fishing report - BACKWATER ANGLER

Preakness Dry Fly Fishing

May 15, 2008May 15, 2008

Now that folks can’t bring alcohol into the Grandstand during Preakness, consider heading for the infield of Pimilico for a cold one. If you’ve already placed your bet, (FYI: the park is also alcohol free) or try your luck on Gunpowder this weekend. You won’t find many horses in Gunpowder State Park or 90,000 people for that matter, but you will find Caddis, Sulphurs and lots of wild fish. Even with rain in the forecast, conditions will improve through the weekend as PrettyBoy Reservoir nears spillover. Water temps have been in the low to mid 50’s this week.The river is clear and flowing at 41 …

Didymo in the Gunpowder River

March 26, 2011May 9, 2008

Didymo, an invasive algae, has been confirmed in the Gunpowder river. This video short describes distribution of Didymo, a description of the algae, and some gear treatment and containment methods for anglers. The increased time fishing and guiding on the Gunpowder River the past month only solidified my suspicions that something wasn’t right. Nymphing and swinging streamers still produced fish, but the increased frequency of cleaning “slime” off the hook was not normal. Many anglers and guides noted similar masses of slime on the hook and also the river bottom, throughout much of the catch and release areas. Fearing the worst I contacted MD Fisheries …

Sulphurs, Hendricksons and Rainbows

May 9, 2008May 9, 2008

After a good soaking throughout the area, the Gunpowder river is flowing at 41Cfs, water temps are in the mid 50’s and the river is clear. Early reports this week pointed to Sulphurs starting in the late afternoon followed by a Hendrickon spinner fall. have been encouraging anglers to get out and try their luck. The water is still quite low, even by Gunpowder standards so be sure to bring along some long leaders in the 12 ft range ending in 6 to 7x.If you’d like to start early, try small Elk Hair caddis with a partridge and yellow or green soft hackle dropper. Backwater …

FlyFishing for Rockfish During the Catch and Release Season on Susquehanna Flats

May 9, 2008May 9, 2008

Thanks to Charlie Shelton for the following picture and report to round out the Susquehanna Flats Season. Hi Theaux, A 20 lb + Striper I got on the flats on Friday (May 2) with a #8 rod and a fly I tied with stuff from your shop that LEW showed me how to tie about 3 years ago. This fish was a handfull, really neat to get him (her?) in. It was really strong when we released it, so all seemed well. I caught about 10 smaller males (4 — 7 lb) and had a large fish on (probably 15 – 18 lb) that I …

Gunpowder River Midge, Caddis, Hendricksons afoot, and Shad…

April 8, 2009April 17, 2008

The Gunpowder river is low, clear and flowing at 36 Cfs. The water temperature last evening at Falls Rd was 49 F. Early morning temps are closer to 45 F. The trees along the river are budding out and there are some wonderous colors reflecting in the clear pools out there. Lack of shade has made fishing tough on bright days. Midge activity has been steady from Masemore through Falls Rd. Flies in the #20-22 range have been productive in the flats, especially in shaded areas. Caddis in the #18-20 range are just starting at Masemore through Bunkerhill Rd. If you’d like to use larger flies, a few Hendricksons have been spotted …

Gunpowder River Early April Stream Report

April 4, 2008

We’re enjoying some much needed rain and surface activity along the Gunpowder River. Tiny midges in the #22-26 range are accounting for most of the surface activity. Midge nymphs, emergers and dries are all working, as long as they’re tied up with a little 7X. Water temps are also on the rise, and the river is clear above Blue Mount Rd. By midday we’re seeing water temps in the 47-49 F range in shallow riffles between Falls Rd and York Rd. Thanks to David for the following stream report: Backwater, I took up fishing the Gunpowder a few months ago, and this past weekend I …