Fishing Report

There are many adult olive caddis on the mountain trout streams and I am having success with the Mr. Rapidan Delta Wing Caddis size 16. Fish this upstream dead drift right along the sides of the incoming riffles and over the gravel bars. Ant patterns such as the Mr. Rapidan Ant in size 16 have been producing some fish on the mountain streams. Fish these on a 6X leader. Stream Conditions: The trout streams are getting low and the trout are wary so wade carefully and approach each pool carefully so that you do not spook the fish. 

The aquatic grassbeds are developing and many shiner minnows live in these areas. I use the Silver Outcast Streamer size 4 to fish in and around the grassbeds which are in water 3 feet deep or less.  If the water close by the grassbeds is over 3 feet deep I use the Murray's Heavy Shiner Streamer size 6.  Fish these with a Bright Butt 9ft 2X leader. Many students in our fly fishing schools have caught some nice bass along the grassbeds over the years. Stream Conditions:  Both the North and South Fork of the Shenandoah River are clear and...

I have great success catching smallmouth bass on the Mr. Rapidan Skater in size 8 in the tails of the pools when I see the bass leaping to catch the adult damselfies and dragonflies as they fly low over the surface of the river. A foot long skating action every 10 seconds is ideal.   This week my guides have been doing well with the Murray's Marauder size 6 in olive, black, and pearl. Both the North Fork and the South Fork of the Shenandoah River are clear and fishable.     Ft. CFS North Fork at Mount Jackson 2.60 95.8 North...

An excellent tactic for fishing mountain trout streams during the Little Yellow Stonefly hatch is to fish a Murray's Little Yellow Stonefly Dry size 16 with Murray's Little Yellow Stonefly Nymph size 14 on an 18 inch 6X dropper below it.  Go one on one with the rising trout and just cover the water if you don't see risers.  I have also been doing well with the Mr. Rapidan Dry size 16 and Murray's Flying Beetle in size 14 and 16. The Shenandoah National Park streams are starting to get a little low so be sure to sneak, sneak, sneak...

These stocked trout streams are getting low and clear so wade carefully so you do not spook the fish.  Fish a Murray's Madtom, Black size 8 along the stream bottom in the deep pools. These strikes are often very subtle so set the hook firmly and quickly at the first hint of a strike.  Keep in mind that these streams are not stocked throughout the summer.