Fresh Snow and Wild Trout on the Gunpowder River

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 137 Cfs, is 42.5 F and clear. Most of the trails are frozen and the fresh snow has already left the grassy areas. It’s time to put in studs and bring along a wading staff. Stoneflies in the #14-16 range have been coming off on warmer days. Starting early-try zebra midges in the riffles. Black fly larvae in the #20-22 range are a good bet-especially behind Blue Winged Olives sized #16-18. Traditional streamers in the jams will trick a few fish along the edges. Try a Grey Ghost or small marabou muddler on 6x.

Fly Fishing the Snowy Gunpowder River

The GunpowderRiver is flowing at 90 CFs and is 44 F and clear. Now is the time to stud your wading shoes. With 6 to 8 inches of snow blanketing the Hereford Zone of Gunpowder State Park, the trails above Falls Rd are tough going. Try Masemore, Bunkerhill and York Rd in the catch and release section for easier and safer access. Be sure to bring a wading staff and an extra pair of gloves. Most are better off using the trail along the river. Watch for edge ice in the flats and move slowly out there. Consider sitting and sliding in to the River …

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Gunpowder River Stream Report–Streamers are Working Fine!

The Gunpowder River is gin clear, flowing at 40 Cfs and 52 F. Using smaller nymphs will prevent all of those leaf hook-ups. Small, traditional streamers are still a good bet. Small caddis larvae and pupa are especially effective in the riffles. Try to limit your wading and use longer leaders in the 12ft 6x range. In the flat water, fish are taking Blue Winged Olive emergers. A few anglers late this afternoon reported that a few slate drakes were coming off as the water warmed up through the catch and release section. This week we have been checking in plenty of hardy winter gear …

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Big Spring, PA Stream Report

Thanks to Josh Reider for the stream report and pictures from Big Spring: Fly fishing the ditch at Big Springs is a completely different game, there is virtually no flow, the water is gin clear, and it embodies the idea of sight-fishing. It is a rewarding and fun time. I have been fishing it the past couple of weeks attempting to catch one of the 20 plus inch rainbow that you can see cruising the channel. I have not had the luck to land one yet but have landed lots of brook and rainbow trout. The most productive way of fishing is to nymph a …

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Fly Fishing in Northern Italy

Thanks to Werner Mueller for the photos and stream report from the Passer River, Alto Adige in Northern Italy: Theaux, Hope you are well. Per our discussion a couple of weeks ago I am including a couple of images in regard to my fishing trip to Alto Adige in Northern Italy this past September. The Passer river section I fished is 10 KM of fly fishing only . You will need a fishing license for Italy 30 EU/10 years validity and a daily license fee of 20 EU . The water is club owned and extremely well maintained. There is one guide- daily rate EU …

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First Dry Fly Caught Trout on Homewaters

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 42 Cfs is 52 F and clear. BWO’s have been accounting for wild fish in the flats and tailouts, small streamers like Grey Ghosts are still tricking fish in the log jams and over leaf piles. Nymphing remains challenging, if only because the likelihood of snagging leaves with weighted flies remains high. So try smaller pheasant tails in the #16-18 range are small enough to keep you out of trouble and still find a few fish. Now is the time to explore the area outside of the catch and release section. Remember that the Gunpowder has 18 miles of …

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