Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - December 21, 2023

Update 12/21/23  Passage Creek in Fort Valley being stocked today!

The stocked trout streams have good water volume but they are clear so the trout are very wary. Big Stoney Creek west of Edinburg was stocked a few weeks ago but I am getting reports that there are still some browns in the deeper pools and around the springs. The delayed harvest area of Passage Creek in Fort Valley has been doing well.  The recent rains have improved the water levels. The Hidden Valley of the Jackson, the Rose River and the Hughes River outside of the Park boundaries were just recently stocked.  Use nymphs such as the Cress Bug size 14, Dark Stonefly Nymph size 12, Jigged Tungsten Head Hare's Ear Nymph size 14, and Perdigon Nymph French size 12. Streamers that work on the stocked trout streams include the Mr. Rapidan Streamer size 8, Betsy Streamer size 8 and if you need a little extra weight the Tungsten Bead Marauder Black size 10. Fish these on a 9ft 4X leader, either the Murray's Classic or Trout Nymphing leader which includes an indicator.

Earlier this week I rode over to the Shenandoah National Park to possibly fish but the water levels were too high after the recent rains. The water temperatures are cold enough that I didn't expect much action in the first place but I wanted to try.  Maybe another day closer to Spring.  If you plan to fish any of the native brook trout streams in the Park, please read the message from the biologist,