Savage River, Garrett Co., Maryland, 09/22/2013

[3wt7X]

I made it out to the Savage for a half day trip on Sunday. I fished from 0800-1400 hours, under mostly cloudy skies. The air temp was a cool 45 degrees in the morning warming to the upper 60s during the day. The water was pushing at 70cfs, which a nice flow for the Savage, and it was a little cloudy from the prior evening's rain. I noticed midges in the morning, followed by some caddis, and even the BWOs started showing up in a size 20 around 1100.

This was my first trip with the nine foot St. Croix Legend Ultra 4wt rod that I recently purchased from Krayfish. I paired it with a higher end Airflow Super Dry Elite line. Admittedly, I have only fished moderate to baseline fly fishing gear in the past. Most of my setups consist of TFO signature series or professional series rods, which I enjoy, but I was interested in seeing the performance difference between those rods and a more expensive setup. I was very impressed with both the rod, and the more expensive ridged line. The setup responded to all my needs, with more accuracy and less effort than the TFO setups that I am used to. It roll casted nice, and loaded at close range with easy. I was surprised at the minimal amount of imput that was needed to get rod to do what I wanted, and I would say that I was overworking the set up a little until I got used to it. It is a tough experience to describe, but unmistakable once you experience it.

Regarding the fishing, the brook trout were eating on top steady all morning. I took several fish in the 7-11 inch range, and I caught several browns on dropper rig. I was fishing a size 14 tan X-caddis with a green weenie dropper. All my brook trout came on top, and most of the browns ate the weenie. I caught a lot of young of the year trout, and anyone who has fished the Savage this year will tell you that the river is full of them. Should be good news for the next few years.

 

[albud1962]

great pics, I read recently about the controversy between MD DCNR and bait fishermen complaining they could no longer harvest brook trout in the upper savage.

 

[Swattie87]

Very nice fish. I really like that Brown...dark colored Browns have a very menacing look to them.

 

[boychick]

Great fish, thanks for sharing. Enjoy the new rod.

 

[redietz]

I read recently about the controversy between MD DCNR and bait fishermen complaining they could no longer harvest brook trout in the upper savage.

Where he was fishing is the lower Savage. (You probably already know this.) The upper is above the reservoir.

It's now pretty much C&R for all that watershed. You're right, the bait fishermen don't like it. But the average size brookie now seems to be larger, and there are more of them. MD DNR has been extensively studying the watershed for some years, radio tagging fish and tracking them.

 

[albud1962]

I fished the upper savage and found smaller brookies with the larger ones found below the dam. This was probably 10 yrs ago. I remember the first brookie I caught at the phD hole and the sense of accomplishment I felt. Those fish were tough. I hope things have gotten better upstream.

There was an outdoor writer decrying the bait ban calling it an effort for fly fishing exclusivity promoted by Orvis. Fly fishing can be practiced for modest costs and Orvis is not the be all for fly fishing. The main investment is the rod and fly line. For under 30 dollars I can tie a few dozen flies which last me many trips. A starter vice can be bought for about 50 dollars. I used mine for many years until buying a rotary 2 years ago. Like most tools, with proper care, they can last a lifetime.

I still spin fish and sometimes with bait, but i definitely think there should be more areas designated as fly fishing only. I am glad Maryland was able to overcome the pressure and keep the zero kill artificial lure regulations.

 

[krayfish]

I'm glad you got chance to use it Saturday. It's a nice rod. Sounds like the fishing was pretty good too.