I am trying to get in as much native brook trout fishing as I can before the streams get too low. With the much needed rain showers that we have been getting throughout different areas, the Shenandoah National Park streams are in good shape for this time of year. I was over that way earlier this week and the water temperature was around 63 degrees. The Murray's Flying Beetle was my #1 fly for the week. I was able to land a few on the Mr. Rapidan Ant and Murray's Inchworm. Fish all of these on a 6X Leader.
If you need help on finding access to the Shenandoah National Park streams, stop by the fly shop or see my book Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park.
There are a few tips to keep in mind when fishing these streams in the summer:
- Be sure to hide your approach as the fish do easily get spooked.
- Try not to get behind someone. What they didn't catch they have already spooked.
- Try to fish an area that is off the beaten path.
- Watch for snakes. Take a walking stick and check the areas of brush before walking through. Do not reach over rocks or other areas that snakes like to be. I wear my hip boots just as added protection. I have never had a problem with snakes but I am always careful.
We have already formed our fly fishing schools for Spring 2023 for the native brook trout fishing. Check our website for the dates and more information. Some are conducted at our fly shop in Edinburg and then fish a stream in the George Washington National Forest and others are meeting at Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria, VA and fishing in the Shenandoah National Park.