fishing report

for river related condition reports

Savage River and North Branch of the Potomac Fishing Report Update

Western Maryland in June was tough fishing with low water. When I had a few days free this past week I called some friends and decided to give it another try. The Savage River was fishing hot despite returning to 55 Cfs from 800 on Sunday July 1st. Sulphurs, Yellow and Lime Sallies, Olives, Caddis and even March Browns were still hatching. Fish were looking up in a big way, which was a change from last month. X-Caddis and Olives in a size 14 brought many fish up from the deep holes. In the tailouts and flat water fish were selectively rising to size 20-24 …

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Flyfishing near Baltimore, Maryland? It’s time for a Gunpowder River Recap

Time for a recap on the Gunpowder fishing the past few weeks. The low water has made some access points very difficult to fish. Options include targeting boulder pools, rougher water versus shallow riffles, and heading south below the catch and release sections. 12-15 foot leaders and staying nearly out of the water are required for fishing the catch and release sections. Anglers fishing the lower river should know that water temperatures which allow comfortable wet wading may be getting a bit warm for trout fishing. Bring a thermometer and look for a temp less than seventy degrees. Be sure to reach deep into the …

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Summer Gunpowder River Flyfishing Reports from Monkton, Maryland

Summer fly fishing near Baltimore, Maryland might just pass you by if you wait for water levels to increase on the Gunpowder river, near Monkton , Maryland. Despite low water levels this weekend, (38 Cfs and 54 F at Falls Rd), two new Gunpowder river anglers caught their first wild browns on a fly Saturday. On Sunday, two Backwater Angler regulars had a banner day on the stream. Dave H., who wet wades, even during 100 ft gate releases, picked up a 17″ rainbow up top near the dam on a ant and dropper rig. The fish took a #14 Copper John. Thanks to Marty …

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Summertime Lows and Questionable Water Management in Western Maryland on the Savage River and the North Branch of the Potomac

The update on the Western Maryland scene is, despite comparably low precipitation levels and low flows on the Gunpowder, the Savage River received an 800 Cfs White Water release from 9-1 p.m. today, July 1st. The ACOE, (Army Corp of Engineers) is complying with whitewater groups requests to release a volume of water over five hours, that will send more water downriver than in the past two weeks, (at 50 Cfs a day). Data is showing that the Savage reservoir is at a 12 year June low, yet the ACOE assures that the levels would allow a 800 Cfs for five hours of recreation, which …

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BWOs, Flying Ants, & Caddis along the Gunpowder River

The river is flowing at 34 Cfs and is low and clear. Water temp is a chilly 53 at Falls Rd this morning. We had lots of reports yesterday from anglers that picked up fish from Masemore through the Falls Rd. stretch on flying ants early, caddis in the #18-20 range midday and beetle and small hopper patterns in sizes #12-10 by afternoon. Blue Winged Olives are showing up in the #18-22 range above Bunkerhill Rd. Small streamers continue to produce throughout the catch and release area. During the Summer months, when freestones creeks and smaller tributaries are warming, the cold, clear and stable flows …

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Low Cold Water and Caddis and Sulphurs in the Gunpowder River

The gate change occurred today . The Gunpowder river water is now being pulled from the 55 ft Gate. Base flow out of the dam is 48.6 F so by the time this water reaches Falls Rd in the uppermost catch and release area of the Gunpowder river the water temperature is 51 F by midday. The river temperature at York Rd. this afternoon was 54 F. Flow is now 32-34 Cfs. -Think shin deep to knee deep throughout the upper river. Caddis and Sulphurs are still coming off and flying ants, Japanese beetles and hoppers are shrieking as they hit the cold water. More …

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