Savage River, Monroe Pavilion Camp Out, May 31 thru June 2, 2019

The May Outing is the Western Maryland Campout and Fishing on May 31 thru June 2, 2019, Friday – Sunday, to fish the wonderful Savage River and the many other western Maryland streams.  Reservations have been made at the Big Run Sate Park, at the Monroe Pavilion shelter, from Friday noon till Sunday noon (3 days, 2 nights) for group camping that allows up to 24 people.  All this for just $120 split however many ways we have participants.  Join us for as many days that you can make it.

Savage River

Arrive on Friday, fish the Savage River and then we pitch our tents under the Monroe Pavilion.  The shelter has a fire place for great campfires (bring wood), picnic tables, and a place to gather after the days fishing to sit in front of campfire and swap stories.  This is a dry camp site, has no running water, no fresh water at Big Run SP so you must bring your own water. The Pavilion has electricity in the shelter.  I generally fish the PHD Pool (at the cement bridge) on Friday and you can meet me there.

For those not interested in camping, there is lodging available in Keyser, WV or Grantsville, MD.  In addition, there are cabins in nearby New Germany State Park.  The park at least has running water with bathrooms and showers that we also can use.  Come by and join everyone in the evening for fishing reports around the campfire.

Over the past 9 or 10 years this has been a great experience.  Monroe Pavilion in Big Run State Park is accessible to the upper and lower Savage River within a few miles.  Other area streams and rivers include the North Branch of the Potomac, the Yock, and the Casselman.  This is a good time to explore the whole region with other fly fisherman, and find those brook trout in the upper Savage in some secluded run.  This is a wonderful time of year to be in the Appalachians.   

We will cook on the charcoal grill (charcoal provided with cooking utensils) on the first Friday night, so bring your favorite grilling food.  Many people bring extra potato salad or macaroni salad or desserts for all to share.  If anyone can provide a special group dinner (chili, stew, pull pork, etc), please let Lou know.  So be prepared and bring food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Last year we had Jay’s grandmother’s home style French Toast with maple syrup.  Generally Lou provides a camp coleman stove if someone needs something cooked, has coffee in the mornings for all that need it, and extra water.  Note - precook potato in microwave oven at home and heat in coals for dinner.  There are places to eat near Grantsville, MD and Keyser, WV. 

Take into consideration when packing gear for this is spring in the mountains.  It can get cool at night and be quite warm by afternoon.  Tents may be set up in the Pavilion, for protection from rain, but be sure to bring some type of air mattress for the hard stone floor. 

Any new participants that plan on camping or meeting us there may contact Lou Reichel for assistance.  Lou will have a camp stove if someone needs to cook and extra water.  Also for new members, we can mentor you and show the famous holes were the 18-22” browns and brookies are caught.

To sign up for this outing, please complete the Outing Registration form.

P.S., We have had men and women, husbands and wives, attend the outing.

Directions to Monroe Pavilion from Baltimore:

Of course there are many different ways to get there.  This is my route.  Take I70 West.  At Hancock interstate I70 splits into I68 and I70.  Bear left onto I68.  Proceed on I68 through Cumberland, just before Grantsville, take Exit 22, turn south (left) and follow to New Germany Road.  Turn left and follow New Germany Road past New Germany State Park and proceed on to Big Run Road (small road, be prepared).  Turn left on Big Run Road and proceed to Park entrance.  Monroe Pavilion will be on your right, a short distance before road ends, just past the sign for Monroe Run Trail and bathrooms. Afterwards, to get to the Savage River, follow Big Run Rd to Savage Rd, turn right onto Savage Rd, and follow to your favorite fishing area on Savage River, especially below dam.

Items Needed:

Tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, lantern, food (breakfast, lunch, grill cookout, dinner), water, and toiletries, basically everything needed to sustain you for a weekend.  There are basic bathrooms with no running water.  We can use showers at New Germany State Park.  I do ask for people to bring store packaged firewood for the campfire (can buy there or buy packaged parcels at your local stores, do not bring wood from your wood pile).  A 4 to 5 wt, 9 ft fly rod is good.  For the small brookie streams a 3 wt, short 6-7 ft rod works great. 

Flies:

Flies that have worked for me are Caddis, Mayflies, Midges, Griffiths gnat, BWO's, Adams Parachutes, Blue Quill, Slate Drake, Simple 3-Hackle, Wet flies, all sorts of nymphs, wooly buggers and streamer.  Heck, just bring everything!

Thanks. See you there!

Lou Reichel
Outings Coordinator
443-745-0313 (cell)
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