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Guided Fly Fishing Trips In Western Maryland

Western Maryland offers fly fishermen a chance at everything from large trout in big rivers to native Brook trout in tiny mountain streams. The region is rugged, wild and fishing pressure can be light, but challenging. Backwater Angler guides have offered trips on the Savage River, North Branch of the Potomac River and small mountain streams for years. In the past we offered overnight packages including lodging, meals and a full day guided fishing, but will now offer only six or four hour guided wade trips based on the overwhelming amount of requests from anglers.   The North Branch of the Potomac is known as Maryland’s …

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Don Quixote and Quills along the Gunpowder River

The Gunpowder river is flowing at 80 Cfs, is clear and 45 to 47 F throughout the catch and release section. We’ve led guide trips just about every day this week and the fishing, (and catching) is steadily improving. Hendricksons are early this year…and Bwo’s are on the move, especially on cloudy and cool mornings. With stoneflies on the wane, Don Quixote, dressed in a suit of waders stands in the Gunpowder river, poised with a long rod instead of a lance, hoping that a few Quills, (Blues and Gordons) will show themselves, albeit briefly. A big Parachute Adams, a #18 Griffith’s Gnat and/or a …

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Intro. to Fly Fishing School

Please join us for a flyfishing school. On Sunday, May 3, 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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Intro. to Flyfishing School

Please join us for a flyfishing school. On Sunday, April 26, 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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Hatching Bugs and Spillover on the Gunpowder

The Gunpowder River has risen with recent rains, and is dropping, but more rain is forecast before the weekend. The added spillover and warm air temps have improved the fishing and jump started the hatches. This nice brown pictured above was caught on a size 24 blackfly dry, as many fish keyed into the tiny bugs. Stoneflies, midges and blackflies hatching in good numbers had the fish sipping small flies throughout miles of river on Monday. The dry fly action can be sporadic, or fish feeding intensely for brief periods of time in the middle of the day. Expect to fish over selectively midging trout …

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York, PA Fly Fishing News

Thanks to Mark Sturtevant who writes a nice column in the York Daily Record, Sunday News for the mention in the article titled; A Fine but Fleeting Taste of Spring. I lingered at the local fly shop, the Backwater Angler, talking with owner Theaux Le Gardeur about recent fishing and the state of the river. The shop has a new location and is tastefully laid out. Sunshine through the open door pulled me thence and on to the river. The article was also submitted as Rainbows Chase Winter at publicopinion.com

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