Gunpowder River, Baltimore County MD 12/29/17

[ryansheehan]

Air temp:high 20's
Water temp: around 40
Flow: 90 cfs

I fished upper falls today from 1-4 pm. Despite the cold temps the fish were aggresively taking my midge and san juan patterns throughout the afternoon. While there were no signs of insect activity on top the browns were definitely set up to eat in all the softer and slower water. It seemed like every pocket and tail out had a couple of willing fish. Despite the constant rod ice it was great to get out in the beautiful fresh snow and wet a line.

 

[Dave_W]

Good to see a report during this deep freeze.

As this report reveals, there can be some good fishing to be had if you're dressed for it and have some patience with frozen guides and such.

No winter stream pics? Days like today always make for some scenic photos.

Anyway, well done and thanks for the report and motivation.

 

[ryansheehan]

I have some, just haven't uploaded from my camera yet. Will put them up shortly. I've been using a gopro lately so I haven't gotten into a groove yet for getting pics.

 

[tomgamber]

Seriously? Been a LOOONG time since i had that kind of passion for fishing. You can man.

 

[ryansheehan]

I love fishing, but I also love winter fishing, it's my favorite season to wet a line.

 

[Nymph-wristed]

Thanks for giving me hope, ryan. Every time I see an overnight temp of 12, I talk myself out of it. My family returns to work/school on the 3rd, and I will be out there somewhere, maybe southcentral PA to start.

 

[ryansheehan]

 

[redietz]

That last fish is reasonably nice for the GP. I'm surprised that it still has vestiges of parr markings.

How was the didymo that high up in the river? I'd heard bad things about it before they raised the water, but I'm not sure how reliable the person I heard from was. (Nothing yet down by Bunker Hill as of a week ago.)

I'm heading out as soon as I get over a damned cold.

 

[ryansheehan]

It was present but not bad. I just changed my nymphing rig slightly and didn't give it a second thought. On a scale from 1-10 I would call it a 2.

 

[salmo]

Great pictures. Keep up the reports.

 

[Houli]

Hey Ryan,

I'm headed that way Saturday for a few hours (Falls Rd). Any info on fly selection appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[redietz]

Be aware that they throttled the flow back to 35 cfs yesterday. It's low!

 

[ryansheehan]

It's low but the temps have skyrocketed (for a tailwater), might run into a bunch of rising fish, good luck.

 

[Houli]

Thanks! Wind looks brutal but when you get a day you take it.