Gunpowder river advice

[Tyler Lucas]

Hello all, I recently made the transition from primarily LM bass fishing to fly fishing only about two months ago hoping to continue fishing through the winter.  So you will have to excuse my ignorance due to my lack of knowledge on this subject. 

I fished Gunpowder from the Pretty Boy dam down about two miles the last two days from sunrise to about 9 o clock.  The first day I used small dry fly, and the second, a bead head nymph, with no luck at all.

Any advice on which type/color fly will collect the most interest? ( for winter fishing the gunpowder)

Also does any one know of any hotspots within the vicinity of the gunpowder, preferably south of there? ( I am located in Silver Spring)

I was told about Beaver Creek, Savage, and 4MR's warm discharge, I am just seeking something a little closer.

Any help will be greatly appreciated, thank you

[Vic Velasco]

I was asking myself similar questions... I was going to stop into the Beaver Creek Fly Shop and ask them (and buy some flies and other stuff).

[FlyTimesDC]

Howdy Tyler,

 This time of year the fish food is pretty small so you gotta match the hatch. I'd think about high sticking small midges in black, purple, or red, pheasant tails, or hares ears (think sizes 18-22) on the bottom and focus on presentation (drag free drift). A similarly sized small parachute adams will also do you well. 

On Tuesday, December 10, 2013 7:24:59 PM UTC-5, Tyler Lucas wrote:

[TurbineBlade]

Ditto -- for trout I fish almost nothing but various soft hackles in the 14-16 size (I do a few 18s too) and they nearly always produce, but I always carry zebra/blood/olive whatever bead midges in the 20-24 size.  I usually have PT nymphs (well...my cheater version, which is a lot like a "frenchie" I just saw) in 16-24.  I figure I have a chance to catch something with those guys -- if I don't catch, I assume it's me and not the patterns.

For #20-24 PT nymphs I've seen a lot of of folks just tie the tail in like normal and wrap the rest of the PT fibers up to the bead and tie off (with wire rib, or hot spot collar, etc.).  No need to clip and tie additional PT fibers in, or bother with herl or anything.  They're pretty easy to tie that way.  

Sometimes it's good to know that when fishing sucks, it's you who sucks.  

Gene 

[TurbineBlade]

Like this -- 

[TurbineBlade]

Frenchie -- I hate the long tail on that one though -- it's too American.  I tie baetis tails about 1/3 that length, but it's just personal preference.  

Gene

[Tyler Lucas]

Thanks alot to both of you I appreciate the help. 

On Tuesday, December 10, 2013 7:24:59 PM UTC-5, Tyler Lucas wrote:

[Matthew Longley]

I also get stumped by the gunpowder.  I just moved from DC to baltimore though, and I'm intent on mastering it (well, you know...).  If you ever want a fishing partner shoot me a note, I'm planning on fishing there through the winter.