Gunpowder Stream Report and Great Feathers Fly Shop Blog

Great Feathers is a Baltimore and Gunpowder River area brick and mortar fly shop staffed by fly fishermen and fly tiers with a passion for the sport. Our blog posts provide you with the latest stream reports on the Gunpowder and interesting posts on fly fishing anf fly tying information.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Gunpowder River Stream Report & Fly Tying Materials

The water temps have dropped and this makes for some great fishing. As of this morning, Falls Rd. was flowing at 82cfs and temperature is 58 degrees. Glencoe Rd. is running at 135cfs and the temp was 62 degrees.

As is the case in summer, the temps play a big role in the fishing. With daytime temps getting in to the 90's, mid-day fishing slows down and now that the water is cooler, more activity will be seen. Mornings and evenings are still the best bets. Sulphurs have slowed down, but there are plenty of caddis. Tan and olive caddis are the best dries, as are brown and pink klinkhammers in smaller sizes. Terrestrials like small ants and crickets have been producing throughout the day as well.

BTW Interested in tying flies? We have the best selection of fly tying feathers and a variety of fly tying materials at Great Feathers.

Labels: fly fishing feathers, fly tying feathers, fly tying materials

posted by greatfeathers # 10:37 AM

Monday, August 24, 2009

Stream Conditions-August 24th, 2009

As of this morning, the flow at Falls Rd. was 31cfs and the temperature was approx. 60 degrees. At Glencoe Rd., the flow was 76 cfs and the temperature was 66 degrees.

The flow has remained constant from the dam for the last ten days. The jumps in flow have been stopped and the only factors effecting the river has been the weather. Last weeks storms have pushed water higher in the lower sections but the northern section has remained steady. If the pop-up storms do come in, expect the lower river to get off color due to run-off. The waters have relaxed very quickly and overall has not greatly changed the fishing.

There has been interesting bug activity lately. A few days ago, slate drakes were seen spinning in the late evening. This is an uncommon sight in the Gunpowder and was quite a spectacle. Fishing these monsters is unpredictable and hard to find. The other hatch of note was a massive flying ant hatch on the lower river. The water was pocked by fish rising to the countless numbers of ants falling and collecting in the eddies. Every fish in the river was rising to the vast swarms of bugs. This is very isolated but covered a large stretch near Glencoe Rd. Seemingly any fly that hit the water was risen to.

Patterns that continue to work very well are terrestrials. Fish are very aware of any bugs falling off the banks and off of low-hanging branches. Caddis and pheasant tails are also working well. Using a terrestrials or caddis as a strike indicator with a dropper is a great way to go.

BTW Interested in tying flies? We have the best selection of fly tying supplies and a variety of fly tying materials at Great Feathers.

Labels: fly tying feathers

posted by greatfeathers # 10:53 AM

Monday, March 9, 2009

Stream Conditions- March 9, 2009

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.

Labels: fly fishing feathers, fly tying feathers, fly tying materials

posted by greatfeathers # 11:24 AM

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

A New Fly Shop

Great Feathers is celebrating our 15th year at our Sparks location this month.
So...what's new about us?
Here's a taste if you haven't been in lately:

Fly Rods By;
Orvis
Hardy
Grey's
Temple Fork Outfiters
Diamondback
Cortland
Redington

Fly Reels By;
Orvis
Hardy
Grey's
Redington
Ross

Fly Lines By;
Orvis
Rio
Cortland

Waders From;
Orvis
Redington
Hardy's
Greys

Flies;
Over 20,000 flies in stock from Umpqua, Orvis, Spirit River, and from many local and in-house tiers.

Fly Tying Materials;
Cookshill
Veniard
Collins Hackle Farm
Partridge
Mustad
Tiemco
Gaelic Supreme
Daichii
Grip Hooks
Whiting
Bob's Hackle Farm
Umpqua
Hareline
Wapsi
the list goes on....we have arguably the largest and most comprehensive fly tying department of any shop in the Nation.
As well as the largest selection of terminal tackle from every major brand in the world.

Whether you are brand new to the sport, or a veteran of many seasons we guarantee you've never seen anything like we have built.

If you want to see what a fly shop is supposed to look like, staffed by pro's with decades of experience..stop by and see the New Fly Shop in town!

BTW Interested in tying flies? We have the best selection of fly tying feathers and a variety of fly tying materials at Great Feathers.