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
Freestone and Tailwater
Species
Brook Trout (wild and native)
Brown Trout (wild and stocked with
some holdovers)
Rainbow Trout (wild and stocked with
some holdovers)
Size
Small to large
Location
South Central Virginia
Nearest Towns
Danville
Season
Year-round
Access:
Good in some areas but hiking
required in most areas
Non-Resident License
State of Virginia
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Season:
The season is open year-round
Winter:
You will find fishing tough on most Winter days.
Spring:
Spring is the best time for fly fishing the Dan River.
Summer:
Summertime is fine in the gorge and the brook trout in
the shaded areas of the stream.
Fall:
Fall is a beautiful time to fish the Dan river’s upper
sections and gorge.
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 Dan River Virginia
The Dan River has a little of everything from its small headwaters to its large, lower section. It starts out with pure mountain water and ends up in sad shape. The quality of fishing depends on who you ask and the section of the river they are talking about. It ranges from a great trout stream to water that’s not worth fishing.
The Dan River starts north of U.S. Highway #58 just northeast of the Meadows of Dan. The upper part is classified as a wild trout stream. Native brook trout is the main species. From just above #58, the river is a “put-and-take” trout stream, or what the state of Virginia calls a category B stream. From there the stream proceeds to flow through a very deep canyon or gorge that’s owned by the City of Danville. The canyon is a wild and rugged area that requires some trough hiking to access.
The six mile long section of the river that lies between Talbott Dam and Townes Reservoir offers some great fly fishing opportunities. It can be accessed from routes #614 and #601 south of the Meadows of Dan, which takes you to the Talbott Dam. This section has a good population of wild, stream-bred brown, brook and rainbow trout.
The section of the Dan River from the Townes Dam to the Pinnacles Powerhouse is strictly catch-and-release. This section of the river can be accessed from route # 648 off of Routes #773 and #103. This takes you to the powerhouse. A free permit is required to fish this section and any section that lies within the Pinnacles Hydroelectric Project area. These permits are also available from the City of Danville.
Below the powerhouse, the Dan River offers several miles of put-and-take trout fishing. Just below this section, the water eventually becomes too warm for trout.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies for the Dan River Virginia
Fly Line:
We suggest either a 4 weight or lighter, floating fly line for the brook trout fishing. A 5 weight floating fly line should probably be used in most areas other than the headwaters. If you fish larger nymphs or streamers, a 6 weight floating fly line will come in handy.
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 in
tight quarters. The five weight fly rod should be between eight and a half and nine feet long in a medium to fast action. The six weight fly rod should be 9 feet in length and have a medium fast to fast action.
Fly Reel:
The reel for the brook trout rod isn’t important as long as it is light. There would be nothing wrong with a clicker drag. Reels for both the 5 and 6 weight lines should have good drags. We prefer disc drags. There are some large brown trout in some sections of the Dan River.
Leaders:
You should use at least a 9 foot leader in most areas. Shorter leaders may be used for
streamers and the small headwater streams. You should have them in sizes ranging from 2X for streamers, up to 6X for small dry flies.
Tippet:
You should carry extra tippet material in sizes ranging from 2X to 6X.
Waders:
We do suggest waders for the Dan River. You will need them in most areas.
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 recommend “Perfect Fly” Trout Flies. Our mayfly, caddisfly and stonefly imitations are
the most realistic imitations commercially available. We also have high quality but low priced generic and attractor flies but you will find the trout can be selective to the most available and plentiful insects.