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Jason du Pont

Clean Gravel and Healthy Wild Browns On the Gunpowder

After the recent high water event over the past weekend, I fished and walked the Gunpowder, many miles down river from Prettyboy Reservoir. It was immediately clear the large volume of water had scouring effects on the bottom, and sent much of the silt deposited in recent years down river. In March 2007 the Gunpowder spilled over after 5 inches of heavy rain in the Hereford area, and the Falls Rd gauge hit 1,600 Cfs. The high water event in 2007 also led to the dam on Bush Cabin Run bursting, and many other tributaries of the Gunpowder blowing out and dropping silt into the …

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Gunpowder River Flow Climbs to 1700 Cfs

The Gunpowder River flow peaked late Friday night at 1,700 cubic feet per second at the Falls Road gauge and at over 2,600 cubic feet per second at the Glencoe Rd gauge. Recent heavy rainfall and a full reservoir resulted in spillover despite a release made by Baltimore City Friday afternoon. Flows are slowing dropping, and currently at 1,610 cubic feet per second at the latest 6:00 am gauge reading at Falls Rd. Generally flows on the Gunpowder are wadeable, but very challenging at or just over 300 Cfs, but higher flows present a real danger above that level.  Anglers may not have opportunities to …

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August Fly Fishing In Western Maryland

The Savage and North Branch of the Potomac rivers were at typical late Summer low flows while fishing last week, so these rougher rivers were much easier to wade.  The North Branch flowing under 200 Cfs was at prime levels for nymphing the deeper slots where many fish concentrated and allowed sight fishing to big fish in shallow riffles. Hopper-dropper rigs were also a great way to fish these levels and effectively cover different types of water. Numerous miles were recently stocked with large rainbows in the 3-6 pound range, and some wild browns in the twenty inch range were visible in certain runs. The …

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Fishing Beetles on the Gunpowder River

The fishing conditions on the Gunpowder are good for dry fly fishing. The fishing is certainly challenging, but between the morning Trico hatch and terrestrial fishing, trout are rising to a variety of patterns in weekday lower flows. On certain weekends releases may not occur if there is no need to send water to Loch Raven. The most important factor in low water conditions is not spooking the wary, wild Gunpowder trout, which is certainly easer said than done. Longer casts, 12-15 foot leaders, and staying out of the water where possible, will greatly improve the odds of catching trout. The shallow water and the heat makes …

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Another Weekend Release on The Gunpowder River

The shop just received word that yet another release on the Gunpowder will provide perfect conditions for fishing through this weekend. Anglers should expect clear, ice cold flows in the low fifties and levels in the 120 Cfs range. Tricos swarms are getting thick and many spinners may fall as late as 11:30 a.m., as described by customers stopping by the shop today. As I write this a few calls have come in confirming the water is already on the rise, by those anglers who braved the low flows for an afternoon’s fishing. In addition to dry fly fishing, nymphing, streamers and dry-dropper rigs are …

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Guided Fly Fishing Trips in Western Maryland in August

Backwater Angler guides will be available for guided four and six wade trips on the Savage or North Branch of the Potomac Rivers during the week of August 17th through the 21st. Late Summer low flows on the North Branch of the Potomac means easier wading and better concentrations of trout in the deeper pools. Hopper dropper fishing on the North Branch can be a lot of fun and great way to effectively cover water this time of the year. The low flows on the Savage River can make for challenging dry fly fishing, but in many pools fish can be selectively feeding on tiny …

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