Savage River, Garret County MD 2/27-2/28

[ryansheehan]

So my in-laws took my two boys for an entire week. It's a present for me and my wife's 10 year anniversary(my 7th grade english teacher would be impressed that I got that correct). So we are at deep creek lake enjoying sleep,free time and a little fishing. Anyway, fished the lower savage a few hours yesterday and a couple today. The flows are way down from when I was here two weeks ago, its just above 50 cfs. Fox you wouldn't recognize the river, 260 down to 50 makes a huge difference. The water temps have made it up to 42 or so both days but not much in the way of bug life. A few stones, a few caddis and some midges but nothing to make the fish look up. We saw alot more insects two weeks ago. Instead of picking out the long pools spread out along the river I have been working my way upstream and tightlining every pocket. This is a strategy I rarely use in the winter but conditions made me mix it up. The fish have mostly been taking a cased caddis but got a few on midges. I will put up some pics soon, the fishing has been really good. I may head to the north branch tomorrow but we will see what the rains do to the flows. On a sour note I busted a guide on my workhorse helios 10 foot 4 weight, luckily my father left his recon with the same length and weight. Zak I sent you a pm.

 

[ryansheehan]

 

[foxtrapper1972]

Looks good. Nice fish.Thanks for the update. Surprised they are not eating on top. Wonder what's happening up above reservoir?

 

[ryansheehan]

Water temps on the upper took a nose dive, it was down around 35 yesterday, so I'm guessing not much but who knows. We have a good rain system passing through which should change things up.

 

[3oh4]

I'm very curious to see how you do on the Branch this early. Keep me informed!

 

[ryansheehan]

The weather has been brutal today, I thought I found a break but managed to fish for just a few minutes on the savage before thunder, lightning and some high winds pushed through again. It was raining sideways when I took this pic. Weather will be colder tomorrow but no thunderstorms so the NB is in my future, I will let you know.

 

[3oh4]

About three years ago I was on my way to the Savage and it rained so hard I had to pull off the road for a few. When I arrived the trophy section clouded up for about an hour and a half from the small drainages that drain below the campground off the cliffs. It's the only time I've ever seen Savage Browns in pure shark mode. Every pocket was an all out attack on my Mike's Peck streamer. I'll never catch it like that again. Your picture made me think of that day. I bet you didn't fish behind anyone today though!