Gunpowder River Fishing Report

Fly Fishing action remains hot this Spring on the Gunpowder.  Stream flows continue to be excellent with average flows the last few days around 125 or so.  Constant flows in the 100 cfs range always seem to help with the fishing.  The trout have alot more stream to use and seem more likely to come out of their typical tight hiding spots.

Adding to the good fly fishing is a consistent Sulfur mayfly hatch. The bugs have been hatching through the afternoon in good numbers.  Anglers have been taking advantage of good fishing with dries as the bugs hatch, and have had good success with nymphs and soft hackled wets in the morning hours.

On days we are lucky enough to have the bugs hatch early, we have seen an awesome spinner fall at dusk.  This is not the time of year to leave the stream early.  Sometimes you can catch as many fish in the last half hour as have taken all day.  Tell your significant others that they are on their own for dinner tonight, you have a date with the trout!

Some of my favorite sulfur patterns are very simple.  I like a CDC winged dun in size 14 or 16 as an all purpose dry.  It will take fish any time of day, including the spinnerfall.  I also like a loop winged emerger for tough fish, as it rides in the film.  Sometimes I add a little orange to the butt of the fly to imitate an egg sac.  This will often work on a finicky fish too.

Besides the Sulfurs, streamer fishing continues to be decent on the lower stretches of the C&R area.  Buggers and Zonkers work well fished hard on the banks and in the log jams. Midging fish can also be seen rising in the flat water throughout the stream , and pose a good challenge if you are up for it.