Savoy Pond
Fly fishing in South Dakota · beginner · Best seasons: spring, summer, fall
Target Species
Rainbow Trout
About This Water
Spearfish Canyon stocked pond. Easy access for beginning anglers.
Fishing Recommendations
Savoy Pond (often referred to as the Latchstring Pond) is one of the most picturesque and accessible fly fishing gems in the Northern Black Hills of South Dakota. Located at the heart of Spearfish Canyon, this small impoundment of Spearfish Creek offers a unique high-elevation trout fishing experience.
As your guide, here is everything you need to know to find success on these waters.
🎣 Location Overview
Savoy Pond is located at the confluence of Spearfish Creek and Little Spearfish Creek, right behind the historic Latchstring Restaurant and the Spearfish Falls trailhead.
What makes this spot special is the limestone canyon setting. The water is crystal clear, cold, and highly oxygenated, which is a byproduct of the spring-fed nature of Spearfish Creek. Because the creek is "bottom-release" from various springs, the water temperature stays remarkably consistent. Anglers love it because it offers a "technical pond" feel—where you can sight-fish for trout against a backdrop of towering 1,000-foot limestone walls.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
The primary target here is Rainbow Trout. While the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks (GFP) stocks this area, you will also encounter wild Brown Trout that move down from the creek into the pond for the deeper, slower water.
- Behavior: In the pond environment, the trout tend to "cruise" in circular patterns along the weed lines and the drop-offs.
- Holding Spots: Look for fish near the inlet (where Spearfish Creek enters), as the moving water brings a constant supply of food. They also hover near the dam breast and under the overhanging vegetation on the far bank.
- Feeding: These fish are opportunistic but can become "micro-focused" on small midges. In the summer, they look upward for terrestrials falling from the canyon canopy.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Optimal Seasons:
- Spring (Late March – May): Excellent for early midge hatches and post-winter hunger.
- Summer (June – August): While other SD waters get too warm, Savoy stays cool. This is the prime time for dry fly action.
- Fall (September – October): The canyon turns gold with aspen and birch. Brown trout become aggressive as they prepare to spawn.
- Best Time of Day: Early morning (7:00 AM – 10:00 AM) and "the golden hour" before sunset. The canyon walls cast long shadows, which makes the fish feel secure enough to feed on the surface.
- Prime Conditions: Overcast days are spectacular here; the low light cuts the glare on the water, making the fish less spooky in the clear conditions.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Nymphs:
- Zebra Midge (Size 18–22) in black/silver or red.
- Pheasant Tail (Size 16–20) to mimic the small mayflies of the canyon.
- Scuds (Size 14–18) in olive or orange (Spearfish Creek is loaded with crustaceans).
- Dry Flies:
- Griffith’s Gnat (Size 18–22) for the constant midge clusters.
- Parachute Adams (Size 16–20).
- Elk Hair Caddis (Size 14–16) for late afternoon.
- Hi-Viz Ants or Beetles (Size 14–16) in mid-summer.
- Streamers:
- Thin Mint or Olive Woolly Bugger (Size 10–12). Use these with a slow, twitchy retrieve near the dam.
Effective Techniques
- The Dry-Dropper: This is the most effective way to fish Savoy. Use a buoyant dry fly (like a Stimulator) and hang a small Zebra Midge 18–24 inches below it.
- Sight Fishing: Because the water is so clear, don't just blind-cast. Stand back from the bank, spot a cruising trout, and lead the fish by 3 feet with your cast.
- Slow Stripping: If using a leech or streamer, use a "strip-strip-pause" cadence. The pause is usually when the Rainbows will inhale the fly.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Stealth is Key: The biggest mistake anglers make at Savoy is walking right up to the water’s edge. The fish can see you through the clear water. Stay low and wear drab-colored clothing to blend into the canyon walls.
- The "Inlet" Secret: The area where the creek flows into the pond is the most oxygenated. If the bite is slow everywhere else, fish the seam where the fast water meets the still water.
- Light Tippet: Use 5X or 6X fluorocarbon tippet. These fish see a lot of lures and flies; the thinner, invisible line will significantly increase your hook-up rate.
- The Bridge: Check the water under the footbridges. Often, larger "resident" trout hide in the shadows created by the bridge structures.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Very easy. There is ample parking at the Latchstring Restaurant/Savoy area. A well-maintained path circles much of the water.
- Regulations:
- A valid South Dakota Fishing License is required.
- Check the current SD GFP South Dakota Fishing Handbook for specific creel limits, though Catch and Release is highly encouraged to maintain the quality of the fishery.
- Special Considerations: This is a high-traffic tourist area. You will likely have hikers and tourists watching you. Practice good etiquette and be mindful of your backcast to avoid hooking a passerby on the trail!
- Cell Service: Extremely spotty to non-existent in the canyon. Download your maps before you leave Spearfish or Lead.
Savoy Pond is a "fairytale" fishing spot. It’s not about catching the biggest fish in the state, but about catching beautiful trout in one of the most stunning geological settings in the Midwest. Tight lines!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | April, May, September, October | Late Morning/Afternoon | #18-22 | Parachute Blue Winged Olive #18-22, RS2 (Gray or Olive) #20-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #18-20 |
| Chironomids (Midges) Chironomidae | midge | January, February, March, April | All Day | #18-24 | Zebra Midge (Black/Silver) #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #20-22, Morgan's Midge #20-22 |
| Little Brown Caddis Glossosoma | caddis | May, June | Late Afternoon/Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis (Brown) #14-18, LaFontaine's Deep Sparkle Pupa #16-18, Peacock Caddis #16-18 |
| Pale Morning Dun Ephemerella | mayfly | June, July | Morning/Early Afternoon | #16-18 | PMD Sparkle Dun #16-18, Pale Morning Dun Parachute #16-18, Trigger Finger PMD #16-18 |
| Scuds Gammarus | crustacean | March, April, May | All Day | #14-18 | Ray Charles (Grey or Pink) #14-18, Orange Scud #14-16, Soft Hackle Sowbug #16-18 |
| Terrestrials (Ants and Beetles) Formicidae / Coleoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | Midday | #12-18 | Cinnamon Ant #14-18, Foam Beetle #12-16, Amy's Ant #12-14 |
| Trico Tricorythodes | mayfly | August, September | Early Morning | #20-24 | Trico Spinner #20-24, Trico Parachute #22-24 |
| Yellow Sally Isoperla | stonefly | June, July | Afternoon/Evening | #14-16 | Yellow Sally Stimulator #14-16, Little Yellow Sloan #14-16 |