Maryland ·
Gunpowder River Fly Fishing Report - October 18, 2026
GUNPOWDER RIVER
ReportOCT 18 — 25, 2026
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Flow
25CFS
WINTERS RUN NEAR BENSON, MD
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Water Temp
—
Updated 2026-10-18
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Weather
32–63°F
Areas Of Frost
💧
Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Flow is running a lean 24.5 CFS at a gauge height of 1.37 ft — expect gin-clear water and spooky fish that demand long, fine leaders. Overnight frost will keep water temps cold through mid-morning, but afternoon sun should nudge surface temps enough to trigger a solid Blue-Winged Olive hatch.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
22
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
22
Olsen's Peacock Blowtorch Barbless #22 - 24
22-24
Black Zebra Midge(TBH) #20
20
Egan's CDC Rainbow Warrior #22
22
Top Secret Baetis #16
16
Olsen's Hare's Ear Blowtorch Barbless #20 - 28
20-22
Egan's Silver Bullet - Baetis #14
14
Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6
6
Tungsten Jig Bugger - Olive - Barbless #14
14
Barr's Flashback Emerger - BWO #22
22
Lil Bit Craven - Dark Olive #22
22
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midge | 20-24 | Moderate | 9 AM - 12 PM |
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | 20-22 | Heavy | 11 AM - 2 PM |
| Caddis | 18-20 | Light | 3 PM - 5 PM |
| Little Black Stonefly | 16-18 | Light | 10 AM - 1 PM |
Best Time Window
- 9 AM - 11 AM: Midge nymphing in the deeper runs and pools as frost burns off and fish begin to feed actively.
- 11 AM - 2 PM: Prime BWO dry-fly and emerger window — watch the flat water for rising fish and match the hatch with #22 patterns.
- 3 PM - 5 PM: Late-afternoon streamer and caddis window; swing a Sparkle Minnow or Jig Bugger through the deeper runs before light fades.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith flows at 24.5 CFS and frost clearing by mid-morning, the Gunpowder will be running crystal clear — stealth is everything today. Stay low, approach risers from downstream, and use a 12-foot leader tapered to 6X or 7X for your dry and emerger presentations. During the BWO window from 11 AM to 2 PM, focus on the flat, slow-moving water between riffles where fish will stack up and sip emergers in a consistent rhythm. If you're nymphing, keep your indicator or sighter tight and mend aggressively — at these flows, even a slight drag will shut fish down immediately.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Brook Trout
