Trout Fly Fishing Stream Report - August 21, 2024
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Here's a tip to fool the tough trout. In most pools almost every evening there are midge hatches and the trout feed well on them. An effective technique is to fish a Mr. Rapidan Midge size 22 on a 7X leader with a Perdigon Olive Nymph size 16 on a 12-inch 7X mono dropper below the dry. Many of the trout streams got enough rain that we are coming in from the Skyline Drive for better water levels. Ant and beetle patterns are also good for this time of year. Murray's Flying Beetle size 16, Mr. Rapidan Ant size 16 and Parachute Black Ant size 18 are my favorite patterns to use in the summer.
All of the Shenandoah National Park is open for fishing. If you need help on stream access, stop by the fly shop or read my book Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park.
Little Stoney west of Edinburg has sufficient water levels again from the rains. Some anglers are going in from FS92 off Rt. 675. The fly patterns listed above would work on this stream as well.
The Park service and myself are recommending either mashing the barbs down or use barbless hooks to help preserve our brookies. The low water and high temperatures were hard on the fish so anything we can do to help is beneficial.
Learn to Fly Fish. We have our On The Stream Mountain Trout Schools for Spring 2025 listed on our website. These are conducted in the Spring when the water levels and hatches are ideal. A full day of learning starting at 9a.m. with a classroom session then you will head to the stream for on the stream instruction until 5p.m. Fly Rod & Reel Outfits are included. $200 per person. For more information and to register, click on the links below.
Mountain Trout School in the Shenandoah National Park
Mountain Trout School in the George Washington National Forest