Streamers which match the minnows the stocked trout feed upon are very effective whether a beginner or an experienced angler.
One of the greatest advantages of fishing streamers for stocked trout is that you can quickly detect the trout’s strike and set the hook. First start at the top of the pool. Then I wade down the shallow side of the stream and cast my streamer across stream. After it sinks, I strip it 4-inches every 5 seconds to swim it across the stream bottom where the trout are feeding on minnows. After each cast I take a short step downstream and repeat the method of swimming the streamer across stream. Recommended streamers include:
- Murray’s Olive Marauder size 8
- Mr. Rapidan Streamer size 10
- Shenandoah Simple Streamer, Silver Ghost size 10
- Betsy Streamer size 10
- Shenandoah Simple Streamer, Skunk size 10
If you are fishing in faster water and need more depth, switch to a Tungsten Bead Marauder size 10 or Perdigon Nymph size 12.
This technique will enable you to show a streamer to all of the trout in these pools.
Last week I discussed Nymphs for Stocked Trout, so be sure to check out that blog. For help on access to the stocked trout streams in Virginia, stop by the fly shop or see my book Virginia Blue Ribbon Streams.