Savage Report

[John Williams]

So here we are almost a year later and I was wondering how the Savage pulled through from the insults incurred during the dam repairs?
JW

[dave nyberg]

I fished it a little last year and caught a few fish which is standard for me on that river.  A friend of mine said he did well there.  He knows the Savage much better than I.  I was told that the DNR folks believe that 70% of the fish made it thru the dam project.  They did a shocking and compared the nos. against the previous year.  Browns were a long as 15 inches and Brook Trout to about 12″ as I remember.  It is felt that the river will be back to normal this yesr.
Be advised that Maryland as of march 21 will not allow felt boots.

[anonymous]

Thanks Dave,

[John Williams]

Good to hear that the river came through it so well. I’ll have to make a point of heading back out that way this year. May follow a few days on the Savage with a couple on the Yough. Now if only there was a place to find good info on both of those rivers

[steve gallas]

Thanks for the report. I’ve been interested in fishing the savage for a number of years now and will make it happen this year. I read ,a number of years ago,that there were cutts in the Savage. Has anyone ever picked one up or was it just a rumor?
Best,
Steve

[Karlin Bilcher]

Cutts were put into the N. Branch several years ago and have done ok.  One year after they were put in the river a dude caught a something like a 7 pounder and still holds the state record.  I’ve caught cutts there and I’ve also caught rainbows with a crimson slash under their jaw in the N. Branch.  No section of the Savage has been stocked with anything since the early 80’s.  If there are bows and cutts in the Savage it’s because they have migrated.  I’ve never caught a cutt in the Savage.  I miss that river dearly.  
:'(
   

[dave nyberg]

I am not aware of cutts in the Savage.  Browns and Brook Trout only. The North Branch of the Potomac has some cutts.  It is not far from the Savage.  I have not fished the Yough in several years.  I’ll contact a friend of mine who is familiar with the Yough.  Seems to me that something is “going on” with it.  
Felt boots being banned I hope is a good idea, but I am not so sure.  
I know of several people who just bought felt boots and they are not happy.  I have a pair of Chota Roc Locs and really like them.  Seems like a lot of people like Simms and Korkers.  I do use studs in the Chotas.  Also like my Folstaf Wading Stick.  I am beginning to sound like an ad and that is not my intention.

[anonymous]

Savage is one of the nicest rivers in the East.  5 mile tailwater, really nice looking browns.  big wild brookies.  I’ve caught lots of rainbows in there and lots of cutts in the North Branch.  Very scenic areas, and if you love big pocket water, you’ll love the savage.  The hatches were good too.  I believe the North Branch had some rearing pens where they actually hatched the eggs in the river in pens, and then released them.  Contrary to popular belief, the NB is primarily a stocked river with little natural reproduction.  The Savage is all wild other than the up-swimmers form the North Branch.
This is a North Branch Cutt or Cutt bow I suppose.
[/img]
nbcutt by thehappytrout, on Flickr

[dave nyberg]

The Yough had “thermal issues” a few years ago and there are fewer fish in there now.   Still has some deep holes that should be fine.  This is what I was told by a former guide in this area.  

[greg kassimer]

One thing’s for sure, the river will quickly test the boots that do not have felt.

[mark s]

I know I’ll be there this season.  

Let’s do it up.

[dave nyberg]

I always use a wading stick [Folstaf] on the Savage and the North Branch.  

[Mike L.]

Ya, the river is ok.

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