Savage River, Garrett Co. MD, 4/4/11

[goodfortune]

I fished the flies-only section below the reservoir from about 4:30pm to a little before 5:30pm. The weather consisted of alternating overcast skies and sun. Though it threatened to, it didn't rain while I was on the water. The air temperature was a suprizingly warm 76F @ 5:00pm, with cool drafts coming off of the water.

The stream was at a nice level (111 cfs - USGS) and very slightly stained with a green tint. The water temperature was 42F @ 5:30pm.

There were Tan Caddis, Black Stoneflies, and dark colored bugs that were too far above for me to get a positive ID. I also found this cool-looking red beetle on my vest:

I saw a few rises, but nothing steady. I alternated between an Olive Stimulator and a Tan EHC; good dead drifts brought up fish. After missing several other strikes, I finally hooked and landed the Brown on the Stimulator:

There was the potential for a few more fish had I stayed longer, but I started heading home before the thunderstorms came in. As a friendly reminder, be sure to clean your gear if you pay this stream a visit:

 

[Fredrick]

nice report but the links you posted don't work try using the direct links for the pictures

 

[goodfortune]

Fixed...thanks for the tip Fredrick :-D

 

[albud1962]

Is Didymo definitely in the savage river now?

 

[goodfortune]

albud1962 wrote:
Is Didymo definitely in the savage river now?

From what I understand, yes. However, I didn't see any smothering mats of it in the section I fished.

From talking to the guy who runs the fly shop on the Savage, it seems that the high flows over the past few weeks scoured the stream bed of the visible mats of didymo. He also mentioned something about the Corps looking into alternate water release patterns from the reservoir to help control the blooms.

 

[DaveKile]

Goodfortune

Thanks for the update. Heading out that way the end of the month. Very pretty area of the state.