UPDATED 1/28/24 - The local stocked streams are all high and muddy this morning from last night's rainfall (1.63" at the fly shop). This will take a few days to run out.
The local stocked trout streams are in great shape as far as water level and clarity. Last week I discussed the Little Black Stoneflies to which the trout are feeding on both the adults and the emerging nymphs. An effective technique is to fish a Murray's Little Black Stonefly Dry size 16 on 6X. Come off the bend of this hook with 18 inches of 7X to which you attach a Perdigon Olive Nymph size 16. Fish this two fly combination upstream with a slow lifting action. Concentrate on the slow eddies at dusk. Some of my customers prefer fishing with just nymphs as this time of year. The Bead Head Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail size 16, Bead Head Prince size 14, and Mr. Rapidan Bead Head size 14 are working well. To see the stocking schedule, visit the DWR website.
The mountain trout streams are very full of water from the snow run off and recent rains. If you find the lower access to have too much water then come into the streams from the Skyline Drive. The Bead Head Nymphs listed above would work well in these conditions. If you want to fish a dry and a dropper put a Mr. Rapidan Dry Fly size 14 on with a Bead Head Nymph as a dropper. For road closures and alerts on the Shenandoah National Park, visit their website or their Facebook page.
Up Coming Events at Murray's Fly Shop
- This Saturday January 27 at 10a.m. Fly Tying 101 Class
- Learn the Fine Points of Nymph Fishing for Trout on February 3 at 10a.m.
- Classroom discussion on Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park 101 Class on February 10 at 10a.m.
On The Stream Mountain Trout Schools for Spring 2024