Theaux Le Gardeur

Payne 97 Taper Bamboo Fly rod by Bill Felter

Following is an update from Bill Felter about his latest Bamboo rod now available at the shop. Hi Theaux, I recently finished up work on that rod that was featured way back in October of last year. To refresh customers’ memories, it’s a 2 pc. 7 foot 4 weight built on a Payne model 97 taper. It has a pleasant medium action and loads up with just a small amount of line out of the guides. I’ve cast it with a variety of lines but I like it best with an old Cortland 444 line in either Double Taper or Weight Forward. The rod really …

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A Sulphur Story from Mid-May

Thanks to Mark Eisendrath for the following stream report: Theaux, We all headed down to the Gun on Sunday and the Sulphers were flat-out partyin’. I didn’t have my rig with me as I still want my boy, Tappen to have my full attention as he is a dedicated outdoorsman in the making.We concentrated on working the nice, long trough just upstream from the old ropeswing above the Corbett Rd bridge. Again, he was on my shoulders as I waded so he could get positioned properly. His casting and forethought in troutfishing far outweighs his short few years on this planet. No action despite the …

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Whirling Disease Foundation, TU supports Backwater Angler!

The DNR wader wash stations will get a new dose of saltwater this week. If you’re up along the river and would like to help us maintain the wash stations please stop by the shop and we’ll be grateful for the help. Thanks to Dave Kumlien, Executive Director, Whirling Disease Foundation, Trout Unlimited for the following words of support. Dear Backwater Angler, Thanks for your coverage of the aquatic invasive species issue. Susan Rivers of Maryland Inland Fisheries told me about your shop and your coverage of and concern for the ANS/AIS issue. I write to congratulate you for taking a responsible position. Fortunately, there …

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Gunpowder River Clear After Numerous Flood Watches

The Gunpowder river is resilient. After countless flood watches this week the river is in great shape. It is currently flowing at 119 CFs, is 59 F, and is clear from Masemore Rd upstream. Bunkerhill, York, and Big Falls Rd access points also look great. The river is a little off color upstream of the Blue Mount Rd access but should be clearing quickly. Remember folks, the Gunpowder river flows through over 3,600 acres of State park land and protected under a Maryland state “wildlands” designation. By comparison, the North Branch at Barnum is flowing 2, 850 Cfs. Caddis emergers and dries and small traditional …

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Sulphurs in Full Swing, Come On Up, the Water’s Fine

While most of the folks South of us are building arks, we missed most, if not all of the rain last night in the Hereford Zone. The Gunpowder river is flowing at 62Cfs, is clear and 60 F. With air temps approaching the mid-80’s, wet wading is certainly an option. We have some great new CDC loop wing emergers, duns, soft hackles and spinners designed by Eric Stroup in the muffin tins on the front counter. Small elk hair caddis, tiny grey midges and feather winged spinners have also been tricking wild fish. Following are two very different stream reports. The first is from a …

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Fly Tying Class: Terrestrials

Fly Fishing Maryland? Please join us for an intermediate Fly Tying Class on Saturday, July 26, 2009 from 9:00 AM till 12:00 PM. The class focuses on Gunpowder river terrestrial patterns. Our very own Gunpowder river guides will be teaching this fun-filled class covering ants, beetles and hoppers. Cost of the class is $45 per person, and includes the use of materials. Please bring your own tools.The class is limited to six and pre-payment is required. Please give us a call at 410-329-6821 or drop us a line at info@backwaterangler.com to register.