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Jason du Pont

The Shop Will Be Open Through the Holiday Weekend

The Gunpowder is clear, cold and flowing at 32 Cfs. Caddis and terrestrials are working in the riffles, while nymphs and streamers are catching fish in deeper holes. Zebra midges, caddis emergers and small midge dries are catching fish in slow moving areas. A long 12 foot leader tapering to 6x or 7x is best in these low water conditions.   Backwater Angler will be open at its regular business hours this weekend. Friday the 3rd, 10 am-6 pm. Saturday the 4th, 8 am-4 pm. Sunday the 5th, 8 am-4 pm.

Changing Flows, Rain and Quality Wild Browns on the Gunpowder

The recent changes in flow on the Gunpowder River either concentrate the fish in low flows or spread them out in higher water. Each extreme has its advantages and disadvantages, but the fishing remains productive. Many fish are holding on the bottom, so nymphing is a good way to cover water in the high flows, or dredge the deeper slots in low water. The water is very cold, in the low 50s in the C & R, and in the upper 50 to low 60s in the 2 fish a day regulated water. Last week, friend and “Glimpses” co-star, Matt Devlin made the trip from South Carolina …

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Guided Fly Fishing Trips on the Savage River, Maryland

Backwater Angler Guides will be available for four or six hour wade trips on the Savage River in Western Maryland from July 6th-July 10th. The Savage is known for its beautiful wild trout and also its extremely challenging wading and technical fishing. While the hatch fishing can at times be exciting, many fish can be caught using a variety of surface and subsurface patterns. Guides will be available for morning or afternoon start times and standard rates apply. Food and lodging will not be provided, nor will transportation to and from the river. Details on lodging and camping options, meeting times & places, and recommended …

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Ice Cold June Flows on the Gunpowder River

2009 has been a great year for rain in the Central Maryland region. Both City reservoirs were full since late winter, and Prettyboy Reservoir has added warmer spillover all Spring to the cold bottom releases on the Gunpowder River. The mix of warm and cold water is the result of Baltimore City Water and MD Fisheries officials attempting to maintain levels in the reservoir, while increasing water temps in an effort to boost insect hatches. After numerous gate changes this Spring, the City was pulling from the 55 foot gate, yet surface spillover brought temps to nearly seventy degrees in the upper C & R …

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Terrestrial Fishing On The Gunpowder River

Sulphurs and Caddis are still hatching along the Gunpowder, but there are other opportunities for dry fly fishing during the day. Hatches of BWOs, Sulphurs, and caddis may be concentrated very early or very late, so if fishing midday consider throwing terrestrial patterns. A recent shipment from Rainys includes a variety  of hoppers, beetles and ants that are proven patterns on the Gunpowder. The brown pictured above fell for a size twelve rubber legged foam beetle fished against the bank. In a few hours, from noon to four, on a bright day I landed eight browns on the same fly.  The browns were quick to …

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Green Drakes, Brookies On The Upper Savage River and Pocket Water Dry Fly Fishing on the Lower Savage Tailwater

The famed Green Drake hatch occurs on few Maryland rivers, but I encountered the hatch while fishing the Upper Savage River on the first two days of June with Neil, a shop regular. We spent two evenings wading areas where primarily brook trout were feeding on these large size eight bugs. The action was right before dark, and while fish were rising, the small brookies and large mayflies allowed the fish to gorge themselves quickly it seemed, and begged the question, just how many of these huge Mayflies can a seven or ten inch brook trout eat? I spent some time photographing this hatch and …

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