Gunpowder Falls, Baltimore Co.,MD, 01/28/2012

[3wt7X]

I fished Gunpowder Falls today and took the opportunity to enjoy the nice weather. I arrived around 0900am and I fished until 0430 pm. The water was slightly stained, cold, and pushing at close to 200cfs. The spillover from the reservior was making things pretty cold in the stream. As far as hatches, there were plenty of midges coming off, and I noticed black stoneflies on the banks and some fluttering on the water. I did not see one rise all day, and I think the cold water and high flows contributed to that, because the bugs were there. I started the day nymphing, which produced a couple, but the dydimo was really a pain today. I switched over to swinging streamers, which produced fish throughout the day. It was a slow pick, about a fish every forty-five minutes, but it sure was relaxing slowly working my way downstream a half step at a time, in anticipation for the next strike. All the fish were cookie cutter 11 inch Gunpowder Brown trout, which always seems to be the case for me, but I'm not complaining. The funny moment of the trip was when I spooked a Great Blue Heron, which I did not realize was standing eight feet in front of me, fishing the opposite side of the run that I was nymphing. The Heron took off and I almost needed an underwear change. I hope everyone makes it out soon, and I'll be disinfecting my waders and gear.

 

[Swattie87]

Nice post and pics 3wt. I'd take those cookie cutters on the end of my line any day too, especially in January!

I had a similar experience to you with the heron yesterday. I was fishing with jabink from the site and was one run upstream from him and partially out of sight. I was basically right underneath a red tail hawk's perch before either of us noticed each other. The sound they make when they take off is quite spooky until you realize what it was. Amazing how big they are with their wings spread.

 

[unforgiven]

Great report. I'm going to head down to the Gun next Saturday
morning, so your report is a Godsend. I hope I can get some of 'dem 11"ers!!!

 

[hunter1]

I'm heading to the GP this week. Any tips were to start, falls rd or massmore, or further down. I'v never fished up by the dam or falls rd. Any tips are helpfull. This is the best forum i'v read so far, members are really into it. I've gotten some of the best advise here.

 

[3wt7X]

hunter1,
I personally started up by the dam, and I worked that stretch for the better part of the day. There are plenty of fish in that area, but the water temps are colder this time of the year up there especially with the spill over. I spent the last hour and a half fishing down by Masemore Road, which is ideal for wading down the center of the stream and roll casting streamers tight to the banks. I think the fish are pretty evenly spread out, but I'd suggest that you take a stream thermometer and try to hit the warmer water downstream. Good luck and I hope to hear a good report.

 

[hunter1]

Thank's 3wt7x. Your right massmoer would be a little warmer water. I'll start with nymps and wooly buggers.
I'm going Thursday, 50 deg, cloudy, 40% chance of showers. Seems like it should be a good day. Thank's again.

 

[ryguyfi]

Interesting to see 2 completely different spot patterns on those fish.

Nice report. I wanted to skip work to fish today but I wussed out.

 

[BelAirSteve]

I haven't been out much at all - barely have a chance to read the boards any more - but I noticed the Gunpowder is flowing around 160 now, which is PERFECT for chucking streamers as 3wt7x says. You can cover a lot of ground and take fish consistently that way.

 

[hunter1]

I made it to the GP, But I put it on stream locations. Go to that and read my report.