Fly Fishing in Shenandoah National Park
Readers of my personal fly fishing blog, The Trout Bandit, know that I love fishing for trout in my own backyard – the more adventurous the better. Fishing in Shenandoah National Park (SNP) definitely ticks the adventure box and, while the park is a bit beyond my ‘backyard’, there are trout waters within it that I can reach in under 90 minutes from my home.
One of the beauties of the SNP is the native brook trout. There is nothing better than a day exploring pools along SNP streams for native brookies. It delights me every time because these fish are stunningly patterned and generally frisky.
My introduction to fly fishing for brook trout began some five years ago on an excursion sponsored by my local Trout Unlimited (TU) Chapter. It was a trip to the Rose River Loop to fish the Hogcamp Branch stretch that leads into the Rose River within the confines of the SNP.
Because of that trip, I am now a convert.That first exposure to brook trout fishing in the SNP has led to endless exploration of the various streams that hold brook trout in search of my favorites. I have since further invested in my knowledge by taking a mountain stream course offered by Murray’s Fly Shop and ‘doubled down’ by taking over the “Fish With a Member Program” for the Northern Virginia Chapter of TU. So I feel I have a substantial foundation from which I can suggest some preferred waters in the SNP to fish for the native treasure that is the brook trout.
Hogcamp Branch
This mountain stream features among my favorites for several reasons. To begin with, there is ample parking at Fisher’s Gap along Skyline Drive (mile 49.4) in the SNP. From the parking lot, there is a pedestrian crossing over Skyline Drive to a fire road that is a gentle downhill hike to the Rose River Loop Trailhead. There is a spectacular cascade upstream of the trailhead, feeding a series of plunge pools and riffles on its way to the confluence with the Rose River.
The trail follows Hogcamp branch for about a mile before reaching a bridge crossing just upstream of the confluence, and in between is a very accessible stream teeming with brookies. I normally hike all the way to the bridge, which is about 900 feet of elevation drop, and make my way back up to the fire road, fishing upstream to all the aforementioned fishy-looking spots. I like that it is ‘easy-on and easy-off” from trail to stream and that there never seems to be a lot of angler pressure. However, there are peak times when hiker traffic can be intense, especially on weekends during the Spring and Fall.
Robinson River
It took me a while to identify my next favorite brook trout water in the SNP, and that was about a year ago based on organizing a trip for my TU Chapter. It is the Robinson River along the White Oak Canyon Trail also accessed from Skyline Drive – either at the trail head parking following Skyland at mile 42.6 or from Limberlost Trail further along Skyline Drive at mile 43. Like the Rose River Loop trail, there is ample parking both at the trail head for White Oak Canyon Trail, as well as at Limberlost Trail. The respective trailheads are also well marked relative to the parking areas.
The descent is slightly steeper than that which leads to the Rose River Loop, and access to the water is more intermittent in comparison. But when you find that accommodating entry point, it generally leads to a very nice plunge pool inviting you to toss a dry fly to a willing brook trout. Like the Rose River Loop trail, I tend to hike down the approximate 1,000 feet of elevation to the White Oak Canyon Falls and make my way back fishing upstream. The stretch of the Robinson River near to the falls is some of my favorite brook trout water because there are some fabulous plunge pools here that hold plenty of fish. Having said that, I have found that bigger brookies lurk in the uppermost pools where White Oak Canyon Trail first begins to parallel the stream (approximately 1 mile from the Limberlost Trailhead).
Radipan River
Another favorite brook trout stream is the Rapidan, which is the water I believe I have fished the most within the SNP. To be clear, parts of the Rapidan flow through both the SNP and the Rapidan Wildlife Management Area and my preferred sections are overlapped by both, but I am not going to be constrained by the details here. This water offers broad sections of very fishable and accessible water spanning about 10 miles from Skyline Drive to Graves Mill in Madison County.
While the lower section near to Graves Mill is very walkable and also encompasses the confluence with the Staunton, another fine brook trout stream, my preferred section is the middle section near to Syria, VA. To reach this section, follow Quaker Run Road from the Blue Ridge Turnpike between Syria and Criglersville until reaching the Rapidan fire road that will take you to the stretch that I refer to as “between the bridges” and you will find brook trout nirvana. But do not try this without a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle. The climb and descent along the Rapidan fire road can be a bit precarious, especially following a rainstorm or a freeze.
Some of the largest brook trout I have caught in Virginia have been on the Rapidan. While seven to eight inches is a decent fish, I have witnessed brook trout pushing ten inches in length on this stretch of water. That is a behemoth brookie in these parts.
Gearing Up for the SNP
When I fish these waters, I use a six- to seven-foot, 3-weight rod with a short leader of no more than 7 ½ feet. While it would seem sensible to fish 6x diameter tippet and leader, when feisty, brookies are not necessarily leader shy, so 5x will withstand tugs to remove your flies from overhanging obstacles. I prefer a dry/dropper pattern to increase my chances of hooking up – often comprising a neversink caddis trailing a green weenie. But if your preference is a single dry, which can be very effective, then I suggest a parachute-style dry fly such as the Mr. Rapidan or an Adams.
Given the uneven, rocky terrain the comprises most of these trails, lightweight wading boots are recommended, as is a wading staff – not just for navigating the water but also for hiking downhill. Hip boots or wet wading is viable in the summer, but full chest waders will keep you warm in the winter.
Obviously, a freshwater fishing license and trout stamp are necessary to fish in the State of Virginia. When entering Shenandoah National Park there is also an entrance fee. Entry is free if you can provide evidence of an American the Beautiful annual pass from the U.S. National Park Service.
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About the author: Gregg Rockett has been fly fishing for more than 30 years and blogs about fly fishing adventures around the world. He lives in the DC area, volunteers for his local chapter of Trout Unlimited and likes to fish for brook trout in Shenandoah National Park. Read more of his work at www.thetroutbandit.com.
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