Winter Trout Fishing in Va. Big Brook Trout

[VaTom]

Winter trout fishing can be challenging. Friday was a relatively calm day before the storm now hitting SW Va. In our area there is a local river where Trout Unlimited and Department of Game and Fisheries have created certain stretches of "delayed harvest" waters. Artificial flies and lures (no bait) and no trout can be kept between October 1st and June 1st. Makes for some great fly fishing.

Friday the water temperature was 40 degrees so I knew it would be a slow day. Just good to be out. After an hour on the water and a few half hearted taps on the rubber leg stonefly nymph this big boy took it. A 16" Brook Trout. You can still see the nymph hanging in it's mouth. The largest Brook Trout i have caught. Worked it into shallow water, took a quick picture and released unharmed. Caught a nice rainbow about an hour later. Two quality fish on a mid-January day is good for me.

 

[The Norseman]

Fly Fishing

Thank you for sharing your Adventure.

Sometimes the Weather cooperates here,
for enjoying my other hobby.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

 

[Sixgun100]

Congrats!

Congrats on a very nice Brookie! After moving full time to Vermont from Florida, I'm having some difficulty adjusting to not fishing year round. Glad you got out for a Winter Fishing Trip! Best regards.

 

[Shark Bait]

Beautiful fish

 

[Golddollar]

Beautiful fish

But a little small compared to this one!

 

[Nevada Ed]

Cold winter waters are a BIG challange for the trout fishermen
that get out and try their luck.

Pressure is usually very light but hook sets are usually low in numbers
with the water temps and the activity of the trout, since they need a lot less
food to survive with cold water and their body BMR's.

That is a HUGE brookie in anyones book.......
our normal length in the river at my cabin is around 6" and a 9" is really a old man of the river.

To me, the EB is the best tasting trout, next to a "Golden", in our areas but they are wild and scary and skill is needed to collect them.

Well done on getting it in for a picture.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

I am a southwest Virginia boy (born and raised in Floyd) you are a
better man than me. Staying in and staying warm.

 

[KalamazooKid]

Wow that's an awesome brookie!

 

[StakeOut]

Catch and Release year round and good river management is the prime reason that fish was around to bring pleasure and outdoor fun.
I probably fly fished every river and stream in New York State while I was a resident plus wetting a line in the Long Island salt now and then.
I fly fished the salt flats while stationed at GITMO in the early 60s.Loads of tarpon,jacks and bonefish.