Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - January 18, 2023
Stocked Trout Streams - The Little Black Stoneflies are still hatching sporadically. You may spot the trout's riseform before you do the flies so just be observant. Carefully scrutinize any slow currents-- back eddies and broad tails of the pools are often productive. The Murray's Dark Stonefly Dry size 16 fished on a Classic 7X leader is very effective. If you prefer nymph fishing go to a Murray's Dark Stonefly Nymph size 14, Copper John (Zebra) Nymph size 14, or the Perdigon Nymph (French) size 14.
All of the local stocked trout streams are clear and fishable. A couple of streams in Shenandoah County have been stocked within the last week. For a detailed list of the streams that have been stocked, visit the VA DWR website. For more information on trout streams throughout Virginia, see my book Virginia Blue Ribbon Streams or stop by the fly shop in Edinburg, Va. Update 1/20/23 Passage Creek in Fort Valley was stocked yesterday.
Mountain Trout Streams - The nice weather the last few days has prompted many of us to get out on the mountain trout streams. Some of my customers are picking up a few native brook trout on the nymphs I mentioned above for the stocked trout streams. Some of the access into the Shenandoah National Park from the Skyline is still closed and some of the gates into the streams in the George Washington National Forest are closed so try to plan ahead. Update from the SNP as of 1/17/23 : Skyline Drive is now open from mile 22.2 (Piney River Ranger Station) to 65.5 (Swift Run Entrance Station, Route 33). Mile 0 (Front Royal Entrance Station) to mile 5 (Dickey Ridge Visitor Center) is also open.
To learn more about the native brook trout streams: