A look at our extensive selection of Scientific Angler leaders and tippet.
Through July we are going to be running a sale on Scientific Angler leaders. We will be selling 4 packs for the price of three. This is a great value and helps you stock up on leaders for your summer fishing or trips in the future. The leaders are very high quality and come in a variety of sizes and styles for your needs.
Stop by the shop and stock up on all your fishing necessities.
The flows on the Gunpowder River remain at 74 cfs out of Prettyboy dam with temperatures in the low 50s and high 40’s in the morning. The increased flow has improved our fishing and fish a little less wary of us. Nymphing has been very successful throughout the day, but particularly good in the mornings. Most of our success has come on small caddis and mayfly patterns. Patterns such as the Pheasant Tail, Prince Nymph, Hare’s Ear, and Iron Lotus have been most effective.
If you want to fish streamers now is the time. While the water is higher the streamer bite has been more productive, however getting out early will still improve your chances with them. Fish are willing to chase dries on the surface in the warm afternoons and evenings. Any Sulphur or caddis dry has been working well as long it is in the 14-20 size range. We recommend fishing lighter 5x to 6x with the larger dries and nymphs and 6x to 7x with the smaller flies. Tight lines.
A quality Brown Trout landed on Sulphur dry during a guide trip this week.
On the evening of June 16th The flows on the Gunpowder River raised to 74 cfs out of Prettyboy dam with temperatures in the low 50s. The increase in flow should improve our fishing and make fish a little less wary of us. Nymphing has been very successful throughout the day, but particularly good in the mornings. Most of our success has come on midge patterns, but imitating caddis or mayfly has been productive as well. If you want to fish streamers now is the time. While the water is higher the streamer bite should be more productive, however getting out early will still improve your chances with them.
The sulfurs are still prevalent throughout the afternoons. We will see caddis mixed in earlier in the day so fishing a caddis with a small nymph dropper is effective. As the afternoon progresses you will see lots of Sulphurs in the upper sections of the river. It is important to have a variety of Sulphur patterns as the fish catch on to your imitations quick. The evenings are also fishing well with dries as you often can find a spinner fall just before dusk. Get out and enjoy the river!
airflo Ridge Tech 2.0 Takeover
Airflo’s ridge 2.0 technology has been received incredibly well by anglers. This technology offers all the benefits of textured lines without the drawbacks. These new lines will generate a greater line speed and shoot smoothly through the guides without the tacky whistle of textured lines.
Airflo offers a variety of lines to meet the needs of each fisherman. The universal taper is the go-to line that will get the job done no matter the scenario. The power taper has an aggressive front taper that helps with turning over nymph rigs, large dry flies, and streamers. The tactical taper is perfect for your “dry fly” rod. The thin diameter and gentle taper offer exceptional delicacy, perfect for those picky fish. The streamer max will help you up your streamer game. the short sinking head helps get flies deep even in the strongest currents while still offering great cast-ability. Perfect for any lake or larger river fishing. Stop in the shop to check them out.
Airflo Ridge 2.0 Streamer Max | BACKWATER ANGLER
Airflo Ridge 2.0 Power Taper | BACKWATER ANGLER
Airflo Ridge 2.0 Tactical Taper | BACKWATER ANGLER
Airflo Ridge 2.0 Universal Taper | BACKWATER ANGLER
airflo Ridge tech 2.0 tactical taper 5wt displayed on an Abel Super used by staff member Hudson Weber
With Father’s Day steadily approaching Backwater Angler is a great place to look for that perfect gift for a father in your family. Whether they are a seasoned fisherman or just looking for a new hobby, you can’t go wrong with a gift certificate to Backwater Angler. You can specify these certificates for guide trips, fly fishing schools, or store credit so that they can choose just what they need for the next time they’re out fishing.
Backwater Angler Gift Certificate | BACKWATER ANGLER
Backwater Angler Guide Trip Gift Certificate | BACKWATER ANGLER
Backwater Angler Fly Fishing School Gift Certificate | BACKWATER ANGLER
An assorted box of flies is another great gift as fisherman can never have too many flies. These flies can be specified or employees at Backwater can pick a selection for you.
Personalized Fly Selection | BACKWATER ANGLER
A Fisherman’s bag is essential to their excursions on the water. The sling style packs are great at maintaining mobility while also having easy access to the pockets in the bag. The packs come in waterproof and fabric materials based on the needs of the user.
Fishpond Thunderhead Submersible Sling | BACKWATER ANGLER
Patagonia Stealth Sling | BACKWATER ANGLER
Another great option is a new fly line. Recently Airflo release a new generation of fly lines in the Ridge 2.0 series. These lines are perfect for any freshwater needs and are no doubt the top of the line.
Airflo Ridge 2.0 Universal Taper | BACKWATER ANGLER
Airflo Ridge 2.0 Tactical Taper | BACKWATER ANGLER
Airflo Ridge 2.0 Power Taper | BACKWATER ANGLER
Airflo Ridge 2.0 Streamer Max | BACKWATER ANGLER
If you’re really looking to spoil a father in your family the best place to look is in the rod rack. We have a great assortment of rods for both fresh and saltwater at a range of different prices. Check out the online store, give the shop a call, or stop by the shop to find what you need!
The Gunpowder is flowing at 37 CFS and swinging between 46F and 56F throughout the day. Despite the low water the Gunpowder has been fishing excellently. Throughout the mornings we have had lots of success both nymphing and swinging wet flies through the deeper pools and riffles. Finding the faster water will greatly improve your efforts as the fish concentrate there to find easier meals.
A customer fishing a sulphur hatch during a guide trip this week.
The afternoons have been wonderful on the gunpowder. Once the water begins to warm up the sulphurs will begin to hatch in rapid succession. Fishing a long leader is essential when the water is low because it will reduce the number of fish spooked and improve presentation. We have been fishing patterns such as Parachute Sulphur emerger, Parachute Sulphur, Partridge Yellow, Pheasant Tail, and Sparkle Caddis Emerger. Using lighter tippet will yield better results. we recommend fishing at least 6x.
As of May 25th, the Gunpowder River has dropped down to 38 CFS and is ranging between 46-53F. With no rain in the near future, it is expected to stay low for a while. This will cause the need for longer and lighter leaders. Fishing a 10-12ft leader will greatly improve your drifts in the low water. It is best to avoid the slower water as fish will have lots of time to analyze your fly and the fish generally spook much easier. Target the riffles and deeper pools for the most success.
In the morning, we have had success swinging wet flies through the riffles in between pools. This has been an easy and successful method to catch fish consistently. As the water warms up throughout the day the sulphurs are prevalent. Again, the riffles will be more productive even while fishing the dries. Nymphing is still an effective method on the river when the water is low, however it is key to target the deepest water and limit your disturbance in the pool.
Stop in the shop to get all the gear needed for a good trip out on the Gunpowder!
Our Line-up of Three Weights!
In the shop we have a wide variety of three weights for all of your small water needs. From fiberglass to Euro style rods, we have all the bases covered.
For the extra small creeks look no further than the Scott F series and Scott G series These rods are both under 8 feet long and provide excellent precision on the water. The F series is the best fiberglass rod we have come across and is perfect for your backcountry fishing as it breaks down to just 18 inches.
Scott G Series | BACKWATER ANGLER
Scott F Series | BACKWATER ANGLER
If you want something delicate yet sturdy enough to handle larger water the best options are the G. Loomis IMX Pro Creek and NRX+ LP. These rods come in at 7′ 9″ and 8′ 3″ respectively and provide precision like no other. The fast action on the rods help cast in tight areas and will provide the delicacy needed to present a fly in tight conditions while having enough backbone to stand up to larger fish.
G Loomis IMX Pro Creek | BACKWATER ANGLER
G. Loomis NRX+LP | BACKWATER ANGLER
With the popularity of Euro nymphying greatly increasing recently, it is important to bring the right gear for the tactic. The 10′ 3 weight shadow II and shadow X from Echo have been spectacular Euro rods for our customers and employees. The extra foot makes an incredible difference in presentation and a very sensitive tip sections allows the user to feel every strike or rock throughout their drift. Despite being a 3weight, these rods can withstand large rivers and turn over large nymph rigs.
Echo Shadow X | BACKWATER ANGLER
Echo Shadow II | BACKWATER ANGLER
Stop in the shop and cast these rods for yourself!
We quietly celebrated our 22nd Shop Birthday last month! Thanks to all, both old and new that have helped us reach this milestone! We could not have been successful without your support and loyalty.
Fishing continues to improve on the Gunpowder as flows have been around the 60 Cfs range of late and river water temps are swinging upwards towards the magic #. Nymphing has been consistent with stonefly and attractor patterns in the #18-20 range. If the wind dies down try some tiny BWO’s between Masemore and Bunkerhill or a few black flies above Falls. A Bald Eagle sited well downstream of Corbett Rd. this morning was flapping merrily along with a fresh rainbow from last month’s stocking in its talons. May we all be so lucky this spring to connect and enjoy the bounty the Gunpowder River provides!
Please note: We will be closed April 2-7 and will reopen on Saturday the 8th. We will be closed the 9-12th and will reopen on the 13th.
Early spring is the perfect time to learn how to fly fish. We have 4 spots available on Saturday, March 25th. Our Fly Fishing Schools are 3 hours long and included the use of gear. In the first half of the course we cover basic knots, casting skills, fly types and techniques for the river. Following instruction bank-side, during the second half we’ll practice the techniques on the water. One gets to try the four main techniques while fly fishing including: dry flies, wet flies, nymphs and streamers. Your guide will demonstrate and teach techniques that will help and prepare each individual for a trip on their own.
Please contact us at 410-357-9557 to confirm availability, prepay and book the trip and we will send you an email confirmation for your very own fly fishing school on the Gunpowder River.