fishing report - BACKWATER ANGLER

Fly Fishing Montana: Floating The Clark Fork

October 16, 2010

I recently fished in Montana for a week near the town of Missoula. I met up with my buddy Matt, who usually fishes with me in Maryland a few times a year. He relocated to Montana, put me up for a week and showed me some of his favorite spots. We floated a number of bigger rivers in the area, and waded some choice sections of other medium sized rivers. After a few days of fishing smaller stuff, we dropped his raft into the Clark Fork for a long float. The sky clouded up and the air temp was cold with a light wind. The …

Bwo’s, 8X, Memorable Browns and Some New Rainbows in the Gunpowder River

October 14, 2010

After a deluge today the river is low, flowing at a placid 33 CFs, and clear. Dry Fly purists rejoice! Small caddis, BWO’s and a midges have accounted for most of the catches in the catch and release section this week. The upper river has been low for some time now and the fish are; tired of hiding, hungry and looking up. If you’re calling in sick tomorrow, you’ll still need some measure of stealth and 7x-and be sure to wear sunscreen so you won’t tip the boss off. If long leaders and tiny dries just aren’t your thing, reports that the lower river, from …

Columbus Day Weekend Firewood or Paraleps

October 8, 2010

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 30 Cfs, is 52 F and clear. Mixed reports point to Olives accounting for most of the fish brought to hand in the catch and release section this week. Be sure to bring along some 7x tippet as the fish have seemingly forever to inspect the fly in such low water. If you’re planning on nymphing, zebra midges are still very productive, especially when paired with small pheasant tails. Remember that we have almost 18 miles of water flowing from Pretty Boy to Loch Raven and this weekend would be a great time to do a little exploring outside …

Wild Browns Tricked in Low Water

October 6, 2010

The gunpowder river is flowing at 31 Cfs, is 54F and is gin clear. Tiny olives are still making their presence known. The river is quite low so if you’re wading waist deep you’re surely stepping on fish. Small nymphs are making the difference for a lot of folks out there. Using an Adams as a searching pattern is a safe bet. Thanks to Mick Magill for the photo and stream report. I worked the area you suggested. This 15-incher took the # 22 zebra midge you also suggested – scraping the bottom. Thanks for the advice! Mick P.S. a kind stranger fishing nearby was …

October Fly Fishing On The Gunpowder

October 2, 2010

Cooler air temps and changing leaves are here, so the Fall fishing has begun. The larger wild brown above is also indicative of Fall fishing on the Gunpowder. This brown measured over fifteen inches and didn’t take a big streamer, but instead took a size 20 midge larva on 5X tippet. I fished a few hours in the rain, and the day after the big storm. The browns were aggressive in the mid-river areas (stained water) after the storm, especially on caddis larva and pupa patterns. A variety of brighter nymphs like copper johns, green weenies, and SJWs also produced trout in the off color …

After the Storm, Low, Clear Water and Olives

October 1, 2010

What a Diff’rence a Day Made! The remnants of tropical storm Nicole have had their effect. Outside of the saturated ground and multitude of leaves scattered en masse along the trails, –a sight we don’t typically see until mid-October, the Upper Gunpowder Falls River is not any worse off. Just yesterday Frank Roylance was asking readers to vote on a poll titled: Should schools be closing due to heavy rain? Judging from today’s Baltimore Sun coverage of the Jones Falls, (also featured on his fine weather blog) the short answer, at least along the Falls Rd corridor near Mt Washington, is a resounding YES! So …