Savage River, Garrett Co., MD, 08/21/2010

[3wt7X]

I had family come out to visit from the midwest this weekend and my sister wanted to do some camping and fishing. She had never fly fished before, but she is very patient and willing to learn, so I took her out to the Savage River for a day. We started out on the upper tributaries searching for brookies. The conditions were tough to say the least. The flows were extremely low and the fish were as skittish as can be expected. I noticed some inchworms in the trees, so I tied her on a green weenie and we maticulously worked the various holes. I took the stream temperature at 67 degrees, so I figured the fish would be in good shape. As we worked our way up, she was able to sneek up and hook several fish landing one that was about 7 inches.

Our next move was over to the Savage. We worked the pocket water and I was able to hit four nice brownies on a hopper pattern and she nymphed up another nice trout on the green weenie. There was not much hatching, but I did see some BWO and midges. Towards the evening, I tied up a yellow sally pattern and she took a really nice brown, but with her lack of experience and the difficult currents of the Savage, the fish won the battle and broke the 6X tippet. In all, a good time was had and I got to spend some time with my little sister, although we aren't very little anymore. Enjoy the pics!!!

 

[ryguyfi]

Nice pics. I wish someone in my family fly fished. Hopefully my daughter will one of these days. All I have to say is I wouldn't mess with your sis... looks like she could take me lol.

 

[TDB]

Yeah, real nice pics - looks like you had a good time, and that is what it is all about.

We need to hit up the Gunpowder soon!

 

[Fishidiot]

Great report (sure nice to see how well the Savage turned out compared to the pics you put up back in the winter). Sounds like a fun time - yuh gotta love those gorgeous, dark, Savage River browns.
And you've obviously got a very cool little sis. The Savage isn't exactly an easy stream for a beginner to catch trout. Well done.

 

[AaronJasper]

I am envious that is one of my favorite stretches of stream to fish! Too bad it's over 6 hours from me... Nice fish too!

 

[JackM]

All I have to say is that if you waded the Savage in those sandals, you are a braver man than I. Sounds like a terrific family experience. Hopefully your sister will be bitten by the fly fishing bug and you'll get many more memories over the years.

 

[salmo]

Great report.
Salmo

 

[3wt7X]

TDB,
I can make it to the Gunpowder on saturday this weekend if you are interested.

Fishidiot,
I love those Savage River Browns coloration as well, I did have a good talk with the guy that is filling in for Mike Evans at the fly shop...He said that the recent stream survey performed by the MD DNR reveilled a decrease of trout in the Savage of about 200 fish per acre compared to last year, but there are still plenty of them around. I have not seen the data for myself, but the fish are definately a little tougher to come by this year.

JackM,
I would never try to wade the Savage with those sandals, that picture was actually taken the following morning. I went down to the PH. D. hole for a little and walked up stream a few hundred feet. That is where my sister took the picture.