January Fly-Fishing on the Savage River

Last week’s unseasonal temps made for some unusual January fishing opportunities. I ventured out to western Maryland one morning to the Savage River to fish on a day with near 70 degree temps. Western Maryland seldom sees temps like this through the winter months. Though water temps were chilly in the low 40s the sun and warm air woke some trout up just enough. I started fishing nymphs in the fly fishing only stretch of the Trophy Trout Area. In the first half hour or so I managed 2 nice brookies and about a 10 inch brown. I fished a pair of black bead head pheasant tails in a size 18. Not long after I dropped a really nice brown on the same rig. Here’s a couple that I caught.

The fishing was spotty, but I managed several more trout through the day, mostly brook trout.  I took a couple of fish on small dries as I saw some risers where the sun was hitting the water and a few midges were present.  Altogether a great way to spend a Winter day.  I got a good report from an angler who fished the upper Savage and also managed to catch some nice brook trout.   Flows were about 140-150 and wading, as always on the Savage, a real trick.  Keep an eye on the weather and you will be surprised at some of the great winter trout fishing when the temps are 50 and above for a few days with a high sun.

Gunpowder River Update , Winter Fly Tying

Happy 2008!

Gunpowder River January Fly-Fishing

The Gunpowder River typically offers some great winter fly-fishing opportunities. This new year has been a little tough, however, due mostly to really low water lows. The river is currently running at a mere 20 cfs, near our minimum flow. The trout are holding in the deepest pools and tightest spots and are a bit spooky.

If you go, plan to fish stretches of stream with deeper lies, and fish slow and deep. Of course, fishing can change in an instant so it’s always worth a shot. With any luck, and a bunch of rain or snow, we’ll see some rising water flows towards late winter and have some improved fishing and conditions.
Typical winter hatches include stoneflies and blackflies, so keep an eye out for them in coming weeks on warmer sunny days.

Winter Fly Tying Videos

This season on the update I will include some short video clips which highlight some of our favorite local fly patterns. I hope you enjoy the clips, and I plan to continue posting videos throughout the year as we get fishing. Check back often for a first hand look at the fishing. The video posts willl be some of my first efforts, so bear with me as I learn the ropes.

This week’s featured video clip showcases one of my favorite winter nymphs to fish on the Gunpowder, the red butt.



For those of you who would like to learn how to tie flies, check in with our local fly shop Backwater Angler for their winter Fly Tying Class schedule. Expert tyers will instruct you in the techniques necessary to tie some of the most popular flies and saltwater fly patterns. They also have a full selection of fly tying tools and materials.

Hope everyone had a great New Year! Thanks for checking in. Feel free to comment below on any post or with any questions. Hope to see you out fishing soon.