news

the news section is for shop events and programs

Large Selection Of Caddis and Mayfly Patterns In Maryland

The shop has a wide selection of both caddis and mayfly nymph patterns to help fool those wary, wild brown trout. Large shipments of new patterns hand picked for our local hatches arrived in the shop the past week. I used many of these patterns successfully last season on the more heavily fished sections of the Gunpowder. Trout never grow tired of pheasant tails, hares ears, and other common nymphs, but these new patterns tend to trick those larger browns. In Maryland the rivers provide caddis hatches through the Spring, Summer and Fall, long after the bigger mayflies have hatched. It’s surprising how many anglers …

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Drying Required To Kill Didymo, Protect Our Maryland Waters

Over the past three years there is no denying that the “rock snot” has changed the aesthetics along the river and effective techniques during Winter months. Since this invasive was transferred to the Gunpowder its life cycle has become easier to follow. In the Winter the air and water temps hit the magic number and a tan peach fuzz begins to cover the rocks. In the following months from Jan-March the growths begin to cover wide expanses of the river bottom, and form long tendrils of grayish white snot. Those anglers who fished through this time frame the past few years know that at times …

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Custom Dry Fly Patterns and Accessories in Maryland

We have a wide assortment of dry flies in the shop tied by Mike Bachkosky to match our Maryland hatches. There are quill bodied parachute patterns great for spinners, which can even be used as cripple/dun patterns in flat water areas. In the photo above are snow shoe winged Unusuals for midges, PMDs, olives, light cahills, hendricksons and sulphurs. The mayfly hatches are just starting, and the muffin tins are loaded in preparation for the next months ahead. These patterns are not just generic flies found in most catalogs, but are tied in the sizes and colors we see in Maryland. Mike is always willing …

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Sixty Degree Water Along the Gunpowder River

A week of unusually hot weather has changed water temps dramatically along the Gunpowder River. The air temps hovered in the 80s in Nothern Baltimore county all week, and the river is much warmer than two weeks ago. The cold spillover that slowed the fish’s metabolism all winter, is now warmer than the bottom release, which may jumpstart our hatches early. The past two weeks kept us busy guiding on the river, which allowed us to fish a variety of access points. On a number of trips we encountered brief periods of rising trout, and the clients enjoyed a break from the nymphing and streamer …

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Yellow Perch Fishing Heating Up in North East

I just spoke to David who told me a Yellow Perch tournament is scheduled for this weekend up near Herb’s Tackle Shop in North East. It’s being called the CCA MD “Yellow Perch Appreciation Day” and is being held at North East Park from 10:00 AM till 2:00 PM. Registration for the tournament costs $5 for individuals and $15 for families. Before you head north, be sure to sign up on the National Saltwater Angler Registry. For more on the registry and how it will benefit every man, woman, child and fish give Chris Dollar’s Article from The Capital titled; “Outdoors: Registering Saltwater Anglers Should …

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Intro. to Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a flyfishing school. On March 13, a Backwater Angler Guide will be teaching a fly fishing school that is ideal for beginners. If you’re planning on fly fishing in Maryland, or anywhere else for that matter, this course is a great introduction to the sport. The school covers knots, casting, gear, fly selection and an hour of on-stream instruction. Schools are held in a meadow overlooking the Gunpowder river by a Maryland state licensed and insured fishing guide. 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 …

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