Gunpowder River, Baltimore County Md., 07/06/2015

[1manwolfpack]

This is my first stream report and my first time fishing the Gunpowder River. Here goes, cherry popping X2.

Hit the water around 7am and fished from Falls Rd bridge upstream until 1pm. The river was flowing clear at about 105 cfs, with a temp of about 50 degrees (flow and water temp from USGS at Falls Rd bridge). Weather ranged from overcast, to sunny, to rain. While I fished the air temp warmed from 70 to 80 degrees.

Saw fish rising sporadicly threw out the day to sulphurs but couldn't convince anyone to play on top with me. Got in to fish nymphing (hares ear, pheasant tail, and bird of prey). Fish definitely seemed to be keeping in on rising nymphs getting ready to emerge, as I caught two on the swing at the end of a drift. The fishing also seemed to pickup as the day warmed up (but it may just be that that's when I was in a more productive stretch). Ended up catching 3, loosing 2 and missing 3 (that I saw).

I have to say, the Gunpowder is a beautiful piece of water. The cold water kept a mist on the water all day giving it an almost magical appearance (witch to me was pretty fitting since I've never had the opportunity to catch browns in July). I will definitely be back! If anyone has any recommendations I'd love to hear them.

 

[wildtrout2]

Great job on the stream report, you didn't miss a trick. Let that water warm up some, that's pretty cold, especially for browns.

 

[Van_Cleaver]

I fished there once in June when the air was pushing 90, but the water was still in the 50's. Did well fishing small nymphs and soft hackles. I'd fish an ant dropper if I was to do again this time of year.

 

[Midge22]

The water in the GP does not get much warmer than what it is now. 50's are pretty steady throughout the year.

I was on the GP friday. We did very well. small small bugs are key here. i rarely throw anything over a size 18 there. i did really well on size 18 and 20 mayfly nymphs (probably 95% of my fish friday came on them). i also managed 8-10 fish on dries at the "one more cast stage". all on a size 16 bwo.

key is to cover water, fish everything, and move slowly. i probably got an extra 20 fish that day just because i threw my fly where 99% of people walk right past

 

[ryansheehan]

That temperature is at the gauge which is well down stream of the release. I took a temperature right at the outflow of 44.5, talk about cold.

 

[redietz]

If you're there on a weekday, fishing downstream from Little Falls, the water will be somewhat warmer. Way too many floaters on a weekend to be much fun. I was there on Sunday for a couple of hours and spent almost the whole time letting tubers/kayakers pass. (Not that they affect the fishing -- I still took 9 in what amounted to about 45 minutes of actual fishing.) Water temps near 60, the fish were very active.

 

[BelAirSteve]

I was out Sunday morning - tough day. Caught a few. The flow is great, but warmer would be nice. Redietz, good call regarding below Little Falls. The only issue with that is you tend to find more fallfish and other things down there.