Theaux Le Gardeur

Weekdays are the New Weekends…

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 90 CFs and is 51F. The river is clear above Bluemount but a little off-color below Little Falls and downstream through the two-fish a day section. Streamers such as light bright Zonkers and olive Wooly Buggers have accounted for larger fish in the boulder pools this week-one taping out at 17 inches that was released by a new Gunpowder regular. Guide trips have produced fish consistently on terrestrials including ants and beetles but the nymphing has been difficult. A good bet is a beetle or hopper trailing a #18 olive bodied Caddis or tiny BWO’s or midge emerger. Tricos …

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Beginner’s Fly Fishing School on August 4

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Sunday, August 4, a Backwater Angler Guide will be teaching a fly fishing school that is ideal for beginners. If you’re planning on flyfishing Maryland, or anywhere else for that matter, this course is a great introduction to the sport. The school covers knots, casting, gear and fly selection. Class is held from 11:00 AM till 2:00 PM. Cost is $125 per person and includes the use of gear. A Maryland non-tidal fishing license and trout stamp is required and may be purchased at the shop with check or cash the day of the school. Class …

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Terrestrials, Caddis, Midges and Wild Fish

Thanks to Backwater Angler staffer Josh Reider for the Stream Report and great shot of a beautiful wild Gunpowder brown: Fly fishing the Gunpowder River the past week has been very productive. Fishing small terrestrials (hoppers, ants, & beetles), midges, and even caddis (tan #16-18) on the river has been the ticket to get fish rising. If the fish seem to not be looking up, nymphing caddis pupa and zebra midges has been very productive. I caught a number of fish downstream of Bunker Hill one evening last week nymphing a combination of these and pheasant tails. The sulfurs have just about ended and we …

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Fly Fishing School on Sunday, July 21st

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Sunday, July 21, a Backwater Angler Guide will be teaching a fly fishing school that is ideal for beginners. If you’re planning on flyfishing Maryland, or anywhere else for that matter, this course is a great introduction to the sport. The school covers knots, casting, gear and fly selection. Class is held from 11:00 AM till 2:00 PM. Cost is $125 per person and includes the use of gear. A Maryland non-tidal fishing license and trout stamp is required and may be purchased at the shop with check or cash the day of the school. Class …

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Backwater Angler Trucker Hats

As we were unboxing a box of Backwater Angler hats from Imperial Headwear, Jennie found a drake that was trying to blend in with the fading paint on the porch. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a mayfly this big in Monkton, MD so we’re feeling that this group of hats may be lucky!

A Native Brookie, Wild Browns and Local Knowledge on the Gunpowder River

The Gunpowder River is clear and flowing at 92CFS and is 51 F. Backwater Angler staffers Mike, Max and Josh have been getting in some great flyfishing this week. Need a little advice as to how they work this fish magic? We just received some slow water caddis from Mike Bachkosky and have plenty of foam and natural beetles, ants and hoppers in the muffin tins. Nymphing has been consistent in the mornings with a small Hare’s Ear and Zebra midge patterns on 6x above Bunkerhill Rd. The water is cold, clear and brisk in the boulder pools. The fish are waiting. Seek out shade …

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