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Gunpowder River Float Trips

September is approaching and lower Gunpowder River temps are currently at safe and ideal temps for fishing, so I’m offering float trips to more remote areas of the Gunpowder now through Fall. Wild browns have been taking streamers, nymphs and the occasional hopper from the boat, but deep water nymphing the runs has produced some nice browns. Fishing smaller dries can be tough, as the chubs and fall fish tend to immediately inhale tricos, caddis, etc. Medium size terrestrials close to the bank will get strikes from browns, but not turn as many fish as a streamer. Anglers who frequent the upper river will find …

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Gunpowder River Featured in Leading Fly Fishing Magazines

Thanks to Beau Beasley for the nice Article on the Gunpowder River featured in the July/August issue of Eastern Fly Fishing. Backwater Angler staffer and guide Jason du Pont contributed three photos to Beau’s article, wrote a timely piece for the Conservation section on Tubifex worms and their role in Whirling disease, and was also recognized on the editorial page for his astute eye in identifying Didymo on the Gunpowder River. Whew! Great work Jason! The Gunpowder river was also featured in the “Hot Spots” section of the July issue of American Angler.

North Platte Fishing Report

In mid-July I was lucky enough to spend an entire week in Wyoming. My family and I stayed at a ranch on the North Platte River just outside of Encampment, Wyoming. The North Platte was flowing high due to significant snow melt. The conditions were great and we were able float the river three times. Tackle and Techniques are slightly different out West in comparison to the East coast. We were mostly fishing with five and six weights where on the Gunpowder we typically use three and four weights. On larger water a larger rod is necessary. Big flies and large trout are easier to …

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Fishing Multiple Rivers and Dealing With Invasives

On Western Maryland excursions I spend mornings fishing the North Branch in my Patagonia Watermasters and Sticky River Walkers, and use my extra Cloudveil waders and 8X Stealth Boots on the Savage for the evening hatch. It is too easy to shrug off concerns about invasives and wade from one fishery to another in a 24 to 48 hour period without treating, or changing into new gear. The issue isn’t being the first to contaminate another fishery, or whether others are disregarding protocol, but the problem becomes the increased frequency of spore loading, especially when leaving the North Branch or Gunpowder to fish other rivers. …

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Trico Hours at Backwater Angler…We’re open at 8:00 AM Saturdays and Sundays through August

The Gunpowder river is flowing at 74 CFS, is 54 F and clear. August has historically provided excellent dry fly fishing opportunities to early risers. Tricos are massing at Masemore. Tricos, midges, small caddis and ants are likely candidates before noon. Hoppers, Crickets, Beetles and streamers should round out most afternoons along the river. If you’re fishing from the armchair this weekend, we’ve provided a glimpse of what you’re missing in the following historical posts: From August 3, 2007, Trico Hatch on the Gunpowder River, Maryland From August 1, 2006, Excellent Fly Fishing on the Big Gunpowder Falls Advisory From August 5, 2005, Ants, Beetles, …

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Hot Summer Fly Fishing on Maryland Tailwaters

Maryland’s tailwater fisheries such as the Gunpowder, Savage, and North Branch of the Potomac are all at great flows with water temps in the mid 50’s. Summer hatches of tricos, caddis, bwos, stoneflies and midges are hatching on these rivers through mid to late Summer. The hatches can often be overlooked, in favor of fishing terrestrials, which is some of the most fun and productive fishing. Japanese beetles, crickets, moths, ants and grass hoppers are already crawling on the foliage on the river banks. Guiding and fishing on the Gunpowder the past month has been fun as the trout are really looking up now, and …

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