With better flows in the last few days I headed up to the Gunpowder Falls after teaching a fun “Fly Fishing 101” class at the Bethesda Orvis store. The drive was HOT but it was great to soak my feet in that icy cold water. My thermometer read 52 and the flow was around 75cfs. There wasn’t a ton of activity but hoppers and caddis proved to be the ticket. I swung emergers through the riffles that were dry a few days ago and had dozen strikes with 6 fish getting off the hook. Frustrating but when you’re letting them go anyway it’s OK knowing you fooled them. After working through a run I’d cast back up into it with a dry caddis or hopper and was rewarded with a few splashy strikes.
I didn’t fish long but was glad I made the drive despite all the tubers floating down the river. I hadn’t fished the weekend in a while and have gotten spoiled on the weekdays. If you’re headed out avoid the weekends if you can. Early and late will help you beat the crowds. Be sure and check USGS.gov and check the flows before leaving the house. It’s worth the time with all the thunderstorms we’ve had recently.