Tricos, Caddis and Hickory Horned Devil Caterpillars

Harry just rescued a Hickory Horned Devil caterpillar from the icy cold depths of the Gunpowder river. Once returned, the caterpillar will grow to about 14.5 cm and eventually turn into a Regal moth, aka the Royal Walnut moth. We’re fast at work at the vise trying to find proper chenille and materials to imitate this beast-Stay tuned! If you’re lucky enough to spot one of these creatures chewing merrily away on the Walnuts and Hickories along the river please don’t disturb it. Today, the Gunpowder river is flowing at 32 Cfs, is low, clear and 56 F. Dry fly fisherman rejoice! Dave Smith called …

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Maryland Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a flyfishing school. On Sunday, August 30, a Backwater Angler Guide will be teaching a fly fishing school that is ideal for beginners. If you’re planning on flyfishing 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 fishing …

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Winston BIIx Review and Fly Fishing Report from Slough Creek, Yellowstone National Park

Thanks to Bob Hammer for the picture from Slough Creek in Yellowstone National Park, the fishing report and the Winston BIIX rod review. Theaux and staff, I have been out west, breaking in my new Winston Boron IIx rod purchased at the shop. It has performed wonderfully. Thanks for your help. The biggest fish of the trip was this 20″ cutt caught on Slough Creek in Yellowstone National Park. I spotted it cruising along the bank away from me. By the time I got my fly off the keeper, I had lost sight of it. I saw it again after it turned around and came …

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Choosing a Bamboo Fly Rod

The emergence of the Sweetgrass Rod Company has spurred yet another round of interest in bamboo fly rods and each week we answer dozens of questions from folks who are starting to give bamboo a look. With the price of high quality graphite rods climbing higher and higher, a fine bamboo rod is no longer out of reach and to some they are starting to seem downright affordable. So with that I thought it would be useful to create a small primer for those looking to purchase their first bamboo rod. This will by no means be a complete “how-to” but it should point someone …

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Fishing Beetles on the Gunpowder River

The fishing conditions on the Gunpowder are good for dry fly fishing. The fishing is certainly challenging, but between the morning Trico hatch and terrestrial fishing, trout are rising to a variety of patterns in weekday lower flows. On certain weekends releases may not occur if there is no need to send water to Loch Raven. The most important factor in low water conditions is not spooking the wary, wild Gunpowder trout, which is certainly easer said than done. Longer casts, 12-15 foot leaders, and staying out of the water where possible, will greatly improve the odds of catching trout. The shallow water and the heat makes …

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Fly Fishing Central Pennsylvania

Thanks to Steve for the stream report from Central Pennsylvania. Theaux and staff, I had the opportunity to spend Saturday the 18th fly fishing with my brother on some Central Pennsylvania streams. The weather was perfect, around 76 degrees, and we hit Penns Creek for smallmouth first. Fishing poppers, streamers and nymphs, we were able to land a few smallies. On the way to Big Fishing Creek to fish the evening rises, we stopped at a small brookie stream…sorry I don’t recall the name of it. I hooked two brookies, and brought one to hand that was just over six inches. My brother caught one …

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