The Gunpowder River flow peaked late Friday night at 1,700 cubic feet per second at the Falls Road gauge and at over 2,600 cubic feet per second at the Glencoe Rd gauge. Recent heavy rainfall and a full reservoir resulted in spillover despite a release made by Baltimore City Friday afternoon. Flows are slowing dropping, and currently at 1,610 cubic feet per second at the latest 6:00 am gauge reading at Falls Rd. Generally flows on the Gunpowder are wadeable, but very challenging at or just over 300 Cfs, but higher flows present a real danger above that level. Anglers may not have opportunities to fish through this weekend, but can monitor flows to follow the status of the Gunpowder.
Related video post:
Gunpowder River At 1,200 Cfs
Backwater Angler has partnered with Mary K. Jenkins, aka. The Fish Lady, to bring you pre-shrunk, 100% cotton, T-Shirts now available in three styles. The short sleeved T-shirts feature a vibrant screen print high across the back, and the Backwater Angler logo printed on the right front chest.
The Brown Trout shirt. Buy this shirt at www.backwaterangler.com
The Rainbow trout shirt. Buy this shirt at www.backwaterangler.com
The Brook Trout shirt. Buy this shirt at www.backwaterangler.com
These shirts are available in sizes medium through XL and are limited in quantity.
Stop by the shop and try one or more on or shop online on our secure site for Backwater Angler Trout T-Shirts or anything else fly fishing related that strikes your fancy.
The Savage and North Branch of the Potomac rivers were at typical late Summer low flows while fishing last week, so these rougher rivers were much easier to wade. The North Branch flowing under 200 Cfs was at prime levels for nymphing the deeper slots where many fish concentrated and allowed sight fishing to big fish in shallow riffles. Hopper-dropper rigs were also a great way to fish these levels and effectively cover different types of water. Numerous miles were recently stocked with large rainbows in the 3-6 pound range, and some wild browns in the twenty inch range were visible in certain runs.
The MD Fisheries biologists were conducting the electroshocking surveys on the Savage River in the mornings, but flows rose and leveled out in the afternoon at 60 Cfs. Blue quills, caddis and midges brought fish to the surface sporadically during the day, but by evening trout were rising in the flat water pools. A highly successful tactic was highsticking the rough pocket water with big dries on long 6x leaders, which amounted to 10-12 fish to the net over a few hours of fishing in the afternoon. Numerous trout quickly erupted on dries in the pocket water, so missing a number of fish was common. The selective feeders in the pools were challenging midday, but the bright sun didn’t prevent the opportunistic fish in the swift water areas from rising. The flat water trout were more aggressively taking flies sized 22-26 toward the last half hour before dark each night. On my last day I caught a dozen trout and got the Savage Slam; eleven inch Rainbow and Brook trout, and a seventeen inch Brown.
The latest video includes a huge, rising brown trout feeding on tiny spinners at Noon on the Savage river, a mix of wild fish caught on the Savage, and heavy rainbows on the North Branch.
Thanks to Mike for stopping in the shop to cast some bamboo!
Theaux,
Thanks for the advice on the Gunpowder a couple of days ago when I stopped in the shop to pick up a few things, and for letting me test-cast the Payne 97 clone by Bill Felter. A very nice rod! Could you put me on the email list for monthly stream reports, etc. ? Thanks, and I hope to be up your way again soon.
Take care,
Mike
Mike’s on the list, If you’d like to sign up for BACKWATERANGLER.COM’s monthly email newsletter please drop us a line at info@backwaterangler.com.
Thanks to Max Green for the Delaware river fishing report and the kind words!
Hi Theaux,
As you so wisely eluded, fly fishing the Upper Delaware can be electric! “Similar to fishing some of the notable waters in Montana.” I concur. I spent two days fishing the upper west branch and main stem and was extremely impressed with the quality of fly fishing opportunities for large wild browns and rainbows. I stayed at the West Branch Anglers Resort. The accommodations and service were excellent. As you know, guide service is available through the resort but I hired Joe Demalderis, a 17 plus year Delaware Veteran who came highly recommended and proved to be exceptionally good. On the first day we floated the upper section of the West Branch and on the second day, we floated the lower quarter of the West Branch and 4 plus miles of the Main Branch. The gauge height at Hale Eddy was high at 5.10 feet, water temps hovered around 60 degrees F, and the combined flow rate from the Cannonsville Dam Discharge and recent precipitation was an unseasonably fast 2500cfs, spring-like conditions. We fished streamers exclusively with sink tip lines on the first day, casting to undercut banks and visible cover. The browns were extremely aggressive in some cases chasing 15 plus feet before putting the hammer down. Alewife or “Sawbelly” streamer patterns proved most effective which makes sense given the number of Alewives that spill over the dam during high water periods. We caught and released 3 beautiful wild browns over 20″, the largest pushing 24″. I certainly lost my share as well. So goes the novice. We saw an occasional sulfur and a few Blue winged Olives 20’s but no real surface activity to note. The second day proved to be more challenging, but equally rewarding. We started the day off fishing, yep you guessed it, streamers! And after an hour without a single follow, we switched to Isonychia Dry/Baetis Nymph, Large Brown Stone Nymph/Baetis Nymph tandem systems which produced nicely most of the day into the early evening. The browns ranged from a very healthy 15″ to 19″, but the highlight of the second day was a 21″ rainbow, which we hooked with a dry fly on the last cast of the day just as the sun was setting while slow drifted through long, quarter plus mile pools casting to rising fish.
Also, I wanted to say thanks for the many years of good advice and service. Your expert knowledge, experience, and good heartedness are much appreciated. The Simms G3 wader and Cloudveil boot system was the right call. Very pleased, and btw I sent my old waders to recycledwaders.com I am going with the wallet and nook sack. Great Idea!
Kindest Regards,
Max Green
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 to report that it was “raining flying ants” above Falls Rd over the weekend. Tricos in the #24 range, and small Caddis have been accounting for a number of fish released in the catch and release section this week. Terrestrial fishing with small beetles and hoppers has also been very good-as long as one uses 7x.
Thanks to Jeff for the following Gunpowder stream report from Bunkerhill RD. access point:
Theaux,
Hit the waters on Sat from Bunker Hill upstream. Was the only car in the lot when I started. Fished my way thru the campground hole and up and around the corner with nothing of note except a very brief trico flurry and a nice morning. However, tying on a caddis emerger was apparently the right move from that point on and yielded more than a couple fish. A good outing which drew to a close as the nice weather brought out a lot of folks enjoying the day and the water. Did stop by the shop on my way home to get a new pair of tying scissors and gave Max well wishes for his Cornell experience.
Thanks,
Jeff
and thanks to Bryan for the Gunpowder stream report from York RD access point:
Thanks again for your help today. I took your advice and fished below York Road. I hiked in about two miles and worked my way back. Fish seemed to be grouped together in pods in the bends of the river. To put it mildly, I was humbled. I did manage to catch two. My casting skills leave a lot to be desired. The only way I caught those two browns was by staging myself upstream of a pool and waiting for the fish to settle down and resume feeding. When they did, I would make a roll cast and try to set my drift up to hit their lane. I caught 11 chubs on green weenie variants. They weren’t trout, but a few of them actually had some size and fight to them. I fished the stretch above falls road from 4 till 7:30 and managed to hook five and land two. All in all it was a good day. Thanks again for your help. I’ll probably be back next Saturday.
Take care,
Bryan
| August 30, 2009 |
| 11:00 am | to | 2:00 pm |
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 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.
