Mardi Gras Day Storytelling and a Stream Report

The Gunpowder is flowing at 136 CFs, is clear and 41 F. River levels on the the Gunpowder River is as low as USGS has measured since November 16. Today is Mardi Gras! If you need a quick introduction to the Holiday stop in the shop and we’ll spin you a yarn. We also have a number of fully illustrated Mardi Gras books titled; Carnival in New Orleans a Fantasy, written by my dad, Maurice Le Gardeur and Illustrated by Louisiana landscape artist Robert Seago. With another unseasonably mild week ahead we’ve had more than a few folks getting a jump on their sick leave …

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Maryland Felt Sole Ban Update; a Felt Sole Definition

The following was pulled from the Maryland Register 38:23-38:27 (November 4-December 30, 2011) Natural Resource Regulations related to Nuisance and Prohibited Species under Natural Resources Article, 4-205.1, Annotated Code of Maryland The Secretary of Natural Resources proposes to amend Regulation .02 under COMAR 08.02.19 Nuisance and Prohibited Species to define “felt” in order to clarify the current ban on felt-soled waders for enforcement purposes. “Felt sole” is defined to include felt or any other natural or synthetic porous material capable of absorbing liquid to ensure that diseases or invasive species such as didymo are not transported on materials that are ideal habitats for them.

Fly Fishing for Gunpowder Trout during the Winter

The Gunpowder River is flowing at 153 CFs, is gin clear and is 42 degrees F. This time of year, fishing to the bank with a Prince nymph is an effective way to imitate stoneflies. Before hatching, the nymphs will crawl out of the water in search of woody debris and exposed rocks along the banks. Dries like quill winged and deer hair winged stoneflies are best fished in the fastest and shallowest water one can find. Streamers have been in the mix this week. We’ve seen more fly anglers heading to Argentina, Chile, New Zealand and Belize this week than fly fishing the Gunpowder …

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Black Flies, Stoneflies and a Bald Eagle

As the frost was turning to vapor, a Bald Eagle flapped noiselessly downstream under the canopy of Poplars and just over the River Birch to drop into a Sycamore snag over a long, green flat. The Gunpowder River is flowing at 157 CFs, is clear and 42 degrees. The River has dropped in flow while warming a bit in temperature the past week. Black Flies are just starting above Falls Rd. Stoneflies are about in the lower river in the #14-16 range and throughout the catch and release section. These flies are tough to see without snow on the ground so as you’re walking the …

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Sleet, Snow, Ice and Spillover and Stoneflies

The Gunpowder is flowing at 164 CFS, is 41 degrees and clear. A glimpse of winter weather late tonight in the form of sleet, snow and ice will likely make it tough going on the trails till tomorrow around mid-morning. With cold weather just starting in late January, anglers have plenty of winter fly fishing on the way. With black flies, midges and stoneflies commonly hatching from January through late February we are close to fishing dries again. Nymphing with small, heavy stonefly patterns in very shallow stretches of the river has been most effective in the catch and release area. A good strategy that …

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The Drake Magazine

We have Catskill style and snowshoe rabbit BWO’s from Mike Bachkosky, fresh lids from Patagonia and the Winter issue of The Drake on the front counter.