Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - April 1, 2026

The native brook trout streams in the Shenandoah National Park are doing well.  We are seeing Quill Gordons and Caddisflies on the streams.  The Blue Quills will be starting very soon. There are many streams in the Shenandoah National Park so be willing to hike and explore to get to some good streams. The book Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park is a good reference for hatch charts and access to the different streams.  Or if you prefer you can also watch a video. The key to success is to stay low and use a dry with a dropper fly rig. The water levels are holding steady for now.  

Recommended Flies:

• Mr. Rapidan Parachute Dry size 14
• Mr. Rapidan Bead Head Nymph size 14
• Mr. Rapidan Delta Wing Caddis, Tan size 14
• Murray's Caddis Pupa, Tan size 14
• Copper John Nymph, Green size 14
• Blue Quill Dry size 16

Recommended Equipment:  6.5ft to 7.5ft fly rod in a 3-weight with a Murray's Mountain Leader 6ft 5X.  The Murray's Mountain Trout Fly Rod 6'10 #3 3pc. and St. Croix Imperial 7ft #3 4pc fly rod are good outfits that we promote in our Spring Fly Fishing Schools.

The Park is conducting a prescribed burn today April 1 so some areas are closed. Weather permitting, fire personnel plan to conduct a prescribed fire Wednesday, April 1, in Big Meadows (mile 51). Visitors should slow their speeds and turn their headlights on when driving through smoke. Access to Rapidan Road and areas of Big Meadows west of Rapidan Road will be restricted during the prescribed fire. Areas of Big Meadows west of Rapidan Road will be closed during the operation through Thursday, April 2.  For more updates, visit their website.

I've had customers asking about Little Stoney.  The FR92 into the top of Little Stoney is planned to be open sometime today. Use the same flies, techniques, and equipment listed above on this stream.  Want to learn more about the native brook trout fishing on this stream?  We have a few openings left in our Fly Fishing Schools on April 13, 20, 27 and May 4.  Fly Rod and Reel Outfits are provided for the school.  

Now let's move onto the stocked trout streams.  Saturday April 4 is Heritage Day on several streams. Passage Creek in Fort Valley around the Elizabeth Furnace Campground and Hawksbill in Luray are two of the local streams that participate in Heritage Day. These streams are closed to fishing on Friday April 3 and open for fishing at 9am on Heritage Day.  For a complete list of the Heritage Day Waters, visit the DWR website.

For a list of the latest streams just stocked, visit the DWR website.

All of the local stocked trout steams are clear and fishable.  Water levels are holding steady.

Recommended flies for stocked trout streams:

• Murray's Marauder, Olive or Black size 10
• Murray's Crayfish, Brown size 10
• Bead Head Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Nymph size 14
• Olsen's Blowtorch size 16
• Perdigon Nymph, Olive size 14
• Mr. Rapidan Dry size 14