Monthly Archives: January 2010

Trout in the Classroom

Trout in the Classroom Art
Backwater Angler has volunteered some time to help PPTU bring TU’s Trout in the Classroom Program to schools in Baltimore and Harford counties. We visited Odyssey School, Lutherville Laboratory, and Bel Air High school late last week to check tank conditions and to drop off fertilized trout eggs to be reared in the classroom. All tanks are equipped with chillers that keep the water nice and cold. The tanks are also tested for pH and ammonia levels frequently during the rearing process. The eyed Kamloops strain rainbow eggs should be hatching by the end of this week. By May, each school will plan a field trip to release their trout in area streams. In the meantime students will learn a lot about water quality what it takes to keep trout healthy as they grow. Thanks to Jim Greene of PPTU for allowing us to participate in this engaging program! We’ll keep you posted. Pictures are of a wall mural created with recyclables by the Lutherville Lab Environmental Club-impressive work from 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. When I was their age I couldn’t spell environmental.
TIC Trout Eggs made of Recyclable Materials

Snow Along the Gunpowder is Gone

Winter Gunpowder
Thanks to Adrian for sending in the following photos and the gentle reminder to enjoy winter while it lasts. The trails along the Gunpowder are now clear. With temps approaching the mid-40’s at the end of this week it’s time to hit the water. If you’d like to check out more snow, wait until the next snowstorm to blanket the river or check out his blog in the comfort of your own space at skiclimbfishbum

Hey Theaux,
Here are a few pictures from the huge snowstorm that recently came through the Baltimore area. Just a reminder to everyone out there that even when the snow’s piling up, there’s still lots to do around the Gunpowder.

-Adrian.

Snowy Gunpowder River

Winter Fly Fishing On The Gunpowder In 2010

Winter Brown Trout
Winter temperatures, high flows and ice on the guides hasn’t kept many anglers from wetting a line this past week on the Gunpowder. My last day of fishing in 2009 was on Monday of last week, with a few friends willing to fish in the dropping 400 CFs flow. Each of us landed a few fish in as many hours nymphing the soft edges of riffles and bends. Big streamers produced a few strikes, but the browns were not really aggressive in the colder water temps. My last brown trout of 2009 was hard fighting and took me around some trees requiring an assist on the net by Matt, who snapped the pic above. Alex McCrickard stopped by the shop Tuesday afternoon to report a nice brown caught on a stonefly dry on the Gunpowder. Alex and Max (BWA shop interns) should be experiencing some good dry fly fishing this week, as they explore some rivers in Chile. Good luck guys!

Winter Fly Fishing 2010

For the rest of us fishing locally this January, high flows on the Gunpowder dropped midweek and leveled out today in the 200 CFs range. Angler’s reports relay fairly tough fishing, but the majority of anglers are catching fish by getting flies down on the bottom. Water temps will fluctuate with the volume of spillover and dropping night time air temps, so midday is a prime time for warmer water temps. While the next few months are usually the coldest of the year, many anglers enjoy bundling up and having miles of river to themselves. A thermos of coffee, good pair of gloves, and frequently moving from spot to spot, can help locate some fish and fend off the cold. Be sure to stop in the shop for fly pattern and access recommendations.