Theaux Le Gardeur

The Gunpowder River is NOT a Stream

This morning the river is flowing at 236 CFs and is 60 F and clear. Caddis and large hoppers, as well as pheasant tail nymphs and caddis pupas have been accounting for a number of good sized fish. This morning a happy angler from the Philly area stopped in the shop after fishing the Falls Rd section and reported a 19-20″ brown With a gate change in the works, expect the river to move from 236 Cfs today to 300CFs to 310 CFs by this afternoon. These flows should continue through the weekend, so be careful out there. Wading is difficult at these levels and …

Read more

Bamboo Fly Fishing Rod Talk in Maryland

Join us on October 18th at 6:00 PM for an informal talk on bamboo fly rods at Backwater Angler. Need Directions? Dean Turner, a former resident of Monkton, Maryland and maker of Little Falls Bamboo Fly Rods, will give a soup to nuts presentation at the shop. Refreshments and light fare will be available to participants and a drawing will be held for great stuff at the close of the talk.This is a free presentation but please drop us a line at info@backwaterangler.com so we can register you for the drawing. Bill Felter a Gunpowder river guide and a fine bamboo builder in his own …

Read more

Gunpowder River and Backwater Angler Featured in a Washington Post Article

Angus Phillips wrote a nice article titled; “For a Flyfishing Treat, Go No Farther Than the Gunpowder River” that recently appeared in the Washington Post. Gunpowder Guide Stacey Smith was also featured in this article about wild fish and scenic beauty surprisingly close to the DC metropolitan area. My favorite quote from the Angus Phillips article, “The gateway to heaven will look a lot like the Gunpowder River in autumn.” Thanks Angus!

Large Terrestrials and Big Streamers are Worth a Shot on the Gunpowder River Tailwater

The river is moving along at a brisk 346 CFs and is now dropping and should level out just under 125 CFs. Flows should drop to a better level for fly fishing for the next day or so and the “fish while you can” axiom might lead some diehards to call in sick midweek. The Gunpowder river is clear and 60 F. Most anglers planning on fly fishing the Gunpowder River would do well to limiting their wading and approach fish from the bank during flows over 300 CFs. Despite the high flows we’ve had a number of folks in each day “toughing it out” between …

Read more

Bauer MacKenzie Superlight Series Review

The following is a review of the Bauer MacKenzie Superlight Series by Scott Burns. Thanks Scott! I have fished one of these reels for two years now- fished pretty hard. Smooth drag. Takes a lickin and keeps on tickin. A great reel for the price. Scott Burns

Gunpowder River Brimming with Tricos, Olives and Caddis

The Gunpowder river is flowing at 86 Cfs and is 61F to 63 F throughout the catch and release section. Tricos sized #22 and Blue Winged Olives sized #18-20 have been accounting for a lot of steady rising fish before 10:00 AM between Masemore RD access and Bunkerhill RD. Caddis sized #16-20 have been working great above Falls Rd access. Hoppers and small streamers in the late afternoon should round out your offerings. Quite a few rainbows have been reported in the gorge area this week. The recent rains did not affect water clarity or levels today but the clouds should help to make the …

Read more