Gunpowder Stream Report and Great Feathers Fly Shop Blog

The flow is at a minimum, 24-28 cfs, but there are great opportunities to catch some bigger fish. The spawning season is very soon and that can be great! Because of the spawn, the opportunity to get strikes increases due to females getting territorial and the males being on a tear to find a mate. Strikes can come from anywhere and usually have nothing to do with feeding. Streamers are the key and don't feel funny throwing chartreuse, purple or white. This time of year, most of the traditional rules do not apply. The "Trout Rut" will elicit aggressive behavior toward an patterns that may present a threat. Clouser minnows in larger sizes, #4 or bigger, can really piss off a feisty bull or a brooding hen. Brighter colors have been successful in years past and will probably still work.
The water is clear and slow, so it is your objective to be more stealthy than normal. Keep your face out of direct sunlight as they will see you coming. Cherry pick your holes, as well. Long, slow runs will have fewer fish and the deeper spots will hold the beasts. After fishing near the old bridge at Bunker Hill, I can assure you that the flats will yeild far fewer fish, but there are a few! Also, due to the fact that the water is moving VERY slowly, just a simple bead-head will sink and catch up in the long shallows. If you feel compelled to fish the runs, there is not need for using any weight. In the faster riffles, they do work.
Flies I would suggest include all your bugger patterns, matukas, zonkers and clousers from the streamer box. Copper Johns, #16-#22, pheasant tails, hares ears and, without a doubt, soft-hackles. In the faster sections, hang a wet behind a Copper John or a bead-head pheasant tail flashback. Wets I would suggest would be grouse and herl, partridge and anything and starling and purple. Also, look for midge activity where the sun is heating up the bottom. Griffiths Gnat will be a good suggestion for the surface.
DON'T LET THE COLD SCARE YOU AWAY!