The local stocked trout streams are starting to clear but are still carrying extra water. Just be careful when you are wading. Stoney Creek west of my fly shop in Edinburg was just stocked yesterday. With the extra water I expect the rainbows have moved throughout the stream. Use heavier nymphs and streamers such as the Murray's Tungsten Bead Marauder in size 10, Perdigon Nymphs in size 12, and Jigged Tungsten Pheasant Tail Nymph in size 14. A good tactic is to fish a two fly rig with a Murray's Marauder Streamer (black size 8) with a Murray's Dark Stonefly Nymph size 12 as a dropper. Fish this in the deep pools and the heavy runs below the riffles. To see the latest streams that were stocked, visit the DWR website.
If you need help on access to the stocked trout streams, stop by the fly shop.
The native brook trout streams are carrying extra water making the fishing tough. I would recommend giving them another few days to get to normal levels. I am currently working on some information on the different hatches with the matching flies. I will be posting this information on a timely basis on my blog, website, and social media pages starting very soon. For more information on the native brook trout streams in the Shenandoah National Park, see my book Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park.
We are currently booking guided fly fishing trips in the Shenandoah National Park for April & May. If you are interested, check out our website for more info.