BACKWATER ANGLER - Page 154 of 337 - A full service flyshop just steps from the Gunpowder River

Hendricksons and Clear Water Along the Gunpowder River

April 23, 2011April 23, 2011

Recent stream reports are pointing to improving conditions on the Gunpowder. With each passing shower we’ve seen water levels on the river stay consistently high and clear. Water temps are also right on the money at 54 F by late afternoon so we’re seeing a mix of Hendricksons in the #14 range and a few #12 March Browns. Dark bodied bead head nymphs and weighted soft hackle patterns in the #14-16 range are a good bet in the riffles. I spent a great day in the shop and a nice evening on the water with our Spirit River rep this past Thursday. He tricked a …

The Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill One Year Later

April 21, 2011April 20, 2011

Last Spring, I was asked many thoughtful and sometimes personal questions by Gunpowder River regulars about how my family was affected by the Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill. As many of you know, my grandfather, after freezing his rear off looking for U-boats in the North Atlantic for the Navy had one of the first steel hulled shrimp boats in the port of New Orleans after WWII. Seven decades later, and two days after the spill, I was getting an update from his daughter, (my mother) in Covington, LA when she related that; Theaux, It’s a beautiful spring day, I can hear a Mockingbird singing …

Hendricksons, Quill Gordons, And Rising Water Temps On The Gunpowder

April 12, 2011

This past weekend hendricksons and quill gordons started hatching on the Gunpowder. On Sunday I saw a few dozen while guiding on the river, but on Monday the 80 degree air temps brought on a steady hatch. I didn’t stay until dark to see the spinners returning to the water, but I did catch a few browns on a hendrickson dun in the riffles. Stoneflies were also flying around in enough numbers that they brought splashy rises when they hit the water. I even saw a few caddis hatching in small numbers. The water temperature spiked to nearly 54 degrees on Monday, and rain caused …

Late March Fly Fishing On The Gunpowder

March 24, 2011

The Gunpowder dropped close to 100 CFs last week. The river gradually leveled out after the big surge of water on the 11th. Heavy rains last night bumped river flows up to 165 CFs. The Spring rains should provide good flows the next few months, since the river levels will fluctuate with rain and spillover. The City notified the shop they recently made a gate change to the 10 foot level at Prettyboy, and the temperature graph on the USGS shows a spike up to just over 48 degrees. Angler reports from last weekend of slightly off color water was likely the result of the …

Higher Flows On The Gunpowder River

March 16, 2011

The Gunpowder River reached just over 700 CFs on the Falls Road gauge this past Friday. The heavy rainfall in the region filled Prettyboy Reservoir, and water crested the spillway. The initial surge of water may not have led to ideal fishing conditions, but the flow did dislodge a good portion of Didymo from the river bottom. I fished for a few hours at 600 CFs, and caught half a dozen fish, but also noticed Didymo washing down river. The white algae can still be found in most sections, but is far less of a nuisance compared to the previous months. Earlier this week flows …

Water Levels Close To Spillover At Prettyboy Dam

March 8, 2011

I stopped by Prettyboy Dam yesterday to check the elevation levels. The water is lapping at the top of dam. The reservoir needs to rise less than twelve inches to crest the spillway. The ten day forecast predicts showers over the next two weeks. The Gunpowder could see an increase in flow in the near future, and provide ideal fishing conditions. The river may rise, but will remain clear with spillover. If the Falls Road gauge shows a big spike, don’t assume the river will be blown out. Fishing is possible in the first few miles of river, even after heavy rains. In most instances …

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