In the mountain trout streams there is a balancing interplay between the water temperature and the water level that dictates the feeding habits of the trout. An understanding of this balance will directly influence ones success.

Right now the cold nights are keeping the stream temperatures lower than I’ve often recorded in more than 30 years of stream notes. The nice rains we’ve had this spring are building up the springs and underwater levels which will help us this summer. However this makes for tough fishing in the lower reaches of the streams.

In order to master these conditions and get great dry fly fishing simply come in to the heads of the streams. There are excellent Forest Service roads that will take you to the trail heads in the Appalachian Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive making it easy to reach the trail heads in the Blue Ridge Mountains.