Savage River questions

**Jkilroy** · 09-14-2009, 01:57 PM

Hi,
I've been wanting to make the trip to the Savage river for a while. Hopefully, maybe I can talk my wife into going there camping with the 5th wheel camper. Could I get some info on camping on the Savage? I'm pretty sure it's dry hookup, not totally sure. Secondly, fishing. What do I need to know about the river. Looks like a good river for euro-nymphing? How far is the river from camping? What patterns work, and what water flows can you wade safely?

-JK

**AaronJasper** · 09-14-2009, 02:53 PM

50-200 cfs is good. River fishes well the entire length from the North Branch to near the dam. Stonefly nymphs, caddie and maylfies are in abundance there. Also, bring midges. Streamers can work well too. It's a good river with a decent trout popation. There are only 5 miles of river to fish so it's not like. Am telling you that 20 miles are good

**Kaz** · 09-27-2009, 05:23 PM

There is a primitive campground right on the river; think it is $7 a night. It starts just below the FF section in the tailwater. It is right next to the road which is odd, but there are a few sites off the road. Probably 15 sites total. Road is barely used so traffic noise not an issue at night. There is another campground at the top of the Reservoir (20 mins away), Big Fill Run Campground. I know most of it is primitive, but there may be some hookups for your camper. I know I have seen RV's there, but not sure if they are using generators or not.

**Jkilroy** · 09-27-2009, 08:59 PM

I figured most of the camp sites were primitive, that's fine. I'm planning on buying a generator soon. I would stay right near the FF section.

Is there some big fish in that tailwater?

alanb_ct · 09-28-2009, 06:37 AM

There may be a few bigger fish, but I believe these are more typical:

http://troutpredator.info/southern-u...6330/#msg16330

**Esox_Hunter** · 09-29-2009, 03:16 AM

There are some rustic cabins you can rent right on the NB Potomac in Barnum, WV. You will be less than 15 minutes from the Savage. I want to say they were around $40 a night, although I can't speak much as to what amenities they include.

There are some tremendous fish in the tailwater stretch if you hit it at the right time. Browns migrating up the NB sometimes find there way into the Savage, pre/post spawn can get you a good shot at a bruiser. Be persistant and fish the deeper staging pools towards the NB and you may be rewarded greatly.

I spend alot of time on my a$$ in that river too, it is treacherous wading for being a small river. I would recommend cleats.

I am not sure if you guys are aware, but the Savage River is in serious trouble. They are planning to empty the lake to make dam repairs in the immediate future. I would expect the (good)tailwater stretch will pretty much be wiped out entirely of many aquatic species since the flows will no longer be consistent and water temp will become an issue when the lake is drained.

Here is the article, I haven't heard of any updates since this article was published last year.
http://www.times-news.com/archivesea...258001405.html

**Kaz** · 09-29-2009, 07:43 AM

Here's the latest on the repairs:

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/p...009/092109.asp

If the Savage is not fishable, the North Branch of the Potomac is less than 10 minutes away. Different fishery as trout are not wild there or less than 5% are. The Yough is also ~ 30 minutes away.