North Branch of Potomac/Savage River, Garrett Co., MD, 05/05/2018

3wt7X

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Nov 19, 2008
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704
Time Fished: North Branch 08:30 am- 01:00 pm, Savage River 01:30 pm- 06:00 pm.

Weather:
It was a perfect overcast day with rain coming in the late afternoon. The rain started as a slight drizzle and became heavier around 06:00 pm. Air temps in the mid 50s to mid 60s with a slight breeze.

Water:
Well, that was an interesting story. The plan was a float on the North Branch. When we started the float the N Branch was pushing a nice 600 cfs with great clarity/conditions. Then a white water release occurred, at about 09:30 and the stream jumped to 1800 cfs with everything from detergent bottles to logs floating downstream. Mike's boat handled the water fine, and the extra foot and a half of water made things comfortable and quick on the way out. We beat feet to the Savage for the afternoon to salvage the day. Savage was in great shape; pushing at 119 with a slight stain.

Hatches:
Olives (size 18-20), Blue Quill Duns/Spinners (Size 18), Quill Gordon's size 14 and some caddis (size 16) dark body (I think they were the tail end of the grannoms.

Results:
I arrived a little early for the float, and wade fished the N Branch around the take out. I found a nice run coming off a partially submerged tree on the bank that created a nice current seem. On about the third cast in, I set up on a heavy fish. It took a rubber leg golden stone fly and turned out to be a heavy 18 inch brown. I caught two fall fish and a rainbow out of the same run. Mike took a nice wild bow on the float, but we only fished a little once the flows bumped. When we arrived at the Savage the bugs were starting up. I jumped off a few nice rainbows and we parted ways, with Mike heading to the Upper Savage and I stayed to see what would materialize on the lower. The Blue Quill spinners fell around 04:00 and I had steady risers for an hour and a half. I brought a couple nice fish to hand including a skinny 15 incher. Mike hammered the natives up top. Great trip, and it is shaping up to be a long fishing season in Western MD!!!
 

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Yeah... I realize they post those, but we planned the trip last minute and overlooked the projection page. We thought we were fine in the morning, because the guide was putting in as well. It was a dumb mistake. My wife is going through breast cancer, and we had family come into town to help. They forced me out of the house of the day to get some rest time, and I was still debating on going the day before, so my mind was not exactly on checking white water release projections. Regardless, I think we took the curve ball well and hit it out of the park!!! Great day
 
3wt7X wrote:
... I think we took the curve ball well and hit it out of the park!!! Great day

Glad you did. Just wanted to put out a reminder that these things are scheduled.

I understand about the breast cancer thing. My wife succumbed after six years (when they had given her six months.)
 
I considered floating the NB too on Saturday, but I saw the scheduled WW release. Floated the Yough instead and had a good day.

My sympathy for your wife and family.
 
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