fishing report

for river related condition reports

Backwater Angler Celebrates 22 Years

We quietly celebrated our 22nd Shop Birthday last month! Thanks to all, both old and new that have helped us reach this milestone! We could not have been successful without your support and loyalty. Fishing continues to improve on the Gunpowder as flows have been around the 60 Cfs range of late and river water temps are swinging upwards towards the magic #. Nymphing has been consistent with stonefly and attractor patterns in the #18-20 range. If the wind dies down try some tiny BWO’s between Masemore and Bunkerhill or a few black flies above Falls. A Bald Eagle sited well downstream of Corbett Rd. …

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St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Gunpowder River Fishing Report

This week the Gunpowder River has been clear. It has dropped in flow from 106 Cfs on the 14th to 61.6 Cfs on the 18th.Consequently the River is warming up a bit from 42.44 degrees F on the 14th to 46.5 degrees F on the 18th. Bright and windy days have resulted in tough fishing on the Gunpowder. That said, tiny BWO’s, Little Black and Brown Stoneflies and a March Brown or two have been coming off between gusts. Fishing small, unweighted streamers that can be cast and drifted along the log jams are always a good bet. Nymphing has been challenging as the Didymo …

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Gunpowder River Stream Report

The Gunpowder River is clearing, dropping from 105 CFS and is 43.5 F. Small streamers and jig nymphs have been working fine. It’s been a bit too windy to fish with small dries. But with water temps on the rise we are certainly getting closer to seeing some Little Black Stoneflies, Black Flies and BWO’s coming off. Midge cluster patters like Griffith’s typically work fine and will keep one from squinting. A peacock elk hair caddis is a great searching pattern especially when using hopper-dropper style with a #18-22 zebra midge trailing the dry. Please note: The shop will be closed on Saturday the 18th …

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Gunpowder River Fishing Report 1/28

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 99 cfs and the temperature is 41 degrees F. With the water staying high, fishing larger and heavier nymphs has been working well. We have found that patterns like the blowtorch, mini jig leach, and the Frenchie jig have been our top producers. Flies with natural bodies and a hot spot collar are the way to go. Streamers have also been producing. We have found that stripping them slowly has been the most effective. Patterns like the Bank Robber Sculpin, Wooly bugger, Baby Gonga, and the Complex Twist Bugger have been our best producers. The upper river has been …

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Beginning of The Year Fishing Report

With warm weather in the forecast for the next week expect fishing to have some excitement with more active fish. The Gunpowder River is flowing at 87 CFS at 42F which are great conditions for all tactics on the water.  On warmer days you may find midges, blue wing olives, or little black stoneflies that may hatch allowing for some dry fly action during our winter. Imitations for these are often in the size 16-20 with a thin black or grey body. Nymphing has been the most consistent way to fish during the winter. Pairing heavier flies like jig leeches with midges or smaller mayfly …

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December 7 Gunpowder River Fishing Report

On Pearl Harbor Day, the Gunpowder is clear, low, flowing at 65 CFs and is 48 Degrees F. After a hard frost earlier in the week, the trails are in great shape and ready to be trodden. Midges and tiny Blue Winged Olives are making up the bulk of the “hatches”. Zebra midges are worth a shot! One will stay warmer fishing streamers as long as one keeps moving. As Hudson suggested over the holidays, with water temps dropping, leaky waders will make themselves known…To that end we have waders from Patagonia that will fit the bill. If you made it through summer without a …

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