Monthly Archives: October 2024

New Patagonia Forra Wading Boots

The perfect wading boot for the active angler has arrived in store and online.

Patagonia Forra Wading Boots

The new Patagonia Forra is an incredibly light weight and durable boot that is perfect for anyone that likes to hike or cover tough terrain while fishing.

Specs and Features from Patagonia:

Specs & Features

  • Durable Construction

    Abrasion-resistant Cordura® nylon mesh upper for quick-drying, durable, lightweight support

  • Design Details

    High collar design provides a more stiff upper for ankle protection and stability; reinforced toe caps for technical wading

  • Sole Details

    Vibram® Mars sole provides a large contact area for superior grip; outsole features HexaBase lugs for maximum traction and stability; compatible with Patagonia® Forra Wading Boots – Grip Studs® Traction Kit

  • Drainage Details

    Boots are engineered to clear water quickly; upper boot is free from unnecessary foams and backers for faster dry times

  • Lacing Details

    Adjustable webbing lacing system provides in-stream security; hardware is noncorrosive and abrasion-resistant

  • Engineered to Weigh Less

    Engineered for light weight and comfort during overland approaches and for reliability in all types of wading

  • Country of Origin

    Made in Italy.

Gunpowder River Stream Report

The Gunpowder river is currently moving at 56 CFS with an average temperature of 53 degrees Fahrenheit. Water height is steady at 1.72ft. Be mindful of where you wade and try not to disturb any redds. Recently, even on warmer days, I have chosen to stay away from dry flies. From my experience and the ever so useful chatter amongst fisherman in the shop, it seems the fish are choosing almost entirely wet flies. Zebra midges, orange hot spot nymphs, pheasant tail nymphs, and stone flies have been extra productive this week. I absolutely recommend having at least one of these flies in your box before heading to the Gunpowder. Tight lining has been lucrative, and the results are proof. I caught the fish shown above on a stone fly pattern yesterday and managed to get two other fish to the net as well in less than 1 hour. I happened to run into a fellow angler on the water who was happy to share that he netted three fish on a similar rig. It should be noted that the river is particularly beautiful this time of year. The image bellow shows that the trees are almost all in peak color change with a few exceptions. Vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, and greens line the bank of the river. Get out there soon if you wish to see the leaves change because it won’t last for too long. A cold front has subsequently moved in today and conditions will soon change.

Stop by the shop to stock up on flies/gear this Sunday and get a free drake magazine and BWA hat with any purchase of $100 or more.

 

 

Backwater Angler is now open on Sundays!

We are excited to announce that starting this weekend we will be open on Sundays during our usual hours! Come see us this Sunday and receive a FREE Backwater Angler hat with any purchase of $100 or more. Plenty of gear, clothing, and flies in stock. Stop by on your way to fish!

All in-stock, discontinued Patagonia waders are currently 20% off!

Patagonia Men’s Swiftcurrent Expedition Zipfront Waders

Brand new product available for purchase through our website and in-store are the Patagonia Forra Wading Boots.

Patagonia Forra Wading Boots

Gunpowder River Stream Report

 Cold weather is slowly rolling in with the occasional warm day mixing things up. Fall fishing can be as tricky as it is good because of this variability. The river is moving at an average of 56 CFS with a steady temperature of around 52 degrees Fahrenheit. Furthermore, river height is averaging 1.72 ft. It is important to keep in mind that the height gauge does not factor in deep pools so the water will be much deeper in certain sections. I have found that the warmer days bring with them good conditions for dry fly fishing. We have switched almost entirely from elk hair caddis to October caddis in favor of their bright orange coloration true to the caddis we see this time of year. In addition, tricos are still proving to be very effective on these days as well. On colder days I have been throwing almost entirely wet flies. Don’t count out the dry dropper rig though. Nymphs, midges, and streamers have all produced fish on these days. Pheasant tail nymphs and wooly buggers are the stars of the show. Black colored buggers have been very productive in deep pools where the water is not as clear. This coloration stands out well in dark / murky water allowing fish to spot the fly with ease. If you fish at dawn or dusk, you will want some bright colored streamers as well for a similar reason. When light levels are low the fish have trouble seeing flies. Thus, bright colors give you a better chance of catching the attention of a trout. Come visit the shop to grab some flies or book a guided trip. Good luck out there!