Shenedoah national park

[tk]

I'm headed to luray for vacation. Other than a tout fishing licence and national fishing stamp is there anything else I need? Can anyone tell me about brown trout. I read you have to kill them if caught? Is that true? I'm not into killing trout. Does anyone know any good streams to try first. Thanks Todd

[ScottP]

The kill reg only applies to the Rose River, Hughes River and Brokenback Run. As long as you don't fish those streams you can release any browns you catch, although VDGIF is pushing a harvest of invasive species in the Park. Here's the Park fishing regs:

http://www.nps.gov/shen/parkmgmt/upl...egulations.pdf

I've been in MT for the past 18 days but my kids told me it's been pretty warm with little rain (we're about 70 miles from the Park) so I'm not sure what kind of shape the streams will be in. Check with Murray's Flyshop for conditions and recommendations:
http://www.murraysflyshop.com/

Regards,
Scott

[pillcaster]

Now is a wonderful time to fish the shenandoah river.....Throw some poppers or minnow streamers....lots of places to rent a canoe and they will tell you where to put in....Downside, you may need a heavier rod than you were going to bring for the brookies....at least a 6wt...just my $0.02...

[MrFishingToughGuy]

you only need a VA freshwater fishing license. The SNP is not in either of our national forests so you don't need the NF stamp.

SNP is not suitable for fishing right now - we've had some rain but not enough to make it fun for you or for the fish. Daytime air temps will be in the high 80s if not low 90s even in the Park the next few days and nights aren't getting much below 65 up there, so you can imagine what the water temps are like. Due to the warm winter the ticks are INSANE out there! If you're looking for trout, fish the valley spring creeks. Bass are going off in both forks of the Shenandoah River.

However, if we get some serious rain, fishing a bigger drainage the day or two after would probably be OK high on up the hill - PM for some info if you like.

[BelAirSteve]

you only need a VA freshwater fishing license. The SNP is not in either of our national forests so you don't need the NF stamp.

SNP is not suitable for fishing right now - we've had some rain but not enough to make it fun for you or for the fish. Daytime air temps will be in the high 80s if not low 90s even in the Park the next few days and nights aren't getting much below 65 up there, so you can imagine what the water temps are like. Due to the warm winter the ticks are INSANE out there! If you're looking for trout, fish the valley spring creeks. Bass are going off in both forks of the Shenandoah River.

However, if we get some serious rain, fishing a bigger drainage the day or two after would probably be OK high on up the hill - PM for some info if you like.

I can attest that Marty (ToughGuy) knows a lot about fishing the SNP, so take him at his word if he says the conditions are not good. Marty put me onto some nice fish a couple of springs ago.

Marty, you ever get up to fish the Gunpowder any more?

Steve

[tk]

Thanks for all the advice. Todd

[MrFishingToughGuy]

no problem. when are you planning on visiting? happy to give you some info on the area there - just send me a PM.

Steve,

Haven't been out much since last June. My wife and I have a 14-month-old girl who keeps us pretty busy! I did find this guy in the beauty of a plunge pool you and I fished a few years back:



Biggest Park fish for me - taped at over 13 1/2". Been looking for him a few times since but no dice!

[sgallas2]

I'd second Marty's suggestion and look towards the spring creeks rather than the park. Mossy will need
a pass but I think you can get that on- line now rather than requesting one from Verona.
Marty has become one of the young SNP guru's so pay attention when he tells you something about the park. or for that matter, the spring creeks also.

Marty ,beautiful catch. that is one impressive SNP brookie.
Best,
Steve

[tk]

Sounds good we are headed there Monday nite. We have 7 down to 2 wts. Packed looking forward to exploring the area. Todd

[NewTyer 1]

You can go online to get all three permits for the SR area streams. Also, Tricos an Hexagenia are hatching right now.