Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - Update December 23, 2022

Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - Update December 23, 2022

Update for December 23, 2022- All of the local stocked trout streams are currently too high and discolored for good fishing.  They should be cleared up by Sunday 12/25 or Monday 12/26.

Posted December 21, 2022 Stocked Trout Streams & Delayed Harvest Areas  -- The next week is going to be cold, cold, and cold but if you can withstand the ice along the stream edges then bundle up and go fishing. We are not having much top water action on the stocked streams but instead doing better with streamers. The Murray's Tungsten Bead Marauders size 10 are fast sinking and work well in deep pools and in fast flowing water.  If you don't need that much weight then switch to a Betsy Streamer size 12 or a Murray's Strymph in size 10. Fish all of these on a Classic 9ft 4X Leader. A slow hand-twist retrieve which crawls these flies across the stream bottom is a very dependable tactic.  

Put your gloves on, bring a heavy jacket, wading staff, and a good pair of non-leaking hip boots and enjoy some fresh air.  For the latest streams stocked, see the VA DRW website.

Murray's Fly Shop Holiday Hours:  Christmas Eve closing at 2p.m., closed December 25-27 for Christmas.   Closed December 31-January 2 for New Years We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

Mountain Trout Streams --  These streams are too cold for good fishing.  I have found the water temperature needs to be above 40 degrees before the native brook trout feed.  Now that's not to say you might catch one or two here or there but it is tough for this time of year.  In fact, the Skyline Drive is still closed in the Shenandoah National Park along with some trails from the ice storm that went through last Thursday.  They are doing there best to get downed trees and debris cleaned up so that they can reopen.  For the most up-to-date information about Skyline Drive status and conditions in the Park, opt in to their alert system. Text SHENALERTS to 888777 or call 540-999-3500, option 1, option 1.

Want to learn more about the native brook trout fishing?

 

Back to blog