One of Maryland’s best kept fly fishing secrets, the Casselman River is mostly a brown and rainbow trout spot with the occasional brook trout hiding out in the undercuts of the banks and current. Your typical match the hatch presentation is the direction you want to go while targeting the fish on this river.  The Casselman is featured in an article and video road trip series with FishTalk Magazine. See full video and article HERE.

Site Location

The Casselman River is located right in Western Maryland’s Grantsville. This stream primarily flows north to south due to the continental divide, and is just 15 miles northwest of, approximately a 20-minute drive, from the Garrett County Fly Fishing Trail Site at Big Run State Park.

"The Casselman is primarily a rainbow and brown trout fishery, with browns typically hanging underneath
cut banks, fallen timber and the deeper pools. The rainbows are almost always in the stream riffles.
Standard hatches and fly imitations include tan and olive caddis, Hendricksons and Adams parachutes,
and blue winged olives on overcast and rainy days. Ants and beetles are reliable patterns because they
are abundant on the rocks and overhanging branches. Great searching patterns include the royal Wulff,
royal coachman and trudes." Says John Neely. You can read his article here!

*During summer months, this river tends to run low, reducing the flow to isolated pools making a successful trip a challenge. We suggest trying the Big Run State Park for the months of June-August.

How to Get There

From Interstate 68, just prior to Grantsville, take Exit 22, to route 219. Stay on 219 for .3 miles until you take a slight left turn onto National Pike Rd known as 40. Follow 40 for two miles where you will take a slight right onto Casselman Rd. Take the second right into the parking lot. The river is just across the field.

Address

182 Casselman Rd, Grantsville, MD 21536.

GPS: 39.69735 N, 79.14183 W.

Parking

The Savage River Lodge & The Cornacopia Cafe are polite enough to let anglers park on property. With over 25 parking spots available there is plenty of space. The best part of this location is the Spruce Forest Artisan's Village and the Penn Alps Restaurant & Craft Shop are conveniently next store.

River access and public parking are also available at the Casselman River Bridge State Park. 

Where to Fish

You can fish the river from the bank or by wading in the river, casting in riffles or towards deeper pools.

What to Catch

Brook trout and Rainbow trout.

Fly Fishing Organizations

Connect with local fly fishing organizations to learn about mentoring opportunities and to connect with others interested in fly fishing.