SUMMARY: Fishing for trout is great right now with the recent rain. The Jackson and the Blue Ridge Mountain Streams are your best bet for public water. The TJTU special regs section of the Moormans River has been stocked but the bridge is out. There is an alt route: read below.
Blue Rige Mountain Streams: Moorman’s, Conway, Rapidan Rivers
Fishing is great right now in all mountain streams after the recent rains. Levels are at or above normal in most places (except for TJTU on the Moormans–see below). Temps are still pretty warm during the days so i would be fishing attractor dries on top. Royal Wulff, Mr. Rapidan, Elk Hair Caddis etc in larger sizes (12-14) for visibility. Ant patterns are still working well too. I like the foam body ant with the white viz tip. John “brookie king” Edelen loves fishing soft hackles up there. Ask him about his favorite patterns next time you are in.
TJTU Special Regs Section: Moormans River
Finally, its been stocked! The section was stocked Friday morning and i fished it early afternoon. There are two important things to know right now concerning this section: The water flows are VERY low. Its “create your own drift” fishing until they start to let more water out. The recent rain went into the reservoir but has not been let out into the lower river. The second and more important thing to know is that the 1st bridge on the way up is out until mid to late november. You must use alt route 614. Hit the general store in Whitehall and bear right. Take the next main road on your right and it will drop you off in sugar hollow. As of Friday, trout were still in “pellet mode” taking only trout pellet imitations that were moving. That should have changed by now. I would fish san juan worm, prince, midge larvae, and english PT flashback with no bead (18). Permits are on sale at the store for $45.
Jackson River: Flows are HIGH below the dam running at 500+ cfs. USGS dats is here. Water temps are holding so fishing is great in the tailwater section below the dam. I also like prince nymph when nothing is showing. Never forget to take the old BH English PT in 16-18. This has been my most productive fly when fished as a dropper off a size 10-12 prince or hare’s ear. I fished the public tailwater section a week ago by canoe and landed over 40 wild rainbows and browns in 6 miles. Fish were really on the caddis but we didn’t see much activity on top. There are a lot of fish in there but make sure to fish the faster, shallower water. We are booking full day floats on this section now.
Rose River Farm:
Fishing is FANTASTIC as water levels are at or above normal (finally). Fished yesterday and got over 20 fish in 3 hours all 18″-20″. They were looking for larger meals with the high water. Thin Mints or san juan worms. There is a nice midge hatch in the pm. Small 18-20 English PT or Zebra Midge fished just below the surface film was banging em. A small black or dark brown wet fly would probably produce too. I’d try a Starling and peacock or March Brown Spider. NOVEMBER IS ALMOST FULL AT THIS TIME. IF YOU ARE THINKING OF BOOKING THIS FALL CALL SOON TO RESERVE YOUR DATE. ALL DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
