fishing report - BACKWATER ANGLER

Fly Fishing near Baltimore and D. C. during the Holidays

December 23, 2014

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 77 CFs, is gin clear and 44 F. The River is in good shape. The trails are greasy so plan on bringing along a wading staff. Now is the time to put in studs in your wading shoes. With highs forecast in the low 60’s by the end of the week, plan on seeing a few stoneflies in the #14-16 range and olives in the #20-22 range along the River. Rabbit strip streamers and zonkers are an effective way to cover larger stretches of water. Thanks to Josh for the stream report and photos. Fishing small midge patterns behind …

Small Business Saturday Fishing Report

November 29, 2014November 28, 2014

The Gunpowder River is a little off color and is flowing at 90 CFs and is 48 F. Wild trout have been taking nymphs in the #18-22 range in the flat water. Large streamers fished in and around the bend pools and log jams are a safe bet. The boulder pools have been tough to fish (read slippery) during frosty mornings so be careful out there! A few early brown stoneflies were reported today so if you have any dark caddis in your box give them a try. If you need some flies, advice or just need to get away from those pesky relatives, please …

Streamers, Olives and Stonefly Nymphs

November 21, 2014

The Gunpowder River is clear, flowing at 50 Cfs and 48.5 degrees F. I find it hard to believe that by Monday folks are talking about a 69 F day leading up to Thanksgiving! Thanks to Stephen Knott for another nice shot-this time of a stocky caught on a big streamer. This fish likely held over during an early stocking, moved up from the lower River and is now taking on some beautiful colors. Stop in this weekend and spend some time picking up stonefly nymphs and dries out of the muffin tins. It’s not too early to swing some soft hackles stonefly and nymph …

Election Day Fly Fishing

November 10, 2014

The Gunpowder River is low, flowing at 40 Cfs and is 55 F. Thanks to Stephen Knott for sending in this shot of a beautiful Brown tricked on election day. Tricos, #18 Blue Winged Olive soft hackles and tiny Caddis in the #20 range are still part of the mix. Fly Fishing in low water can be challenging-especially when approaching spooky fish in the flats. With leaves on the trails and frost on the way now is the time to put studs in your wading shoes. Focus on riffles, runs and plan on approaching fish from the banks and covering the log jams and pools …

Halloween Stream Report

October 31, 2014October 31, 2014

The Gunpowder is flowing at 35 CFs, is clear and 54 F. The River still has plenty of fall color. Two anglers wearing capes took advantage of a half day of middle school and stopped in this afternoon before heading out to fish at Bunkerhill. Tricos in the morning followed by Blue Winged Olives and Caddis are all part of the mix now. Tired of hooking leaves? It might be easier, and more productive to fish dries-especially small ones. The muffin tins are full of Mike Bachkosky’s snowshoe rabbit midges and phunny emergers in the #18-22 range. Dreading the small stuff? If you have some …

Columbus Day Week Fishing Report and Shop Hours

October 11, 2014

THe Gunpowder river is clear, flowing at a near perfect 106 Cfs and is 55.5F. This week reports of Olives in the morning and Tricos mid-day at Masemore and Bunkerhill have been encouraging. Folks have also been coaxing quite a few rainbows to take zebra midges throughout the catch and release area. With flows back up from the 38 Cfs it’s loads easier to fish nymphs in the riffles under big yarn indicators and streamers, like Grey Ghosts and sculpins in the log jams. We’ve been checking in lots of cozy gear from Patagonia-including some Nano-Air jackets, Shelled insulator and R1 pants. With the weather …