Written By Megin Potter | Photos provided

Ralph Yusavage isn’t as untamed as his name might suggest. Even though in high school his lacrosse teammates would shout, “Ralph, You Savage!” after a sensational score, as the founder of Savage Anglers, it’s the fierce fish at the end of Ralph’s rod who are the real brutes. 

Especially the area’s small mouth bass, who haven’t traditionally been targeted by fly fisherman, but are fun because they put up such a fight, he said. 

The last three years of consistently rainy, cool summers has also revived great trout fishing in the Battenkill and other rivers and tributaries in the New York and Vermont regions, but that could all change with one hot summer, he warns. 

Reading the Water

Growing up in Saratoga, when Ralph was just a boy, he rode his bicycle to the lake dock, and learned how to tie his own flies, but what he really fell in love with was casting.

“The challenge is what I found exciting about it, then searching for different species, and traveling,” he said. “I love fly fishing because it puts you in places you wouldn’t otherwise be.”

Although a younger guide, Ralph has accumulated significant expertise, a deep understanding of local conditions, fish behavior, and effective fishing techniques. 

Experience On the Fly

 After high school, Ralph attended an intensive Orvis fly-fishing course and began working as a guide in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park. While teaching summer casting school for Orvis, he attended the University of Southern Maine but found himself skipping class to go fishing and began hosting fishing float trips. Last year, he was one of three selected for Orvis’ coveted Guide of the Year award. 

“I want those I’m taking out fishing to become inspired to get more into the sport,” said Ralph. “They are interested in learning where to cast and which fly to use. I meet them where their skills are at and where they want to get to by the end of the day.”

With beginners, he starts with basic casting instruction and practice, for kids, he talks about entomology and points out where the cool crawfish are. 

“A good angler knows how to adapt to different circumstances and step up to the challenge of 20 knot winds in your face, extreme weather conditions, and when the water is too high or too low,” he said. Clients often want to fish at the worst times (in the middle of the day in the summer) so trusting in Ralph’s adherence to high standards and his ability to adapt is vital to experiencing that dream fly-fishing experience they’ve been hoping for. 

Catch of the Day

For one couple, it was the wife who really wanted to learn, but the husband (who was just along for the ride) who had all the luck. 

“He did exactly what I told him to do, and despite his wife having the better spot, he probably caught nine fish that day. It wasn’t two minutes after he’d hooked up and I landed the fish for him that he’d hooked another one. It’s true that how tense your hand is on the rod really does transition down the line,” said Ralph. 

“After some decent drifts, the wife asked to switch spots. We kept working and at the last cast, she hooked one! After all that build up, she hauls the fish in, the rod fully bent over, when suddenly all that energy is released, the fish comes flying toward her face, and she falls back into the shallow water.” 

Ralph, ready with the net, caught the fish and said to her, “You’ve now been baptized into the fly-fishing community. Welcome to the club.”

Drop in a Line

 In addition to leading you to the fish, it’s Ralph’s knowledge and personality that make him a great guide. Offering couples 3hr wading, 6hr or 8hr floating excursions, he works with other guides to accommodate larger groups. 

Supplying all the fishing gear and equipment, he also brings beverages and snacks, and provides lunch (with ingredients from local markets) when requested. He also invites clients to bring their own coolers, wear sunglasses, sunscreen, and proper clothing. 

This August, the Savage Angler’s tackle shop adjacent to the Battenkill’s public access point, 4012 State Rt. 22, in Salem will be open Saturdays and Sundays. Located in a 75-year-old renovated garage, the shop’s interior has been constructed from reclaimed wood, and features new flooring, windows, countertop, and terminal tackle including flies, tippets, and leaders. The parking lot is being extended and the attached home will be available as a vacation rental for 3-day, 2-night adventure packages.