Fly Fishing for Stripers on Eastern Bay

I‘ve spent most of the week on the Chesapeake chasing fall stripers. Most of our fishing efforts have been concentrated on Eastern Bay and surrounding areas. There are lots of bait and fish around, and quite a few breaking fish on the moving tides. The shallow water fishing and fishing around structure and shorelines has been slow getting rolling, but we have managed some decent fish shallow. Water temps are 62 to 65 degrees. I’m hoping the fishing will continue to get better in the coming week.

Bill and Karan, from Fayetteville, Arkansas, caught some good stripers on the fly this week on Eastern Bay. Most of the fish they caught ate 2/0 clouser minnows fished on sinking lines.

Under the birds and amongst breaking fish the trick is not catching fish, but catching big fish. There are, as usual, alot of small fish present in the breaking schools. They are quick to take a fly, especially when fishing a small flytrying to imitate the small baitfish they are eating. We have been using 1/0 clousers in gray and white and they eat them quick. Most of the schooling fish are 15-17 inches and you just have to commit to fishing through the smaller fish, and keeping your fly deep in hopes of the big ones, which are around. We catch several fish each day over 18" and some over 20" in among the breaking fish.

Fishing shorelines and structure has been spotty, but the fish we catch have been decent. We had some good 22 to 25 inch fish and a few pushing 30" this week while fishing our flies in shallow areas with a hard bottom. The best of the fishing was on the outgoing tides. There are still some decent bluefish around too, keeping things interesting, some up to 5 lbs.

We’lll see what the rest of the week has to offer, and I’ll keep you posted.

Gearing up for the Fall Bite

We’ll if you have waited all year to get out fishing, now is the time.  The fall brings us some of the best fly fishing of the season around Maryland and the Delmarva Coast.  By far my favorite time of year to fish, I spend lots of time both on the trout streams around the state, and on the Chesapeake Bay chasing Stripers on their way south for the winter season.  The fishing stays great well into the late fall and early winter, so don’t put your fly rods away yet.  Now is the time to fish.

Cheasapeake Bay Fall Fly Fishing Update 

The fishing in and around some of my favorite spots on the Bay has been slow getting started for the fall.  Water temps have been really warm for this time of the year, and the normal push of baitfish and fall stripers have been slow to arrive.  Up until the last day or two water temps were still 72 -75 degrees.  I’m sure the last few cool nights have dropped temps a bit, and I hope to see some better fishing any day now.  To be fair, I have spent much more time fishing trips on the Gunpowder than on the bay, but my last few times out the fishing has been lackluster targeting mostly the Middle Chesapeake.   I know the folks fishing live bait have been catching some decent fish, but the typical bunches of bait and breaking fish we like to fish on the fly are just showing up.  I postponed a few trips this past week, but will fishing hard here the next few days.  I will keep you posted with some pics and updates on the fishing.  I hope to contact those of you who fish with me often as things get hot.  Hope to see you out this fall.

Gunpowder River Update

Stream flows on the Gunpowder remain high due to the need for water in Loch Raven Reservoir.  300 as of yesterday. With high flows , however, comes some good fishing so get out there while you can.  I have seen some of the biggest fish I have seen in years get caught the last few weeks on the Gunpowder.  Several over 20 inches ( check some out at www.backwaterangler.com )  Streamers and nymphs are still working well as I reported recently.  The fall is always good fishing as our steambred browns get aggresive and are adorned with their spawning colors. Here are a few shots of some pretty Gunpowder browns.

Also pictured is a kamloops strain rainbow trout that you might come across while ishing the upper river. The rainbows were stocked as fingerlings with hopes of starting some new rainbow trout reproduction in the river.  We already have some limited rainbow reproduction. Good Luck Fishing.

Gunpowder River Fly Fishing Update

Great Flows ,Trout Fishing on the G.P.

As I have reported the last month or so, the fishing on the G.P. has been great, again due mostly to excellent stream flows.  Flows have been steady due to the lack of rain and the need for water in Loch Raven Reservoir.  For now, a good thing as we still have a good clip of water in Prettyboy, athough losing capacity each day.  Some good rain would really help our cause heading into the fall. Unfortunately for the last few days, flows have been way up around 350 cfs, making wading a tough chore.  However, the fishing remains good, just be careful if you go.

I’ve spent most of the last three weeks taking trips on the Gunpowder.  We have had ssteady morning hatches of tricos and caddis all through September, offering lots of dry fly action.  The fish taking the tricos are tough, as they tend to the glassy water making them tough to fool.  You can find fish rising to caddis in most of the riffles making for a bit easier fishing.   I like a size 16 x caddis overall in tan or olive as a go to fly.  Keep it floating high.  Had some success last week during a hatch of flying ants.  A snowshoe winged ant pattren w/ a brown body took fish during this episode which I see from time to time.

Overall , though, I stick to nymphing for the most consistent fishing.  Day in day out nymphs will catch you lots of fish on the Gunpowder.   I like a size 16 pheasant tail fished in a dropper rig along with another larger attractor type nymph, you pick.  Don’t be afraid to use some weight.  Most of the time you need more, not less weight.  I always use an indicator too, and strike at anything.  Most of the sports I have had fishing in the last few weeks have been able to catch using the high stick nymphing method.