Gunpowder Stream Report and Great Feathers Fly Shop Blog

Due to the recent heavy rains, the river has been subjected to extreme flows. As of this morning, the flows at Falls Rd. gauge were 317cfs and the gauge at Glencoe is still nonfunctional. That gauge may be trashed or missing-in-action! The temps got up to about 73 degrees at the peak of the rains due to the warmest surface waters coming over the dam. Since then, the temps have been steadily dropping and as of today, the temp has dropped 11 degrees back to the lower 60's.

The water levels are still very high and technical for those that want to wade. Please exercise caution when the flows are above 300cfs. This much water is nothing to take for granted!!

As for activity, the Gunpowder needs to relax for a few more days. The clarity in the top section is still chalky but clearing nicely. Lower sections have been seriously mucked and are very thick with sediment. One of the interesting observations has been the addition of many carp in the top section. Presumably, they took the ride over the dam and are milling in the slower water and eddies. They will drift downstream as the temps get lower, but they will still add a new twist to the upper Gunpowder.

The stream is likely to have changed in many areas due to the extreme volumes  of water. This is great  for the fisherman as many of the features have changed. It will offer new water to the old river. Small streams have also been redesigned and offer new water and challenges for the fisherman.

Well...we have had hurricanes and earthquakes and the fishing is holding up very well. As of this morning, the Falls Rd. gauge read 124cfs and the Glencoe Rd. gauge read 175cfs. Clarity is good and the temps are still in the mid-50's in the northern stretches.

Hurricane Irene did bring the flows up but all things considered the water calmed nicely. The dam is full and any subsequent rains will bump the flows in the top section. the lower sections had close to flood stages, but for the most part the water is back to normal. One thing you may encounter is downed trees and debris where is once wasn't. Such is the case on the trails. There will be limbs and trees crossing the normal routes so use care when traversing the carnage.

As for the fishing, the yield has been great. The fish are responding very well to dries, nymphs and streamers.Caddis on the surface have been working very well as well as emerger patterns. Ant and hopper patterns continue to work also. As for nymphs, pheasant tails, caddis pupa, and midge pupa are your best bets. When the water gets off-color, go to your streamers. Bugger patterns, matuka, crawfish patterns and leach patterns with bunny strips are very successful.