Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Limestone
Species
Brook Trout (native)
Brown Trout (Stocked with some
holdovers)
Size
Small to Medium
Location
Shenandoah National Park
Nearest Towns
White Hall
Season
Year-round
Access:
Good but hiking required
Non-Resident License
State of Virginia
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Season:
The season runs year-round
Winter:
Trout can be caught on warm winter days.
Spring:
Spring is the best time for fly fishing the North fork of the Moormans River.
Summer:
Summertime is okay. The water may get low but it will remain cool throughout the Summer.
Fall:
Fall is the beautiful time to fly fish Shenandoah National Park.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing the North Fork of Moormans River Virginia
This stream is all “catch and release – single hook artificial lures/flies” within the boundaries of Shenandoah National Park. Below the park boundary, the stream is stocked with brown trout. Moormans River flows into Charlottesville Reservoir where it provides the drinking water for the city. Fly fishing the North Fork of Moormans River usually produces some nice brookies.
Like all of the Shenandoah National Park streams, the North Fork of the Moormans River is a pure freestone stream subject to whatever Mother Nature brings it in the way of rain and snowfall. It usually gets very low in the late Summer and early Fall. Fishing becomes slightly more difficult when the water is low. The Lower part of the stream settles down to a more moderate flow. You can access about two miles of it from a road that follows the section of the stream above the dam. From that point upstream, hiking is required.
The river can also be accessed from the top side near Skyline Drive. You will find a parking lot and a trailhead at Milepost #87 at Blackrock Gap on Skyline Drive. You should intersect the stream not far down the trail.
The native brook trout and the way the stream is managed is what makes this a unique stream. We have only fished it on one occasion and were able to catch several trout, including one nice brown trout. We did fish the lower end of the river from the access road but we also hiked upstream a mile or so. The best brook trout fishing is probably in the more remote sections of the stream. It all should be very good; however, thanks to the way the stream is managed.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies for The North Fork Of The
Moormans River Virginia
This is the perfect stream for fishing a light fly line.
Fly Line:
We suggest either a 4 weight or lighter, floating fly line for all of the fly-fishing on the North Fork of the Moormans River.
Fly Rod:
The four weight rod should be between eight and nine feet in length with a medium action. You may want to use a shorter length but we like the length for making roll cast.
Fly Reel:
The reel for the rod isn’t important as long as it is light. There wouldn’t be anything wrong with a clicker drag but we recommend disc drags.
Leaders:
You should use at least a 7 and a half foot leader. You should have them in sizes ranging from 4X for nymphs, up to 6X for small dry flies.
Tippet:
You should carry extra tippet material in sizes ranging from 4X to 6X.
Waders:
You shouldn’t wade unless it is necessary to get the fly to places the trout may be feeding or hiding. We do suggest waders for this stream because there are many places you will need them. You may can wet wade in the Summer or get by with hip boots.
Wading Boots:
Felt soles would be our first choice. If you are concerned about the spread of Didymo, the new rubber soles may be your choice.
Flies:
We always recommend our “Perfect Fly” Trout Flies. Our mayfly, caddisfly and stonefly imitations are the most realistic imitations commercially available. We also have low priced, but very high quality standard generic and attractor trout flies. Give them a try the next time you fish the North Fork of the Moormans River.