Jason du Pont - BACKWATER ANGLER

Gunpowder River Weekend Release at 120 Cfs

August 1, 2009

The Gunpowder is up from 30 Cfs to 120 Cfs for the duration of the weekend. The continued work by Baltimore City on Prettyboy Dam midweek and recent heavy rains has led to an off load of water to keep the Gunpowder’s flow solely bottom release. The resulting rise in levels will spread many fish out, and make them much more aggressive. Tricos, tandem nymph rigs, streamers and big terrestrials are all good options on the river in these flows. The Trico hatch in the morning has provided great surface action, even in the lower flows, but at higher levels the trout are much …

Tricos on the Gunpowder River

July 23, 2009

The Trico mayflies are hatching along numerous miles of the Gunpowder River. Many reports from guides and customers relay growing numbers of the tiny mayflies throughout the many miles of the catch and release water. Tricos were also hatching throughout miles of river South of Blue Mount Road over the past weeks. The Trico hatch occurs early between 7 a.m. to Noon, and fish are often actively rising during the emergence and spinnerfall. A variety of locally tied Trico patterns in the shop are especially effective during the heavy hatches when numerous naturals are on the water. Patterns in the shop range from 20s down …

Fly Fishing For Carp In Maryland

July 12, 2010July 22, 2009

In 2004 when the periodical cicadas invaded the Baltimore area, I happened onto some great surface fishing on the local reservoirs. I wasn’t catching as many bass as I thought I would, but I was catching a lot of carp. These large, powerful fish were inhaling foam flies off the surface and running drag into the backing numerous times. Years later the carp fishing is still good, but a bit more challenging without the big lumbering cicadas falling into the water. Most carp anglers will tell you anyone that doesn’t want to fish for carp can’t figure out how to catch them. The presentation is …

Fly Fishing Western Maryland Rivers: July Fishing Report

July 13, 2009

The Savage and North Branch of the Potomac Rivers are down to easier wading levels and conditions are great on both rivers. On a recent July trip, I guided and fished both rivers over the week. My fourth outing to Western Maryland this year brought yet again different conditions, but plenty of options for fishing. The Savage flows were clear at 70 Cfs and fish were less willing to rise to larger dries, than previous high water levels. In many flat water areas fish were sipping tiny Blue Wing Olive spinners through the afternoon and refusing everything that wasn’t an exact match. I always bring …

Fly Fishing in High Water on the Savage River

July 8, 2009July 8, 2009

The Savage River was at high water levels all Spring, and angling pressure has been extremely light during my previous trips. The Savage was dropping from the 400 Cfs range during the last week of June, so I made the trip for a few days fishing. The Savage River was impressive at a steady 330 Cfs and the roar was deafening. At first glance the river looked unwadeable, possibly unfishable, but both were possible in the right spots. A variety of insects were hatching in the rough flows including March Browns, Blue Quills, Olives, Caddis, Light Cahills and Sulphurs. The fishing and wading were challenging, but the water temps were at optimal levels in the 56-58 degree range. The …

July Fly Fishing on the Gunpowder River

July 6, 2009

The Gunpowder is cold in the low 50s in the upper catch & release water and low to mid 60s in the 2- trout-a-day water below Little Falls. Flow is currently in the mid 30 Cfs range at Falls Rd and mid 70 Cfs range at Glencoe Rd. Baltimore City continues to work on Prettyboy Dam, so flows may be limited for some time, as divers are working deep underwater during the weekdays. Recent fluctuations in the afternoons and weekends successfully off loaded water to prevent excess warm spill over from entering the river, and diluting the cold bottom release. Low water has not prevented …