Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - July 19, 2025

Since the bass streams are so high and muddy most anglers are concentrating on the trout fishing in the area. The rains are keeping the native brook trout streams in the Shenandoah National Park at good water levels.  Some of the lower boundaries are still carrying extra water but if you access the streams from the Skyline Drive or upper reaches you can usually get above the extra water. The last two years the Park was closed because of drought conditions so take advantage of the fishing this year. I'm using terrestrial patterns such as Murray's Flying Beetle size 16, Mr. Rapidan Ant size 16, Barbless Beetle size 16.  The Mr. Rapidan Dry size 16 is another good dry fly to have in your box.  Some anglers are doing well with nymphs with the extra water.  Heavier nymphs such as Olsen's Blowtorch Barbless size 16, Barbless French Bomb size 16 and Perdigon Nymph size 14 are recommended.  

If you need help on access to the streams in the Shenandoah National Park, see my book Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park.

Update for July 19 at 9am The local stocked trout streams are high and muddy this morning after receiving 2+inches of rain last evening. I expect it will take a few days to clear enough to be fishable. Once the conditions improve, then use the flies listed below.  Even though this is a stocked trout stream (which they do not stock in the summer), there are still some fish in the stream. You just have to work for them. With the extra water I recommend a Murray's Tungsten Marauder size 10 or Murray's Heavy Hellgrammite size 8. For nymphs, the heavier nymphs listed above for the native brook trout streams would be adequate.  If you are set on dry fly fishing, us a Mr. Rapidan Dry size 14.