Join us Saturday, January 13 for a Stonefly fly tying class that focuses on Gunpowder river patterns. Jason du Pont will be teaching this fun-filled life-cycle class for intermediate tyers.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-registration is required. Please give us a call at 410-329-6821 or drop us a line at info@backwaterangler.com to pre-register.
Archive for October, 2006
The Scott G2 773/4 is the 3 weight rod we’ve all been waiting for. First, let’s thank Scott Rod Co. for making rods for small eastern streams. Secondly a 3 weight that is light, smooth, and powerful is a rare combination.It will cast delicate dries, protect 7x tippets and then cast small streamers and nymphs with authority. This is an attractive rod with internal ferruling and a witness mark at 12 inches. In a four piece configuration it packs very small, but fishes very big. Check it out!
Rating:[5 of 5 Stars!]
Reviewer:Rocky Cox, Staff Member, Guide and Fly Fishing School Instructor.
Low water in the Gunpowder river for awhile…
Published by October 24th, 2006 in fishing report. ClosedWe’ll be experiencing some low water for awhile. Water flow is at a low, low 24Cfs so bring your Summer rod-a 7′ 7″ 3wt 4pc Scott G2 would be nice. Small water calls for small flies so fish tiny olives, caddis and brassies and be sure to bring along some 7x. Expect to see some ankle deep water out there folks-think lower river and have fun out there…
Thanks to Ellen for the following report…
You’re the greatest! We stopped by the shop at 2 pm on Saturday October 21st and took your recommendations on huge caddis flies.
Went to Mazemore and walked upstream from the bridge, fishing close to the banks. The weather was beautiful; no rises, but we tried the dries anyway. Second cast: a nice 11″ rainbow. All in all, 9 or 10 fish depending on how you count.
To explain: I fished into a small eddy and caught a very small fish (by its weak wriggling); as I was bringing it in, suddenly the line went down and a very different, very strong action began. At first I though the fish was playing with me, but as I brought whatever was on the line to my net (carefully since I was using light tackle and a 2 st rod), I realized that a very large brown trout (>15″) had taken on my little catch. Just as I reached to net them both, Big Boy decided on a wiser course on action and let go, leaving a four inch quite dead young ‘un on my fly. I was able to pass on your recommendations to a young angler, and as soon as he put large caddis flies on, he reported on several hits.
Scott’s E2 rod series could change the way you fish. Let me explain. They offer a variety of weights and lengths for each type of fishing. I chose the 10 foot 4 weight rod for the Gunpowder, Savage and North Branch, because higher flows will keep you from wading into the river as far as you like. This rod allows the same ability to control drift with dries or a pair of nymphs under an indicator. It takes high sticking to a whole new level and it mends and picks up forty feet of line for roll casts with ease. It can put the fly into those seams on the far bank, that the 8′6″ and 9 footers can’t reach. It has a soft tip to protect light tippet, but looks more like a six weight at the butt. The Scott E2 1004-4 is a hooksetting, nymphing, line throwing machine. For smaller waters the Scott E2 9003-4 is an excellent rod with similar characteristics.
Rating:
Reviewer: Jason du Pont is a staff member, guide, writer and videographer.
Buy a Scott E2 1004-4 fly rod at Backwaterangler.com
Flyfishing the Gunpowder river? Try 4,646 wild fish per mile for odds…
Published by October 20th, 2006 in fishing report. ClosedThe upper river holds, based on State fisheries biologist Charlie Gougeons’ report after the 2006 Fall shocking survey, 4,646 fish per mile-That’s four thousand, six hundred and forty six fish per mile folks. Who’s going flyfishing this weekend? If you don’t, others will. Here’s a little insight as to who might headed up this weekend based on local drive times from folks we’re proud to call regulars.
The South Jersey and N. Virginia anglers will drive just over 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Philly-style anglers will drive 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Delaware based anglers will drive 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Annapolis and DC Metro anglers will drive 1 hour and 20 minutes.
York and Baltimore anglers will drive 35 minutes.
Are you a Backwater Angler?
Remember that the Big Gunpowder Falls River river is over 18 miles in length from Prettyboy Dam to Loch Raven. I’m sure that you’ll be able to find some open water this weekend, Stop in the shop if you need directions, flies or just want to share a tall tale.
The river is flowing at a great level, the most recent instantaneous value provided by the USGS is 154 CFs means that the fish are ready to attack dries and streamers. We had several anglers in yesterday that reported great luck with Goddard caddis in the #12-16 range. Small Streamers have also been the ticket. Try fishing olive marabou muddlers with a little deep soft weight pushed into the nose to get them down. Bwo’s in the #18-20 range will trick fish along back eddies and glassy pools. Die-hard terrestrial nuts can still score with a #14-16 fur ant. And behold, nymphers, the little black fly larvae are about, so be sure to pick up a few brassies in the #18-22 range before you head out.
Long leaders are still the rule, we’re typically starting with a 9 to 12 footer and adding a few feet of 6 or 7x.
Note:Hand tied leaders are typically easier to turn over than knotless tapered leaders.
See and feel the difference hand tied leaders can make in your fishing the next time you’re in the shop.
