Fishing Report: Upper/TJTU Moormans River 10/28/09

This first week of class has been awesome. I fished the Rapidan with my buddy John on Monday, and took the afternoon off today to fish a few sections of the Moormans. The drought has left the reservoir very low and as a result hardly any water is flowing over the dam to help the TJTU section. Even with the steady rain yesterday, things do not look like they have improved much. There are still some big fish from last year hunkered down in the deep pools, but it doesn't look like TU has been out to stock yet this fall.

Luckily, things were way better up above the reservoir. Yesterday's rain had a huge impact on the Upper Moormans increasing the water levels significantly. The brookies were aggressively attacking dry flies. I landed a bunch of little guys and one nice 6/7 incher on royal wulffs. I ended up missing two of the prettiest brookies I've ever seen. I watched each one rise slowly to sip my fly, but in my excitement I yanked it right out of their mouths; it broke my heart. Hopefully water levels will stay relatively high up there until the next rainfall.

Fishing Report: Rapidan Upper Section

After two weeks of exams and a quick three day roadtrip, I finally got to make it out on the water.  As we've been complaining about lately, the water levels have been low all across central Virginia.  Therefore, I wasn't expecting to make a trip out at all yesterday until I got on my computer and saw this:

Because of that wonderful spike in discharge levels, I knew there'd be a good chance I could see some flowing streams with hungry trout.  So I quickly brewed some more coffee, got on the road again, and headed up to the Rapidan.

I got there late in the afternoon but with enough light to get a solid two hours of fishing in.  Fortunately, it looked like the other fishermen were calling it quits so I had the river to myself.

Initially I fished like I always do, hitting up every nook and cranny of the Rapidan but soon found out that despite the brief change in water levels the trout, for the most part, remained in the larger pools.  So I fished quickly, hitting up all parts of the larger pools.  I fished parachute adams and snowshoe rabbit caddis size 16 but had the most success with adams.

Overall, I caught plenty of beautiful brookies all of which were pretty decently sized.  The newly flowing water caused somewhat of a feeding frenzy in which the larger trout didn't seem too concerned about going after a missed fly on the fourth or fifth attempt.  Unfortunately, however, I spooked two large brookies that were hiding at the tail end of deep pools.  Seriously, these guys were huge.  I'm talking like 12 inches.  I waited around to see if one of them would become "unspooked" but unfortunately it became clear he was way too smart for me.  So if you head out, look to the tail end of the pools for the big guys.

Looks like we'll be getting a little bit more rain Tuesday and Wednesday so hopefully fishing with be good this weekend as well!  Keep checking the USGS Water Levels.

Praying for rain and for VDOT to take a day off

Water levels are pretty low right now with the drought. Even so, I tried going fishing yesterday at Sugar Hollow Reservoir/Moormans River after finishing my last exam. It turned out to be the trip that never was, since VDOT was out working on the first bridge leading to the dam. I don't know how long construction will be going on, but as of yesterday Sugar Hollow and the TJTU section of the Moormans cannot be reached from Garth Road.

If I was worth my salt as a fisherman I would have enacted Plan B and headed over to Beaver Creek Reservoir for some bluegills and bass. Alas, I had my heart set on brookies and was disappointed... oh well.

Fishing Report: Upper Moormans River 10/3/09

Cam and I decided to take a much needed study break this morning and fish the Upper Moormans above Sugar Hollow Reservoir. It was an absolutely perfect day. We hit the water at about 8:00 and fished until roughly 11:30. We had great cover from the sun because the ridge to the east blocks the sunrise over the river until around 11:00 at this time of year. This was crucial since the water is very low and clear making the fish are extremely spooky. There are some beautiful pools up there with fish huddled together waiting for higher water levels so they can spread out.

As is the case with all brook trout fishing, try each nook and cranny you think might just hold enough water; you will be pleasantly surprised. We caught five small guys between us, but we saw some very nice fish down deep in the few large pools left after this short drought. I will be sure to try my luck there again as soon as we A: get some good rain, and B: finish exams in about three weeks. That reminds me, I probably have a hundred plus drugs to memorize for Pharm. Love you second year...