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Shenandoah NP
- Thread starter Tweek
- Start date
Trouser Trout
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
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redietz
Bob Dietz
The brookies are neither picky nor hard to find; fly selection isn't real critical. A few attractor patterns should be all you need, possibly with a dropper if you're comfortable with one.
They Park has an extraordinary number of rattlesnakes, watch were you put your feet.
If you have hippers, bring them. You don't need them to wade in, but they might offer some protection from the aforementioned critters, and they'll offer protect from something else that the Park seems to have in abundance, stinging nettle.
Rod length is a personal preference, but I usually use 6 footer in the Park, and keep the leader fairly short. Expect to lose flies.
If you're hiking down from the top, the speed limit along Skyline Drive is 25 or 30 (can't remember which, and there will probably be people going that speed, so you can't go faster even if you don't care about the law. (Not to mention that even at that speed, I've come within inches of hitting a bear as I came around a corner the last time I was there.) Expect it to take longer to get anywhere then you think it should.
Give yourself plenty of time to hike out in the evening, unless you've got a permit to camp along the stream.
Enjoy yourself.
The Royal Coachman
I fish because the voices in my head tell me to
If you can, it would be better to fish from the bottom of the stream rather than hike down from Skyline Drive. It can take quite a while to get to fishable water if you do hike down and when you're done you have to hike back up. That will take twice as long as it took you to get down (if you're in good shape). If you hike in from the bottom you can get into some fish right away and the stream is at it's largest.
papabearoutdoors
papabearoutdoors
Great advice. The Rose, the famed Rapidan, North Fork of the Mormon's... all good bets that you can get into from below the park.
the White Oak Canyon Run is a great hike and fish section if thats what you want.... Limberlost Parking Area has that trailhead at mile 43.... you might be able to get into some 12" brookies there
have fun!
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papabearoutdoors
papabearoutdoors
this guy has a detailed synopsis of all the trips he does if you're interested. a tremendous resource for VA fishing in the park and elsewhere:
Switch Fisher - Bass and Trout Fishing Locations and Trip Reports | Trout Trips
Chuckfish
.....
A few Aprils ago I spent a week on the eastern side in a cabin near Syria in Madison County. You can cover more water from there and fish upstream and hike back down. The Rapidan is not to be missed, but White Oak Canyon Run and its trib Cedar Run were my favorites. The Hughes and Rose were also outstanding. Ignore the Robinson. I highly recommend starting from below or hiking down from the drive and fishing upstream. Stealth is required and you'll want to approach each pool from below. The brookies are numerous - small but beautiful- this is great WTS fishing. Attractors will work- Mr Rapidan, Royal Wulff, Olive Stimulator should do the trick. I did best with Elk Hair Caddis, however. A stop at Murray's fly shop in Edinburgh would be worthwhile. Bring your smallest and lightest rod, 6x and 7x tippet, and leave your waders at home. Hippers or just your wading boots are best for what will be mostly rock-hopping.
papabearoutdoors
papabearoutdoors
im looking for a smaller, lightweight, better rod for these conditions as I go to the park many times throughout the year -- what is the best size do you think for a hike and fish trip from the bottom entering the park?
7' 3wt 4 piece? will a 7'6" work as well?
papabearoutdoors
papabearoutdoors
thanks, that's kindof what i was thinking given the tight casts and the smaller fish.
