Fall Fishing Report - 2025
Oct 20, 2025
We are now several weeks into the fall trout season, which can be some of the better trout fishing in Virginia. Since early October, the state has been stocking all over the place and you can check our local knowledge section on the site for updated stocking and water level reports. Trout Unlimited has started stocking the Moormans, and The Albemarle Angler has stocked all of its private water in recent weeks!
While water temperatures are largely good in central Virginia, water levels remain low--and we need more rain, a lot of it. Low water can also mean clearer water--so when you can see the fish easily they can see you too, and they are a little spookier. At the same time, they can pool up in deeper water--so if you catch or scare one, you can scare a few.
Fortunately, we have guides and staff on the water pretty much every day--so our guidance incorporates their feedback. For the best outcomes, we recommend trying lighter tippet, longer leaders and generally smaller flies. Dry droppers can work better than traditional nymphing with indicators. Try to fish up river, avoid too many false casts, work shadows where you can and let fish rest when you can. Lining fish and a heavy cast can spook fish too. Sometimes changing depth or changing flies can both give fish different looks as well as an opportunity for fish to rest from pressure while you are adjusting.
For flies, various foam bugs have been effective dries, as have caddis, mosquitos (for a few more weeks), Adams and BWOs. For nymphs, the smaller flies tend to be more effective in low water, but hare's ears, pheasant tail, stoneflies and prince's are reliable for a lead nymph or single nymph. For smaller nymphs, and trail nymphs, midges, caddis pupa, rainbow warriors, RS2s, copper johns, duracells and perdigons have been effective (in the 16-22 sizes). Streamer fishing is a little more difficult in low water, but we still like woolly buggers, kreelex and thin mints if you are streaming.
Let's hope for more rain soon. As always, call the shop for the latest--or book a guide trip to get the insights from our guides in real time!
