Author Archives: Hudson Weber

Backwater Angler Holiday Gift Guide

1) Abel Nippers

The Abel Nippers are ON SALE! These are nippers for a lifetime. Replaceable jaws and a magnetic system to eliminate faults like a corroded or broken spring. These magnets can also act as a temporary fly dock as you are changing flies. Truly the pinnacle of quality nippers.

Abel Nippers with Lanyard

2) Abel Vaya 4/5 Native Brown

Created in Colorado, the Vaya is the perfect reel for trout fishing. Lightweight, a strong 5 disc drag, the quick-change spool, and a gorgeous finish of a hand painted native brown trout. This Vaya is the perfect combination of functionality and beauty which compliments any rod you pair it with.

Abel Vaya 4/5 Native Brown

A great assortment of reels that complement each other wonderfully. Fresh to salt, painted to matte, we have a reel for you.

3) G. Loomis NRX+ Saltwater

The perfect rod for any saltwater application. It’s quick action and stiff midsection allow anglers to cast large flies for the bigger predatory fish or perfectly place a shrimp for a cruising bonefish. Designed to be able to cut through the toughest winds, this will be the only Fly rod you will ever need for saltwater.

G. Loomis NRX+ Saltwater


4) Patagonia River Salt

Undoubtably the best valued boot on the market. the collaboration between Patagonia and Danner Boots created a lightweight and extremely grippy boot. The perfect boot for both hiking and cruising the flats.

Patagonia River Salt Wading Boots

5) Patagonia Wading Staff

Patagonia’s new and improved wading staff is extremely light weight and has many accessories to make your experience safer and easier on the water. A retractor attaches to the handle, allowing anglers to leave the staff off hand when needed. It also includes a carrying bag for longer hikes and camping. This staff is adjustable so one size fits all.

Patagonia Wading Staff

Patagonia’s wading staff compacts into the bags shown in the center of the table and can be adjusted between 47″ and 55″ in length.

6) Umpqua ZS2 Wader belt

The ZS2 Wader belt can be purchased “Fully Loaded” with a net quiver, water bottle holder, bag and gel floatant holder or can be purchased as a singular belt and be customized to your liking. The belt provides support to the lower back with its padded design and can act as your wading belt.

Umpqua ZS2 Fully loaded Wading Belt

7) Airflo Ridge 2.0 Streamer Max Fly Line

Throwing big flies has been all the rage for the past few years, and if you’re looking into getting into it this is the perfect line for you. The 26 foot sinking head allows anglers to get their flies down deep even in strong currents. A line like this is very useful for the larger rivers and lakes for trout, bass, and other predatory fish.

Airflo Ridge 2.0 Streamer Max

8) Patagonia Simple Fly Fishing – Tenkara Fly Rods

Tenkara takes fly fishing and makes it simple. The long, flexible, telescopic rod allows for extreme sensitivity and precision while being compact and storable for the bushwhacking us anglers do. Tenkara is a great way to pick apart the smaller bodies of water and is well worth getting into.

Patagonia Tenkara

9) Patagonia Winter Weight Fleece Oversock

The winter weight fleece oversock was originally designed to help those with packable waders that had the rubber foot, but it has quickly become a necessity for me while winter fishing. The slim fit doesn’t cramp your boots while keeping your feet warm in the cold water and air.

Patagonia Winter Weight Fleece Oversock

These fleece oversocks are perfect for the snowy days on the water. For those who are not a fair-weather fisherman, these are essential.

10) Ross Animas

The Animas is our standard for a quality fly fishing reel. A strong drag, large arbor, and varying colors to match your rod. Built in Colorado, these reels will meet every expectation an angler has of their reel. Ross has exceptional customer service and warranty extends for the lifetime of the reel.

Ross Animas

Gunpowder River Fishing Report

Today is a beautiful day to get out on the Gunpowder. While the water is low, the fish are still biting. We suggest fishing the deeper pools and in the lower river where there is more water. Patterns such as the Pheasant Tail and Hares Ear in a size 16-18 have been producing the best results along with zebra midges. Don’t pass up fishing a small dry fly like an Adams or a Black Fly. Fishing small streamers has also been productive. Make sure to watch out for the redds and limit your wading in the Gunpowder river. Stop in the shop to check out our holiday deals and new fly rods from Echo!

Gunpowder River Stream Report

The Gunpowder River is currently flowing at 18 cfs and the water temp is 46. With the lower water levels the fish are moving into the deeper pools. A simple nymph rig with a Pheasant Tail or Hares Ear trailed by a Zebra Midge has been effective. When wading make sure to look out for the redds. Some of them are right up on the bank. Make sure to stop in the shop to check out our holiday deals on clothing and Abel nippers!

Abel Nippers with Lanyard

Gunpowder River Fishing Report

 

The Gunpowder River has been flowing at 38cfs and the temperature is 58 degrees. The river has been fishing well with these lower flows. Easer wading has opened up some of the hard to access areas as well. Flies such as the Pheasant Tail, Prince Nymph, Copper John, and Zebra Midge have been fishing well. We recommend using a dry dropper style set-up as well. Dries such as a Parachute Adams or a Royal Wulff have been most effective with the dropper 12 to 20 inches off the back. Make sure to stop in the shop to pick up some flies and check out all of the new Patagonia Inventory! Tight lines.

 

Gunpowder River Fishing Report

The Gunpowder River has been flowing at 263 cfs for the past 4 days and is at 57 degrees. With the higher and slightly warmer water the fish have been on the move. Higher flows mean excellent terrestrial and streamer fishing. We suggest using hopper, ant, and beetle patterns. Streamer patterns in black have also been very productive. Patterns such as the Gonga and Bond’s Dragon have been very effective. Make sure to stay safe out there while wading-don’t plan on crossing at these flows. Tight lines!

Gunpowder River Fishing Report

The Gunpowder River has dropped down to 34 CFS and is still swinging between 50F and 55F at Falls road. The decrease in water means that fish will be more wary of your flies, wading, and leader length. To be the most successful on the water it is important to minimize and slow down you’re wading. we are fishing lots of smaller mayfly nymphs and caddis. Patterns such as pheasant tail, prince, hotwire caddis, and hare’s ear nymph have been working best. Dry flies such as elk hair caddis, x caddis, Sulphur emergers, ants, and small hoppers have been working great with the warmer air and water temperatures. Make sure to stop in the shop to restock on your favorite patterns.

Backwater Angler Employees

Dave, Jacob, Hudson, and Peter (left to right)

 

Dave Matthews with Backwater Angler. I enjoy helping out at the shop as much as my schedule allows. I grew up close to the Gunpowder River, and still live nearby. However, most of my early years of fishing were spent fishing Prettyboy reservoir for perch and bass. It wasn’t until more recently that I picked up fly fishing.

Jacob – I began my fishing on the Gunpowder and its tributaries. I started fly fishing when I was 11 Years old and have now worked at the shop for the last six years. My experience at Backwater includes both in the shop and guiding on the water. This is my second year guiding for the shop and it has been a wonderful experience. I have experience fishing throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, Montanna and lots of fishing down in Florida while at school.

 

Hudson- I grew up 5 miles from the river right here in Monkton. I’ve had a rod in my hand since I was 5 years old. growing up on the river has helped me learn the behavior of these fish and the bugs they eat. This October I plan to begin guiding for the shop after working here for 4 years. I look forward to getting people out on the river and bring fish to net.

Peter- I grew up in Owings mills Maryland and have been fishing since I was 6 years old.  My experiences with the Gunpowder begin with me and my dad thoroughly unknowledgeable stumbling over our feet trying to catch trout. It took us 2 years before we caught our first trout and by then we were far from better fishermen as we refused to learn from our faults. Since then, I’ve improved and gotten an intimate knowledge or the river and its inhabitants. I hope to bring others into the sport alongside passing down some of my experiences.

June Gunpowder River Stream Report

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The flows on the Gunpowder River remain at 74 cfs out of Prettyboy dam with temperatures in the low 50s and high 40’s in the morning. The increased flow has improved our fishing and fish a little less wary of us. Nymphing has been very successful throughout the day, but particularly good in the mornings. Most of our success has come on small caddis and mayfly patterns. Patterns such as the Pheasant Tail, Prince Nymph, Hare’s Ear, and Iron Lotus have been most effective.

If you want to fish streamers now is the time. While the water is higher the streamer bite has been more productive, however getting out early will still improve your chances with them. Fish are willing to chase dries on the surface in the warm afternoons and evenings. Any Sulphur or caddis dry has been working well as long it is in the 14-20 size range. We recommend fishing lighter 5x to 6x with the larger dries and nymphs and 6x to 7x with the smaller flies. Tight lines.

Best Fly Lines on the Market

airflo Ridge Tech 2.0 Takeover

Airflo’s ridge 2.0 technology has been received incredibly well by anglers. This technology offers all the benefits of textured lines without the drawbacks. These new lines will generate a greater line speed and shoot smoothly through the guides without the tacky whistle of textured lines.

Airflo offers a variety of lines to meet the needs of each fisherman. The universal taper is the go-to line that will get the job done no matter the scenario. The power taper has an aggressive front taper that helps with turning over nymph rigs, large dry flies, and streamers. The tactical taper is perfect for your “dry fly” rod. The thin diameter and gentle taper offer exceptional delicacy, perfect for those picky fish. The streamer max will help you up your streamer game. the short sinking head helps get flies deep even in the strongest currents while still offering great cast-ability. Perfect for any lake or larger river fishing. Stop in the shop to check them out.

Airflo Ridge 2.0 Streamer Max | BACKWATER ANGLER

Airflo Ridge 2.0 Power Taper | BACKWATER ANGLER

Airflo Ridge 2.0 Tactical Taper | BACKWATER ANGLER

Airflo Ridge 2.0 Universal Taper | BACKWATER ANGLER

 

airflo Ridge tech 2.0 tactical taper 5wt displayed on an Abel Super used by staff member Hudson Weber

 

 

 

Early June Stream Report

 

 

The Gunpowder is flowing at 37 CFS and swinging between 46F and 56F throughout the day. Despite the low water the Gunpowder has been fishing excellently. Throughout the mornings we have had lots of success both nymphing and swinging wet flies through the deeper pools and riffles. Finding the faster water will greatly improve your efforts as the fish concentrate there to find easier meals.

A customer fishing a sulphur hatch during a guide trip this week.

The afternoons have been wonderful on the gunpowder. Once the water begins to warm up the sulphurs will begin to hatch in rapid succession. Fishing a long leader is essential when the water is low because it will reduce the number of fish spooked and improve presentation. We have been fishing patterns such as Parachute Sulphur emerger, Parachute Sulphur, Partridge Yellow, Pheasant Tail, and Sparkle Caddis Emerger. Using lighter tippet will yield better results. we recommend fishing at least 6x.