Mountain Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - September 15, 2021

I have had several people calling asking whether the Shenandoah National Park is open to fishing.  It was closed for a while but it is OPEN for fishing.  I was over there earlier this week and fished several of the streams with success.  The water temperature was around 60 degrees so make sure you have your hip boots with you.  There are many ants and beetles along the streams so these are the four flies I would recommend having in your fly box.

• Mr. Rapidan Ant size 16
• Murray's Flying Beetle size 16
• Murray's Inchworm size 14
• Mr. Rapidan Dry size 16

Fish these on a 6X Classic Leader.  I think you will have better luck by coming in from the lower access of the streams, hiking up about an hour and then fishing.  Be sure that you are not walking/hiking right along the stream as you will spook the fish before you even start. For more information on the Park streams see my book, Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park.

For more information on the George Washington National Forest trout streams see by book Virginia Blue Ribbon Streams or stop by the fly shop.

I will fish these native brook trout streams for a couple more weeks but once October gets here I put the fishing on hold so that the brook trout can spawn.