Fly fishing in January can be tough but not impossible. The bass are lethargic and they are not actively feeding. By using a Sink Tip Line and fishing the deepest pools, you increase your odds. Some anglers take john boats or kayaks and fish the deepest water above the dams. This enables them to swim large streamers such as Murray’s Magnum Hog Sucker, Magnum Darter and Madtom patterns slowly along the stream bottom were the large bass feed.
Want to learn more about smallmouth bass fishing? Sign up for a Summer 2025 Fly Fishing School.
Fly Fishing for Trout in the Winter
At dusk I’m seeing many adult Little Black Stoneflies in the tails of the pools and around the downfalls along the stream banks. The Murray’s Dark Stonefly Dry size 16 & 18 is very effective for trout feeding on the adults on the surface. When I see splashy rise forms, the trout are feeding on emergers so I fish a Mr. Rapidan Olive Soft Hackle size 16 on a 2-ft strand of 7X below the dry fly.
On the larger trout streams we can encounter Blue Wing Olives. A Mr. Rapidan Parachute size 16 & 18 and Blue Wing Olive Beatis size 16 & 18 work well here. Listen to my podcast for more information.
Want to learn more about fishing for native brook trout in the small mountain streams. Sign up for a Spring 2025 Fly Fishing School.
Up Coming Events at Murray’s Fly Shop
January 11, 2025 at 10a.m. –Minnow Changer Fly Tying Class
January 18, 2025 at 10a.m. –Trout Fishing in the Shenandoah National Park classroom discussion on the native brook trout streams. This is a classroom setting that will help you learn more about the native brook trout fishing in the Shenandoah National Park. Most anglers follow up with an On The Stream School.
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