Shenandoah Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report – September 14, 2026
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The native brook trout streams in Shenandoah National Park and George Washington National Forest remain low, and the trout are very wary. Use a cautious approach, stay low, and move slowly. Water levels are generally better when you enter the streams from the lower boundaries of the streams. With the continued warm weather, plan to fish early in the morning before the water temperatures rise. Stay Low!
Best Dry Flies for Native Brook Trout
When you see trout rising, these are the dry flies I would have with me:
- Mr. Rapidan Midge Dry size 18
- Griffiths Gnat size 16
- Mr. Rapidan Dry size 18
- Murray's Little Dark Stonefly Dry size 18
- Murray's Flying Beetle size 16
- Mr. Rapidan Ant sizes 16 and 18
Dry Fly and Nymph Dropper
If you are not seeing rising trout, one technique I like is to tie a Murray's Moth size 14 or 16 on a Murray's Classic 7.5-foot 6X Leader. Then tie a Pheasant Tail Nymph size 18 on a 16-inch 6x Fluorocarbon dropper below the dry fly.
Fish all of these on a Murray's Classic 7.5' 6x leader and keep your 7x leader material handy.