Savage River Maryland Fly Fishing

The Savage River located in Garrett County, Maryland is approximately 30 miles long and is a major tributary of the North Branch Potomac River. The river received its name from the 18th century explored John Savage.

The upper three fourths of the Savage River is a small freestone stream with wild brook trout, before it flows into the Savage River Reservoir. The reservoir was created in 1952 and by 1982 the tailwater section was documented to have a population of naturally reproducing brook trout population.  In 1987, the wild trout management was started in a 4 mile portion of the tailwaters; and it became so successful that in 1991 that portion of the Savage became a wild trophy fishery. Today the wild brook and brown trout fishery is truly extraordinary. The Trophy Trout portion of the Savage is divided into two different sections. The mile and one quarter section just below the dam extending down to the Allegana Bridge is designated “Fly Fishing Only". The three mile section from the Allegana Bridge to the confluence with the Potomac River is the "Trophy Trout Management Area" where special rules apply.

Fly Fishing the Savage River:

The Savage averages about 55 feet wide with a mild decline making for moderate water with many large deep pools. In a survey conducted in 2002, it was estimated that there were over 1,000 wild trout per mile. The PH level is such that there are an abundance of hatches but it also produces enough algae so that the bottom is slippery causing some caution to be necessary if you are wading. Dry fly fishing is very good even in the winter months when there blue winged Olive hatches as well as Midges. Fishing with nymphs is very good as well. Imitations of the mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies will be rewarding. High sticking is a good nymph method to use on this river. Make your cast short and in an upstream direction. Of course, imitations of baitfish, minnows, and sculpins will be effective if fished early in the morning or late in the day when the light conditions are low.

Spring Fly Fishing:

The Blue Winged Olives starting in March will be one of the first hatches on the Savage. The American March Brown and the Light Cahill mayflies will start in the first of May cnd continue into the first week of June. Look for the Sulphurs to hatch even until the end of June. The Green Rock Worm or Green Sedge Larva anytime during the year.

Summer Fly Fishing:

The Sulphurs will be followed by the Eastern Pale Evening Duns which will continue thru July and August. The cinnamon Caddis will be hatching thru most of the summer as well. Little Yellow Stoneflies will hatch during the summer as well. Terrestrials lie the beetles, ants and grasshoppers will work well in the summer as well.

Fall and Winter fly Fishing:

The terrestrials will be around until the first fros which can occur in October. Scuds are an important food for the brown trout in the winter as well as Midges. don't forget that the Blue winged Olives are bi-broodal and will hatch again in late August and continue thru the middle of October.