Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - January 18, 2024
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It seems too good to be true but many of the anglers that have come into my fly shop over the last two weeks are telling me in great length of the large numbers of little black stoneflies that are hatching. Watch for these in the back eddies and in the slow parts of the pools during the warmest part of the afternoon. This might slow down over the next couple of days with the colder temperatures but it will pick back up next week in the slightly warmer days. The Murray's Little Black Stonefly Dry size 16 is effective here. Recommended nymphs this week include: Murray's Dark Stonefly Nymph size 14, Perdigon Nymph (French) size 12, and Copper John (Zebra) size 14.
The stocked streams are in good shape as far as clarity and water levels. I would recommend Big Stoney Creek west of Edinburg and Passage Creek in Fort Valley. There is ice/snow around the rocks and on the edges so be very careful when entering the stream. They have not stocked much this week because of the snow and frigid temperatures. To see the stocking schedule, visit the VA DWR.
We are not doing much on the native brook trout streams this week because of the snow and frigid temperatures. All of the Skyline Drive is closed because of icy conditions. Check their Facebook page for updates on openings. The Forest Service has closed FS92 into Little Stoney Creek west of Edinburg which is normal for this time of year. That will remain closed until about the last week of March.
Up Coming Events from Murray's Fly Shop
Fly Tying 101 Class on January 27 at 10a.m.
Fine Points of Nymph Fishing Class on Feb. 3 at 10a.m.
Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park 101 Class on Feb. 10 at 10a.m. (classroom discussion, you will not be on the stream)