Beginner’s Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a flyfishing school. On Sunday, November 7, a Backwater Angler Guide will be teaching a fly fishing school that is ideal for beginners. If you’re planning on fly fishing in Maryland, or anywhere else for that matter, this course is a great introduction to the sport. The school covers knots, casting, gear, fly selection and an hour of on-stream instruction. Schools are held in a meadow overlooking the Gunpowder river by a Maryland state licensed and insured fishing guide. Class is held from 11:00 AM till 1:00 PM. Cost is $100 per person and includes the use of gear. A Maryland …

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Bwo’s, 8X, Memorable Browns and Some New Rainbows in the Gunpowder River

After a deluge today the river is low, flowing at a placid 33 CFs, and clear. Dry Fly purists rejoice! Small caddis, BWO’s and a midges have accounted for most of the catches in the catch and release section this week. The upper river has been low for some time now and the fish are; tired of hiding, hungry and looking up. If you’re calling in sick tomorrow, you’ll still need some measure of stealth and 7x-and be sure to wear sunscreen so you won’t tip the boss off. If long leaders and tiny dries just aren’t your thing, reports that the lower river, from …

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MPT Outdoors Maryland Visits Backwater Angler

Last week Backwater Angler hosted a crew from Emmy award winning MPT, (Maryland Public Television) in the shop and on-stream for an upcoming Outdoors Maryland video segment. Pictured from left are: Jeff Lewatowski, Christy Neale, (who, as an associate producer brought home an Emmy in the Chesapeake Heritage category for Eatin’ Crab Cakes: The Best I Ever Had) Brandon Huse, Theaux Le Gardeur, Mark Burlet and Goldy. The water level had just dropped that morning leading up the the annual DNR shocking survey so conditions were a little tough. We managed to fool a few fish in front of the cameras using small caddis, blue …

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Invasive Species in Maryland

By now most anglers in the Old Line State have hopefully heard of Didymo. Based on a few local fishing reports, now even snakeheads may be considered passe. Global warming advocates have a lot more to talk about since a Red Oscar was caught in Pretty Boy Reservoir and a Peacock Bass was caught in the Monacacy. These catches may well signal the tip of the melting iceberg. Could we be that far away from stepping lightly over alligators?

Columbus Day Weekend Firewood or Paraleps

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 30 Cfs, is 52 F and clear. Mixed reports point to Olives accounting for most of the fish brought to hand in the catch and release section this week. Be sure to bring along some 7x tippet as the fish have seemingly forever to inspect the fly in such low water. If you’re planning on nymphing, zebra midges are still very productive, especially when paired with small pheasant tails. Remember that we have almost 18 miles of water flowing from Pretty Boy to Loch Raven and this weekend would be a great time to do a little exploring outside …

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Gunpowder Fly Fishing School on October 17

Please join us for a flyfishing school. On Sunday, October 17, a Backwater Angler Guide will be teaching a fly fishing school that is ideal for beginners. If you’re planning on fly fishing in Maryland, or anywhere else for that matter, this course is a great introduction to the sport. The school covers knots, casting, gear, fly selection and an hour of on-stream instruction. Schools are held in a meadow overlooking the Gunpowder river by a Maryland state licensed and insured fishing guide. Class is held from 9:00 AM till 12:00 PM. Cost is $100 per person and includes the use of gear. A Maryland …

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