The Gunpowder River is wonderfully green, flowing at 147 Cfs and is swinging from 39 to 41 degrees F. Trails are wet. Now is the time to consider putting in spikes in rubber soled wading shoes and/or bringing along a wading staff. The clean gravel is full of BWO’s nymphs. Small pheasant tails in the #20 range with plenty of shot will produce in the pocketwater. Stoneflies will start moving towards woody debris as the water temp warms up bit in the shallows. Mike Bachkosky’s red butt soft hackles in sizes #16 and 14 are best fished in the morning hours. If you get a …

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The Gunpowder River is flowing at 100 Cfs, is 43.5 degrees F and is clear. Fly fishing with blue winged olives inthe #18-20 range, cream midges a little smaller than a #22, little black flies and zebra midges and early winter stonefiles sized #16-18 are always a good bet. With the forecast calling for air temps in the mid 50’s to 60 degrees this weekend, River flow up from spillover and water temps moving up, reasons for not getting in some pregame fly fishing are slight.

Despite the cold weather, harsh winds and snow, I have sent many people out fishing in the past week by simply issuing them a a 2013 fishing license, and handing off a basic assortment of nymphs and streamers, including a new leader, a spool of tippet and a few thingamabobbers. Fishing this time of year presents many challenges but if you’re willing to brave frozen fingers and cold feet the wild browns on the Gunpowder River are more than willing to cooperate. Usually in the winter months the flows are in the 30-60 CFs range, but in the past week the River has been closer …

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