fishing report

for river related condition reports

Savage River Late May Report

The Savage River was flowing in the 500-600 CFs range when I hit the road last week for four days of fishing. The higher flows may not be considered ideal by most anglers, but there are still some options, even at these levels. The region was saturated from recent rains and all of the smaller streams and upper Savage were flowing extremely high on Monday. The roar of the lower Savage was deafening, although the water was clear and fishable in a few sections. The water temps rose from the high forties to the low fifties with the spillover from the rain. I caught my …

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Memorial Day Sulphurs in Maryland

The Gunpowder river is flowing at 123 CFs, is clear and 63 F. Seasonally warm water temps influenced by surface water spilling over the dam have been moderated by a gate change earlier in the week. If you’re heading out early, caddis in the #18 range are a good bet. Small soft hackles fished in the riffles between Masemore and York Road have accounted for a number of fish this week. Spend the afternoons swinging snowshoe rabbit emergers and unweighted pheasant tails. This weekend: Go to the picnic but sneak back to the river at dusk to take part in the Sulphur spinner fall. Thanks …

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May Fly Fishing In Maryland

Fly anglers in Maryland are experiencing some great trout fishing on waters both big and small. The sulphur hatch on the Gunpowder and many of the freestone streams in the state provide great fishing in the evening. Caddis and midges are a good bet for dry fly anglers fishing in the morning or even midday on sunny blue bird days. Blue wing olives are hatching in good numbers on cloudy days, and get the fish sipping naturals in the flat water. Nymphing is producing a lot of fish, and larger browns for anglers bottom bouncing shallow riffles and deep pools. Caddis or midge pupa paired …

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Streamers and Sulphurs on the Gunpowder River

The Gunpowder river is flowing at 95 Cfs, is 62 F and clear. We’ve had reports of blue winged olives sized #18-20, tiny cream midges in the #22 and smaller range and caddis sized #16,in the mornings. Sulphurs have been coming off sporadically through the mid-morning to late afternoon with more flies massing towards dark. Spinner falls are not to be missed this time of year. Plan on dodging afternoon thundershowers and wait out the rains accompanying them the fish still have to eat. The first fireflies of the season are making themselves known and providing the sulphurs with a little light during their late …

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Leaping Trout On The Gunpowder River

Trout rising to insects is a common sight on the Gunpowder this time of year. Midge, caddis and mayfly hatches during the course of the day keep the trout looking to the surface for a meal. The sulphur hatch is one that tends to send the trout airborne after emerging duns, and seeing trout flying out of the water isn’t unusual. Many reports from anglers this week mentioned fish rising and leaping out of the water along the Gunpowder. I’ve seen this occurring in just about every stretch of river in the afternoon when the sulphurs start hatching. Throw in a midge hatch and intermittent …

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The Beauty Of Streams In Maryland

Small to medium size streams are abundant throughout Maryland, and many are downright scenic this time of year. Some of the streams support trout, either stocked or wild, but many also hold populations of bass, panfish, carp and other assorted coarse fish. The joys of fishing these types of places include not needing a big selection of flies, less wary fish, and rarely having to wear waders. The idea is an easy day of fishing where each cast may bring in a different species, and the fly choice boils down to either a black or white wooly bugger. I’ve always enjoyed covering new water and …

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