Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - March 18, 2026

Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - March 18, 2026

Native Brook Trout Streams--The Shenandoah National Park Streams are full but fishable. The Skyline Drive remains closed in certain areas due to snowy/icy conditions. Check their website for updates.  I feel sure it will be reopened in all areas by the weekend. 

Many of the Quill Gordon mayfly nymphs are reaching their full size and moving to the lower sections of the riffles to develop their wings and swim to the surface of the stream as the emerger. A very effective technique is to fish the Mr. Rapidan Emerger size 14 upstream tight to the base of the above riffles. A gentle rod lifting motion usually prompts a strike from the trout. Some anglers prefer using a Mr. Rapidan Parachute Dry size 14 with a Mr. Rapidan Emerger size 14 as a dropper. 

Other recommended flies this week:

  • Murray's Purple Dun Dry size 14
  • Murray's Near Nuff Mayfly Dry size 14
  • Quill Gordon Dry size 14
  • Mr. Rapidan Delta Wing Caddis, Tan size 14
  • Mr. Rapidan Soft Hackle Nymph, Olive size 14
  • Murray's Caddis Pupa, Tan size 14
  • Mr. Rapidan Bead Head Nymph size 14

Fish all of these on a Murray's Mountain Leader 6ft 5X or Murray's Classic 7.5ft 5X Leader.  For more information on the native brook trout streams in the Shenandoah National Park, read the book Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park. 

Fly Fishing Schools--Spring 2026

We still have some openings in our Mountain Trout Fly Fishing Schools in the George Washington National Forest.  Open Dates: April 13, 20, 27 and May 4

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Stocked Trout Streams

All of the local stocked trout streams are clear and fishable. Anglers are doing well with heavier nymphs and streamers.  With the extra water from last week, the trout were able to spread out. Passage Creek in Fort Valley was stocked last week. The VADWR will continue to stock streams over the next month, so check their website for updates. 

Recommended flies:

  • Murray's Heavy Hellgrammite, black or brown size 8
  • Murray's Marauder, black or brown size 8
  • Olsen's Blowtorch Barbless, size 16
  • Mr. Rapidan Bead Head Nymph size 12
  • Bead Head Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Nymph size 14
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