Gunpowder Stream Report and Great Feathers Fly Shop Blog

What a difference a week can make! The conditions went from cold and snow-covered to beautiful and spring-like. Water temperatures are on the rise due to the warm weather. York Road temp is 44 degrees and Glencoe is right around 46 degrees. As long as the weather stays pleasant, we can expect those temperatures to creep up slowly. The flows are still reasonable as well. Parkton is at 64cfs. and Glencoe is 85cfs. The clarity remains good as the melt and precipitation have been progressive and not radical.

The bug life has increased as well. Turning over rocks and getting into debris piles produced more activity than usual. Small mayfly nymphs, presumably Blue-winged Olives, were more abundant and the sizes were from 18 to 28. There was no noticable hatches and few in the air. Grey and/or cream midges were visable in the air.

The fishing was producing greater results due to the condition changes. Fish were being taken swinging soft-hackles as well as stripping streamers. Frustration has abated but persistance should be the key to getting better results. Water conditions are improving and bug action should follow. Nymphing, wet flies and streamers are still the best bets. With the weather improving, we can expect better and more prolific insect activity. Dry fly fisherman will have to be patient but if the current pattern persists, satisfaction should not be far off!



BTW   Interested in tying flies?  We have provide fly tying classes and a variety of fly tying materials at Great Feathers.