Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - May 5, 2026
The native brook trout are actively feeding on dry flies that match the current hatches. We are seeing March Browns, Light Cahills, Caddisflies and Little Yellow Stoneflies. The stream levels are lower than normal for this time of year but by using a stealthy approach and staying low anglers are picking up several brookies in each pool. The best water levels are by coming into the streams from the lower boundaries of the Shenandoah National Park. Don't be afraid to hike in for about 30 minutes to get away from other anglers. Good reference book: Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park helps with hatch charts, reading the water, stream access and much more.
Recommended flies for this week:
- Mr. Rapidan Dry size 16
- Klinkhammer, orange size 16
- Near Nuff Mayfly size 16
- Light Cahill Dry size 16
- Mr. Rapidan Delta Wing Caddis, Olive size 16
- Murray's Little Yellow Stonefly Dry size 16
If you want to use a dry with a dropper--add a Perdigon Nymph olive size 16 or Mr. Rapidan Soft Hackle Nymph brown size 16 below the dry fly. Fish all of these on a Murray's Mountain 6ft 6X or Murray's Classic 7.5ft 6X leader. To help in releasing the brook trout, use barbless hooks or mash the barbs down.
Stocked Trout Streams
The stocked trout streams are low and clear. The DWR will wrap up their stocking schedule within the next few weeks. We have a few anglers landing a few rainbows on the local stocked trout streams in the deeper pools. The trout are wary so wade carefully.
Recommended flies for this week:
- Murray's Hellgrammite size 8
- Mr. Rapidan Dry size 14
- Murray's Crayfish, olive size 10
- Murray's Marauder, black or brown size 10
- Rubber Leg Nymph, size 8
- Mr. Rapidan Soft Hackle Nymph, olive size 10