Overview of Virginia Trout Tactics

Good trout fishing begins in mid March as the streams begin to warm.  This prompts the insect hatches which in turn prompts the trout to feed.

The Quill Gordon is the first large mayfly to emerge in large numbers in the mountain trout streams.  Fishing the Mr. Rapidan Parachute Dry Fly size 14 at this time will enable you to catch many trout.  The Blue Quill follows this hatch and a Blue Quill Dry Fly size 16 will fool these trout.  The March Brown, our largest mayfly, overlaps these first two and the Mr.  Rapidan Parachute Dry Fly size 14 is great on this hatch.

The large trout streams in the valley floor give good fishing for rainbows with streamers starting in mid March.  Good flies are the Pearl Marauder, Black Marauder and Betsy Streamer all in size 10.

By May you will get good fishing in the Mountain Trout Streams with the Murray’s Sulphur Dry Fly size 16 and the Little Yellow Stonefly Dry size 16.

The large trout streams in the Valley will give you good fishing in May with nymphs such as Murray’s Dark Stonefly Nymph size 12 and the Mr. Rapidan Olive Soft Hackle size 12.

From June through early fall the best mountain trout fishing is with dry terrestrial patterns.  The Murray’s Flying Beetle sizes 14 & 16 and Shenk’s Cricket sizes 14 & 16 are both excellent.

During the summer the best fishing in the large trout streams will be found along the shaded banks and below the springs.  Small nymph such as the Mr. Rapidan Olive Soft Hackle size 16 and the Zebra Nymph size 16 are very dependable.