We have reached the turning point on our mountain trout native brook streams. There are some Epeorus pleuralis mayflies hatching in the lower sections of the riffles and the trout are feeding on them. Earlier this week the water temperature was running around 42 degrees. You get most of your hits on nymphs such as the Mr. Rapidan Bead Head size 12 & 14 and Mr. Rapidan Emerger size 12 & 14. Another option would be to use a dry with a dropper below it. By using a Mr. Rapidan Dry size 14 or Spirit of Pittsford size 14 with one of the nymphs listed above as a dropper you are covering all areas of the water. I am using a Classic 7.5ft 5X leader.
If you come in from the Skyline Drive to the streams you will have better water levels as some of the lower sections of the streams are still carrying extra water. Be sure to bring your hip boots, bottled water, and layer your clothing as the mountains are usually 10-15 degrees cooler than our air temperature outside of the mountains.
For more information on these streams including access, see my book Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park.
We only have a few opening left in our Mountain Trout Schools for Spring 2022.