Gunpowder Falls, Baltimore County, MD, 12/25/2010

[3wt7X]

Due to my work obligations, I was unable to travel back home for the holidays with my wife, so I decided to spend Christmas day on the Gunpowder. I arrived at about 10:30 am to chilly temps in the 30s. I did not get a water temperature, but it was definately cold.

The Gunpowder was very low and clear. I was amazed by the number of trout redds that I saw on that stream. As some of you already know, there is a very healthy population of wild browns in there. I stayed out of the stream for the most part and I started by slow swinging streamers along the banks. I did not get any takes on the streamers, but I did get a few follows by some decent sized fish. Around 1 pm, I switched over to small nymphs and bottom bounced the deeper riffles. This produced several beautiful little brownies in the 5-8 inch range.

Towards the end of the day, I noticed some trout coming up to very small midges, so I switched to dry flies briefly, and took one 5 incher. Overall, it was a wonderful day spent in some beautiful areas. Catching was not that great, but it did not hurt my feelings any. One might say it was a "festivus miracle"

P.S. Anyone concerned with the didymo issue, today was a send off for my old pair of waders and boots, I had a good Christmas present this year!

 

[Fishidiot]

Neat report Josh.

Betcha had the stream to yourself. 🙂

 

[NCPAtrtbum]

Watch out for that there DIDYMO! Nice report.

 

[jdaddy]

P.S. Anyone concerned with the didymo issue, today was a send off for my old pair of waders and boots, I had a good Christmas present this year!

Hold on to them and dedicate the old ones to didymo known streams. Even the new rubber soles and improved wader designs still transfer the stuff unless properly cleaned and/or dried. Easier for some folks to just save an old set up for diddy streams.

Given that you could not spend the day with your family, you found a great alternative.

 

[Fishidiot]

NCPAtrtbum wrote:
Watch out for that there DIDYMO! Nice report.

3wt7X is well aware of the Didymo problem on Gunpowder. Nevertheless, it's not a bad idea from time to time to re-iterate that this is a stream that carries it. Good reminder.

 

[sundrunk]

I for one do not believe didymo is much of a threat to pa limestone water. It would have shown up in the Letort or Penns by now..Didymo seems to enjoy cold, low nutrient, freestones and tailwaters.

 

[j_man]

I just hope the rubber soles get better traction, after tearing my achilles it is hard using rubber soles. They just do not add up to felts on most streams.

 

[jdaddy]

sundrunk wrote:
I for one do not believe didymo is much of a threat to pa limestone water. It would have shown up in the Letort or Penns by now..Didymo seems to enjoy cold, low nutrient, freestones and tailwaters.

"Until recently, didymo was restricted to colder, low-nutrient waters; blooms are now occurring in
nutrient rich streams and rivers at an increasing rate. Humans are the primary vector responsible
for the spread of didymo."

http://seagrant.psu.edu/publications/fs/didymo.pdf

 

[jayL]

j_man wrote:
I just hope the rubber soles get better traction, after tearing my achilles it is hard using rubber soles. They just do not add up to felts on most streams.

As someone that has endured a year of hell over a wading slip-up, I say stick with the studded felt. Be careful, and ensure that you bleach and brine your boots after fishing an infected waterway. Safety first, IMO.

 

[sundrunk]

Jdaddy,

I'll keep that under advisement...Like I said before I have my doubts about didymo taking a foot hold in PA's alkaline waters, but at the same time have no interest in taking any chances, so I dedicate tackle for the Gunpower just to be sure..When it comes Penns, or the others, suceptibilty to didy I hope I am never proven wrong.

 

[j_man]

I have 2 pair of boots I use one for the gunpowder. Don't want to miss the first day ever again 🙂