fishing report

for river related condition reports

Fly Fishing For Carp In Maryland

 In 2004 when the periodical cicadas invaded the Baltimore area, I happened onto some great surface fishing on the local reservoirs. I wasn’t catching as many bass as I thought I would, but I was catching a lot of carp. These large, powerful fish were inhaling foam flies off the surface and running drag into the backing numerous times. Years later the carp fishing is still good, but a bit more challenging without the big lumbering cicadas falling into the water. Most carp anglers will tell you anyone that doesn’t want to fish for carp can’t figure out how to catch them. The presentation is …

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Fly Fishing Report: Wassilla, Alaska

Thanks to Charles for the Alaska Fly Fishing Report. Hey Theaux, Alaska was fun. I was disappointed with the lack of “fly” fishing opportunities along the famous waters of the Russian and Kenai rivers. It seems like everyone owns a fly rod but no one wants to fly fish. Disgusted with the thousands of people standing on the banks snagging passing fish, we hopped on a boat and were dropped off at up the Susitna drainage on a river called Clear Creek. There I had great fun catching Jack Kings which were the only salmon I found that would actively pursue my fly. I caught …

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Fly Fishing Report: Wyoming’s North Platte River

I recently spent a week fly fishing the North Platte River and its tributaries at A Bar A Ranch just outside Encampment, Wyoming. My family and I spend a week there every summer and the fishing is fantastic, this trip being no exception. When we arrived, recent rains had muddied the North Platte, which was running near 1600 CFS. Throughout the week the river dropped and cleared to a flow of around 700 CFS, partially due to irrigation upstream. The Salmon fly hatch was practically over but large Golden Stones were out and about. Cream and Tan Caddis in sizes #14-18 hatched out in large …

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Summer Fly Fishing on the Gunpowder River

Yes folks the water is low, but the only surefire way to catch a few is to go fly fishing. Today the Gunpowder is clear, 56F and is flowing at 31 CFs. The fish in the stretch above Falls have been keying in on beetles. If you’re an early riser, try a few flying ants in the flat water between Masemore and Bunkerhill. Bluemount Rd access downstream has a bit more flow and the water is warmer, so a small streamer might be in order.Thanks to Creighton for the following kind words: Theaux/Jason, My father, Jim Byrnes, loves the Gunpowder and has to stop by …

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Fly Fishing Western Maryland Rivers: July Fishing Report

The Savage and North Branch of the Potomac Rivers are down to easier wading levels and conditions are great on both rivers. On a recent July trip, I guided and fished both rivers over the week. My fourth outing to Western Maryland this year brought yet again different conditions, but plenty of options for fishing.  The Savage flows were clear at 70 Cfs and fish were less willing to rise to larger dries, than previous high water levels. In many flat water areas fish were sipping tiny Blue Wing Olive spinners through the afternoon and refusing everything that wasn’t an exact match. I always bring …

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Low Cold Flows, Caddis and Terrestrials

Though the low flows on the Gunpowder are making a stealthy approach necessary, the fishing has not been that tough. The water is low, clear, and cold (in the low 50’s), so long leaders in the 12-13 foot range and 7X tippet have been necessary. Fishing the riffle water with small caddis and terrestrials, and staying away from flat water has been productive. Small tan elk hair caddis, beetles, and small hoppers have been fooling fish throughout the catch-and-release section. On a recent evening outing to the upper section, I saw very few caddis hatching, but I had many fish eagerly take a caddis emerger …

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