Gunpowder Stream Report and Great Feathers Fly Shop Blog

Finally, the water is up!! At Parkton, the flow is at 91cfs and at Glencoe it is 189cfs. Tempertures are in the high 40's throughout the river and there are active fish!!

The caddis are still coming off periodically throughout the day and dries have been successful. 16 through 20 brown and tan Elk-hairs and cdc patterns are the ones. Phesant tail, hare's ears, tan caddis emergers and copper johs in sizes 18 through 22 have also produced. Midges have been hatching in grey and tan and they are as small as you can stand. Fish have been seen coming up to specks on the surface that are hard to see with the naked eye. Griffiths gnats and small midge pupa in 20-26 will work. Olive and baetis patterns are getting their attention as well.

All reports from the river have been very positive and there are fish getting caught. With the flows up, the fish have been very active. The spawn will be starting within the next few weeks and the bigger fish will be on the prowl. The conditions are great and you should take advantage of this while it lasts. The weather for the weekend shows showers which will be great for the Olives. Don't let the weather scare you off!!! Bad weather can mean great fishing.

The conditions on the Gunpowder have remained relatively unchanged. Parkton guage is 32cfs with temeratures around 52 degrees. Glencoe guage is 92cfs and the temp is 57 degrees.

The conditions have been steady and the waters are getting cooler. The fish have been cooperative, but the bugs are getting smaller. Tricos are still coming off in the late afternoon and the spinner fall in the mid-morning. Midge hatches have been prolific when the sun warms the bottom; grey, cream and black in sizes 20 through 26. Caddis have been coming off sporadically throughout the day. Olive and tan patterns will work in sizes 16 to 20. There have been numbers of black stones continuing to be evident in size 16, 18 and 20. Skittering stones can be seen on the water during the heat of the day. The late cahills are also being seen in some of the lower seations of the river; size 14-18.

Patience will continue to be rewarded. Longer leaders, 12 to 18 ft., will also aid the cause. Water clarity is great and the fish are spooky, especially when there is little water over their heads. Try to work slowly and move quietly. Throwing a wake up the slow pools will make things much more difficult. Fish are active and you will see a fair amount of surface activity, so your presentation has to be good. Swinging soft-hackles behind nymphs is still an easy and effective method.