March 31 Gunpowder River Fishing Report


March went out like a Lion!–Quiet on the Gunpowder River before the storm this eve…I felt very thankful to take in a Bald Eagle with a wriggling Northern Watersnake, a Kingfisher flitting between the Sycamores, and a few wild fish sipping tiny Blue Winged Olives.The Gunpowder River is waking up and on the rise! The River is flowing at 100 Cfs and rising and is holding between 48 and 46.5 degrees. By Saturday the heavy rains and resulting flows will have moved through the upper River creating ideal conditions for nymphing or swinging small streamers in the #6-10 range on sink-tips. Over the weekend the River will be both dropping in flow and warming up a bit pointing to dry fly opportunities-stoneflies anyone? Midges and tiny BWO’s are making up the balance of the insects in the flat water-especially below riffles and drops but windy afternoons have not allowed them to drift on the surface very long. Start early before the wind picks up and watch your footing-trails are recently cleared and a bit muddy!