Our 3rd free fly tying seminar will be Friday, January 22 from 2-4pm at the shop. Our topic will be tying effective nymphs and dry flies. John Edelen and I will be tying some of our favorite nymphs and dry flies, including a discussion of how to wing dry flies. Bring your vise and tie along with us. You must supply your own materials (although we’re happy to share some personal materials). We’ll have coffee, fun, and friends.
Nathan and I fished a private section of the Jackson River tailwater today. Number were not high with only about 2o fish landed but the first two were worth the whole day. An 18″ brown took a streamer and two casts later a 20″ rainbow took a prince nymph and 100ft of line downstream. Most fish came on streamers with a few on nymphs.
I recently got to the yearly task of organizing my fly box(s) and as i pulled the many containers, boxes, sleeves etc out of my car along with the occasional fly embedded in the carpet or sun visor, i got to thinking about all the flies i collect during my time guiding and fishing the streams and lakes of Virginia. Like most of us, I’m always experimenting with new patterns, either tying them or buying them, and most of them just end up gathering dust in some remote corner of my rolling fly bin (aka “car”). As i looked at the vast and mostly unused selection of flies that i had accumulated, I realized that as I have gained experience over the years i have cut my fly selection down to about 5 basic flies plus a few “specialty” flies that i may not fish much but always want to have if the situation warrants it. At this point i have basically come full circle in my fly selection. I normally counsel beginners to select about 5 good, proven patterns and learn how to fish them then to progress to other patterns as they gain experience. At the end of that curve, as you start to really know the waters you fish regularly and their seasons and moods, the result is a paring down of your fly selection to the really necessary, effective patterns that take fish in most circumstances. When I guide I carry one small fly box. Here’s what’s in it. Feel free to disagree, but in every water I’ve fished in Virginia and other states in the US, these patterns will take trout almost all the time.
English Pheasant Tail Nymph
This is the English version of the Pheasant tail nymph. The difference between this and the American version is it has no legs and no peacock herl. I’m sure the American PT is very effective as well but on heavily fished private waters where I do much of my guiding, I feel the fish often want a smaller, less flashy pattern and this one does it 90% of the time. Mine contain a bit of flash on the back but no bead. I fish this guy as a dropper off a bigger fly almost all the time but it is usually the fly that takes the fish. The English PT imitates many small mayfly nymphs including the BWO which is active much of the year in nymph form. This fly can also be fished near the surface with no weight when midges are coming off. I usually fish it in 18 but go to 16 and 20 when I need too.
San Juan Worm
Ok laugh if you want but if I had one fly to use anywhere, with the possible exception of the English PT, this would be it. I fish it in lots of colors as long as its red. Trout, especially rainbows, love this thing but I’ve caught a good share of browns with it too. Some have tried to belittle the SJW saying its not really a fly but more of a “bait”. Its entirely artificial, tied on a hook, and imitates an available natural food source. Period. The fact that you can whip out a dozen at home in about 30 minutes is a big plus too. Try this pattern especially when water is high or off color. Often I’ll dead drift this pattern then do a mend that moves the pattern slightly. The “twitch” often triggers strikes. A great fly for beginners because it doesn’t require absolute control of the drift: movement is a plus.
Prince Nymph
Normally I’m not a huge fan of “famous” patterns because I feel the fish see these on a regular basis but the Prince is an exception. I know the fish have seen it a million times but that hasn’t made it any less effective. This is an attractor pattern that can imitate a variety of bugs from stoneflies in the large sizes to small mayflies in the smaller sizes. I think the combination of the white wings and the peacock herl is what makes this pattern so effective. I’ll fish this in 10-12 in heavy water and go to smaller sizes in skinny water. I often fish a PT as a dropper off this fly. It is also very similar to an old wet fly pattern called a Picket Pin that is often overlooked today. I always fish this fly with a bead head to help get it down.
Zebra Midge
During the cold winter months, the trout are biting and the midges are hatching. Most people don’t much care for the combination of cold and size 22 flies; who does? But the Zebra will help you be productive. Almost all my other patterns focus on mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and terrestrials but it is necessary for every flyfisher to have at least one midge pattern (preferably two) in both light and dark colors. When midges are hatching and trout are sipping them off the surface this is the fly to have. Trout will often take it even down a foot or two in the water column. This fly can turn your fishing from frustrating to fantastic in seconds. As a note on midges, I often carry a light colored comparadun when the trout are right on the surface on cream midges. Other options would be a Griffiths Gnat. Fish this in 18 and 22.
Poxy Back Micro Stone
Virginia is home to numerous stoneflies especially the “yellow sally” which hatches in the spring. This small yellow stonefly is often overlooked until it hatches but the nymphs are always around. I will say that this pattern tends to produce better in the spring during the time when the Stones are crawling toward shore to hatch; they do not emerge like the other flys. I almost never fish the adult dry fly in this pattern but use then nymph instead. I like it anywhere from 12-18. The epoxy on the thorax tends to give the fly a “shine” which helps attract trout. Typically the fish will either be “on” or “off” this one. If its not producing within about 20 casts change flies. Fish it in runs and riffles where Stoneflies live.
Thin Mint Streamer
Ok Ok. I know I said 5 patterns but you have to carry a Woolley bugger right? I carry one. The thin mint is tied not with Chenille but with the all magical peacock herl for a body. In addition, it has brown, black, and green marabou for a tail. Can’t decide if you want to fish brown, olive or black? Fish a thin mint and try all three. Size is really unimportant for the most part but presentation can vary. I usually start by fishing this dead drift like a nymph. Watch for the “jump” in the line when a fish takes. If that’s not producing or in off color water I will strip it slow and fast until I find what the fish like. You can tie another fly off this as a dropper if you choose.
Final Flies
There you have my basic fly box. As you probably noticed, I don’t have any dry flies in the list. I usually do carry some with me but only use them if a full blown hatch is coming off. The exception to that is fishing native brookies in the Blue Ridge Mountains: I almost always fish these streams with dry flies, mostly attractor patterns that I can see well. A couple of my favorites are the Royal Wulff, Mr. Rapidan and Elk Hair Caddis. If I was doing a list of 5 necessary dry flies, the Elk Hair Caddis would top my list.
Finally, I love fishing wet flies and at some point I’ll probably write a list of 5 must have wet flies. For now I’ll say that I’d always have a Picket Pin with cdc, a March Brown Spider, and some type of Adams Variant as well as some soft hackles. That would about sum up my simple trout fly box. Of course you wouldn’t know that from looking in my car.
The TJTU Moorman’s passes are now a true yearly pass from the date of purchase instead of calendar year. If you have an expiring 2009 pass, come in and purchase your new pass which will be good for a year from the date of purchase. Passes are $45 cash or check, or $47 by credit card.
By the way, the Moormans has been fishing great recently and the flows have subsided a bit. Midge hatches in the afternoon. Try a BWO in 18-22 fished just under the surface.
If you like classic fly tackle you’ll like this: we’ve picked up the Hardy line of Rods and Reels. We were very impressed with both when we had a chance to case them recently. Especially impressive is the classic series of rods and reels that show traditional Hardy styling and quality. Their fiberglass brook trout rod is impressive, especially when you get a look at the less than premium price. I bought one for myself! Some of you may be familiar with the Perfect, Cascapedia and Bougle reels that are some of the first (and best) trout reels ever made. We’ve got em and they won’t break the bank.
Moorman’s River
Fishing is great right now especially with the recent stocking by TJTU for adaptive anglers last weekend. The great news is that the bridge is back and so no detour is necessary. Last week a day before thanksgiving, we landed about 25 fish in a little more than an hour. Flows are very good without being too high and fish are active and plentiful. San Juan Worm and Thin Mints are taking fish but if you see a hatch in the afternoon try midges or BWO just under the surface. A very good fly is the BWO soft hackle. A few brookies also showing.
Blue Ridge Mountain Streams
Fishing is great as flows are up and strong. I would fish drys on top in 12-16 with any hi viz patterns like Mr. Rapidan, Royal Wulff, Para Adams or Humpy’s. Getting good reports from North Fork of the Moorman’s and Conway and Rapidan.
Jackson River
Fishing has been outstanding with good flows in the Hidden Valley section and on the tailwater. If you are fishing the tailwater, you will need to float to access the best fishing. Call for details and directions. Most days now we are getting a mixed bag of browns and wild rainbows. These are beautiful fish in the 13-16″ range that almost always go airborne when hooked.
Rose River Farm
Fantastic with 15-20 fish per day. Flows are as good as they get and fish will take a variety of things but in higher flows i like to move a bigger pattern like a bugger or kreelex. Sometimes you’ll find a midge hatch coming off in the pm so then i fish a bwo soft hackle, griffith’s gnat, or other midge pattern just under the film in 18-22. Don’t be afraid to fish it on a tight line with a swing. Takes are often violent (but fun!). As always, book at least a month in advance to get a spot.
With so many choices out there today when it comes to buying a new or first fly rod many consumers are confused about how to go about getting the right rod for them. There are so many models and makers now with more being added daily that the task of choosing that first rod can be daunting for someone entering the sport. This article will help to simplify that process based on our personal experiences with buying our own rods and our experience selling hundreds of rods to customers over the years. This is not a preferencial article attempting to sell a certain product or brand but a guideline we use for any customer in our store who is unsure about how to proceed with that all important purchase.
My first question to those entering the sport and thinking about buying a first rod is “how well do you know yourself?”. This answer to this question is key because it will allow you to place yourself in one of three rod categories when you consider purchasing.
I generally break down fly rods into these three categories: entry level, mid level, and top of the line. Entry level fly rods for our purposes are any fly rod between $100 and $300. Mid level rods cover the $300-$450 range and top of the line rods range in price anywhere from $500 on up to the $700’s. For the purpose of our discussion with a new angler considering a first rod I generally dispense with the third category unless you are the type who knows you will pursue flyfishing as a life long passion and you are interested in only having the best available tools (or possibly you have tons of disposable income and would like to pass it on to my worldwide fishing travel fund…). But now back to my key question…
If you know yourself well enough to determine that you will be seriously pursuing fly fishing as a hobby and not just dabbling in it I highly suggest aiming for the mid level category in fly rods. This is usually where the best value is found: great components and performance, low weight, reasonable cost. If you are seriously pursuing a sport then it makes sense to invest in quality tools. What I often see and what I did myself when entering the sport 20 years ago was to buy the lowest priced rod I could find. Of course I was back in the store buying a better rod the next year and could have actually saved myself money by just investing in that better rod on the first go round. But I didn’t have me to give me advice then…
On the other hand, “buying low” often makes perfect sense. You may know that you are “testing the waters” (pun intended) and don’t have the time or the means to pursue fly fishing as anything other than a pleasant occasional hobby. Go low Joe. There is no use throwing money away on something you don’t need and certainly won’t appreciate unless of course you like throwing money away.
As you pursue fly fishing as a hobby or an addiction, you will over time, find a need for more rods and, in addition, as your skill grows, you will also want to upgrade rods to own the finest tools available—a sheer joy to use and the most effective fishing tools available. In the final analysis when you consider the cost of outfitting for a sport, fly fishing costs less than many other pursuits—golf comes to mind. In any sport you will have an initial outlay to get equipped but in so many sports now days there are the “green fees”—those additional costs that have to be paid after you thought everything was bought and paid for.
Finally, since many ask, here are some of my recommendations on rods. First off, cast them if you can. If you cannot personally cast them, then the following list will get you started in the right direction. There are no bad choices in the following list. Each level is listed in order of MY preference.
Entry level rods: Sage Launch, Scott A2, Temple Fork Outfitters Pro or TiCR series, Orvis Clearwater
Mid level fly rods: Sage VT2, Orvis TLS Power Matrix, Orvis Superfine Troutbum
High End: Orvis Helios, Sage Z Axis, Scott G2 (all 3 great rods in no order)
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.
Summary: Smallmouth season is still going strong but water temps are dropping quickly. This rain should really turn things on as water levels come up. We’re hoping the Shenandoah will be floatable this week. Smallmouth bass are going into their fall feeding pattern bulking up for winter. We’re seeing some really good fish up to 19″ on most trips. As always this time of year, we’re waiting for trout season to kick in as water levels come up. We should know this next week if we’ve received enough water for the Rose River Farm to open. The Jackson tailwater has been a real bright spot over the summer. If you’ve never had a chance to float it you should. See my report on this below in the Jackson River section.
James River:
Fishing is good but water has really gotten low. The next two weeks should be really revitalized with this rain. As i mentioned above, the fall pattern is kicking in for smallmouth bass. They will be feeding on minnows etc to fatten up for the winter. We’re finding many of the fish in the shallows and riffles. Don’t be afraid to fish super shallow riffles which provide cover, food, and higher temps. reminder: the bridge at Hardware River is still out making the Scottsville to Bremo run unavailable unless you have LOTS of time to float both runs together. You can, however, launch small boats that don’t need a launch ramp here. Most of our fish are being taken on streamers now especially Thin Mints. Kreelex should take lots of fish. We have Kreinick material in stock if you want to tie your own. 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. Best float recently has been Wingina to JRWMA. Multiple larger fish to 19″ are showing on most trips. Lots of fish holding along the banks like usuall but don’t overlook the riffles. Click here to see all USGS river data for James River.
Shenandoah River:
I expect to be fishing the better sections again this next two weeks as water levels rise making it floatable in our raft. See all USGS info here. Tan Clawdads and poppers are taking almost all fish as well as Thin Mints or dark streamers. Not only are there great numbers of fish on selected floats but there are a good number of larger fish too including some GREAT largemouth bass. I am very impressed with both the numbers and quality of the fish I’m seeing after the fish kills of a couple of years ago. Great time to book a trip since i don’t expect water levels to last very long.
Blue Rige Mountain Streams: Moorman’s, Conway, Rapidan Rivers
Not fishing well in last 4 weeks due to heat and water levels. Water levels below 25%. Let’s see what the rain does. All streams fished very well while water levels lasted into the summer. The South Fork of the Moormans was a great surprise.
Jackson River: Flows are normal below the dam running at 270 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 had a great opportunity to fish King’s Grant land recently. We landed over 100 wild fish, mostly rainbows but got one 18″ brown and several other smaller brown’s. Dargan Cogshall has been fishing the lower public floats and has been knockin em dead. See his pics here. Be aware that the landowner of the middle float (Davis Bridge to Indian Draft) is now posting his land and saying you can’t anchor or wade. According to game wardens he has no right to ask this legally. For now the 6 miles above and below this offer better fishing and less hassle. I suggest Johnson Springs to Davis Bridge or Indian Draft to Petticoat Junction.
Rivanna River:
Flows low and slow. Fishing is slow. Deeper pools and runs will hold fish. Good reports coming out of the palmyra area.
Rose River Farm:
Closed for at least another week. Booking for fall season now. 434.977.6882. OCTOBER 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.
