Theaux Le Gardeur

Fresh Snow and Wild Trout on the Gunpowder River

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 137 Cfs, is 42.5 F and clear. Most of the trails are frozen and the fresh snow has already left the grassy areas. It’s time to put in studs and bring along a wading staff. Stoneflies in the #14-16 range have been coming off on warmer days. Starting early-try zebra midges in the riffles. Black fly larvae in the #20-22 range are a good bet-especially behind Blue Winged Olives sized #16-18. Traditional streamers in the jams will trick a few fish along the edges. Try a Grey Ghost or small marabou muddler on 6x.

Holiday Hours at Backwater Angler

The shop will be open Christmas Eve till 2:00, will be closed Christmas Day and will reopen on the 26th from 10 till 5.

Fly Fishing the Snowy Gunpowder River

The GunpowderRiver is flowing at 90 CFs and is 44 F and clear. Now is the time to stud your wading shoes. With 6 to 8 inches of snow blanketing the Hereford Zone of Gunpowder State Park, the trails above Falls Rd are tough going. Try Masemore, Bunkerhill and York Rd in the catch and release section for easier and safer access. Be sure to bring a wading staff and an extra pair of gloves. Most are better off using the trail along the river. Watch for edge ice in the flats and move slowly out there. Consider sitting and sliding in to the River …

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Umpqua Ledges 550 Waist Pack Review

Thanks to Justin Nolan for stopping in and giving us a first look at the Umpqua line of packs, bags and vests. He is pictured above with the Umpqua Surveyor 1100 backpack and Overlook 500 chest pack. We just received a shipment of the full line in the shop so stop on up and give them a look. Thanks to Mike Colegrove for the gear review of the Ledges 500 waist pack. For the past few months I have been fishing with a rep sample of the new Ledges 500 Waist Pack from Umpqua. Early on in my fly fishing career I realized that vests …

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Jerry Kustich Book Signing and Sweetgrass Bamboo Fly Rods this Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10 till 2

Please join consummate Bamboo fly rod builder and noted Author Jerry Kustich at Backwater Angler this Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10 till 2. Plan on picking up a signed copy of his new book Around the Next Bend, an Angler’s Journey. With a release date of December 1, You’ll be among the first to pick up one of Jerry’s books before they hit those larger stores. Stop in and cast some beautiful Sweetgrass Bamboo fly rods while you’re at it… From Headwater Books: Jerry Kustich is author of At the River’s Edge: Lessons Learned in a Life of Fly Fishing, A Wisp in the Wind: …

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Gunpowder River Stream Report–Streamers are Working Fine!

The Gunpowder River is gin clear, flowing at 40 Cfs and 52 F. Using smaller nymphs will prevent all of those leaf hook-ups. Small, traditional streamers are still a good bet. Small caddis larvae and pupa are especially effective in the riffles. Try to limit your wading and use longer leaders in the 12ft 6x range. In the flat water, fish are taking Blue Winged Olive emergers. A few anglers late this afternoon reported that a few slate drakes were coming off as the water warmed up through the catch and release section. This week we have been checking in plenty of hardy winter gear …

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