Mountain Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - September 18, 2024

A trick I use on mountain trout streams at this time of the year when the trout are wary is to fish the high gradient sections of the mountains. The trout are less spooky where the stream tumbles from one pool to the next and they are more willing to take my flies. You can spot these areas as you walk up the mountain trails and by studying the topo maps. Experience has shown me that many of these high gradient areas are at about what I call mid-mountain. We are using ant and beetle patterns mostly--Murray's Flying Beetle size 16, Mr. Rapidan Ant size 16.  Other flies that I recommend include: Stubby Chubby (brown/light gold) size 18, Murray's Yellow Jacket size 16, Klinkhammer (olive or orange) size 16. Fish all of these on a Murray's Classic 7.5ft 6X leader. 

We are getting some much needed steady rains which will help the streams in the Shenandoah National Park and George Washington National Forest. In the SNP I would concentrate on the larger streams like White Oak, Rose, and Hughes. If you need help on access to these streams, stop by the fly shop or see my book Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park. 

Get an additional $50 off the Winston Pure Fly Rods that we have left in stock through September 21, 2024.  Available online or in store while supplies last. The 3wt and 4wt rods in this series would work well on the small mountain trout streams.  The 5wt would be an excellent fly rod for the western trout streams.