Passage Creek is easy to reach from Northern VA. Because of this Passage Creek can be very crowded and unpredictable fishing. I had a few hours to kill this past Sunday and what a better way to spend some time then fly fishing.
However, I immediately new I was in for trouble. Lot's of traffic heading out Rt 55 from Front Royal to Fort Valley Rd. I first stopped at the fish hatchery but several fisherman were already fishing both up and down stream. I talked briefly with a guy just getting ready to head in the river moving up stream and found that he was having a slow day. 4 fish in 4 hours. He also told me that he was very disappointed to see so many worm containers, power bait and other forms of live bait on a Artificial lure stream.
I started heading south on Fort Valley Rd. to find one of my other favorite sites. Unfortunately I had to head up stream for quite a while. I finally found a location that is hard to get too but I have always wanted to try and with all the other locations taken by more than one fisherman I decided to rough it. Turns out the hike was not as bad as I thought. Once I got to this remote part of the river, I saw some great fishing holes, but unfortunately the water was too high and too fast for my limited skills. I caught 1 six incher by pure luck, snagged it.
I had one great experience on the river though. I am standing in the middle of the stream, at peace with nature, completely relaxed. I look up to enjoy the scenery and a beautiful Mink walks up to the stream takes a drink, looks at me for a minute then runs away. This animal was beautiful.
As for the fishing, too many people, too many rules violations. I am going to give it one more try during the week and if I have no luck I am going to eliminate Passage Creek from my fishing list.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Fishing the Robinson North and South of Criglersville
We traveled south on Rt. 29 and turned West on Rt 609 toward Criglersville. After Haywood you will see the Robinson on the left hand side of the road. We picked a pull out and jumped in the river, working up river toward Criglersville.
The river is wide and has plenty of deep holes and riffles. I started off fishing just under the water line with an emerger and did not have much luck. I continued to move up stream and just before the 609 bridge, I changed to a bead head numph. Bang I caught 3 nice Rainbows, 10 inches and the largest sucker fish I have seen in these waters. The fish were down deep in the holes. I had to add weight to get the fly down quickly. Well after that the river went quiet. I continued up river to some nice riffle areas, but did not catch anything. This is when my lack of experience really kicked in. What was I doing right before the bridge that helped me catch some fish and then after that nothing.
We took a break for lunch and then traveled North of Criglersville on 600 to check out the upper reaches of the Robinson. We found some very nice water with stocking signs posted, but got nothing the rest of the afternoon. I was feeling very down, because the water looked great. I inquired later with some of my experienced fly fishing friends. Come to find out it seems the locals poach this part of the stream, even use nets from what they told me. Where are the cops when you need them.
I would encourage you to fish the Robinson from Criglersville, south.
The river is wide and has plenty of deep holes and riffles. I started off fishing just under the water line with an emerger and did not have much luck. I continued to move up stream and just before the 609 bridge, I changed to a bead head numph. Bang I caught 3 nice Rainbows, 10 inches and the largest sucker fish I have seen in these waters. The fish were down deep in the holes. I had to add weight to get the fly down quickly. Well after that the river went quiet. I continued up river to some nice riffle areas, but did not catch anything. This is when my lack of experience really kicked in. What was I doing right before the bridge that helped me catch some fish and then after that nothing.
We took a break for lunch and then traveled North of Criglersville on 600 to check out the upper reaches of the Robinson. We found some very nice water with stocking signs posted, but got nothing the rest of the afternoon. I was feeling very down, because the water looked great. I inquired later with some of my experienced fly fishing friends. Come to find out it seems the locals poach this part of the stream, even use nets from what they told me. Where are the cops when you need them.
I would encourage you to fish the Robinson from Criglersville, south.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Robinson River in Criglersville, January 14, 2007
The Robinson River is formed by two streams coming out of the Shenandoah Mountains. Just outside the park near White Oak Canyon begins the VDGIF stocking of this river. The river is joined by the Rose River just west of town, continues into Criglersville, through Madison and eventually into the Rapidan. We started fishing just past the confluence of the Rose and Robinson. *** Be careful the Rose River west of Criglersville is private water and you must pay a rod Fee ( about $65 per rod ) to fish this part of the Rose. If you go into the Mountains it is public water again. Just for the record I here you can catch some nice sized fish in this fee area of the Rose, but I refuse to pay to fish when we have so many good rivers around.
We started fishing about 10:30am. I headed up stream and my friend moved down stream. I had no luck and Bill caught a couple in a nice little riffle. I moved further down stream continuing to work both on top of the water and below. Nothing!!!!!
Side Story: The Saturday before I stopped at Angler's Lie in Arlington, VA. I began talking with the owner and asked what he had heard was hitting in the Mountain streams. He walked me over to the fly table and pulled out a fly that I only describe as an ugly ass worm. I bought one but did not believe it would work. I have always been taugh to match what food is in the stream.
Well after 3 hours and no fish I put on the UAW. My second cast and I caught a 10 inch Brookie. Next riffle another one. I called my friend Bill on the radio to give him the word. He changes lures and catches a 14 inch Rainbow. Yes he did; I saw it with my own eyes. So much for mathching the hatch. I have learned a valuable lesson and one my other fishing friends had not shared with me. The mountain stream fish although easily spooked feed agressively on color/action.
I would recommend this area for fishing and hope you have the same luck we did.
Finally, we looked at the Robinson just north of Madison where it runs under Rt. 29. Anyone ever fished from this point west. It looks good.
We started fishing about 10:30am. I headed up stream and my friend moved down stream. I had no luck and Bill caught a couple in a nice little riffle. I moved further down stream continuing to work both on top of the water and below. Nothing!!!!!
Side Story: The Saturday before I stopped at Angler's Lie in Arlington, VA. I began talking with the owner and asked what he had heard was hitting in the Mountain streams. He walked me over to the fly table and pulled out a fly that I only describe as an ugly ass worm. I bought one but did not believe it would work. I have always been taugh to match what food is in the stream.
Well after 3 hours and no fish I put on the UAW. My second cast and I caught a 10 inch Brookie. Next riffle another one. I called my friend Bill on the radio to give him the word. He changes lures and catches a 14 inch Rainbow. Yes he did; I saw it with my own eyes. So much for mathching the hatch. I have learned a valuable lesson and one my other fishing friends had not shared with me. The mountain stream fish although easily spooked feed agressively on color/action.
I would recommend this area for fishing and hope you have the same luck we did.
Finally, we looked at the Robinson just north of Madison where it runs under Rt. 29. Anyone ever fished from this point west. It looks good.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
White Oak Canyon Christmas Eve Day
I have wanted to fish White Oak for some time. I have been hiking this area for many years with my family and Scouts. Christmas Eve day was a beautiful day for fishing. My family, my brother and sister in law and my fishing buddy headed to White Oak for a day of hiking and fishing. Fishing in the Shenandoah Mountains is difficult, the fish spook easily and at White Oak you have to be patient as the trail runs right near the river.
White Oak is easy to get too: Follow 211 out of Warrenton to Sperryville. Turn onto 522 South toward Culpepper. Just out of Sperryville turn right onto Rt. 231 and follow to Etlan. In the middle of Etlan (its all of 5 buildings) turn right onto 643 and follow to the dead end. Now at the dead end is the Robinson River which is stocked but I have not fished here yet. Turn right and follow to the parking area for White Oak Canyon. Park in the lot and start heading up the trail to the falls. I here that the fishing is best above the first and second falls, but I have yet to go that far and fish.
We jumped in the river after hiking in about a 1/2 mile. I started fishing with a nymph but had no luck after an hour. Just afternoon I noticed a hatch starting so I switched to a blue winged Olive 16. On my second cast I caught a beautiful 9-10 inch Brookie. It was great. He was down in a hole about 4 foot. I cast just to the side of a water fall and I watched him come right up and take my fly. It was worth the entire day to catch this nice fish. No camera in sight, what a bummer. Less than 2 minutes later I see my wife on the bank with a camera asking me if I caught anything. Where was she 2 minutes earlier. We continued fishing and caught a couple more small Brookies. It was a great day and a place I would recomend to anyone.
White Oak is easy to get too: Follow 211 out of Warrenton to Sperryville. Turn onto 522 South toward Culpepper. Just out of Sperryville turn right onto Rt. 231 and follow to Etlan. In the middle of Etlan (its all of 5 buildings) turn right onto 643 and follow to the dead end. Now at the dead end is the Robinson River which is stocked but I have not fished here yet. Turn right and follow to the parking area for White Oak Canyon. Park in the lot and start heading up the trail to the falls. I here that the fishing is best above the first and second falls, but I have yet to go that far and fish.
We jumped in the river after hiking in about a 1/2 mile. I started fishing with a nymph but had no luck after an hour. Just afternoon I noticed a hatch starting so I switched to a blue winged Olive 16. On my second cast I caught a beautiful 9-10 inch Brookie. It was great. He was down in a hole about 4 foot. I cast just to the side of a water fall and I watched him come right up and take my fly. It was worth the entire day to catch this nice fish. No camera in sight, what a bummer. Less than 2 minutes later I see my wife on the bank with a camera asking me if I caught anything. Where was she 2 minutes earlier. We continued fishing and caught a couple more small Brookies. It was a great day and a place I would recomend to anyone.
Fishing Passage Creek Jan 7, 2007
I really enjoy fishing Passage Creek. Passage Creek is located just outside Front Royal off of State Route 55. It is easy to get to the creek. Take exit 6 off of RT 66 in Front Royal and head into town. Once you cross the Shenandoah River turn right onto Rt. 55. Follow for a couple of miles until you see the Fish Hatchery sign on the left. Follow this road until you see the next Fish Hatchery sign and turn left, 100 feet up you will see the creek. This is a good place to start if you have never fished this area before. You can head in either direction and catch nice Rainbows and Native Brookies. Down stream about a 1/2 mile becomes private land so beware.
This past Sunday was a nice day for fishing, overcast and relatively warm. Unfortunately the stream was packed with anlgers. I fished from about 11:30 to 3:00 and never saw a fish. A first for me at Passage Creek. I think the pressure on the creek was the culprit. Each time I tried a new spot I saw a fisherman or recent footprints. I tried nymphs, Blue Olives and even a wolly Bugger, but no luck.
This past Sunday was a nice day for fishing, overcast and relatively warm. Unfortunately the stream was packed with anlgers. I fished from about 11:30 to 3:00 and never saw a fish. A first for me at Passage Creek. I think the pressure on the creek was the culprit. Each time I tried a new spot I saw a fisherman or recent footprints. I tried nymphs, Blue Olives and even a wolly Bugger, but no luck.
Just Getting Started
Well I don't know how many will read this but I have found other Blog's like this very helpful. The only thing missing for me was information about trout fishing in the Shenandoah Mountains.
So my fishing buddy and I decided to start recording our fishing experiences in the mountains. We will cover things like where to fish, what flies to use, techniques, pictures and much more. We hope you like it.
So my fishing buddy and I decided to start recording our fishing experiences in the mountains. We will cover things like where to fish, what flies to use, techniques, pictures and much more. We hope you like it.
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