Gunpowder River Report: 11/11/26

Heading out to the Gunpowder River? Check out the most recent report of the stream from Mike Slepesky

If you want to put some of the skills I mention in this blog to the test, reach out to mike@tightliningmd.com to schedule a trip for next year. We will be hosting clinics in the spring, with Cory from Old Dominion Trout Bum, as well as other great events and personal trips available, though limited!

*ALL FLIES are on SALE 20% currently and also new rods and reels were added to the store! Lastly, seasonal boxes are available with the "hot flies" for the time and even leaders in a box too!

Current Stream Temps- - 51-57 degrees. The temps are great! Fish will be most active for the next few weeks, so take advantage! After 9 AM should be best.

Current Stream Levels- 29 CFS; levels are low. It should remain this way for the foreseeable future. Expect low, slow, and clear conditions. Find fish in the riffles or pools.

Current Bugs- BWO, Midges, Streamers. Hatch season is behind us, but there are still bugs around, especially mid morning as the water warms. Typically the BWO and Midges start coming off around 9-10 AM. Although fish aren't actively coming up in numbers, a sporadic rise occurs and fish can sitll be taken off the surface.

Use the advice below to help you net a few more fish the next time you step out on the water!

Tip #1 - Watch for redds!

Pictured above is strip of riverbed that has been cleaned off by the mature browns getting ready to spawn. They just started popping up, and although I didn't see any fish on the redd, steer clear of these areas for the next 3-4 months.

There are two options from November to April:

1.) Stay home

2.) Fish ethically

I choose to latter. I fully respect anglers who opt not to fish during the spawn. However, do those same anglers go out in December through March? If so, the eggs haven't hatched yet either. We all need to do our part by not fishing to actively spawning fish. Furthermore, we need to also not walk near/on them until spring as well.

In my opinion, anglers can still do the right thing and fish water like riffles and pools, where fish are not spawning. Most redds you will find in 10-14 inches of water, it will be moving water and often near structure. If fly fisherman are observant, and wise about where they choose to fish, then I believe you can still protect the resource. Just understand, November is not the only month to be mindful of redds. Watch where you wade for the next few months and do your best to stay near the bank until the spring and you will help protect the next generation of trout!

Tip #2 - Go natural and then dirty

Pictured above is a fish taken on a mop, in a riffle. When in doubt, clean em up with a mop!

Lately, I have found myself fishing through riffles and runs with a size 16 Pheasant Tail and Walt's worm. With the lower water levels, only a single nymph in sz 16-18 has been needed to fish effectively. I can usually typically pick up a fish are two in most spots. Addtionally, with the lower flows, I have had to increase my distance and fish from 20 feet or more in order to get fish to play along.

During my last personal outing, I fished a standard size 16 Walt's Worm through a run and picked up a small brown. I then proceeded to fish a slightly deeper hole with that fly and got some really nice drifts, but no fish. I decided to put on a sz 14 mop fly and then picked up a nice 11" brown that I know had to have seen my Walt's.

Sometimes it pays to come back through a run you have fished with natural flies and see if they will pick up a fly that is a little "dirtier". On my last guide trip the fly they wanted most was the mop fly. We hooked a 17-18" rainbow on one and also missed another fish that was pulling hard and peeling drag! Moral of the story, don't be afraid to be a little less pure. Thank me later!

Tip #3 - Find a bucket/deep hole and work that hard!

Joe Clark is one of the best anglers I know! Here he walks our Advanced Clinic members through the set up of floating the sighter and immediately catches a fish!

This time of year fish are sluggish. It takes perserverance, persistence, and a lot of luck! By guiding some groups, at our most recent Advanced Clinic, we found that you don't have to leave fish to find fish.

What I mean by this is if the spot you are fishing looks like it should hold fish, it is. Moreover, just because they aren't eating your fly doesn't mean it is time to move on. Here are some suggestions to help get an extra fish in the net:

1.) Further your distance

2.) Size down your tippet/fly

3.) Swap tactics; if nymphing, try dry dropper

4.) If Euro Nymphing, try floating the sighter or change angle of drift

Joe Clark, a coach for Team USA Youth Fly Fishing, literally fished right behind our group of anglers in the Advanced Clinic. He demonstrated a set up for "Floating the Sighter" and not more than a few casts later Joe landed a nice 11" brown in water an angler was wading in not more than 5 minutes prior! That fish had seen our flies from the group, been waded near, but we just couldn't pick it up. However, Joe's patience, knowledge, and change in tactic landed an excellent fish!

If all else fails, throw a mop :)

Tip #4 - Dry Dropper despite lack of bugs

In water that is in many cases just ankle to shin deep, a single fly is needed. However, sometimes it seems like the drift may not be perfect and we are too often ticking the bottom with our nymph. One strategy I like to employ is Dry Dropper. I will put on a Popsicle Fly (coming soon to the store!), Parachute Adams, Caddis, etc. I usually fish a tandem rig where I have a 5-6" tag for my dry and for my nymph I will use a sz 18 Pheasant Tail, or Walt's dropped underneath. I like spacing of approximately 20" between my flies.

By fishing the dry dropper I believe I get better natural presentation. The drift seems to go just a little slower. The nymph in particular rides just a little more mid column and more naturally. Although fish haven't eaten the dry a ton, we are still getting surface takes and many for the nymph. Sure, dry dropper is best in the spring and summer, for surface eats. However, don't be afraid to be different and fish something on top and below. You might just be surprised at the results!

Get your boots wet and chase down some fish!

I hope this report, with tips included, helps you the next time you head out to the Gunpowder River. Be sure to head over to my Youtube Channel and see the latest adventure, head over to the store for rods, nets, euro nymphs, new boxes, leaders for your next outing, and consider booking a trip for the clinic, or next year, through website.

I have some new fly boxes available, like the Attractor Series Box. I have one Old Dominion Trout Bum Box left as well. Finally. I have a couple "410" fishing hats for my Central MD peeps and "Our Rods are Longer" hats too!