Gunpowder Stream Report and Great Feathers Fly Shop Blog

The river conditions are great and the fishing has turned on!! As of this morning, the flow on the Gunpowder  at Parkton is 137cfs and the Glencoe guage is 285cfs. The temperature is about 56 degrees which is right where we want it. The frequent rains may have brought the flows up dramatically but the river has settled out nicely.

There has been plenty of action with a variety of different fly patterns. The Hendricksons have been seen in a number of places on the upper river. Dry flies have produced results with Hendrickson, both light and dark patterns. Emergers, spider and emerger patterns are reaping great rewards. Waterhen bloa, hen bloa, grouse and herl and a sparkle soft hackle have worked very well. Hendrickson emergers have also been doing great. Midges are still working in sipte of the largers food sources being present. Pheasant tail nymphs in larger sizes are a great recommedation. Emergers and nymphs are in sizes fron 12 through 16. Caddis patterns have also worked on the surface.

Swinging the spiders and soft hackles is what has produced consistant hits. Down-and-across presentations and let the current do the work. Dead drifting is also working as expected. You should always be conscious of your presentation and work now to shake off the rust for the rest of the season. Pick your targets and keep the drag off of the flies. Try to get in good habits now. Fish from the shadows so you don't scare the fish! As always, be considerate of others and show some respect for a fisherman's area. There is a lot of river so there is no reason to climb into the same holes. Have fun and get out there!!

Well... spring seems to be here. The rains keep coming, but that is great for the flows. The waters have been at great levels and the fish are coming out of their slumber.

As usual, when the water gets off-color, swing some streamers. Black wooly buggers are always a great choice and have produced good results. There has been good midge action up toward the dam. Zebra midges and disco midges are the ones that have worked. Wets and nymphs are going to get you the desired result. Pheasant tails, hares ears and copper johns in sizes 12 through 18. There has been some luck on dries as well. Olives on the oveercast days and there have been takes on caddis patterns.

The weather for the next week has rain coming in hard on Monday through Tuesday. Over all, the temps are coming up and the conditions should be right. Water temps are looming in the upper 40's.

As for the shad, they have arrived! We have tied up a bunch of shad flies and the time is now! Come on by and grab some and enjoy the action.