In Virginia, fly fishing in the fall is always a favorite among the stocked trout fisherman. The Virginia DWR will start stocking rainbows and browns throughout the streams across the state and continue until May. Don’t forget you will need the trout license along with a freshwater license to fish these designated areas starting October 1.
The large stocked trout feed mainly on small minnows because the major aquatic insects are over.
Top 5 Flies for Fly Fishing in the Fall
1. Shenandoah Silver Ghost Streamer
This streamer in a size 6 matches many of the minnows which live in the riffles. I fish this with a slow two-inch stripping action across stream right below the riffles. This is my most productive fly for fall trout stocked streams.
2. Shenandoah Skunk Streamer
This fly in a size 6 has great appeal for the trout living in the deep pools. I fish it with a slow foot-long jigging action to mimic the action of a real minnow headed for the surface of the stream.
3. Shenandoah Midnight Streamer
The Midnight Streamer in a size 6 is my favorite to use at dusk in the tail of the pool. The trout move into these areas to feed on the natural minnows and this fly seldom lets me down.
4. Cress Bug
The rich springs flowing into the main streams attract many large trout to feed on the natural cress bugs that live here. Fishing a Cress Bug size 14 just where these springs flow into the main stream will improve your odds.
5. Casual Dress Nymph
This nymph in a size 6 has the capacity to lure large trout from under bridges, from beneath undercut banks and around brush piles. Swim it slowly across stream with a gentle twitching action.