Trout fishing report for Virginia, specifically the streams in and around Shenandoah Valley, George Washington/ Jefferson National Forest and Shenandoah National Park. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html Murray's Fly Shop 2007 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Sat, 5 Jul 2008 08:59:40 -0400 Sat, 5 Jul 2008 08:57:52 -0400 FeedForAll v2.0 (2.0.2.1) http://www.feedforall.com The Brookies are Spooky!! But are willing to take a dry fly just about anytime you are up for sneaking up the mountain. The stream levels are great for July thanks to the consistent rainfall we have received. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 3966D549-0BDA-48DD-A0C7-3C6A8246A630 Sat, 5 Jul 2008 08:57:52 -0400 Go early to avoid fishing behind someone. The streams are in beautiful shape right now. Brookies or stocked trout, get out there! http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html D5427244-6929-4180-A72F-4C10E8A4EB7C Fri, 23 May 2008 08:12:42 -0400 Rainy days are upon us. Four inches in the driest county in VA (Shenandoah County) thus far this month. Great for the overall picture but it continues to screw up the fishing... Give me a call at the shop or drop us an email to find up to the minute stream information! http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html B1EDCC4C-7707-444A-8B1A-1EC75AB75A57 Fri, 16 May 2008 21:33:12 -0400 Wait a few days before heading out... The streams are all full and not very fishable. They should be back and in good shape, even if a bit full, by 5/16. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 3BEABFF0-6303-482C-B921-3796FFC92586 Mon, 12 May 2008 09:11:27 -0400 Wait no more, the brookies are in a feeding frenzy. The hatches start around 2:30pm and last until an hour before dark. Make sure you don't get behind another angler and please be courteous to others. If you leapfrog another angler, walk upstream 15 minutes to give them plenty of water to fish. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html F4D8C408-F69A-4015-8E87-A8A59E43A69D Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:56:36 -0400 There are many insects coming off the streams right now. Today I saw caddis, little yellow stoneflies, bronze stoneflies, blue quills and march brown mayflies. The fish were willing to feed on Mr. Rapidan Dry's #14 or #16, Black Delta Wing Caddis #16 and Casual Dress Nymph #12 all fished on 4x 9ft. leaders. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html F7B65F58-6C8C-41EF-9CCC-67306F10AC9A Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:08:48 -0400 Feeding time at the zoo? Well at least as far as the brook trout are concerned it is. Take an assortment of flies like: Mr. Rapidan Parachute #14, Tan or Black Delta Wing Caddis #16, Spirit of Pittsford Mills #16, Mr. Rapidan Emerger #14 and some 4x tippet material and you are set. The fishing has been outstanding! http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 9C927F0A-CC13-40FE-A97C-2E5E3F951218 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:26:05 -0400 Yesterday's warm, no make that hot, weather is sure to put the brookies in the mood to feed. Last week I saw two Quill Gordon's on the stream. Last night on my way home I stopped by a local stream and saw four QG Dun's in the air around 5:00 pm. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 2EBBE17D-22E1-4FF1-BB34-3F961C12D903 Wed, 2 Apr 2008 09:47:38 -0400 Spring temperatures threaten and tempt us along with the trout. The mountain streams in the region are all full and cold after this week's rainfall. BUT, the fish are willing to cooperate with our flies to reward us on occasion. Try your favorite dry flies but bring along nymphs and shot to get them to the bottom. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html A9A86935-002C-439E-9040-90B2CCE16CDD Thu, 6 Mar 2008 21:01:53 -0500 Wow! The thermometer has touted a comfortable 64 degrees out my office window as a high for the last two days. Tomorrow the 50's return. This is sure to keep the fish guessing. I fished yesterday afternoon and had fair success, taking several on top. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 6A79BF6B-C706-4F15-BCC2-8D5DB00A6F4B Wed, 6 Feb 2008 14:46:09 -0500 Today we received up to 1.75" of rain and much of it stuck to the trees and roads in the frozen manner. Tomorrow the high is predicted to be 50 degrees. Great for fishing just remember to bring your weight. The rains have brought the local stream levels up but they are still fishable! http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html EE0770D1-4422-404C-80FD-73527A8D14D5 Fri, 1 Feb 2008 17:13:00 -0500 Many of our local streams have been stocked recently. If you are looking for bigger fish however, you need to look down the path less followed. Bring along a few Marauders in Pearl, Olive, Black and Brown (Big Food for Big Fish). Don't hesitate to get away from the "easy" access sites by wading up or down stream. Look for deep cuts near the bank and for areas where springs enter the stream. A combination of these is a big fish holding area! http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html A5B5C8D4-731F-4B76-88FC-005DAE797468 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:40:58 -0500 Today the temperatures returned to a more seasonal level and we received a little over .5 inch of rain. We had great fishing/ weather this week (for January) on Dry Flies and Nymphs on a local stocked stream. Fish Saturday with Nymphs and Streamers before the Snow/ Ice/ Rain - Whatever - arrives on Sunday. Next week the night time lows will be in the upper teens and low twenties. Get out there and fish before winter comes back. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 53D1F607-38AC-425F-A4EF-7933C4491AB8 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 23:59:52 -0500 The high and low temperatures have favored the fishing. Passage Creek and Big Stony are both running in the low 40's and fishing has been good. The recent rain has brought the levels up which has allowed the fish to move around some so don't be disappointed if you don't find them holding in the same areas as earlier in the season. Nymphs and streamers will be your best bet but bring along a few BWO's (especially 12/30, with the weather forecast) and Midges. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 4CA7AB28-956C-463F-8195-7B01FEEEDFA3 Sat, 29 Dec 2007 10:00:44 -0500 The local stocked streams are at good levels after some much needed rain last week. The temperatures are hovering around the upper 30's right now which means the trout MIGHT think about feeding. Look for areas of the streams where a spring enters since the water temperatures are several degrees warmer in these areas. 40 degrees is the magic number we want to see. Think Nymphs bounced along the bottom slowly. Be sure to bring along some split shot! http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html FDA095B1-AC07-43C5-9B78-AEC8DA4D67B7 Sat, 22 Dec 2007 13:00:37 -0500 We have several Trout Size Rods On Sale. Both New and Used Rods. New Scott, Orvis, Winston and St. Croix Rods Available at up to 70% off Retail. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/onsale.html FE374CD2-E41C-42EF-94F2-436ED3185881 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 19:06:46 -0500 Receive Free Shipping and Handling on all orders over $100 through 12-31-2007 http://www.murraysflyshop.com 8814F5DD-3DCB-4F14-94AC-E3F70240E98D Wed, 14 Nov 2007 09:40:26 -0500 Both Big Stony and Passage Creek received a boost in their water levels from the recent rains. These two streams were both stocked within the last 10 days and fishing has been fair so far but is improving. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 9646BA77-5A93-4B45-AE30-290BC2D0BB41 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 09:19:02 -0400 Big Stony Creek West of Edinburg was stocked on 10/18. This provides a great freestone fishing alternative while we stay out of the mountain brook trout streams until late winter. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 796C827E-5E4E-4872-AF31-B86B38C9E8C3 Sat, 20 Oct 2007 08:54:07 -0400 They have begun to spawn in the mountain habitat so let's leave them alone for a few months. Think about fishing to them again after January 15, 2008! http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html A0110594-D8F5-417E-88FF-3E289D411353 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:11:06 -0400 Hit the mountain streams before the brookies start to spawn. I like to stop fishing these streams on October 1. This gives the fish a chance to settle down and focus on the business at hand without our careless scaring them half to death. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 982CE1D7-91F2-42E5-B0FF-DEB09F7E8401 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:14:08 -0400 The brookies are very spooky since the rain has run off from last week. I was astounded at how spooky they are! I put down many fish this week before finally going to a #20 Ant and 7x tippet. Bring your patience and small flies. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html E5ACE48C-7D70-4DF5-95B0-FDD47658A12A Sat, 1 Sep 2007 12:03:15 -0400 The brookies are loving this rain. Over two inches in the past 10 days. The mountain streams are far from full levels but they are not as low as they were in late July. The fish are still spooky though, thankfully, not as spooky as they have been. Terrestrials all the way! and 7x tippet material! http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 2FCA30AA-4D67-4D43-AAD2-4C719657BA21 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 07:11:56 -0400 Thankfully we have received a little rain off and on over the past week. The water temperatures are holding up very well even with the low levels. The brookies are quite spooky. 7x or forget it! Bring your small terrestrials also. This week I did very well with an inchworm. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 4F9A3634-F6F3-46B5-804A-477DFCCAC485 Thu, 16 Aug 2007 17:58:18 -0400 The weekend and yesterday left many of the brookies playing in extra water from some locally heavy rainstorms along the Blue Ridge Mtns. The Central Section of the SNP is one such area that received widespread rainfall. Concentrate your fishing on the streams that seem to have a little extra water, just remember the fish are still VERY SPOOKY!!!!!!!!! Terrestrials; ants, beetles, crickets, inchworms and 7x tippet material - now your set go find some water, elevation and cooler temperatures http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 91115751-E95C-4A90-AD63-B8FA5ECE8AC1 Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:55:48 -0400 Get up early and hit one of the Spring Creeks for some picky feeding fish. The trico's are hatching during the early morning hours right now. After the hatch is over switch to a Flying Beetle or Shenk's Cricket and watch for bank sippers. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html D4E49A6C-8A6D-4CEA-8C29-F3BACD2ACCDB Fri, 27 Jul 2007 13:09:34 -0400 Stick to fishing the lower reaches of the Mountain Trout Streams but stay high enough up that you still have good gradient. The brookies are very spooky. Not the best time for a rookie to venture out, you will probably be disappointed. For those of you already indoctrinated to the techniques used to catch these fish... here is your challenge... 7x tippet #16 or #18 Ants, Beetles or Inchworms stay as low as your body will let you. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 57FF562B-8012-463F-BA65-6C271FA5D9F7 Tue, 24 Jul 2007 10:42:19 -0400 We have been blessed to receive the recent rainfall throughout the area. The mountain streams are in great shape for mid summer. Take along a handful of terrestrials and your 7x tippet........ I didn't say they were easy! http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 15B4015A-A178-4C8D-AE46-8876B22CF103 Fri, 6 Jul 2007 10:51:24 -0400 Give Scott Sager with Drifting on the Fly a call if you are interested in chasing a few large (28 -36inch) Rainbows.... Seriously hard core fishing! We just got back from a great trip and the picture on Scott's website, www.driftingonthefly.com, is of a 30 inch/15 lb. Rainbow caught on the Kenai River. His motto "Gotta be hard-core if you want any pictures" paid off! Go to bed at 1100 and get up at 0300 - don't fret you can sleep on the airplane trip home.......... http://www.driftingonthefly.com 58DEFB44-A0EA-4331-90DB-7F3438FE842A Wed, 27 Jun 2007 23:51:48 -0400 Bring along your small dry flies and terrestrials. The water is getting to it's summertime low levels and the fish are quite wary. 7x tippet will be your friend if you want to be successful. #18 Mr. Rapidan Dry, #16 Flying Beetle, #18 Mr. Rapidan Ants will all work nicely. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html DB1C1D66-4F77-483C-92EF-49B401CC6F31 Wed, 27 Jun 2007 08:00:34 -0400 Today the forecast high for Big Meadows, on the Skyline Drive is 64 degrees and overcast with a chance of rain. Take along your raincoat and a hand full of ants and beetles! The brookies are loving this weather and the extra water from the past several days worth of rain. Great weather to hike down a few miles and fish! http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html A0C95C78-785E-4643-B637-FE24B2B35605 Thu, 14 Jun 2007 07:50:32 -0400 The park streams are in great shape even up high. Bring along 6x and 7x tippet material for those trout that still have memories of the clear water last week. Flying Beetles #16 and Mr. Rapidan Ants #16 will fit the bill nicely. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 6DB7B25F-7C09-4F44-BEEC-EFDD6F55E324 Tue, 12 Jun 2007 21:33:53 -0400 The brookies are loving the extra water from the rain over the weekend. Over an inch of rain fell on much of the Skyline Drive. Once again you can fish the headwaters for another week. Yellow Sallies are still hatching and feeding the fish. Hike down from the top this week and you will most likely have the place to yourself! http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html AB82F5A4-E718-4385-81B0-601284F5B6E3 Mon, 4 Jun 2007 06:45:30 -0400 The central section of the SNP received over an inch of rain Sunday evening. This is a welcome drink for the streams running out of the Big Meadows to Skyland area. You will find good stream levels hiking in from the top as well as from the bottom. Burn a little shoe leather and enjoy the cooler temperatures at 3000 ft. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html B4B23777-5E7B-4CE3-869B-A7B98E5082FD Tue, 29 May 2007 13:59:18 -0400 Planning on going to the mountains this weekend? Fishing has been great but you need to pay a little extra attention to where other anglers are not. Then fish there. The brookies will stay spooked for about 24 hours after you or someone else fishes to them right now with the early summer water levels we have. Walk in two miles or so to get away from the crowds. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html AD424277-9A52-4F5C-8AAA-7EA0DD9C9E33 Thu, 24 May 2007 19:07:55 -0400 Great fishing with dry flies on the mountain trout streams with Little Yellow Stoneflies and Flying Beetles. Use caution however, the brookies are becoming quite spooky. Bring along your 6x tippet material while you are at it. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html DE20E51A-CA3E-4556-9AA1-2186F3543F65 Tue, 22 May 2007 10:32:59 -0400 The mountain streams have dropped back from our full April levels. This has left the brookies a bit on the spooky side of things. Use a cautious approach and at the largest a 5x tippet on your leader. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html B510CC25-7FB7-439A-810C-EA2AB569D814 Sun, 13 May 2007 15:12:33 -0400 If you like to fish where you have a good opportunity to catch a large trout, hit Passage Creek or Big Stony this weekend. VDGIF has stocked quite a few nice size rainbows. Early morning and late evening have been best. These streams are warming quickly and will likely continue to do so throughout the rest of Spring and Summer. This makes the trout fishing tough so fish these streams before summer arrives and makes them less than productive. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html E1FCB95E-52BC-405E-BE76-AEE97DC461D1 Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:27:40 -0400 If you waited until the brookies were feeding at their prime to hit the streams..........wait no more!!!!!!!! A #14 or #16 Mr. Rapidan Parachute or a #16 Tan Delta Wing Caddis along with 5x tippet material will work very well! http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html FCA798DA-C57B-47CD-8F02-191A6FE8E8BB Wed, 25 Apr 2007 08:23:49 -0400 Yesterday.....Spring Brook Trout feeding returned to it's April splendor. Blue Quill and Quill Gordon Mayflies were hatching in abundance and the Brookies were gorging themselves! http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html C0231380-1518-44B9-A4E0-8F6ECD11FDC4 Wed, 18 Apr 2007 08:18:35 -0400 After all the rain and braving the wind we found a few Brook Trout willing to feed on both nymphs and dries today. The water temperature was 42 degrees and the streams were all full but fishable. The wind made it a challenge just keeping the dries on the water. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html EDF15A93-CF91-4236-9AB9-2DD0E471B4DE Mon, 16 Apr 2007 21:10:52 -0400 Two to three inches of rain have created high, muddy stream conditions. It will be at least Wednesday 4/18 until they are in any shape to fish. Hike down into the headwaters of the native streams for the best conditions. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html ED281372-9D3D-4F41-83C9-7E2195B3778B Sun, 15 Apr 2007 21:22:18 -0400 Listen to Harry's Audio Trout Report - updated weekly or more frequently if conditions change. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 463978D7-4774-4F2F-B74E-679A11BF7B45 Sat, 14 Apr 2007 11:48:28 -0400 Yesterday I fished in the SNP and found tough fish in cold water. Snow greeted me when I parked the car. Take your long underwear and a good raincoat along for the next several days. I had several refusals on dry flies and took a few on nymphs. Water temp was 36 degrees. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html 37016AA7-651B-4E60-B997-63CF0ADC6644 Mon, 9 Apr 2007 08:24:57 -0400 This morning we awoke to a dusting of snow. This will not affect the fishing but the cold temps have certainly affected things. Nymphs and streamers for the fish and a warm coat and hand warmers for the anglers. It is beautiful out on the streams this morning.... http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html FA0992D7-CF04-4349-A0EE-D0AC825B6601 Sat, 7 Apr 2007 08:48:55 -0400 From 80 degrees to 38 degrees in two days is enough to slow down just about any creature especially those cold blooded ones. Bring your nymphs and hope for a sunny afternoon to get the dry flies out. http://www.murraysflyshop.com/troutfishingreport.html FF66A917-FF7F-4BB2-9BF3-18B4DED4D9EC Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:27:44 -0400