Gunpowder Falls

Gunpowder Falls and Potomac River Report

The sulfur hatch is finally going up on The Big Gunpowder Falls. Fishing has been great in the afternoon and into the evening hours. Comparaduns and wet flies are the ticket when the fish are being shy. Fuller style patterns that you can skate on the surface will get you the takes when you see bigger splashy rises. Watch for more on our new favorite rods from from Mystic in the shot below.

IMG_1936c - Copy — SWEET new 10’3″ 4wt from Mystic – this rod is perfect for swinging wet flies on the Gunpowder.

I got to spend Friday morning fishing with first rate angler Tim Worrell, of Timothy Paul Carpets and Textiles , out on the Potomac river for smallmouth bass. Now that the weather has warmed up and the flows are down, it’s the perfect time to wet-wade and soak up some sun. We had a blast swinging Clousers and even flinging a few poppers. To say the fish were hungry would be an understatement. We caught so many fish I lost count! If you’re headed out, look for flows below 6,500cfs on the Point of Rocks gauge. The river is still dropping but there’s a lot of volume and a slip can mean a swim; I proved that one yesterday. Leave the cell phone in the car in case of a swim. Wading boots, swim trunks and a big hat will make the day.

If you need to get out and aren’t sure where to start, give Knee Deep Fly Fishing a call. We can help you hook up and get those lines stretched out. If you’re just starting out, throwing flies to bass on the Potomac is a great way to get a feel for casting and stay cool.

Keep your tip on the water!

Micah

A First Trout & A Fishing Report

Micahdammeyer Big Gunpowder Falls, fishing report, Spring, Trout, Uncategorized April 14, 2013April 15, 2013Big Gunpowder Falls, DC Fishing, fly fishing gunpowder falls, Gunpowder Falls, Gunpowder Falls fishing report, Gunpowder Falls Fly Fishing Guide, Hendricksons, Knee Deep Fly Fishing, Maryland, Maryland Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland trout fishing, Stoneflies, Sulfur hatch

IMG_1680c - reduced — There’s nothing like that first trout on a fly!

I had the pleasure of guiding two wonderful young ladies last week and introducing them to fly fishing for the first time. It was a great day on the water and the perfect picnic weather. I had to post a few pictures and say “Thank You” to the Sitar Art’s Center for connecting us. For those of you who don’t know about “sitar”, it’s a wonderful organization that’s putting art and music in the hands of DC’s kids. I can’t think of a tool that’s more powerful than creativity to help propel them into the future. Check them out and think about getting involved. It’s a remarkable place filled with some great folks.

IMG_1667c - reduced — Not a bad day for a steamside lunch!

With Spring dragging its feet and the air temps making wild swings, the Hendricksons have been slow to show themselves and hot/cold depending on the day. Fortunately there are still a few stoneflies buzzing around the Big Gunpowder Falls to keep anglers out of trouble. Grey comparaduns (think #12 & 14) have been working on rising fish feeding on emerges. A pocket full of midges can save an evening. Last night was no exception to that rule. Finally, there have been a few sulfurs popping out of the water here and there. Get you snow-shoe patterns and your Frog’s Fanny ready!

Not sure about where to start on The Big Gunpowder? Give Knee Deep Fly Fishing a call (or e-mail) and we’ll help outfit you and get you started right.

We’ll see you on the water!

Micah

Everybody must get stones….

Micahdammeyer Uncategorized March 31, 2013Big Gunpowder Falls, Flies for big gunpowder Falls, fly fishing big gunpowder falls, Gunpowder Falls, Gunpowder Falls fishing report, Gunpowder Falls Fly Fishing Guide, Knee Deep Fly Fishing, March Trout, Maryland Fishing Guide, Maryland Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland trout fishing, Stoneflies, trout fishing

We’ve waited long enough!

The early black stoneflies are the first real chance we get to fish dry flies in Maryland. Trout are looking up and skittering stones across the surface of the water is a great way to cover a lot of water and catch fish!

We’re booking up for April but still have a couple days left on the calendar for the month. If you’ve not had success in the spring on Maryland’s streams in the early spring, give Knee Deep Fly Fishing a call and let us guide you. We’ll help you make the most of your time on the water.

It rained, it snowed, we fished

Micahdammeyer Uncategorized March 16, 2013March 16, 2013Big Gunpowder Falls, DC Fishing, Fishing, Flies for big gunpowder Falls, flies for gunpowder falls, Fly Fishing, fly fishing big gunpowder falls, fly fishing gunpowder falls, flyfishing, Gunpowder Falls, Gunpowder Falls fishing report, Knee Deep Fly Fishing, Knee Deep fly Fishing LLC, March Trout, Maryland, Maryland DNR, Maryland Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing Guide, Stoneflies, trout fishing, Witer Flies For The Gunpowder

This morning I thought I’d be over dressed for fishing. I started my day south of the Big Gunpowder in 50+ weather and ended at 34 degrees with rain and snow flakes. I know we just have to hang in there for a couple more weeks and we’ll be fishing in t-shirts. – Micah

Hooks Up!

Micahdammeyer Uncategorized February 8, 2013Big Gunpowder Falls, Big Gunpowder Falls Fly Fishing guide, DC Fishing, Fishing, fly fishing big gunpowder falls, Gunpowder, Gunpowder Falls, Gunpowder Falls fishing report, Lefty Kreh's Tiefest, Maryland Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland trout fishing, Stoneflies, Streamer Fishing, The Fly Fishing Show, The Fly Fishing Show Lancaster, The Fly Fishing Show PA, tie-fest, trout fishing, winter

For anglers, this is the time of the winter when cabin fever starts to take hold. Maybe it’s when we’re in the car in the mornings and we notice we now need sunglasses again rather than headlights. For the hardcore trout bums, perhaps they notice the dog is waiting for them to get up and get moving. Whatever it is, we know spring is coming. We just have to hold on!

If you didn’t make it to Somerset, NJ for The Fly Fishing Show, you’ve got another chance to get your fix. The crew is on their way to Lancaster, PA for the weekend of March 2^nd/3rd.I’ll be there tying and telling even bigger fish stories (it’s been a long winter) and hope to see some of you there.

The next weekend, March 9^th, is Lefty Kreh’s “Tie Fest” closer to home in Grasonville, MD with the gang from CCA Maryland. This one is going to be pretty cool. It’s the region’s best tiers and guides getting together to share what’s coming out the jaws of their vises. There’s even a bar so you can buy them a beer and try to get them to let go of a few secrets. I’ll be tying there too so be sure and stop in for an hour or two just to say hello.

Looking forward to these two events should help to ease the pain of winter. Last year the stoneflies were climbing out of the water by the second week of March so there’s an end in sight!

Tight lines,

Micah

…on new flies

Micahdammeyer Big Gunpowder Falls, fishing, Fly Tying November 20, 2012Big Gunpowder Falls, DC Fishing, falls, Fishing, Fishing The Big Gunpowder falls, Flies for big gunpowder Falls, flies for gunpowder, Fly Fishing, fly fishing big gunpowder falls, Gunpowder, Gunpowder Falls, Gunpowder Falls Fly Fishing Guide, insects, Maryland, Maryland DNR, Maryland Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland trout fishing, Stoneflies, Streamer Fishing, Trout flies for Maryland

IMG_1509C-WM - SM — I tried hard to show off that fly but the fish were a little too hungry!

Armed with a new fly pattern, I set out to get a picture of it hanging from the corner of a fish’s mouth. I was sure it would work but who really knows when it comes to new flies. There were plenty of fish willing to hook themselves but nearly every one was hooked in a manner that wouldn’t allow for a photo of the fly. One large fish even broke off, stealing the fly I was trying to get shots of. It was laughable. How could I be angry that the fish were taking my fly? Years ago someone told me “you can fish, or take pictures, but it’s hard to do both.” That same person told me the old photographer’s joke “…if you want to take better pictures, get better looking friends.”

Of course, there were only 4 flies tied and that’s never enough if it’s the one that’s working. With 2 in the trees or on the bottom, and 1 in a fish, the rest of the afternoon was spent casting with less boldness. You can bet a dozen or two will get turned out at the vise this week. As for the photos, I may just have to settle for a picture of it in the vise.

Let’s go fishing!

Micah & The Knee Deep Team

Scenes From the Banks

Micahdammeyer Big Gunpowder Falls, Fall, fishing report, Fly Tying, Mayflies, Trout November 12, 2012November 12, 2012Big Gunpowder Falls, DC Fishing, falls, Fishing, Fishing The Big Gunpowder falls, Flies for big gunpowder Falls, flies for gunpowder, Fly Fishing, fly fishing big gunpowder falls, Gunpowder, Gunpowder Falls, Gunpowder Falls Fly Fishing Guide, Gunpowder Midges, insects, Maryland, Maryland DNR, Maryland Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland trout fishing, Midge patterns for the Gunpowder, Stoneflies, Streamer Fishing, Trout flies for Maryland

IMG_1507CWM - SM — The banks of the Big Gunpowder look a little different after the high water.

After Hurricane Sandy and the nearly 3,000cfs spike in flows, the banks of the Big gunpowder look a little different. While the high water changes the look of a river and can be hard on its aquatic life, these too-frequent epic-high-water events are a good chance to study the life of the river. Those of us who spend a lot of time on the water are familiar with its banks and the contours of its runs. There’s nothing like walking and wading your favorite stretches and discovering new runs and log-jams if you’ve been bitten hard by the fishing bug.

Some insect sampling revealed lots of caddis and mayflies holding tight to the rocks and a few midges. One thing we discovered is a lot of olive mayflies. We’ve always fished dark brown and olive Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ears and treating yourself to an olive hare’s mask would be $5 well spent if you tie your own. The midges that were netted were more cream and green than any of the red or black varieties. Super tiny and active in a sampling bin, they were hard to photograph. We shot a few through some stacked lenses and will think skinnier and longer in the future. A size 16 curved hook with tan thread will be in the box this winter.

IMG_1453CWM — We netted a few midges and quite a few snails!

Headed out this week? Think deep and set the hook every time your strike indicator stalls even for a moment.

Keep your boots clean,

The Knee Deep Team

Hurricane Sandy Is On The Way

Micahdammeyer Big Gunpowder Falls, Fall, fishing report October 25, 2012Big Gunpowder Falls, DC Fishing, Fishing, fly fishing big gunpowder falls, fly fishing gunpowder falls, flyfishing, Gunpowder Falls, Gunpowder Falls fishing report, Gunpowder Falls Fly Fishing Guide, Knee Deep Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland trout fishing, Stoneflies, Streamer Fishing, Streamers for Gunpowder Falls

With Hurricane Sandy on the way, if you can skip work and hit the water Friday and Saturday, you won’t regret it. The forecast is for 40mph winds and heavy rain. The fall foliage will soon be gone but this will speed things up.

Stoneflies and caddis larve in the riffles will produce and streamers on the seams and near downfalls are a good bet. When your indicator rig tangles, it’s worth tying on a streamer and making a few swings before you re-tie your rig. The fish below fell for a big tan steamer after countless drifts with nymphs couldn’t lure him out from his log.

Get your feet in the water this weekend!

The Knee Deep Team

IMG_1398-001 - smaller — Low sun but great fall colors await before Sandy hits!

IMG_1401copy — This fish took a big streamer after rejecting a number of nymphs.

Don’t Let October Slip By you!

Micahdammeyer Big Gunpowder Falls, Fall, fishing report, Uncategorized October 16, 2012Big Gunpowder Falls, Fall Gunpowder Falls, flies for gunpowder falls, fly fishing big gunpowder falls, fly fishing gunpowder falls, Gunpowder Falls, Gunpowder Falls fishing report, Gunpowder Falls Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland Fall trout, Maryland Fly Fishing, Maryland Fly Fishing Guide, Maryland trout fishing, Trout

IMG_1384cWM — The girls ALWAYS out-fish the guys.

Don’t miss out on Fall’s changing colors! The leaves are changing and they won’t last long after this dry summer we’ve had. Take advantage of the low temps and crisp fall air by spending some time on the water. Knee Deep Fly Fishing is here to help get you out and catching fish.

In the last week we’ve seen water flows level out on the Big Gunpowder Falls and the fishing had picked up. We’re lucky to have shared the water with some great folks and had some fun streamside picnics. Last weekend Micah spent the day fishing with Adam Franceschini, head guide from Housatonic River Outfitters, Inc., and his girlfriend Jennifer – a first rate angler herself – through Backwater Angler. The weather was picture perfect and we shared a lot of laughs all while proving that the girls always out-fish the guys. The proof is in the photo above. It was a treat to watch Adam cast to some fish feeding on midges late in the day and, as surface action is always sweet, it was a great way to end the day. Big Thanks to Theaux and his team at Backwater.

It took everything from caddis, tiny hare’s ear and pheasant-tail nymphs, to tiny midges on the surface but we pulled up a bunch of fish. We saw a lot of young fish offering plenty of encouragement for seasons to come. If you’re headed out this week, watch those river gauges and the weather forecast. If they call for high winds, leaves could make it tough but Fall is the time to get your line wet. If you’re just starting out, Kne Deep Fly Fishing is ready to show you how to un-complicate fly fishing. Give us a call and get on the calendar this fall.

Look at those flows!

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Don’t forget to check out the flows before you hit the water this weekend. Conditions should be great for chucking big streamers.

We hope we see you on the water!

The Knee Deep Team