Brook Trout on The Upper Savage River

Type: Nontidal
Region: Western
Location: Upper Savage River

On Friday, May 7th, I had the opportunity to go brook trout fishing in the Upper Savage River. This was my first outing here, and I was fortunate to be joined with one my Assistant Directors, Don Cosden, who is response for the Inland Fisheries Division, and with our Inland Fisheries Regional Manager for Western Maryland, Al Klotz. The fishing was very enjoyable and successful. With Don and Al�s guidance, I was able to catch three brook trout. All of my fish were about 8 inches which is respectable brook trout. I was able to catch two of them on a fly rod using a size 14 caddis fly and small trailing nymph for which Larry Cobourn from Bass Pro Shops Fly Shop advised me to use. The other fish I caught using a small floating rapala (rainbow trout color). Not surprisingly, I was out-fished by Don who caught 6 brook trout, and Al who caught 10 brook trout. All of there fish were on the fly rod. Most took the trailing nymph, but there was one or two that took the dry fly. Each of them tell me they each caught one nice one, but no pictures to prove it�. A friend questioned why I would wake up at 4 am and travel four hours to catch a small brook trout. I reflected upon this question throughout the day. I realized the trip was more than catching a brook trout. It was about: 1) spending quality time with friends that allowed for more meaningful conversations; 2) enjoying the beautiful scenery of western Maryland; 3) experiencing the solitude along a river in the mountains where there is not a house or person in sight; and 4) reminiscing of past brook trout fishing experiences of 20 years ago that I share with my Dad and friends. When I moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 1992, I was unaware that Maryland has some of the most outstanding trout fishing opportunities in the mid-Atlantic region. For those of you who have not experienced trout fishing in Maryland, I would strongly encourage it. Enjoy the pictures of our trip. Tom