From Mossy Creek Fly Fishing
Mountain Brook Trout Streams
Mountain streams like North River have been running strong for several weeks. All the western streams are running bank-full. Fishing conditions should be excellent this week. Dry River, North River, Ramsey’s Draft, Skidmore Fork, Fridley’s Gap, St. Mary’s and the Shenandoah National Park Streams are running big but clear. Even in the stained water on Saturday the brookies on Dry River were hungry. We anticipate at least 2 weeks of great water flow as a result of this rain. Temps will be in the low to mid 40’s this week with lows in the 20’s. This means cold water and chilly conditions in the mountains. Load heavy on size 12-14 nymphs with tungsten heads, size 8-12 streamers with coneheads, and have some large indicators and split shot with you or take your favorite Euro rigs. With high water and cold temperatures it will be imperative to get your flies down quickly. Strikes may be subtle when water temps are in the 30’s and low 40’s. If cold weather doesn’t bother you, go enjoy some solitude up in the mountains right now!
Shenandoah River
A little cold yet for smallmouth on the Shenandoah River, but Shane, a Mossy Creek guide, caught a nice musky before the temperatures plunged. Primetime for smallmouth trips, says Mossy Creek, happens with pre-spawn fishing from early to mid-April. The peak spawn generally occurs late April through mid-May. Book early for best results.
Spring Creeks
It has been bitterly cold lately, but the spring creek fish never seem to mind or notice the air temps. Bright sunny days when the water was low made for tough conditions but gave us opportunities to target fish on small dry flies. BWO’s and midges continue to produce fish that are looking up. Recent spikes in water volume and decrease in clarity should provide for some excellent streamer fishing this week especially on the overcast and rainy days. Dirty water conditions allow for heavy leaders and big profile flies. Size 16-18 BWO Comparaduns, parachutes, Griffiths gnats, Adams parachutes, and other small midge patterns have been taking fish that are sipping dries off the surface. 3 or 4 weights with long 5-6x leaders will work with any of those dries. Utilize these tactics on Mossy Creek, Beaver Creek, Spring Run, Susie Q Farm, and Buffalo Creek through the winter months. Susie Q Farm has recently been stocked again and has excellent water flow. Management of this water is changing for 2020. Fees have gone up slightly but it is being stocked a lot more than in the past. Call or email to book your guided trip or private water experience today!
Water levels have been excellent and clarity good enough for fish to spot BWO’s and midges in the 18-20 range on the surface. Nothing beats light line midge fishing to cure cabin fever.
Managed Trout Water
Many of the small streams are fishable. North River just dropped below 90cfs. This means the river below Elkhorn is still very large but you can cross it in the slower water areas. Be careful anywhere you fish this week as there will be ice covering many rocks with temps in the 20’s at night. High water, ice, and cold conditions will require extra care. Back Creek, Bullpasture, Cowpasture, Spring Run, S. Branch Potomac, Hawksbill Creek, and the Maury were all stocked last week. The Jackson, upper Passage, Hone Quarry Run, Tye River, and Irish Creek were stocked over the past 2 weeks. We have plenty of attractor patterns in nymphs and streamers that will work during the winter season and periods of high and low water. Stop in or give us a call for updates on our local streams.
For more information, contact store@mossycreekflyfishing.com