Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - December 13, 2023

Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - December 13, 2023

The VA DWR continues to stock streams throughout Virginia with rainbows, browns and sometimes brookies.  Big Stoney Creek west of Edinburg and Mill Creek in Mount Jackson were stocked within the last week.  There are several springs on Big Stoney that holds some rich insect life in the weed growth. There are many natural cress bugs downstream of these springs providing some excellent food for the trout. A Cress Bug in size 14 or 16 is excellent here. If you are not near a natural spring, then nymphs such as a Perdigon (Olive size 12), Copper John Zebra size 14, and Bead Head Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail size 14 are working.  Fish these on a Murray's Classic 7.5ft 5X leader. 

Native Brook Trout--The Shenandoah National Park lifted the ban last week so all of the Park streams are open to fishing.  They did stress-- 

Recent rainfall has improved conditions resulting in lifting the fishing ban. However, Evan Childress, fish biologist, added, “Be gentle with the fish and the fragile environment they inhabit. The dry conditions likely reduced spawning success. Brook trout eggs spend the winter incubating in gravel in the streams, so it’s important to avoid walking through those areas to prevent trampling of eggs.”
Anglers are also encouraged to minimize handling and time out of the water to reduce stress on the fish.
These streams are never stocked so anything we can do to save the brookies, I am all for.  I prefer to fish these streams in the Spring when I know I will not be disturbing any spawning beds. 
Learn to Fly Fish in our Mountain Trout Schools in the George Washington National Forest.  These meet at our fly shop in Edinburg, VA for a classroom presentation then off to the stream for hands-on experience.  A full day of learning! We provide the fly rod and reel outfit for the day.  For more information and Spring 2024 dates...click here.
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