for river related condition reports
The Gunpowder is low once again at 28cfs, clear with water temperatures in the upper 50’s F. With skinny water levels, not spooking fish by staying out the river whilst fishing long and light is the way to go. In the mornings we’re seeing Trico’s between Falls to Bunker Hill so look for the spinners dancing between 9-10:30 at the heads of riffles. Ants and caddis are working well too with olives starting to come off in the afternoon.
The Gunpowder River is clear, flowing at 129 CFs and is 57 .5 degrees F. These flows represent (please don’t ask us how long they will last) an excellent time to get out on the Gunpowder River in search of wild fish! Try small hoppers in the #8-12 range and caddis and caddis emergers in the #14-16 range in the riffles from Masemore through Bunkerhill. Cream midges and Blue Winged Olives in the #20-22 range are also worth a shot-especially in the flats between the corners. Fingerling rainbows are often times nabbing dries before the larger browns can get to them in the boulder pools …
The river has dropped back to bare bones of 28 cfs, clear and 60 degrees F. As of Thursday morning the level dropped the fishing has became trickier. However as normal for the time of year midges are abundant particularly in the evening tempting plenty of fish to feed on top. Caddis were coming off in decent numbers earlier in the week when the water was up higher but the current skinny water levels have slowed this down. Fish a long 12 foot leader, with 6-7x with a downstream presentation for the midge sippers. Shop will be open 10 – 2 this Labor Day Monday.
The river is at 139 cfs, water temperature is in the mid 50’s. The fishing is very good with the flows being ideal for summer fishing. There is a lot of stream side terrestrials active now, hoppers, crickets and loads of ants. Inch worms falling in from the trees keeping the fish on the look out. Note: The river level has dropped to 64 cfs on Friday afternoon. Thanks to Keir for the report earlier this week: Guys, Beautiful morning to be out and had some luck on the Gunpowder. The trout were taking a bead head prince nymph.
The river is at 61cfs, clear and starting the day in the low 50’s rising to mid/upper 50’s F. I’ve been out again in Garrett County this week whilst releases from Prettyboy Dam have been up and down. Now the river seems to have settled 60 cfs which I think this is a superb level for fishing dry flies. We’re fishing terrestrials predominately now. With little hatching at the moment fish tend to be much more opportunistic at this time so throw hoppers, crickets or beetles along the banks.
The Gunpowder is at 30cfs, clear and 61 degrees F at 3pm today. Prettyboy reservoir is over capacity and surface water very warm with the recent heat wave. This afternoon they cut the release dramatically once again from 120 to 30 cfs causing it to spill. With heavy rain forecast this afternoon through this evening, keep a close eye on the USGS gauge after as significant spillover is very possible. If water temperatures rise to 68 degrees or over give the trout a break until the water temperature comes back down again.