’s also updated our online catalog to reflect this new influx.In addition to host of fresh trucker hats, we have ever popular accessories like the Headgate tippet holders, Arrowhead retractors, confluence magnetic net releases. We also have a host of smart packs in stock including the Thunderhead submersible series slings and lumbar packs and Nomad Native and Nomad Emerger nets. https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/fishpond-hats/ https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/headgate-tippet-holder/ https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/fishpond-arrowhead-retractor/ https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/fishpond-confluence-net-release/ https://www.backwaterangler.com/product/fishpond-thunderhead-submersible-sling/ Fishpond – Nomad Native Net Nomad Emerger Net

Memorial Day Hours & River Report

We will be open 10-4 Memorial Day Monday. The river is flowing nicely at 106cfs with water temperatures in the low 50’s. Sulphurs remain much of what the fish are looking for through the afternoon along with tan caddis. Caddis are hatching well into the evening. Sulphurs are most consistent in the afternoon but you never quite know when you’ll encounter a burst of them coming off. It’s a good idea to have a variety of different imitations of sulphur duns and emergers at hand to show the fish if they wise up to one pattern, switch out and try another for an often instant …

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Backwater Angler Reopens May 22, 2020

Based on the County Executive’s order, Backwater Angler will our reopen our doors for retail business tomorrow, May 22 at 10AM. Big Changes you need to be aware of for our reopening: Mask requirements are in effect-if you’re not wearing a mask we won’t welcome you in. Period. We will limit the total # customers to Three(3) in the door at a time. Our restroom will remain closed to the public. If you’re sick, stay at home. We can always “talk fishing” remotely. Extended Hours on the Weekends: Because we’ve missed a good part of our busy season and because we want to follow social …

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