Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - February 21, 2024

The local stocked trout streams are in perfect conditions as far as clarity and water levels. Since the water levels were up when they stocked Big Stoney Creek last week don't be afraid to explore areas further downstream from where they stock. Sometimes the large rainbow trout can be caught several miles downstream from the stocked areas. This applies on all the stocked trout streams. I have had customers pull a nice rainbow trout out of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River several miles downstream from where they stocked in Big Stoney Creek. Recommended flies for the stocked trout streams: Bead Head Prince size 12 or 14, Bead Head Hare's Ear Nymph size 12 or 14, and Olive Dragonfly Nymph size 6.

There is alot of water is the lower reaches of the brook trout streams. I would recommend coming into the native brook trout streams from the Skyline Drive for better water levels. Be sure to check their Facebook page or website for road closures if bad weather should affect the road conditions. If you need help on access to these streams, see my book Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park. The nymph fishing will really start picking up within the next few weeks as the hatches start. For this week I would recommend the Mr. Rapidan Bead Head Nymph size 12 or 14 and March Brown Nymph size 12 or 14. 

If you are looking for a nice trout fly reel, we have the discontinued models of the Orvis Battenkill Click & Pawl reels and the Orvis Battenkill Disc Reels on sale while supplies last.