fishing report - BACKWATER ANGLER

Cool Down On The Gunpowder River

May 31, 2011

A heatwave brought daily highs into the mid to high nineties in Northern Baltimore. The Gunpowder, which has leveled out at an ideal 150 Cfs between 50-53 degrees, is a perfect place to cool down on a hot day. The recent gate change last week has created more opportunities for anglers seeking hatching bugs and dry fly fishing throughout the day. Reports from guides, clients and anglers over the weekend detailed good morning and midday fishing on the surface. The evenings are still best, but fishing for a few hours at any time of day can be productive. Fishing nymph tandems under an indicator or …

Late May Fly Fishing On The Savage River

May 28, 2011

I’ve watched the USGS gauge fluctuate on the Savage River all Spring, and finally found a window to go fishing. I was on the water at noon on Tuesday, as the Savage dropped from the 250 CFs range. The higher water makes for some great fishing, especially throwing dries in the pockets. I arrived, rigged up a sixteen foot 5X leader, and tied on a size 12 snow shoe march brown. I started in a rough water area, fishing the small pockets behind boulders, and where the soft seams meet the fast water. The trout were looking up, and I rose quite a few, but …

Memorial Day Mid-Atlantic Dry Fly Fishing

May 27, 2011

The Gunpowder river is flowing at 153 CFs, is clear and 52 F. Seasonally warm water temps influenced by surface water spilling over the dam have been moderated by a change in release earlier in the week. This means cooler water is now flowing into the plunge pool from lower levels in the reservoir and allowing the fish some breathing room. If you’re heading out early, unweighted pheasant tails sized #16 are a good bet. Small elk hair caddis fished in the riffles between Masemore and York Road have accounted for a number of fish this week. Try swinging snowshoe rabbit emergers and partridge caddis …

Sulphurs Won’t Wait…Bring a Rainjacket and Get Fishing!

May 24, 2011May 24, 2011

The Gunpowder river is flowing at 145 Cfs, is clear and 62.7 degrees. If you listen to the weatherman you might end up in a mall for the rest of the Sulphur hatch. They’ve been coming off since the first week of May and by most accounts our wet spring has made it very tough to get any fishing on a consistent basis anywhere else in the Mid-Atlantic but the Gunpowder. We’ve only missed four fly fishing days since January owing to high flows. This month, water temps along the river have been much warmer than average and the fish are responding favorably. Nymphing with …

Clouds Of Spinners On The Gunpowder River

May 19, 2011

Clouds of mayflies weren’t the only clouds hovering over the river this week. Heavy rain the past few days caused the Gunpowder to hit nearly 600 CFs, and steadily rising as a light rain falls in Monkton today. Current USGS reading at Falls Road today is 596 CFs, and climbing straight up. A good possibility of thunderstorms later today and tomorrow means anglers should check the gauge before the weekend. 100-300 CFs is wadeable, although anglers should be cautious on the higher end of that range. 300-400+ CFs has limited wading options, but fishing is still possible from the banks or shallows of wide flats. …

Josh Reider’s First Hand Sulfur Account

May 17, 2011May 16, 2011

Many Gunpowder regulars will recognize that Josh has been part of the scene at BWA since the Holidays. For those of you who have not fished the river since last year’s sulphurs, Josh brings good tidings in his first stream report. Between putting in time at Hereford High, Backwater Angler on the weekends and lacrosse practice he manages to fish more than most and is happy to share his knowledge! From May 3rd; Theaux, Just went out this past Sunday downstream of Masemore. By the time that I arrived in late afternoon the river was packed with fishermen and hikers. However I think the weather …