Fly Fish Virginia | Middle River Dispatches

Fly Fish Virginia – North River | Third Bridge

March 2, 2020 By Tom Sadler Leave a Comment

Date: 01March2020
Time: 1:30-4:00 p.m.
Weather: 52 degrees and mostly to partly sunny
Water: 42 degrees, clear and low (10 CFS at Stokesville gauge)

This trip I fished from the third bridge to the forth. Since this is a short section I parked at the third bridge and fished up and walked back down the road to my truck.

You can get the direction to the North River here. From the intersection of Rte 715 and FS 95 it is about 3.5 miles to the third bridge and 4 miles to the fourth bridge. There is a place to park on the right, just past the fourth bridge if you want to fish up to your vehicle.

started fishing here below the third bridge

Here are some images from this section.

Field Notes:
VDGIF stocks this water from the first bridge to the fourth bridge. You will need a valid trout license from October 1 to June 15 in addition to the other fishing license if you are fishing in these designated stocked trout waters. License information: https://gooutdoorsvirginia.com

For details on this and other watersheds check out VDGIF’s Where to Go Trout Fishing (Interactive Map).

Fly Fish Virginia – North River | Second Bridge

February 24, 2020 By Tom Sadler Leave a Comment

Date: 23Feb2020
Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Weather: 55 degrees and mostly to partly sunny
Water: 44 degrees, clear and low (16CFS at Stokesville guage)

My plan had been to fish from the second bridge to the third bridge. I only got about ¾ of the way there. I parked just past the third bridge, walked down to the second bridge and worked my way upstream. There was a lot of water to explore, the fishing was very good for February, so I took my time enjoying the afternoon.

You can get the direction to the North River here. From the intersection of Rte 715 and FS 95 it is about 2.5 miles to the second bridge.

There is a good place to park on the left after you cross the bridge.

Here are some images from the section I fished.

This is where I stopped. There is a trail to the left and a short walk to the road. You can see the rip rap in the background, the road is at the top of that rip rap. The third bridge is a short (10 min or less) walk.

For details on this and other watersheds check out VDGIF’s Where to Go Trout Fishing (Interactive Map).

the Tenkara Tacoma in its natural habitat…

Fly Fish Virginia – North River | First Bridge

February 19, 2020 By Tom Sadler 2 Comments

Directions from Staunton, VA

Rt 250 W toward Churchville and West Augusta.
Travel about 15 miles from the Rt 262 bypass.
Turn hard right onto Rt 715 (Braley Pond Rd) toward Braley Pond/Elkhorn Lake.
Travel about 6 miles to the intersection of Rt 715 and FS 95.

Turn left toward W.VA onto FS 95.

Travel about 1 mile to the first bridge.

Travel about a ½ a mile and you will come to a parking area on the left.

I parked here and walked back to the bridge.

Date: 17Feb2020
Time: 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Weather: 48 degrees and partly sunny
Water: clear, cold and full (35 CFS at the Stokesville gauge)

Below are some shots taken as I worked my way upstream back to the parking spot.

Field Notes:
VDGIF stocks this water from here, up to the fourth bridge. You will need a valid trout license (annual or lifetime) in addition to the other fishing license if you are fishing in designated stocked trout waters from October 1 to June 15.

License information: https://gooutdoorsvirginia.com

For details on this and other watersheds check out VDGIF’s Where to Go Trout Fishing (Interactive Map).

Guide's Day Off – Skidmore Fork

December 29, 2019 By Tom Sadler Leave a Comment

The weather report said 60 degrees and clear and I didn’t have any pressing obligations, so I grabbed my gear and headed to Skidmore Fork to see if I could scare up a brookie or two.

Side note, I actually left my rods at home and only realized it when I was three quarter of the way to the water. My patient and understanding wife was kind enough to meet me half way and bring me my rods…

I hit the water about 12:30 p.m., starting at a hole not too far from the parking area. And sure enough there were a couple of fish ready to pound a nymph.

I had a couple of places on the stream I wanted to fish so I moved on, hitting likely pools as I went along. In some spots I was a bit surprised that I didn’t move any fish but I didn’t switch flies or tactics, being content with the occasional take. If fact, I managed to fish the same two flies and rig all day.

The first place I wanted to see was upstream aways so I jumped out and went up the fire road to see how good my memory was. It had been a couple years since I been to that spot.

Surprisingly, my first shot landed me 20 yards above where I wanted. But it was quick work to get there.

I managed to miss a nice fish in a small back eddy, that took a whack at the dry just as it landed. I fished up from there, with little action for the effort.

My final destination was just above the second ford. Years ago I had been fishing with a good friend. As I recall, it had been a bit frustrating of an outing. Rising fish but spooky. Pre tenkara, which made it worse.

As we were scouting the run, a nice fish rose in a tricky spot under some overhanging limbs. My friend fired a picture perfect cast, got a good drift and landed a the fish. It was one of those experiences that keeps you coming back.

I was thinking of that day, as it was my friend’s birthday the next day and I wanted a fish to commemorate the memory and his birthday.

Sometimes you get lucky…

-30-

Fly Fish Virginia – Rapidan

May 4, 2013 By Tom Sadler 4 Comments

When I started Five Great Virginia Streams for Tenkara on March 5th I had hoped to get all five covered in a couple of weeks. Now here we are on May 4th and I am just getting to number 4, the Rapidan River. Sorry about that, but life and new job keep me away from this chronicle.

a typical pool

The Rapidan is probably my favorite brook trout water. I have spent more time and logged more miles on the water then any place else on earth. It truly is my home water.

The Rapidan, located in the Shenandoah National Park, is a high gradient mountain stream with a variety of riffles, pools, runs, and falls. You can drive right to the water but you will be on a dirt road of varying quality much of the way. It doesn’t require a 4×4, but a sports car is not recommended.

To reach the Rapidan take state route 29 to Madison. Head west on route 231 toward Banco. Bear left onto route 670 toward Criglersville and Syria. Go about 2 miles and turn left onto 649/Quaker Run Rd. Follow Quarker Run Rd. until it becomes a dirt road. Stay on the dirt road and you go up on over the ridge, crossing a fire road and head down into the Shenandoah National Park. You will bottom out at the Rapidan with a 4-5 car parking area on your left.

You can start fishing up or down from here and there are miles of water either way. If there are more than two cars, I would continue on the road until you find a pull off that suits you and start fishing.

If you continue on the road you will cross the first of two wooden bridges. There are 4-5 car parking areas near each bridge. When you cross the first bridge you will be entering the state’s Wildlife Management Area. You can camp in this area if you want.

President and Mrs Hoover’s Rapidan Camp

Continue past the second bridge you will pass an in-holding (not open to the public) and further along you will come to a locked gate. If you hike up the trail you will reach Rapidan Camp, President Hoover’s summer getaway. This is where the Mill Prong and the Laurel Prong form the headwaters of the Rapidan. The U.S. Park Service maintains an interpretive operation at Rapidan Camp. It is an easy ½ hour hike and worth the trip if only for the historic value of seeing a rustic presidential retreat.

pocket water

If you have read the other posts then you already know what flies work in these mountain brook trout streams; a dry or dry-dropper rig either Adams or BWO parachutes. For nymphs try a Pheasant Tail, Gold Ribbed Hare’s ear or Copper John. A few Quill Gordons, March Browns and Sulfurs for mayfly imitations; little black stoneflies, yellow sallies and some tan and olive caddis round out the assortment. Of course if you want to go the full tenkara route then try an Oki or Ishigaki. Check with Mossy Creek Fly Fishing to get the latest on what’s working.

Because the Rapidan has more gradient it offers more complexity to the water. You can spend a lifetime fishing the Rapidan and will always find interesting water to fish. I have fished it in every month of the year and covered most of the water and still look forward to fishing it again.

Give the Rapidan a try and let me know what you think.

Photo courtesy of Marty Hayden

Fly Fish Virginia – St. Mary’s

March 24, 2013 By Tom Sadler 10 Comments

So far we have looked at Ramsey’s Draft, in part 1 and Skidmore Fork, in part 2. The third and last river in the George Washington National Forest is the St. Mary’s River.

The St. Mary’s River.

Pools

The St. Mary’s River is located in the George Washington National Forest’s St Mary’s Wilderness area. It flows through a beautiful canyon like area in the mountains and is one of the more scenic fishing spots in the Old Dominion.

The St. Mary’s is near the town of Vesuvius. One way to get there is from I81/64 to exit 205. Take Route 606/Raphine Road to Route 56/Tye River Turnpike to 608/South Bottom Road-Cold Springs Road to St. Mary’s Road. There is a parking area at the end of the St. Mary’s Road.

Like Ramsey’s Draft you can start fishing very near the parking area. I prefer to hike in for a bit and start my serious fishing above Sugartree Branch.

St. Mary’s Falls

This section from Sugartree Branch to the falls is really a beautiful area and you will find yourself looking around as much as looking at the water. Like the previous rivers in this series it is a typical riffle-pool-run system. The area plenty of open area’s making casting very easy and enough tight spots to make it challenging.

Depending on the water conditions Sugartree Branch is worth looking into to. It is a reasonably steep gradient with a trail running along side. You can take this trail up and around a section of the river and come out at the falls. You will cross a couple of branch that lead down to the river but the going can be steep and tangled. Think first before you blindly head down. This section is deep in the wilderness area so plan accordingly.

As with the other streams, a dry or dry-dropper rig works well; either Adams or BWO parachutes. For nymphs try a Pheasant Tail, Gold Ribbed Hare’s ear or Copper John. A few Quill Gordons, March Browns and Sulfurs for mayfly imitations; little black stoneflies, yellow sallies and some tan and olive caddis round out the assortment. Of course if you want to go the full tenkara route then try an Oki or Ishigaki. Check with Mossy Creek Fly Fishing to get the latest on what’s working.

Above the falls

Fishing St. Mary’s is a commitment and will eat up a day very easily. The numbers and size of fish in the St. Mary’s are fewer and smaller than the other rivers; the scenic nature of the canyon however more than makes up for it. It is great hike and fish river, but you need to be sure you are up for it. Take some emergency gear, food and water with you. You may want to look at topo map to see what you are getting into.

If you go let me know what you think.