news

Apparently there is a beaver in the upper Falls Road section of the Gunpowder terrorizing anglers and boaters. We had two reports yesterday morning of beaver attacks, and a pair of shredded Patagonia waders to prove it. The beaver actually latched onto both angler’s waders, and knocked them down. Fortunately no one was actually bitten or injured. Today we received a call from an angler who was in the shop yesterday, and he mentioned three separate incidents in the afternoon. The angler, his friend and a kayaker all had encounters with this aggressive (possibly rabid) beaver. The two anglers were charged, and chased out of …

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Thanks to Mark Staley for the shocking survey update and invite: We plan to conduct our annual electrofishing survey of the Gunpowder Falls tailwater on the following dates: Sept. 27—Dam/Falls Station Meet 9:30 am at the upper lot on Falls Rd. Backpack electrofishers-2 or 3 Sept. 28—Masemore Station · Meet 9:30 am at the Masemore Rd. lot · Barge shocker Sept.29—Bluemount Station · Meet 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 …

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Want to do something to protect the water in the harbor? Please join Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper, Eliza Smith Steinmeier on September 18, from 12:00- 5:00 PM at Nick’s Fish House overlooking Middle Branch for a silent auction fundraiser including a seafood buffet, oyster bar and live music. Backwater Angler has donated a full day guided fly fishing trip on the Gunpowder River for the event and encourage all to attend. The Mission of the Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper is to protect and restore the Baltimore Harbor and the greater Patapsco River & its tributaries through enforcement, fieldwork and citizen action in order to make the river …

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The Gunpowder River is flowing at 135 CFs, is clear and 51 F. The river took a nice drop yesterday from 254 CFs to 135CFs. Stream reports pointed to anglers fishing sink-tips and streamers above Falls Rd. As the water dropped, a lucky angler fishing a bit lower in the catch and release section reported a few brookies that were brought to hand and safely released. Blue Winged Olives, and Tricos are still part of the morning mix. Fish are looking up as Caddis have returned, are in a range sized from #16 to #20, and can be effectively fished along the edges of riffles. …

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Last night I picked up an Economist and a Backpacker mag at the checkout. Before I could think about the heady implications of China’s relations with Myanmar, Writer Bruce Barcott got my attention with an article he penned in the October issue of Backpacker titled; Killer Hike. In it he takes a first stab at hunting from an otherwise granola perspective. I was favorably impressed with the balance he achieved by interviewing both Bruce Fredrich of PETA and motor city madman-come hunting luminary Ted Nugent. In quick order, Barcott purchases a firearm, takes a hunter safety course, belly-crawls up a bluff, and is then faced …

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The Gunpowder River level will be on the rise this afternoon. Flows may be increasing to an unsafe level for wading! Stay tuned!!! Stream Flow Update: Sept 10, The river is flowing at a steady 346 CFs.