I am going out this weekend to catch my first fish of 2012. Only in the thirties for the highs this weekend? No problem. Like the Scandinavians say, “no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” And where to go? Might be Shenandoah National Park (and this weekend admission is free at all National Parks), might be near some power plant on a big river, or might be one of the places below.
This is a great time of year to fish for trout. Certainly the stocked fish are abundant (if you get there before they get taken) but also the trout are active so long as it’s not too cold. Murray’s Fly Shop reports hatches of midges coming off some streams this past week. Generally you can best find fish if you’re nymphing, a drawback bigger than the weather if you ask me, but it’s almost always effective. This cold snap is pretty new so our streams should still be above the dead cold that makes the fish really lethargic. And the best part is everyone else stays warm by staying home. I’ve often had entire streams to myself this time of year, depending on the stream. Notable exceptions like Passage Creek exist and will always have some folks fishing. I see a bunch below that are worth checking out…
- Alexandria (City of)
- Cook Lake (01/09)
- Amherst Co.
- Davis Mill Creek (01/11)
- Pedlar River (Upper) (01/11)
- Augusta Co.
- North River (Upper) (01/10)
- South River (Ridgview Park) (01/11)
- Bath Co.
- Jackson River (Hidden Valley) (01/09)
- Bedford Co.
- Liberty Lake (01/10)
- Botetourt Co.
- Roaring Run (01/11)
- Dickenson Co.
- Cranesnest River (01/10)
- Pound River (Flannagan Dam) (01/10)
- Russell Fork River (Haysi) (01/10)
- Russell Fork River (Bartlick) (01/10)
- Floyd Co.
- Burkes Fork (01/11)
- Fredericksburg (City of)
- Old Cossey Pond (01/09)
- Giles Co.
- Big Stoney Creek (01/11)
- Montgomery Co.
- Craig Creek (01/12)
- Poverty Creek (01/12)
- Patrick Co.
- Dan River (below Powerhouse) (01/10)
- Prince William Co.
- Locust Shade Park (01/09)
- Rockbridge Co.
- Irish Creek (01/12)
- Rockingham Co.
- South River (Grottoes) (01/11)
- Scott Co.
- Big Stony Creek(01/12)
- Little Stony Creek (01/12)
- Smyth Co.
- Middle Fork Holston River (Marion/Chilhowie) (01/07)
- Washington Co.
- Beartree Lake (01/11)
- Wythe Co.
- Cripple Creek (Rt. 94) (01/12)
