The Gunpowder is flowing at 58.2 cfs and 44.2F. With warmer temperatures in the next few days, fishing should be exceptional until we get a cold snap. You can find fish sipping midges in the slower pools. Fishing Griffiths Gnats and small parachutes in sizes 16-22 will be the most productive. Often the smaller sizes work better this time of year.

Although nymphing has been effective on the river, the blooms of didymo can make nymphing tedious. One of the best ways to combat this is fishing a dry-dropper. The most effective nymphs this time of year are going to be midge imitations. Putting these nymphs a 12-18 inches off the back of a bulky dry allow you to cover all the water in the river effectively.

This week’s warm weather and possible rain could make for good conditions for streamer fishing. Target the biggest structure on the river: a large boulder, a deep drop-off, a log-jam. As always look out for redds alone the gravel beds and avoid those areas to ensure we have a good population in the future.

Backwater Angler will be open on the 28th, 29th, and 30th. We will be closed for the New Year(30th and 31st) and will be open again on January 2nd. 

The Gunpowder River is clear, 47.5 degrees F and flowing at 43.7 CFS. Fish are still midging in the flat water until the sun breaks through the clouds. Approaching wild fish this time of year requires limited wading and long, light leaders. Midge and midge emerges patterns in the #18-22 range will be most productive. Larger streamers will certainly move bigger fish but sometimes they just won’t commit to the fly. Sparse, traditional streamers twitched along the deadfalls, logjams, and bend pools may be more effective and are certainly easier to cast. Bald Eagles, as in the picture above, are frequently seen gliding among the tops of the Sycamores along the river corridor.