The Savage and North Branch of the Potomac rivers were at typical late Summer low flows while fishing last week, so these rougher rivers were much easier to wade.  The North Branch flowing under 200 Cfs was at prime levels for nymphing the deeper slots where many fish concentrated and allowed sight fishing to big fish in shallow riffles. Hopper-dropper rigs were also a great way to fish these levels and effectively cover different types of water. Numerous miles were recently stocked with large rainbows in the 3-6 pound range, and some wild browns in the twenty inch range were visible in certain runs.

The MD Fisheries biologists were conducting the electroshocking surveys on the Savage River in the mornings, but flows rose and leveled out in the afternoon at 60 Cfs. Blue quills, caddis and midges brought fish to the surface sporadically during the day, but by evening trout were rising in the flat water pools. A highly successful tactic was highsticking the rough pocket water with big dries on long 6x leaders, which amounted to 10-12 fish to the net over a few hours of fishing in the afternoon. Numerous trout quickly erupted on dries in the pocket water, so missing a number of fish was common.  The selective feeders in the pools were challenging midday, but the bright sun didn’t prevent the opportunistic fish in the swift water areas from rising.  The flat water trout were more aggressively taking flies sized 22-26 toward the last half hour before dark each night. On my last day I caught a dozen trout and got the Savage Slam; eleven inch Rainbow and Brook trout, and a seventeen inch Brown.

The latest video includes a huge, rising brown trout feeding on tiny spinners at Noon on the Savage river, a mix of wild fish caught on the Savage, and heavy rainbows on the North Branch.

The fishing conditions on the Gunpowder are good for dry fly fishing. The fishing is certainly challenging, but between the morning Trico hatch and terrestrial fishing, trout are rising to a variety of patterns in weekday lower flows. On certain weekends releases may not occur if there is no need to send water to Loch Raven. The most important factor in low water conditions is not spooking the wary, wild Gunpowder trout, which is certainly easer said than done. Longer casts, 12-15 foot leaders, and staying out of the water where possible, will greatly improve the odds of catching trout. The shallow water and the heat makes for a warm day in waders, so consider wet wading. A pair of 2 mm neoprene Simms Guard socks in stock will keep your feet from going numb in the mid fifty degree water in the Upper river.  These “spring creek” conditions present numerous sight fishing opportunities and a well placed first cast is all that is needed. 

The morning Tricos are luring a number of anglers to the river, although many head home just after Noon when the hatch ends.  Most access points are quiet and even boat traffic is limited or non existent upstream of York Rd, due to the shallow water. On two days this week I fished the Trico hatch, and stayed from 1-4 pm fishing a foam “Gunpowder” beetle on a 14 foot 6x leader. On both days the number of fish caught on the beetle exceeded fish caught on Tricos, and added up to a lot of trout with the combined morning catch. Terrestrials are always fun to fish, but spotting trout, making the cast and watching the take in crystal clear water adds a whole new element. For the late risers, haters of 7x, and tiny flies, consider fishing beetles, the shop has a wide variety of patterns. This video post features wild browns with big appetites for foam and rubber legged beetle patterns.

 In 2004 when the periodical cicadas invaded the Baltimore area, I happened onto some great surface fishing on the local reservoirs. I wasn’t catching as many bass as I thought I would, but I was catching a lot of carp. These large, powerful fish were inhaling foam flies off the surface and running drag into the backing numerous times. Years later the carp fishing is still good, but a bit more challenging without the big lumbering cicadas falling into the water. Most carp anglers will tell you anyone that doesn’t want to fish for carp can’t figure out how to catch them. The presentation is key, and long 12 foot leaders to 1X-3X tippet prevents spooking the fish with the fly line. Seven to eight weight rods are best, and a good reel and backing are required. The abundance of large carp is what is exciting, since fish over fifteen pounds are not uncommon. The best times for sight fishing are midday, with the brightest sun and few clouds to affect visibility.

Two prime locations are Loch Raven and Prettyboy Reservoirs, although most ponds or warm water rivers should have carp in good numbers. Targeting fish in shallow water along the shoreline is pretty easy to do.  (Note: Wading in Baltimore City Reservoirs is Illegal!). As water levels drop in the reservoirs the exposed shoreline allows anglers to get out of the woods and have some room to cast. The angle of the sun and glare is often a problem, but generally a quick glance will reveal that heading in one direction affords better visibility than another. Also choose a direction along the shoreline, which favors the dominant casting hand, putting the rod on the side where the water is versus the side with the trees. One technique is looking for “mudding” fish, who are stirring up the bottom searching for food. The direction of the fish mudding in the cloudy water is tough to discern but key to dropping a fly in front of the fish without spooking them. Currently Loch Raven has dropped significantly, but the grass beds are thick in spots, while Prettyboy is still full but free of grass. The latest video features a heavy carp running drag, and putting up a good fight.

The Savage River was at high water levels all Spring, and angling pressure has been extremely light during my previous trips. The Savage was dropping from the 400 Cfs range during the last week of June, so I made the trip for a few days fishing. The Savage River was impressive at a steady 330 Cfs and the roar was deafening. At first glance the river looked unwadeable, possibly unfishable, but both were possible in the right spots. A variety of insects were hatching in the rough flows including March Browns, Blue Quills, Olives, Caddis, Light Cahills and Sulphurs. The fishing and wading were challenging, but the water temps were at optimal levels in the 56-58 degree range. The hatches were the heaviest I’ve seen all year, but there was a limited number of calm areas to watch for risers. Every evening the trout were active on Sulphur and March Brown Spinners in the few pools calm enough to see them feeding.

High sticking large dries in the pockets and soft seams during the day proved as productive as always, despite such high levels. I landed ten to twelve trout a day, missing or losing quite a few fish too. The majority of fish were wild browns in the eight to thirteen inch range, which in these flows pulled line off the reel. The fish were very active on dries all day, the hardest part was covering water, scrambling over rocks along the shoreline and fighting through the bankside Rhododendron. The biggest brown landed on this trip measured out at seventeen inches; ate a dry fly practically under my rod tip, and forced me to scramble over boulders and give chase 80 feet down river. 

Leaders from 11 to 13 feet tapering to 5x or 6x, and mayfly patterns sized 12-14 in olive, rusty spinner and tan worked best. The placement and drift was critical, but not limited to drag free drifts. In some cases placing the fly in a pocket and skating the fly by twitching the rod got aggressive strikes. I spent the last day hiking up a brookie stream pictured above, which was at a great level. The scenery was as good as the fishing, and the endless plunge pools held some large brook trout. Flows have since come down to normal levels on the Savage, but the video shows the power of the river in these higher flows, so turn the volume way up for the full experience.