news

the news section is for shop events and programs

Low Flows, Tough Paddling on the Gunpowder River

The Baltimore Sun in an article titled; Best Places to Kayak near Baltimore just named the Gunpowder River as a top paddling destination. After a lengthy, spirited conversation from a kayaker this morning who stated that; I walked about the same distance that I floated last week! I’d like to relate that PrettyBoy Reservoir is full folks. With that in mind, it might be helpful to look critically at the flows controlled by the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) in the last month compared with flows on the Gunpowder in the same time period over the past eleven years and review the good …

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Join Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® Volunteers for the Annual MD DNR Fisheries Service Shocking Survey on the Gunpowder

This just in from Fisheries…Thanks to Mark Staley for the invite! We plan to conduct our annual electrofishing survey of the Gunpowder on the following dates: Sept. 24—Dam/Falls station Meet at 9:30 am at the upper lot on Falls Rd. Backpack electrofishers- 3 Sept. 25-Masemore station Meet at 9:30 am at the Masemore Rd. lot Barge shocker Sept. 26-Bluemount station Meet at 9:30 am at the Bluemount Rd. lots and carpool down the NCR trail to the station. Barge shocker Chest waders will be necessary for those who want to participate in the electrofishing. Anyone is welcome to attend and observe, however not everyone will …

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Fly Fishing School on Sunday the 30th

Please join us for a fly fishing school. On Sunday, September 30, a Backwater Angler Guide will be teaching a fly fishing school that is ideal for beginners. If you’re planning on flyfishing Maryland, or anywhere else for that matter, this course is a great introduction to the sport. The school covers knots, casting, gear and fly selection. Class is held from 11:00 AM till 2:00 PM. Cost is $100 per person and includes the use of gear. A Maryland non-tidal fishing license and trout stamp is required and may be purchased at the shop with check or cash the day of the school. Class …

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We will be Closed this Tuesday and Wednesday Aug 14 & 15

For the rest of the Fall, the shop will be closed every Wednesday including the 15th, additionally, we will be closed this Tuesday, the 14th. We apologize for any inconvenience and will have regular hours the rest of the week. River levels have been in the 50 Cfs range. The stream gauge has been a little wonky during the recent USGS software upgrade. Beetles are still working just fine along the Masemore Rd stretch. Hoppers are a good bet and can be fished with a reverse-hackled trico just behind them. With school crazies just around the corner, fish now! You’ll be buying new pencils soon …

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Backwater Angler has Moved to a New Location!

Backwater Angler just moved to 16938 York Rd, Monkton, MD 21111. The new shop is located in the bright yellow building in the center of town (formerly the Hereford Seafood building) just a long cast North of the old location. The new location has plenty of parking, a big lawn for casting and a great front porch. Stop in this weekend to check out the space, share fishing stories, get advice and pick up a free map of the Gunpowder River. Thanks for supporting your local fly shop!

Fly Fishing Alaska? Stop in at Backwater Angler before BWI

This leopard rainbow was released on an Alaska trip by Jack Cochran. We’ve had a quite a few anglers in this week checking off their fly fishing destination trip gear lists. Some of the goodies have included a fresh hat, big flies, short, heavy leaders, Lamson and Hatch reels, Airflo Coldwater fly lines, 4 pc G. Loomis NRX and Pro-4x models (in the 6 through 8 wt range) and Patagonia Rio Gallegos waders have been popular, must have items.