Fishing Season: Year Round

Mossy Creek - VA

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

52

Mossy Creek Fly Fishing's Tip of the Week

The evening hatch is starting! Look for some risers an hour before dark eating blue wing olives, march browns, hendricksons, and sulphurs!

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Map of Mossy Creek

5-Day Outlook as of 4/15/24

Detailed Forecast TodayA chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and frequent lightning. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. West wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. TonightA chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Some of the storms could be severe. Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. North wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. TuesdayA slight chance of showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Northeast wind 6 to 8 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tuesday NightMostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind 6 to 8 mph. WednesdayA slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Wednesday NightA chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 50%. ThursdayMostly sunny, with a high near 76. Thursday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 51. FridayPartly sunny, with a high near 76. Friday NightA chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. Chance of precipitation is 30%. SaturdayA chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Saturday NightA chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 30%. SundayA chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/15/24

Jig nymphs and smaller jig streamers around the deep cuts and weed beds are going to be your best way to find fish hiding during bright sunny days. We have some overcast rainy days coming up that should really turn on the bite!

Local Species Available Year Round

  • Fish Icon

    Brown Trout

Mossy Creek Fly Fishing's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Birchell's Hatching Midge tan, brown, green 20
Spotlight Caddis Emerger N/A 16
Sparkle Dun black 18
Indicator Spinner - Trico black, red 14-16
Near Nuff Sculpin N/A 4,6,8,10
Trow Minnow Black 2,4,6
Muddler Minnow N/A 12-16
Vernille San Juan Worm N/A 12-16
PMX rust 10, 8
Kreelex Gold/Copper 8,6,4

Birchell's Hatching Midge

This midge fly pattern can be used as a dry fly or emerger.

2.49

Item #12A1

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Mossy Creek Fly Fishing's Recommended Gear

Description: About Mossy Creek

Mossy Creek is a peaceful limestone spring creek that meanders from its springhead in the village of Mt Solon about 8 miles to its confluence with the North River. It is similar to Pennsylvania spring creeks with fishable hatches of many species of mayflies and caddis. A four mile section of Mossy is open to the public thanks to an arrangement worked out by the landowners, Trout Unlimited, and The Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries. Each fall Mossy is stocked with fingerling brown trout. These fish grow quickly and the individuals that last a few years are as wild and wily as any stream born trout. Contrary to the information given in some regional guide books, Mossy is an extremely challenging stream and is not recommended as a place for beginners. Dry fly fishermen, familiar with Mossy's moods fish it carefully and slowly, often crouching or kneeling along the bank. Surface action can take place all year with tiny Olives hatching sporadically throughout the winter. By mid April hatches of larger blue winged olives and sulphurs become regular. Trico action usually begins around Memorial Day and can last until Halloween. It is the summer dry fly fishing for which Mossy is most famous. Most of the public section runs through open meadows. By late July trout are used to seeing grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, and ants and the fish become very aggressive on the surface. The average fisherman has his best chance of seeing and hooking really big fish in Mossy at this time. Streamer fishing on Mossy can also bring about some action from the largest fish. The best opportunity we usually see for landing the largest browns of the year is during a high water event. Heavy spring rains or tropical systems that move over the area dumping multiple inches a day will stain the water and increase the flow. The biggest browns will emerge from the undercuts and holes and move to the shallow moss beds and ambush disoriented bait washing downstream. Don’t be afraid to throw flies in the 4-6 inch range to entice a strike by some of these monsters. Access to Mossy Creek is available with a FREE permit that is allocated at the Verona office of the VDGIF. The permit is good for 1 year from the date of issue.

Nearest Airport:

Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport

Hatches:

Sulphurs in the evening hours, BWOs, and tricos.

Best Time to Fish:

Early Morning Hours

Best Stretch:

The closer you are to the main springs the better the fishing

Best Access:

There are only 2 public access points: 1 at the Mossy Creek Church, and 1 at the 42/747 bridge.