Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - January 3, 2025

Trout Streams Fly Fishing Report - January 3, 2025

Happy New Year! We are back from vacation and getting ready for our early orders to arrive with new products. The Simms Flyweight Wading Boots are currently on sale for $183.97 while supplies last.  Now let's get to the stream report.

Stocked Trout Streams
Big Stoney Creek west of Edinburg was just stocked this week with rainbows and browns. The North Fork of the Shenandoah River in Rockingham County was also stocked this week with rainbows and browns. The water is crystal clear so wade carefully so you are not spooking the trout. Also with the winter weather coming and colder temperatures, dress accordingly, and watch your step on slippery, icy rocks/banks. The hot flies for this week are Copper John Nymphs in zebra or green in size 14, 16. If you need something a little heavier, switch to the Olsen's Blowtorch Barbless Nymph. If you don't need any weight, switch to Murray's Dark Stonefly Nymph size 14. 

Native Brook Trout
I have anglers asking about the native brook trout streams.  The water temperature is so cold on these streams that we just haven't had much luck. The Shenandoah National Park closes the Skyline Drive during winter weather conditions so plan accordingly. Due to expected snow in the forecast, all of Skyline Drive will close at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, 2025. Sign up for Shenandoah Alerts by texting SHENALERTS to 888777. Any time there are closures, re-openings, or other important safety-related alerts, subscribers will receive a notification via text. You may unsubscribe at any time.  

On a side note, the Forest Service will be closing the gate on FS92 into Little Stoney Creek west of Edinburg sometime next week.  This will remain closed until around April 1.  You will still be able to access Little Stoney from the lower access near the reservoir. 

I don't expect the action on the native brook trout streams to pick up until around mid-March. Prime Time to fish these streams is April and May. If you want to learn more about fly fishing for native brook trout in these small mountain streams, consider signing up for one of our fly fishing schools. 

 

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