Fly Fishing in between Classes at Sewanee

This morning Alex McCrickard stopped in after a productive morning fishing the Gunpowder river with large nymphs and small streamers at 249 Cfs. Alex, now a freshman at The University of the South, sent along some photos and a quick report after fly fishing the Elk River, Tenessee in between classes at Sewanee. What’s going on? It’s pretty crazy here but I’ve been trying to balance the work load with the social life. That’s an impressive fish Jeffs’ client caught. I have managed to get out on the Elk river twice since I’ve been here at Sewanee. It’s a tailwater that’s about 30 minutes from …

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Fly Fishing Western Maryland Streams

Backwater Angler Staffer and bamboo rod builder Bill Felter sent in an interesting report from this past weekend in western Maryland- “My birthday was this past Sunday and my wife and I spent part of the holiday weekend doing some light backcountry camping in western Maryland. We passed up the Savage and its perfect flows and instead headed up to a tributary of Savage River Reservoir, for a little brook trout fishing. That was the plan anyway-to fish for brookies-but 10 minutes after leaving the house a deep sense of dread came over me. Oh, crap! The fly rods! I had forgotten the fly rods. …

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Fly Fishing Report from the San Juan and Animas Rivers

Thanks to Adam Wilner for the fishing reports from the San Juan and Animas. Thanks to a buddy’s wedding, last week I was able to re-visit my old stomping grounds in the Southwest where I used to be guide. The first morning we wet a line in the San Juan river in northern New Mexico. This river probably has more 17-24″ trout per mile than any other river in the country. This tailwater fishery flows through high desert terrain at about 48 degrees all year. Size 20-26 midge and baetis nymphs are the ticket and there are some pools and flats where a tiny midge …

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North Branch Potomac and Savage River Report

Thanks to Joe Matthews for the report and picture from the North Branch of the Potomac River from early September that pointed to early fall fly fishing picking up in Western Maryland. For release information for the Savage and North Branch this weekend, be sure to check out the US Army Corp of Engineers Current and Projected Releases Page and plan your trip accordingly. Hey Jason, Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. A buddy and I fished the Savage and North Branch the weekend before last (9/6-9/7). Fished the Savage first, from 11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Picked up some 10-14″ browns on …

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Fly Fishing Midges and Catching Leaves along the Gunpowder

The Gunpowder river is flowing at 56 Cfs and climbing, is clear and 56-58 F throughout the catch and release area. High winds and a full reservoir are allowing some slightly warmer water to spill into the Gunpowder river from Pretty Boy Reservoir on a bright fall day. Spillover is good! This morning the wind sock over the grass airfield was arrow straight. Fall is here and my old car now moves with a wake of leaves swirling behind it. We’ve seen only a few Gunpowder Regulars today intent on fishing small midges and the last of the terrestrials. One flatly stated this wind should, …

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Fly Fishing for Brook Trout in Maryland

Thanks to Doug Coats for the update and picture taken while fishing the Savage river with his boys. Theaux, Me and my three boys went to the Savage River this weekend – we stopped by your shop on Friday – one of my boys, Jamie, is always calling your shop and stopping by. Attached are a couple of pictures from our trip. Jamie says thanks for the info. Thanks, Doug Coats