Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - February 28, 2024

Let's start with the stocked trout streams. The water levels are perfect in all of the local streams.  The water temperature is still cool so bring your hippers.  Most anglers get better fishing by wading to areas that are away from the road or easy access. You can often get some exciting fishing in our delayed harvest trout streams by going to the tails of the pools at dusk and dancing a size 8 Mr. Rapidan Skater Dry Fly over the surface of the stream. Cast this down and across stream 30 feet at a 45 degree angle. Lift the rod tip to a 45 degree angle and skate the fly across the stream in a 5-ft burst every 5 seconds as you wade downstream. To see a list of the streams stocked, visit the DWR website.

Now let's move to the native brook trout streams in the mountains. The brook trout streams are in good conditions. To get the best fishing and the best water levels, come into the heads of the streams from the Skyline Drive. There are many early caddis. The Mr. Rapidan Delta Wing Caddis in olive size 16 is very effective. A good searching fly is the Spirit of Pittsford Mill Dry size 14. Nymphs include Copper John, Green size 14, Mr. Rapidan Emerger size 14, and Bead Head Prince size 14. If you need help with access to these streams, see my book Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park.   

The Quill Gordon hatch will be occurring within the next month.  Get prepared.