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.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
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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