Savage River, Monroe Pavilion Camp Out, October 9-12, 2020

The October Outing and Campout in Western Maryland will be on October 9, 10, 11 and 12, 2020, to fish the wonderful Savage River and the many other western Maryland streams. You may stay for all 4 days or join us for a few days. Reservations have been made at Big Run Sate Park, at the Monroe Pavilion shelter, from Friday noon till Monday noon (4 days, 3 nights) for group tent camping or campers and allows up to 25 people. All this for just $180 split however many ways we have participants. Join us for as many days that you can make it. We will implement a new policy that at least 5 people must sign up for the outing 2 days before the date to keep down the individual cost or the outing will be cancelled.

New members are welcomed and let Lou know if you need assistance. There will be fishermen there that can show you the river.

Just for information, some members may be bringing their dog.

Savage River

Over the past 12 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 mountain run or large brown trout in the cascading pocket water of the lower Savage tailwater. This is a wonderful time of year to be in the Appalachians. Autumn colors will just be getting started. This is a great opportunity for new members to visit these streams, to fish with other members that can show you their favorite secrete spots and help with other fly fishing techniques.

We generally put 2-4 man tents inside on the stone floored Monroe Pavilion. So bring air mattresses. Larger tents and campers can be placed around the pavilion. The Pavilion has a fire place for great campfires (bring firewood), picnic tables, and a place to gather after the days fishing to cook, make coffee, swap stories, and if it rains we have something to get in under. Lou is looking forward to a good ghost story around the campfire, have you heard of Goatman in Fredrick that escaped from the secrete genetics lab. Bring firewood, store bought parcels, can be purchased at the New Germany Ranger station or 1-2 mile down (or up) Savage Road at country store. The camp site has no running water, no fresh water at Big Run SP so you must bring your own water. Generally Lou brings extra water. The camp is rugged and has men and ladies dry bathrooms. Alcohol is not permitted (within reason). In the last three times we have been checked by park rangers looking for suspicious people, and they did not arrest us with a lone bottle of good whiskey sitting on the table. There is electricity in the shelter. No TV’s, only Blue Grass music allowed.

For those not interested in camping, there is lodging available in Keyser, WV or Grantsville, MD, within 30 min to Savage River. In addition, there are cabins in nearby New Germany State Park. That park 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. Let Lou know where you are staying so we can make arrangements to meet on the river.

We will cook on the charcoal grill (charcoal provided with cooking utensils) the first Friday night, so bring your favorite grilling food. Many people bring extra potato salad or macaroni salad or desserts or chips or cookies or fruit for all. Lou likes peach pie. If anyone can provide a special group dinner or breakfast please let Lou know. In the past we have had Steve’s famous chili, Dennis’s venison stew, elk steaks, country camp stew, Todd’s pulled pork, Jay’s grandmother’s famous home style French toast for breakfast. There will be a camp stove and pots and pan available if someone needs something cooked. Generally Lou has coffee in the mornings for all that need it. 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. Bring food for yourselves for breakfast, lunch and dinner and anything that you would like to share. We can grill on the charcoal grill in the evening. Lou will inform later if any group food will be prepared. Also one night we generally share hot dogs that people bring and cooked on charcoal grill. Many people bring eggs, bacon and oatmeal for breakfast. Also don’t forget water, but Lou generally has extra water for cooking. Any new participants or anybody that plans on camping may contact Lou Reichel for assistance.

Take into consideration when packing gear for this is October in the mountains. There can be a good frost at night and be quite warm by afternoon.

Items Needed: Tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, lantern-flashlight, 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 firewood for the campfire and ghost stories (firewood can be bought there or buy packaged parcels at your local stores, do not bring wood from your wood pile).

Rods: Bring 3 to 5 wt rods (7ft to 9ft) for either small brook trout stream or large brown trout in lower Savage and North Branch.

Flies: Stop by the Savage River Outfitters to find out what flies are active. Fall hatches contain small dark flies. However, there has been talk of slate drakes (#10-12) on the North Branch. Savage River contains midges, mayflies and multiple caddis including the #10 October caddis. Griffith gnat, BWO, paralep mahogany dun, Blue Quil, Adams and Parachutes, purple parachute, Slate Drake, Simple 3 hackle, purple and partridge soft hackle (s.h.), pheasant tail s.h., Leadwing Coachman s.h., peacock and brown s.h., tan, olive, black, brown, and October caddis (#10), and every kind of nymph, San Juan worm, terrestrials; heck just bring everything. Also reference Jay's Fall Maryland Fly List.

Directions to Monroe Pavilion from Baltimore:
Of course there are many different ways to get there. This is my route. Take I-70 West. At Hancock I-70 splits, bear left onto I-68. Proceed on I-68 through Cumberland, just before Grantsville, take Exit 22, turn south (left) on Chestnut Rd. Follow and turn left at stop sign at New Germany Road. Follow 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. At end of Big Run Rd turn right onto Savage River Rd, and follow past the damn to lower Savage River. First cement bridge is the PHD pool, followed by two suspension bridges, Savage River Outfitters and after 2-4 miles downstream to the metal bridge near end of the fishing area.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing of 6 feet should be practiced. When social distancing is not possible, wearing a mask is recommended. 

To sign up for this outing, please complete the Outing Registration form. Please contact Lou Reichel if you have any questions.
P.S., We have had men and women, husbands and wives, and maybe dogs attend the outing.

Thanks. See you there!

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