Mountain Trout Steams --Most of the native brook trout streams are in great shape. The lower boundaries are still carrying some extra water so I would recommend coming in off the Skyline Drive or upper reaches of the streams. The Quill Gordons are starting to hatch and I'm catching brookies on Mr. Rapidan Parachute size 14 and Quill Gordon Dry size 14. If you want to fish a dry with a dropper, use one of these dry flies with a Mr. Rapidan Emerger size 14 below it. I am seeing many caddis along the streams as well. The Mr. Rapidan Delta Wing Caddis, black size 14 is my recommended caddis pattern. Fish all of these on a Murray's Mountain 6ft 5X leader or Classic Leader 7.5ft 5X.
If you want to learn more about fly fishing on the native brook trout streams, I have a few openings left in our fly fishing schools. May 8, 2024 is now open to beginners/intermediate anglers. Starts at Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria, VA with a classroom presentation and then continues on a native brook trout stream in the Shenandoah National Park for hands on instruction. A full day of learning.
Stocked Trout Streams- A good technique to use on the stocked trout streams for rainbows is to use a two-fly tandem rig of large nymphs. I like a Bass Stonefly Nymph size 4 in combination with a Bass Caddis Nymph size 6. Fish these with a slow twitching action right below the heavy riffles. This provides a big mouthful for the large rainbows. I also use this two-fly rig on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River for smallmouth bass. All of the local stocked trout streams are clear and at perfect water levels. If you need help on access, stop by the fly shop and we'll be happy to help you.