...

Trout – Monroe Run (MD)

Articles on this site are out of date since some go back to 2006. Regulations and property ownership may have changed since publication. It is your responsibility to know and obey all regulations and not trespass on private property.

A few years ago, I spoke with one of the guides from the WISP Resort about the zero creel fishing around the Savage River Reservoir. He circled a few recommended streams on the map. Monroe Run was one of these. Based on that recommendation, I was optimistic for some pretty decent brookie fishing.

Maybe it was the end of summer low-water, or maybe it was the large campground at the base of the stream, but I was not impressed with what I discovered when I pulled in late on Sunday afternoon. Granted, I had no expectations of decent flow this late in the summer, but I did expect to find scattered community pools holding decent numbers of Trout.

I walked three quarters of a mile upstream from the trailhead without discovering any substantial holding habitat. This is probably caused by the fact that the stream runs through a flat valley – something not conducive to creating pools. There are no small waterfalls or other features to provide logical collection points and holding areas.

Doing some quick math, the stream drops only 545 feet between its intersections with Big Run Road and the sharp turn it takes to the south 3 1/2 miles later. The good news is that there is a well defined and easy walking trail that generally parallels the stream throughout its entire length. The trail is not adjacent to the stream, so you have to walk over to check out the water. Therefore, the trail only becomes an advantage for your return since you need to be next to the stream to find the scattered holding positions.

Frankly, after seeing the quality of the water, I wasn’t very motivated to do much fishing. I did flip my fly in the two holding positions I discovered, picked up one small brookie, but nothing to write home about… although I guess anything is something to blog about.

Bottom Line: With so much other better water in the Savage River area, I don’t think I will return to this particular location.

Getting There: From Westernport, take MD 135 west towards Bloomington. Turn right onto Savage River Road. Turn left on Big Run Road. Follow the road until you see the sign for Monroe Run trial. The stream is about 50 yards north of the sign.

Google Local Coordinates: 39.549026,-79.145082

Secrets Revealed? No. This is a very public location that is documented in the 2006 Brook Trout Management Plan

Tell a friend about this article by clicking on this link

Date Fished: 9/9/2012

Skinny, late summer flow

Pretty open next to the stream

Typical holding position

Flat, low gradient streambed

Unless stated otherwise, this article was authored by Steve Moore

Disclaimer and Warning:  The contents of this site reflect the opinion of the author and you, the reader, must exercise care in the use and interpretation of this information.  Fishing is a dangerous sport.  You can slip and fall on rocks and sustain severe injury.  You can drown.  You can get hooks caught in your skin, face, eyes or other sensitive places.  All sorts of bad things can happen to you when to go into the woods to visit the places documented here.  Forests, streams and lakes are wild areas and any number of bad things can happen.  You must make your own judgment in terms of acceptable behavior and risk and not rely on anything posted here.  I disclaim all liability and responsibility for any actions you take as a result of reading the articles on this site.  If you do not agree with this, you should not read anything posted on this site.

Disclaimer and Warning:  The contents of this site reflect the opinion of the author and you, the reader, must exercise care in the use and interpretation of this information.  Fishing is a dangerous sport.  You can slip and fall on rocks and sustain severe injury.  You can drown.  You can get hooks caught in your skin, face, eyes or other sensitive places.  All sorts of bad things can happen to you when to go into the woods to visit the places documented here.  Forests, streams and lakes are wild areas and any number of bad things can happen.  You must make your own judgment in terms of acceptable behavior and risk and not rely on anything posted here.  I disclaim all liability and responsibility for any actions you take as a result of reading the articles on this site.  If you do not agree with this, you should not read anything posted on this site.

Scroll to Top