The Water’s Cold, Wish You Were Here!

Micahdammeyer Big Gunpowder Falls, fishing report , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

With the heat setting in, standing in the mid 50’s water on the Big Gunpowder Falls has been a GREAT way to beat the heat. Just recovering from a hot week on the road, Thursday was a great day of fishing before the air temps hit 100. I spent the day sharing some of my favorite parts of the Gunpowder with a great fellow angler and we had success with summer patterns like the classic Elk Hair Caddis and my “fast caddis” fished as a dropper and in tandem wet-fly rigs.

Great cold water brown from The Big Gunpowder

Weekdays are a treat on The Big Gunpowder Falls as the crowds are sparse. I was amazed how few anglers were on the water yesterday. The weather forecast may have scared a few folks off but the temps on the water were comfortable. With neoprene booties in my wading boots, I was comfortable going without my waders. An occasional trip into deep water for a snagged fly was refreshing!

If you’re headed out in the heat this weekend/coming week, be sure and pack some water as well as some kind of “sports drink” and travel light. Check your boxes for a few light colored Elk Hair Caddis, bright green larvae for subsurface as well as some trusty PT nymphs and midges. Friends are reporting Tricos but I haven’t been lucky enough to see them.  I spotted a few bright green hoppers on the banks and am excited to fish hopper patterns again; nothing else produces such a big splash.  It’s going to be hot for a while but the fish don’t seem to mind! Give us a call and we’ll help get you out there.

Tight lines,

Micah

Stormy Weather

Micahdammeyer Big Gunpowder Falls, Mayflies, Trout, Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
 
Sunny Days and Brown Trout

 

With stormy weather in the forecast for this afternoon, it’s nice to look back at some of the sunnier days.

The sulfurs won’t mind if it’s raining. In thinking about it, a few years ago I left the city only to get stuck in traffic for hours and arrive at the river just as the sky opened up. I fished all evening at Falls Road and caught fish after fish while cars drove over the bridge, pausing, to watch me unhook and release the fish. I waved at a couple of the passing cars as the rain poured down around me. One of them gave a toot of the horn as they pulled away. It seemed like I had the entire river to myself – I probably did. The sulfurs emerged through a storm of nickle sized rain drops and the fish splashed at the surface like nothing was happening.

Rain and trout

Stay dry and safe this afternoon. If we’re lucky it’ll all blow over and we’ll see a nice spinner fall tonight!

 

Super Duper

Micahdammeyer Big Gunpowder Falls, fishing report , , , , , , , , , , ,

The water is a bit cool but it’ll feel nice when the temps crank up this weekend. Flows are what we call “nice and flush” here at Knee Deep and things are looking perfect for the next few days. We’ll see you on the water!

 

Sunny Days and Sulfurs

Micahdammeyer Big Gunpowder Falls, fishing report, Mayflies, Trout , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Father and Son

 

First trout!

 

 You can’t help but have a great time when the sun is shining and the sulfurs are coming off the water on a nice afternoon. The fishing’s been great even with the higher flows. If you can stay late for the spinner fall, you’ll be rewarded with plenty of elbow room and bold trout. Give Knee Deep Fly Fishing a call today and we’ll get you out there. It’s a GREAT time to catch your first trout!

 

“Do you see any fish?”

Micahdammeyer Big Gunpowder Falls, Trout , , , , , ,
"I don't see any fish"
"I don't see any fish"

 

Often I run into anglers on the trails and hear them say “I didn’t see a fish all day.”

 

“They’re in there!” I tell them. Often while  looking at a scene like the one above.

 

I know how hard it can be when the fish aren’t feeding on the surface to believe that there’s fish in the pool in front of you. I like to sit on the bank with other anglers and clients and just observe the water for ten minutes. The trout in the Big Gunpowder Falls haven’t escaped Bald Eagles and herons by making themselves easy to spot. After approaching a run or a pool, taking a few minutes to watch and let the fish get used to your presence can make all the difference.

 

"There's a fish!"
"There's a fish!"

 

While talking with a fellow angler in just such a situation last week, the fish above resumed feeding. Boldly, this fish swam several feet in all directions to chase down emerging sulfurs. You can spot him swimming toward the camera. We marveled as other fish took up feeding positions alongside this fish and they swirled around in plain sight of us.  We couldn’t have seen them without polarized glasses and some patience. Often, while fishing, I’ll suggest we take a five minute break after making many casts to a feeding fish who seems to vanish.

 

Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see fish. Reading the water and learning to spot the fish comes with practice. Don’t hit the water without your polarized sunglasses and approach the water carefully. Don’t rush to wade into the middle of the flow and you’ll be rewarded with opportunities you never saw before.

 

Keep your stick on the water,

 

Micah & The Knee Deep Fly Fishing Team

 

He’s A Snake In The Grass

Micahdammeyer Big Gunpowder Falls, fishing report , , , ,
 
Snake In The Grass

I was just about to put my foot down when I saw this nice fat water snake relaxing on the bank. As far as I could tell he was digesting a big meal or was full of eggs. Either way, it was about as fat as a plastic water bottle.

It’s a sign that spring is in full swing and it’s great to see a good diversity of water-life after last fall’s hurricanes. The hatches are great this year and the fall’s high water doesn’t seem to have affected them. Get out there and don’t forget the camera and a flashlight if you’re fishing late! (Be sure to check your batteries – everyone’s got a story there!)

Tight Lines,

Micah & The Knee Deep Team

2.5 Feet High and Rising

Micahdammeyer Big Gunpowder Falls, fishing report, Fly Tying, Mayflies , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

 

While the water is high and may get higher today, there are sunny skies in the future forecast. Here at Knee Deep Headquarters, we’ve got a day off the water tying Pheasant Tail nymphs and spinners for when things return to normal.

The prior week was filled with great fishing on The Big Gunpowder Falls. Sulfur emergers, wets, and dry + dropper combinations proved deadly right up until the latest front rolled through, when things slowed down.

If you’re headed out this week, be sure to check the river gauges before you head out. At close to 300 CFS the water is mighty fast. Fishing heavy streamers in the eddies is a great way to stay on the banks and hook up with some big fish. Don’t let stained water scare you away. If you can cast around the rapidly growing vegetation on the banks, you’ll find fish holding on the edges.  By late this week, things should calm down.

Tight Lines,

The Knee Deep Team

New Gear

Micahdammeyer The Fly Fishing Show, Uncategorized , , ,
New M-Series 4wt

While I’ve put a few of Mystic Fly Rods’   M-Series rods in the hands of clients, I’ve yet to have time to fish myself and give them a full once-over.  I can say that I have a new favorite rod. The 9’3” 4wt is perfect for fishing dries (even long dropper rigs) on the Gunpowder. I had a blast dishing out sulfur emergers on Friday night. I’m looking forward to using this one a lot during this season!