Albemarle Angler

Smallmouth Bass:
FINALLY!!! (and just as i say that we will probably get more rain…) the water levels and muddy water are starting to subside which should bring on some great fishing–just what we’ve all been waiting for. As of 6/22 water levels were 5ft+ and water was clearing. The next few days should bring some outstanding fishing. Remember to fish all parts of the water column, top, middle, and bottom. As always, we’re fishing Boogle Bug poppers and Walt’s Poppers on top. Also try the Wiggle Minnow in Fire Tiger if you haven’t already. I’m sure that will take its share of fish this year. In the Middle, I’m fishing Clousers and CK Baitfish and also Kreelex with the brass eyes. We have recently contracted with a custom tyer to supply us with brass eyed Kreelex, some in brand new colors. Finally, we always go with a selection of Clawdads in a variety of colors, black/blue and tan being my personal favorites.

Moormans and Mtn Streams:
TJTU section is done for the year but the North and South forks of the Moormans are still fishing really well. Any attractor dry in 12-16 will get lots of fish. On the NF, make sure to hike in 3/4 mile. Water levels are still great.

Rose River Farm:
Closed until sept. Booking for fall season now. 434.977.6882

Area Lakes:
Fishing is great. Largemouth still taking all kinds of forage.

Rivanna River:
Clearing and people are starting to get some fish. Should improve daily with lack of rain. Same patterns as James.

Jackson River:
Flows are more or less normal. Water temps are holding so fishing should be good for awhile yet especially in the Hidden Valley area. Got some great reports of lots of fish including a 20+” rainbow from that area this week. (it was “this long”). Coffee Stone, Pat’s Stone, and Mercer’s Poxy back stone are all top producers. I also like prince nymph when nothing is showing. Never forget to take the old BH English PT in 16-18.

While supplies last, we are selling off our entire stock of Simms Felt Soled Wading Boots. Simms will be officially discontinuing the felt soled models for next year. They are being replaced by the Simms Streamtread Vibram soles that are currently being offered in select models. This is a great chance to get a new pair of Simms wading boots at a great price.

To post your own fish report, click on the “leave a comment” link in the footer of this report

South Fork of the Moormans:
Fished up the river 5/20. Landed 12-13 brookies from 10-12″ all on dry flies. Fishing was great! Many pools held multiple fish. Most of these fish are stocked fish but got one nice size wild fish. Lots of fun and a lot closer than some other mtn streams. All fish came on dry’s except 2 which i got on wht wooley bugger and bh PT in size 18. try size 14 mr rapidan or other large, bright attractor pattern.

Rose River Farm:
Fishing is great! Water levels are elevated but very fishable. All spots are booked through May. June has a few openings left and we expect that the Farm will stay open into late June with the low temps and high flows. flies: small black nymphs (zebra midge), BH english PT (18), thin mint, san juan worm, and wet flies all taking fish. Call for June availability. 434.977.6882

Smallmouth Bass:
Water temps are finally up but we’re just waiting for rivers to clear. Rivanna levels are now withing normal range and temp is around 62 so fishing will really turn on when things settle this week. Let’s not get any more rain for a couple of weeks! Poppers, streamers, and clawdads. I like a chartreuse clouser in the off color water.

Area Lakes:
Fishing is great. Crappie and largemouth bass are all over anything light colored. Try not to target the spawners if you can help it. I’ve been fishing a new kreelex pattern in a new color that Im tying (but i promise not to name it after myself). Stop by and see it. We are custom tying it now by the dozen. It really cleans up on the warmwater species. Big bass are showing. Landed two 7lb largemouth this week. (area 51–its secret).

Rivanna River:
still not clear. Should be great wading or floating this next week.

Mountain Streams:
Very good fishing as flows are more or less back to normal. Lots of bugs comming off. Good reports from North and South fork of the Moormans with brookies rising to flies at the end of the lake during hatches. The Conway and the Rapidan are in prime shape. Try light elk hair caddis in 16-18 or thin mints.

Jackson River:
Flows are still really high but fishable. Dean landed 8 fish to 24″ on 5/20. Lots of bugs coming off but not much surface action because of the strong flows. I really like stoneflies and caddis on this river. Coffee Stone, Pat’s Stone, and Mercer’s Poxy back stone are all top producers. I also like prince nymph when nothing is showing. Never forget to take the old BH English PT in 16-18.

The shad have arrived in the local rivers, especially the James. Fished in Richmond on monday, March 30 and landed over 50 fish with one American up to 4lbs. Orange seems to be the color of choice. We have shad darts in stock or tie a bright, flashy clouser minnow with orange in it. The most important thing is to get the fly down to the bottom. Its ten feet deep with current so a 200-250gr shooting head or full sink line is your best bet. I prefer a 6wt rod especially for the Hickory Shad which are smaller than the Americans. These fish really put up a great fight.

Places to fish:
I strongly suggest fishing Richmond on the James. I know a lot of people have been making the trek to Fredericksburg as I did for a couple of years and it does have the advantage of being wadable but that is also its biggest drawback as its too shallow to provide cover in all but the deepest spots which are quickly overrun by the hoard of other angler’s. To fish the James you do need a boat but a kayak or jon boat will work fine. If you prefer a guided trip, we are making the juant with our raft which can seat two angler’s plus guide. We’ll supply the equipment, lunch, coffee and a couple of beers. Cheers!

Watch the video below.

Thanks to Steve from Switchfisher.com for doing the work on this one. See his post for his chart and breakdown of the numbers. Looks like most places will be ok.
READ THE ENTIRE DGIF REPORT HERE

Bottom line is that it looks like we will have a better year than last year as a result of a pretty successful series of spawns over the last several years. Those fish are growing to a size that is interesting and should provide us with plenty of fun this summer.

www.switchfisher.com

We are proud to now offer the Highland Mills Classic Trout reel at the Albemarle Angler. If you have been searching for that classic look to compliment your can rod look no further. We have them in stock now.
$225/BOTH SIZES

“In the tradition of Walker and Vom Hofe, these classic reels of polished anodized aluminum and nickel silver, with aluminum spools, are available in two sizes.

The click and pawl is a fixed drag. The end plates are of black anodized aluminum. Reels are supplied with a soft leather bag.”

Bring this coupon into our store in Charlottesville between March 15 and April 15 and you will receive $25 of any purchase of $50 or more on Orvis products. If you need non-Orvis merchandise then we will meet you halfway with a $12.50 discount on ANY merchandise purchase of $50 or more. This is a great way to get your spring fly fishing season off to a great start. Going trout fishing? Need leaders or fly line? What about that new fly rod or pair of Waders that you’ve been wanting? Take advantage of this savings while you can.

From March 15 to April 15 we are running a special promotion to help the conservation effort against invasive species. As many of you know, Simms introduced a number of models of wading boots this year with the new Vibram Soles that will eventually replace felt. While technically not superior to felt, consensus is that they work as well as felt–but are environmentally safe.

As an incentive to fly fishermen, we are now offering the Simms Wading boots with Vibram soles to anyone who brings in their old felt soled boots for a 10% discount.

Simply drop off your boots with us, select from the models available, and you will receive a 10% discount at checkout. This is a great time to get that new pair of boots you’ve been thinking about and help keep our streams healthy and alive at the same time while saving money in our “new economy”.

Rose River Farm
Brian fished with Doug Dear at the Rose River Farm on Tuesday and conditions were great. Bugs coming off all morning and nymphs and streamers pounding the fish all afternoon. There are so many hungry big fish in the river right now it is crazy. Be sure to check out our post on the bamboo fly rod classic coming up in May to be held at the Farm. Sign ups are now being taken. Call the shop to reserve your spot.
Also, a warning: last year Rose River Farm booked two months in advance during April and May. We HIGHLY suggest booking any trips you want in advance. You can book directly online with us by clicking the GUIDED TRIPS link in the upper left column.

Moormans River
Stocked last wed with 250 fish. Fishing has been great but a lot of people out. Fish were on streamers like thin mints but will start to aclimate to small midges (cream in size 18-22) or small black stoneflies which we’re starting to see come off. Always take small English PT with flasback, Green CJ in 18 and SJW in red.

Blue Ridge Moutain Streams
Fly Fishing for brook trout has been great from all the fish reports we’re getting. Conway has been on fire especially on warmer days. Most of the usuall suspects are working. Again, get ready with black stones and carry some light midges with you. I prefer to fish the midges as emergers rather than drys but both methods will work.

Mossy Creek
Lots of brown trout coming out. Its being fished hard but plenty of fish to be had. 24″ Rainbow landed monday. Fish the big streamers for the big fish.

When Simms introduced the $700 G4 wader is was groundbreaking for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the price. While many wanted the convenience of a zippered fly fishing wader, they simply didn’t have the cash to fork over for the most expensive (and best) wader in the world. The G4 simms waders got rave reviews and certainly is a great wader but given our current economy, Simms couldn’t have picked a better time to introduce a zippered wader that the masses of fly fishermen could actually afford. Simply put, the new Simms Freestone Zippered Wader is a great deal at $299. Hard to believe in some ways that they could do a great product with this many features for that price. I have to admit when we got our stock in and saw them i secretly started hoping my old g4 guide waders would wear out (mine are the special ones without the zipper lol). Im very anxious to try these out soon and can only imagine how much easier that zipper will make certain tasks. I’m not going to elaborate on that point; I’ll leave it to you to figure out why a zipper could be so meaningful on a cold day when you’re bundled up.

We’ve got a full size run in the store in Charlottesville right now or you can purchase them online if you’re not in the local area. They do qualify for free shipping on our website. To get there quickly, click the picture above.