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Gunpowder River Report: 7/10/26

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. My summer schedule has a few days left, grab one of the last few days I have left to experience what the Gunpowder truly has when you unlock the skills to fish it consistently!


Current Stream Temps- -52-61 degrees. Temps have been holding steady for a few weeks, which are almost literally the most ideal water temp. Do not miss out on peak appetite!


Current Stream Levels- 150-165; levels are HIGH for summer, but they are stable and there has been a slight "tint" to water and it is helping!

**These flows will be gone within a week or two. PLEASE take advantage and get out there!


Current Bugs- BWO, Midges, Sulphurs, Caddis. Terrestrials. Hatch season is winding down, but there are still bugs around! Best to go out for the final two hours of daylight.


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


Tip #1 - Dry Dropper for the win!


Pictured here is Josh, who enrolled in the Dry Dropper Clinic. He quickly found success using Single Nymphs and Dry Dropper. Great job, Josh!


Dry Dropper fishing is at its absolute peak right now. On July 5th, I hosted a Dry Dropper clinic and our group caught 15 plus fish in 4 hours. We focused on using sz 14 dry flies and a sz 18 dropper, typically a Pheasant Tail or Walt's Worm. We had some dry fly eats, but the fish were really into taking a small nymph, trailed about 15-20 inches underneath the dry.


I find that getting a drift near a riffle, in a soft seam, where you can almost stall out your drift, is a deadly way to catch fish this time of year. I have been consistently getting fish in ankle to shin deep water with this tactic.


Using dries like:

-X Caddis

-Popsicle Flies


Using nymphs such as:

Zebra Midges


This is the best time of year to employ the tactic. One piece of advice though, remember "God Save the Queen"! If a fish SMASHES your dry, set quickly. If it is a slow sip, say to yourself "God Save the Queen" and then set. In other words, strike/set as quick, or slow, as they eat and you can thank me later.




Tip #2 - Down and dirty

Pictured below is a fish from a buddy, and guest of mine, Craig. He has been getting out most mornings on the Gunpowder and he has netted TWO fish this big in a matter of days. Thanks for sharing, Craig!



At 150 plus CFS, you need to go a little bigger on your nymph and something a little more visible. Craig's tactic for the fish above, BIG nymphs. Sz 12 or 14. Typically in the summer we go small. However, with this elevated flows, a sz 12 or 14 Blow Torch has been working.


I would advise in deep holes, of 3 or 4 feet or more, one large nymph, or possibly a tandem nymph rig with a sz 14 and 16, or even a double sz 14 would work well. In general, you need to get your flies down to these big fish, in the deeper runs. In order to do that, one must change their fly choice and angle of their drift. If you get all the pieces of the puzzle put together, you might just unlock the fish of the year, or lifetime, on the Gunpowder.


Lastly, don't be afraid to use "junk" flies. Mops and Worms that is. The water is up, a little stained, and these fish need to be able to see your flies. Therefore, I like bright beads in silver/pink, and sometimes gaudy flies/patterns. In a couple weeks you can go back to small impressionistic patterns, but for now feed 'em what they want.


Tip #3 - Match the hatch


I was taking a summer camp of young anglers out this week. While walking down to the river, I saw an inch worm making its way down from a tree. It was an immediate reminder, fish a Green Weenie, boy did it help to be paying attention, even on the walk down to the river.



This camper landed a 16' wild brown, yes we measured, and is hooked for life! We were using a sz. 16 Green Weenie and this fish ate in a medium depth and speed riffle. It was an amazing fight and fish.



Whether it is matching terrestrials and dry flies on the surface, it is equally as important to match the nymphs and bugs below the surface. As a result, Green Weenies have been very productive. Other patterns working well are Walt's Worms, Pheasant Tails, and Zebra Midges. With the extra flows, bugs are being pushed around more than ever. Seriously, look again at the picture above, specifically at the stomach. These fish are GORGING on nymphs right now. Every fish we have been catching, even the small to medium ones, have full stomaches. They know, as do I, these flows won't last long. Therefore, get your flies into their feeding lanes, dead drifted, and you will be rewarded.



Tip #4 - Bite windows are a real thing

A fish taken on a Green Weenie as soon as we started casting for the day!



On our second day of camp this week, we stepped into the river and in 20 minutes we had netted 8 fish, or more, for the group. However, that bite did not remain as steady through the rest of the day, despite the cooler temps and overcast conditions.


I have noticed, both on guide trips and camp days, fish are eagerly eating from dawn untill around 10 AM. From 10 AM- 6 PM you better have a PhD in order to hook and land fish. The tactics get more technical and you have to be able to cover water, hit certain water types, and have perfect drifts, in order to get fish to eat. My best advice, get out early, or late, and otherwise expect some "lulls" throughout the day as you navigate these bite windows.


Tip #5 - Ankle to shin deep


This is what separates the kids from the adults. Fishing places that are dismissed by many is what will make or break your day on the river. I made a video, and put it in the last blog too, which I will share again below. However, it bears mentioning again, you have to fish it ALL. After camp yesterday, where we pounded shin to knee deep riffles, I went back through with my buddy Todd for 45 minutes and we fished the water again. This time though, I focused on a different depth/speed of water.


This beautiful brown at a nymph is choppy pocket water, taken on a dry dropper. He was exactly where he should be for this time of year.


I focused on the water that most people ignore and walk by. I was fishing riffles that honestly are usually a beach this time of year in 30 CFS. However, with the elevated flows, they hold just enough water for fish to sit and eat. I employed the dry dropper technique, mentioned above, and I caught 5 fish in 45 minutes on a sz 18 Sexy Walt's worm dropped underneath of my dry fly. I was getting amazing drfits, in tough pocket water, even more so than if I just single nymphed. As a result, fish were happy to play around and eat a nymph, cast into tight quarters near the back, brush, rocks, etc.



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 euro nymphs for your next outing, and consider booking a trip for the summer through the website.



Pictured below is a limited edition "Down and Dirty Fly Box". Sz 14 and 16 nymphs with a variety of patterns for these elevated flows. I only have two and once they are gone, they are GONE!

Hats are coming back soon! Below is a sample "410" fishing hat for my Central MD peeps. Keep an eye out for this, and a few other options to hit the store within the next week!


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