Fishing Report

As the streams become warm the nymphs get active and the trout feed heavily upon them. Good nymphs for this time of year are the Murray's Dark Stonefly Nymph size 14, Murray's Caddis Larva size 14, and Mr. Rapidan Bead Head Nymph size 14. You can fish these upstream dead drift or by swing nymphing them in the deep pools.  Keep in mind that we still have some heavy runoff from snow melting and recent rains so you will get your best fishing by coming in off the Skyline Drive to the upper reaches of the streams. Some of the...

The local streams are running full from the recent rains and melting snow but are clear and fishable. A two fly tandem streamer rig is very effective for large trout at this time of the year. I especially like to fish a Shenandoah Streamer (Sunrise) size 10 on a two foot 4X dropper below a Shenandoah Streamer (Silver Ghost) size 10. To prevent casting knots and twisted leaders, I use a low side arm back cast and a high overhead presentation. Often hot spots are found from the riffles downstream 50 feet. 

The snow/ice is melting around the stocked trout streams causing extra water volume and discoloration. This can work to your advantage as the trout move throughout the stream. The easiest way to cover long stretches of these streams is with streamers. Start below a riffle and cast across stream. After the streamer sinks deeply, swim it across the stream bottom by stripping it six inches every five seconds. After each cast take a step downstream and strip the streamer the same way. Continue this technique as you wade downstream from one pool to the next and you will catch your...

Many of the large stocked trout feed heavily on the cress bugs and shrimp that live in and below the rich springs in our streams. An easy way to locate these springs during the winter when much of the stream is frozen over is to look for the open water. The spring water is much warmer than the main stream and the trout move in below the springs to feed. You will notice that frequently the open water below these springs may extend a hundred feet downstream. Fish these runs thoroughly with a Shenk's Cress Bug size 14 or  Murray's...

All of the local stocked trout streams are clear and fishable.  The snow is melting providing a nice stream flow and level. Just be careful as you are approaching these streams as there might still be some ice and slippery rocks.  Try a tandem two-nymph rig fished upstream dead drift in the deep pockets below the riffles. Many large rainbows feed here in these areas in the larger stocked trout streams.  One of my favorite rigs is with the Murray's Dark Stonefly Nymph size 12 as the top fly and the Murray's Olive Roadkill Nymph size 8 on a 24...