Theaux Le Gardeur

High Winter Flows, Streamers, Olives and Midges

The Gunpowder River jumped up this week to 266 CFs and is now dropping and flowing at 196 CFs. Expect levels to move up through the weekend as we get more rain. Water temps have been between 42 and 43.5 F owing to spillover. Fish are taking a mix of stoneflies and black flies on the surface. Streamer fishing has been more productive than nymphing for most. Look for fast riffles near jams. Fish are likely ambushing stonefly nymphs during the morning hours. Swinging double nymph rigs in the shallows near leaf litter to the banks should work fine. By mid-afternoon one can skate dries. …

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Bimini Bonefish and Gunpowder Trout

Imagine tying a trout fly and thinking about tricking Gunpowder Browns while waiting for the tide to flood a remote bonefish flat in Bimini. Thanks to Jim for the kind words and pictures: Thanks for the advice Theaux! Not sure what I am gonna do yet but I do like the idea of Oak Orchard. Missing the crowds are almost as important to me as the fishing itself. I might just spend the time on the gunpowder though. Feel free to post any of the pictures I send you. I know I am always excited when I see new ones up on your website as …

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Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER Volunteers Earn Service Hours!

My heartfelt thanks goes out to Bronte and Lane Thurgood for volunteering with Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER to fix up the wader wash stations along the Gunpowder River. The father and Daughter team drove all the way up from Fairfax County to volunteer. Bronte is currently taking an environmental science class that spurred her interest in Didymo and the measures MDDNR and Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER have taken to minimize the spread of the invasive algae. Here is a quick report from Lane: Theaux showed us a short clip on didymo and instructed us on our project of servicing 8 wader wash stations on the upper Gunpowder in and around …

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Maryland Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Sunday, March 25, 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 $100 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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Maryland Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Sunday, March 18, 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 $100 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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Mardi Gras Day Storytelling and a Stream Report

The Gunpowder is flowing at 136 CFs, is clear and 41 F. River levels on the the Gunpowder River is as low as USGS has measured since November 16. Today is Mardi Gras! If you need a quick introduction to the Holiday stop in the shop and we’ll spin you a yarn. We also have a number of fully illustrated Mardi Gras books titled; Carnival in New Orleans a Fantasy, written by my dad, Maurice Le Gardeur and Illustrated by Louisiana landscape artist Robert Seago. With another unseasonably mild week ahead we’ve had more than a few folks getting a jump on their sick leave …

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