The Gunpowder river is flowing at 187 CFs, and water temps have increased a few degrees after a week of warmer air temperatures. The access has improved as far as parking, and most of the catch and release lots are plowed. Access along the trails is also improving as some spots are melted, others packed snow, yet some areas not getting sun are still knee deep. Yesterday water temps in the Falls Road section reached 41 degrees midday, which is up from the previous week’s temps in the 37-39 degree range. The slight increase helped start a sparse midge hatch, which has been long overdue, but I didn’t see any fish rising. Stronger hatches and rising trout may not be far off, if the weather continues to improve. Nymphing midge patterns paired with small nymphs is a good bet, although anglers bottom bouncing may notice the presence of Didymo again in the upper miles below Prettyboy Dam. Sections downriver with a siltier, gravel substrate don’t have as much algae visible as the areas further up river. The best way to minimize “fouling” your flies frequently is to use less weight, rig the indicator closer to the flies and make shorter drifts. Streamer fishing has yielded the best results, and is easier to keep the fly close to, but just off the algae on the river bottom. The past two days on the water I noticed the fish much more aggressive, chasing streamers and landed a couple browns. A few anglers sent in these reports relaying similar success on the Gunpowder.
Guys,
Went out at York Rd. Had only 1 bite (a chub I think) that I long-distance released, and caught one 10-12″ brownie. Caught him on a black articulated bugger, drifted downstream just at dusk between the interstate overpasses and the York Road bridge. Didn’t even see any others! The water was very cold, but not particularly deep, so there didn’t seem to be too much runoff.
Other than the cold, the weather was beautiful and it was great to get out! If the snow stays much longer, I’m contemplating carrying snowshoes on a day pack!
Bryan
and another from a 12 year veteran of the Gunpowder,
Hey guys, just to let you know that I’ve noticed since fall that the fish in gunpowder are getting bigger. Before I was catching fish in the 6 to 10 inch range and since fall they’re in the 8 to 14 inch range. I do most of my fishing off the NCR trail near Monkton. Water is high and cold, but the brownies still need to eat. A 14.5 inch brown was caught off a size 16 beadhead pheasant tail dropper off a size 12 of the same. Thanks for the time and effort on your web site and happy fishing.
Jason miller
I just spoke to David who told me a Yellow Perch tournament is scheduled for this weekend up near Herb’s Tackle Shop in North East. It’s being called the CCA MD “Yellow Perch Appreciation Day” and is being held at North East Park from 10:00 AM till 2:00 PM. Registration for the tournament costs $5 for individuals and $15 for families. Before you head north, be sure to sign up on the National Saltwater Angler Registry. For more on the registry and how it will benefit every man, woman, child and fish give Chris Dollar’s Article from The Capital titled; “Outdoors: Registering Saltwater Anglers Should Give State More Clout”. For more on the, MSFCMA, (Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act), and it’s role with other initialisms like PIAFA, WPSFF, WPC, SFA, NAS, NMFS, NFMP, HSDMPA, HSDFE, EEZ and it’s implications on conservation and management of our valuable fish resources, check out the handy UNMCWL, (University of New Mexico Center for Wildlife Law) synopsis.
| March 13, 2010 |
| 11:00 am | to | 2:00 pm |
Please join us for a flyfishing school. On March 13, a Backwater Angler Guide will be teaching a fly fishing school that is ideal for beginners. If you’re planning on fly fishing in 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 license and trout stamp is required and may be purchased prior to the class with check or cash at the shop. Class size is limited to 4 and pre-payment is required. Please give us a call at 410-357-9557 or drop us a line at info@backwaterangler.com to register.
This morning I visited the Odyssey School in Stevenson, where I checked in on the fast growing Kamloops strain rainbows, showed the class lots of insects and a sample of Didymo, and generally talked about water quality and what Brookies, Rainbows and Browns need in order to live. On the way back to the shop I caught the last hour of the Diane Reihm show. Anders Halverson, Journalist and author of the book “An Entirely Synthetic Fish: How Rainbow Trout Beguiled America and Overran the World” was being interviewed along with guests, Curtis Milliron, a Senior Biologist and Specialist with the California Dept. of Fish and Game and Gerald Smith, Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan and Curator Emeritus of Fishes for the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.
The show’s description, “An Environmental Outlook on the unintended consequences of stocking the nation’s inland waters with hatchery-bred fish and a look at the invasive species threatening the Great Lakes” got my attention.
Let’s just say it’s worth a listen, lots of talk about native fish, rotenone, and recreational angling and trout management, but I must warn you that it may change the way you regard rainbow trout-at least East of the Cascades.
Thanks to Meredith for the quick note and link!
Theaux,
Greetings! I hope that you are well. My father forwarded this article to me and asked me to send it to you. It’s about some researchers who recently made a very cool discovery about caddis fly larvae.
Meredith Winks
Some compelling words from the article from laboratoryequipment.com titled;
Fly Glue Creates Bioadhesive:
Like silkworm moths, butterflies and spiders, caddisfly larvae spin silk, but they do so underwater instead on dry land. Now, University of Utah researchers have discovered why the fly’s silk is sticky when wet and how that may make it valuable as an adhesive tape during surgery.
| March 13, 2010 |
| 9:00 am | to | 12:00 pm |
Fly Fishing Maryland? Please join us for an Advanced Fly Tying Class on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 9:00 AM till 12:00 PM. The class focuses on Cripple and Emerger Patterns. Our very own Gunpowder river guides will be teaching this challenging advanced class. Cost of the class is $45 per person, and includes the use of materials. Please bring your own tools.The class is limited to six and pre-payment is required. Please give us a call at 410-329-6821 or drop us a line at info@backwaterangler.com to register.
| March 6, 2010 |
| 9:00 am | to | 12:00 pm |
Fly Fishing Maryland? Please join us for an Intermediate Fly Tying Class on Saturday, March 6, 2010 from 9:00 AM till 12:00 PM. The class focuses on Gunpowder River Stonefly Patterns. Our very own Gunpowder river guides will be teaching this fun-filled Intermediate class. Cost of the class is $45 per person, and includes the use of materials. Please bring your own tools.The class is limited to six and pre-payment is required. Please give us a call at 410-329-6821 or drop us a line at info@backwaterangler.com to register.
