Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - September 28, 2022

A few things going on this week.  Earlier this week I was in the Shenandoah National Park and even though the water temperature was good (upper 50's) I didn't do as well as I expected. My only explanation was that the streams are so low that I was spooking them.  In these cases, sometimes it helps to move to a different stream and try again. Which is what I did and this time I was able to land a few native brook trout.  All on a Murray's Flying Beetle size 16, and Mr. Rapidan Ant size 18 and Mr. Rapidan Midge size 20 on a 7X leader.  The brookies will start spawning in the next few weeks so I try not to fish these streams once I see a spawning bed.  With the hurricane expected to produce some rain for our area this weekend, I expect that will help the stream levels.

Now let's move onto the stocked trout streams.  October 1 is just a few days away, which means the VA DWR will start stocking streams throughout the state.  If you plan to fish these streams, be sure to get your freshwater and trout license, as they are required for the stocked trout streams after October 1.  Also be mindful of which areas are put and take and which areas are delayed harvest areas (catch and release). This will ensure that everyone gets to enjoy the streams.