Rapidan River Fishing Report: 04/23/24 (Bottom of Page)
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
Species
Brook trout (wild)
Brown trout (lower section only)
Size
Small
Location
Central Virginia
Nearest Towns
Culpeper, Sperryville
Season
Year – round
Access:
Moderate
Special Regulations
Fly Fishing only. Catch and release
below the bridge at Camp Hoover
USGS Real-time Streamflow Data:
Near Culpeper
Non-Resident License
State of Virginia
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Season:
Trout can be caught year-round in
Shenandoah National Park.
Winter:
You can catch trout in the Rapidan River in the winter on nice warm days.
Spring:
Springtime is considered the best time to fish the river because of the hatches
Summer:
The water can become low during
periods of hot weather and low rainfall, but all in all, the fishing remains good throughout the summer.
Fall:
Fall is certainly the most beautiful time to fish the river.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
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 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing the Rapidan River Virginia
The Rapidan River is located in the northern part of Shenandoah National Park. It is near Camp Hoover named after President Herbert Hoover who used it as a retreat. It is still preserved for use by U. S. Senators. The camp is located near the headwaters of the Rapidan. It is a brook trout stream with large boulders and deep pools. The stream is under fly fishing only regulations. It is considered the best trout stream in Shenandoah National Park.
The middle and lower part or the Rapidan River can be reached by your vehicle. Hiking in from Skyline Drive takes about an hour and a half downhill. It is getting back that is the problem for those who don’t enjoy hiking.
All the trout, except a few stocker brown trout that move upstream to enter the lower section of the river outside the park, are brook trout. The brook trout probably average from six to twelve inches. A rusty colored fly, the Mr. Rapidan, was named after this stream.
The Rapidan River falls on a steep gradient. It consist mostly of plunges and pools but there are some areas of riffles. It is best fished in an upstream direction. Dry flies usually produce well unless the water is very cold. The brook trout are usually not very picky. That written, it is still much more productive to fish imitations of the most plentiful and most available aquatic insects and other foods the trout eat. This will always increase your success.
We consider the Rapidan River the best brook trout stream in Shenandoah National Park and that’s saying a lot.
Rapidan River Fly Fishing Guide:
Fly fishing the Rapidan River is a real treat for those that enjoy small stream fishing. The first time we fished the Rapidan River, Angie and I caught as many brook trout as we wanted to catch in the first two pools we fished. The fishing was incredible. I don’t think a single brook trout was under seven or eight inches long. They averaged about eight inches long. I don’t remember the number we caught. We fished the stream on one other day that trip. It turned out to be very similar to the first day. We caught lots of large brook trout.
During the first trip, the water was quite deep – maybe eight feet deep. The pool was about the size of a large family room. If you cast to the base of the short waterfall at the head of the pool, the fly would drift about ten feet before it began to decelerate and drift at a very slow pace. At about that point, you would see a brook trout come out from under the white water beneath the water fall and take the fly. At times you could see the trout come as far as ten feet to take the fly. I have no idea how deep the brook trout were holding beneath the white water. It was very difficult not to take the fly away from the trout before they ate the fly. It looked like they were feeding in slow motion. It was similar to the way cutthroats that are seldom fished to take a fly. In fact we missed some of the first ones by attempting to hook them before they actually had the fly in their mouth. We just had to wait until we saw a swirl before setting the hook. We saw every brook trout we caught come at least a few feet before taking the fly. It was an exciting ordeal.
This stream can become crowded in some areas in the summer. It is located within two hours of Washington D. C. Many come just to play in the water and camp. There are no official campsite but camping is allowed.
All the streams in the Shenandoah National Park requires the use of single hook artificial flies.
Rapidan River Hatches and Trout Flies:
Our information on aquatic insects is based on our stream samples of larvae and nymphs, not guess work. We base fly suggestions on imitating the most plentiful and most available insects and other foods at the particular time you are fishing. Unlike the generic fly shop trout flies, we have specific imitations of all the insects in the Rapidan River and in all stages of life that are applicable to fishing. If you want to fish better, more realistic trout flies, have a much higher degree of success, give us a call. We not only will help you with selections, you will learn why, after trying Perfect Flies, 92% of the thousands of our customers will use nothing else. 1-800-594-4726.
Starting at the first of the year in January, the first aquatic insects to hatch are the Little Winter Stoneflies. They usually hatch through the first of March. In March and April you can expect to find some Brown Stoneflies hatching.
Blue-winged Olives, consisting of several species, hatch from February through June and then again in September through the first week or two of November. Little Black caddis hatch in late March and April.
Blue Quills are among the first mayflies to hatch. They normally start about the first of March and last through the month of April depending on the weather. Almost the same time, hatches of Quill Gordons will start hatching. They usually are through hatching by the end of April. A few Hendricksons in the lower section start hatching about the middle of May and last for about three or four weeks.
American March Browns will hatch from the middle of April until the middle of May. Slate Drakes start hatching in April and last until June. They reappear in September and last through October. In the lower sections, some Sulphur mayflies and Eastern Pale Evening Duns will start hatching about the middle of May. The Pale Evening Duns last for about three weeks but the smaller Sulphurs last on into the middle of July.
There are some Cinnamon Caddis and Spotted Sedges species in the Rapidian River. These caddisflies hatch from about the first of May into the middle of July. Different species of them hatch again in September.
Large Great Brown Autumn Sedges hatch in late August and last through most of October. This stream has a huge hatch of them. Green Sedges hatch in late May and June.
Little Yellow Stoneflies, or Yellow Sallies, start hatching about the middle of April and last through the month of June. The large Giant Black Stoneflies hatch from about the first of June through mid July. There are a few Golden Stoneflies that hatch in May.
Don’t forget to have plenty of streamers ranging from imitations of sculpin, baitfish and crawfish.
Starting in July, imitations of terrestrial insects become important. Ants, beetles and grass hopper fly patterns produce until early October. Don’t forget about the mighty midge. This river is full of them and they hatch year-round. They can become very important in cold water when nothing else is hatching.
We recommend our “Perfect Fly” imitations. They are the best, most effective flies you can purchase and use anywhere trout exist. Give them a try and you will be glad you did. Our Great Autumn Brown Caddisfly pupa and adult fly was developed on the Rapidan River.
Rapidan River Fly Fishing Report:
01/23/2020 Sorry for the missed reports.
The stream level is down a little below
normal with good wading conditions. Lots of
trout are being caught by two of our
customers.
02/16/2020 The stream levels are okay
and we are getting more good reports.,
BWOs, winter stones, midges, and other
insects are hatching.
03/04/2020 The stream is in good shape
and turning out some very nice brook trout.
We are getting some very good reports.
03/19/20 Stream levels have only a little
effect on this one. We are getting some
very good reports from customers
regardess of the stream levels.
04/13/20 Fishing was good prior to getting
blown out by heavy rain. It will take three
or more days to drop back down.
04/26/20 Stream levels are high again,
too high to wade. Wait until it drops some.
05/09/20 Stream levels are still a little high
but okay. There are major hatches taking
place and you should be able to catch lots
of trout.
05/27/20 Stream levels are down to just a
little above normal levels and lots of
insects are hatching. We are getting good
reports.
06/09/20 The creek is in good shape in all
respects with good numbers of trout being
caught. Dry fly fishing is very good.
06/21/20 Stream levels are currently high
but should be falling fast. We were getting
okay reports prior to the high water.
07/02/20 The stream is near a normal
levels and we are getting good reports
from customers.
07/13/20 The creek is in good shape but
low. There is still plenty deep water pools.
We continue to get good reports.
07/26/20 The stream levels are normal and
the creek is turning out good numbers of
brook trout for our customers.
08/12/20 The river is in great shape with
good stream levels. We continue to get
some good catch reports from customers.
08/30/20 The stream is a little high but
should fall out fast. There are good
hatches and trout are being caught in
good numbers by our customers.
09/18/20 The creek is in good shape and
we are getting some very good reports
from customers. There are still some
hatches taking place and our terrestrial
patterns are also working good.
10/19/20 More good reports are coming
in. The creek is in good shape with good
hatches taking place.
11/07/20 Stream levels are high but it
can be fished from the bank in most
places.
11/20/20 The stream is flowing at a high
level but should fall out fast. There are
some good hatches of Mahogany duns,
BWOs and MIdges.
12/21/20 The strem levels are very high
but falling down fast. We were getting
good reports from customer when levels
were good. Winter stoneflies are
hatching.
01/03/21 The stream levels are still very
high, too high to wade. You can fish
from the banks.
01/17/21 Stream levels are back up
again. We are getting a few good reports
when the levels are lower.
02/01/21 The stream levels are currently
high but much of the stream can be
fished from the banks. Midges, winter
stoneflies and little BWOs.
02/20/21 The stream levels are still high
but you can fish from the banks. Midges,
little bwos, and winter stoneflies are
hatching. Get ready for big hatches very
soon. Quill gordons, blue quills and
others.
03/07/21 Stream levels are down and the
creek in good shape. You should be able
to catch plenty brook trout.
03/20/21 The stream is near a normal
level and we are getting some very good
reports from customers. Good hatches
are taking place and dry fly fishing good.
04/24/21 The stream is flowing just a tad under normal levels and the water clear. We are getting some very good reports from customers. There are good hatches of Blue Quills, BWOs, little black caddis, little brown stoneflies, hendricksons, and Quill gordons.
05/03/21 Stream levels are fine for wading and we are getting some good reports. American March Browns and Slate Drake have started to hatch in addition to the above insects.
05/10/21 The stream is running near a normal level and clear. There are still a lot of insects hatching including Slate Drakes, Cinnamon Caddis, and Light Cahills. Send us an email or call us for a recommended fly list.
05/15/21 The river is in good shape and we continue to get some very good reports from customers. Stream levels are just a little below normal level.
05/26/21 The river is a little low but still turning out a lot of brook trout for our customers. There are good hatches taking place. Send us an email or call us for an recommended fly and gear list.
06/03/21 The stream is flowing a little below normal level and clear. We continue to get some very good reports. Lots of insects are hatching.
06/12/21 The stream levels are up high today. Hopefully, they will fall out fast. At least they usually do. We were getting very good reports.
06/24/21 The stream levels are down to a normal level and the water clear. We received two good reports yesterday. Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.
07/08/21 The stream levels are a good bit below normal but it is having little affect on the “catching”. We are getting very good reports from customers. There are good hatches taking place.
07/16/21 Conditions are very good. Stream levels are flowing at a normal level. There are still a lot of insects hatching and we continue to get good reports from our customers.
07/23/21 The stream is a little below normal levels with clear water in good shape. There are some very good hatches.
07/31/21 The stream levels are quite low and you have to use caution to keep from spooking the trout. Stay low and as hidden as possible.
08/07/21 The stream is still very low but most of the pools are deep and low levels don’t affect the “catching” that much.
08/16/21 The stream is now flowing at a normal level and in very good shape. We are getting some very good reports from customers.
08/23/21 The stream levels are a little high but still okay. It is easy to fish even with high levels. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past weekend.
09/08/21 The stream is still a little high but it can be fished effectively from the banks. We continue to get some good reports.
09/16/21 The stream is still a little high but we are still getting some good reports. You can fish this one from the banks effectively and some areas can be waded with caution.
09/25/21 The stream is currently high. It can still be fished from the banks and it should fall back down fast.
10/03/21 The stream is flowing a little above normal level and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
10/15/21 The creek is flowing at a high level but still can be fished from the banks in most places. It should fall back down fast.
10/25/21 Stream levels are normal and the water clear. We received three good reports from customers fishing the past week. Good BWO, Mahogany dun, midge and other hatches.
11/02/21 The stream levels are a little high but it can be waded safely in place and fished from the bank in many places. There are good hatches taking place and we continue to get good reports.
11/11/21 The stream is just a little above normal levels and in good shape. We are getting good reports from customers again. There are still plenty hatching aquatic insects and our sculpin streamers are working good.
11/20/21 The stream is down to a good level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday. Good midge and BWO hatches continue to take place and our sculpin streamers are working good.
11/28/21 The stream is at a normal level and in good shape. We received four good reports from customers fishing this past weekend.
12/07/21 Stream levels are just a little below normal and the river in good shape. We received three good reports from customers this past week.
12/15/21 The stream is low but that makes little difference. There are some deep pools. We received three more good reports this past week.
12/23/21 The stream is still low but we received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week.
12/31/21 We are still getting good catch reports from customers fishing the stream even though it has a low water level. There are many deep pools and in most locations along the stream there is still plenty enough deep for good opportunity.
01/08/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. There are good midge and BWO hatches and our sculpin streamers are working good.
01/16/22 The stream is flowing just a little below normal levels in good shape. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week.
01/24/22 The stream levels are normal and the water clear. We received two more good reports from customers fishing the past week. Good midge and winter stonefly hatches are taking place.
02/01/22 The stream level is a little low but okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
02/09/22 Stream has been high but down to normal levels in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday.
02/17/22 The stream is flowing a little below normal level and in good shape. We received four good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good Winter stonefly, Cream and blood midge and little BWO hatches are taking place.
02/25/22 The stream is still below normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing recently. Conditions are fine.
03/05/22 The stream is still flowing a little below normal levels and clear. There are good hatches taking place. In addition to the BWOs and Midges, Blue Quills, Quill Gordons, Little Black Caddis and little Brown stoneflies should start hatching anytime now.
03/13/22 The stream is flowing a good bit above normal but can still be fished okay. The weekend cold front may slow things down a little but should be back in high gear the first of the week. We received two good reports from the past week.
03/21/22 The stream is flowing just a little below normal level in good shape. Blue-winged olives, blue quills, quill gordons, little black caddis and little brown stoneflies are hatching.
03/29/22 Excellent conditions exist. Good hatches and normal water levels are making it a very good destination. We continue to get good reports.
04/06/22 The stream is up above normal and still heading up. It may take a day or two to fall back down. We have been getting good reports.
04/14/22 The stream levels are fine and we are getting some very good reports. There are a lot of insects hatching and dry fly fishing is good.
04/22/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We are getting some very good reports from customers. Dry fly fishing is good. Lots of insects are hatching.
04/30/22 The water level is still near normal and the stream in good shape. Very good hatches are taking place. Quill Gordons, blue quills, BWOs, Hendricksons, cinnamon caddis , little brown stoneflies and American March Browns.
05/08/22 The stream is flowing well above normal level. Give it a day or two to drop back down. Light Cahills and Little Yellow stoneflies are hatching in addition to the above.
05/20/22 The stream is flowing just a little above a normal level and in good shape. Very good hatches continue to take place and dry fly fishing is very good.
05/28/22 The stream is flowing well above normal due to recent rain but should fall out soon. We have been getting good reports. Very good hatches are taking place.
06/04/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. There are a lot of insects hatching. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday.
06/12/22 The stream is flowing clear a little above normal level. We received several good reports recently. There are a lot of insects hatching and dry fly fishing is great.
06/19/22 The stream is down to just a little above normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday.
06/26/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received three good reports from customers fishing yesterday. Very good hatches continue to take place.
10/13/22 Sorry for the missing reports. Some were accidentally erased when we had a computer failure. Conditions are currently fine. There are some very good late season hatches taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
10/27/22 Conditions are good. Stream levels are near normal and the water clear. Lots of brook trout are being caught by our customers. Good hatches continue.
11/10/22 The stream is flowing a little below normal level but okay. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
11/25/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday. Good late season midge and little BWO hatches continue among others.
12/29/22 The stream is above a good level but falling. It fishes well from the banks.
01/28/23 The stream is in okay condition. Sorry for the missed reports as I had to spend some time in the hospital. Good winter hatches are taking place.
02/17/23 The stream is just a little above normal this morning. We have been getting some very good reports the past few days. Spring hatches should start soon. Now is the time to purchase the flies you will need to get ready for them.
03/04/23 The stream has been in good shape but today’s rain is raising the stream levels up fast. It should fall out soon. We have been getting very good reports from customers. Give it a couple of days.
03/11/23 The stream is in good shape with lots of hatching insects. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week. Fish the lower end of the stream.
03/22/23 Stream levels are down below normal and the water clear. We received three good reports this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
04/02/23 Stream level are still a little below normal but okay. We received four good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
04/10/23 The stream is still flowing low but that’s still not a problem. There are plenty deep pools and runs. Good early season hatches are starting to take place. We are getting some good reports from customers.
04/20/23 The stream is still in good shape and we are continuing to get some very good reports from customers. Lots of insects are hatching including Quill Gordons, BWOs, Blue Quill, Little Black stoneflies, little Black caddis and Hendricksons/red quills.
04/27/23 We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. The water is a little low but okay.
05/07/23 Stream levels are at a normal level and the water clear. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week.
05/15/23 The stream is flowing a little below normal and clear. We received three more good reports from customers this past week. Very good hatches are taking place.
05/25/23 The stream is high, but can be fished from the banks in many places. It should drop back down fast. Good hatches continue to take place.
06/04/23 The stream is very low but still fishable. There are lots of insects hatching. We received another good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
06/13/23 The stream is still very low. We still received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. There are some very deep pools. Fish the plunges where the trout are hiding under the surface disturbance.
06/22/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
07/01/23 The steam is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Good hatches continue to take place.
07/11/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear and turning out good numbers of brook trout for our customers. There are multiple hatches taking place.
07/18/23 The stream was up lot but back down to a normal level and clear. There are good hatches taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing the first part of last week.
07/26/23 The stream is in good shape with good hatches continuing to take place. Fish the middle to the upper sections of it where the water is a little cooler.
08/03/23 The stream is flowing a little low but okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/10/23 The stream is in good condition with good late summer hatches taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
08/19/23 The stream is low and you need to use caution to keep from spooking the trout. Good hatches are still taking place.
08/27/23 The stream is very low. You have to stay hidden to keep from spooking the trout but there are several ways to do that. We are still getting some good reports in spite of the low water level.
09/03/23 The stream is still very low. Stay low and hidden and you can still catch plenty brook trout. The pools are deep and there is plenty water.
09/10/23 The stream is still very low. You can still catch trout if you stay hidden from them. They still eat in low water. There are a lot of big boulders to hide behind.
09/17/23 Stream levels went up last week but fell back down low again. As we have been saying, it has little effect because of its many deep pools.
09/24/23 Stream levels are high and the water stained due to recent heavy rain. Give it a couple of days to drop and clear.
10/01/23 Stream levels are okay and good hatches continue to take place. The big Great Autumn Brown Sedge caddis are starting to hatch along with lots of BWOs.
10/09/23 The stream is still in very good shape with good hatches. We received two good reports from the past week.
10/23/23 The stream is still very low but that hurts it little since the pools are relatively deep. We are still getting good reports from customers fishing it. Good hatches continue to take place.
11/02/23 The stream is still low but still turning out some nice brook trout.
11/08/23 Stream levels are still low but some rain in on the way within a couple of days. Good numbers of trout are still being caught in the low water thanks to the many deep pools.
11/15/23 The stream is still low but the brook trout can still be caught. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
11/26/23 The stream just a little below normal level in okay shape. We received two more good reports from customers catching brook trout.
12/04/23 The stream is turning out some good catches for our customers. Good midge hatches are taking place and our tandem rigged cream midge larva and pupa are working good.
12/12/23 Stream levels are too high to fish well at this time, but the stream is falling back down fast. We have been getting good reports prior to the heavy rain.
12/29/23 The stream is up to a normal level and lightly stained. These are good conditions. Midges and little BWOs are hatching.
01/19/24 The stream is down to a normal level with clear water. You should be able to catch good numbers of brook trout. Light green midges and Winter stoneflies are hatching.
01/30/24 The stream is still flowing high but falling down fast. Good hatches continue to take place.
02/11/24 The stream is flowing a little below a normal level and clear. Good small Blue-winged olives and light green midges are hatching.
02/19/24 The stream is down to a normal level and clear. We received one good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Good hatches continue to come off.
02/26/24 The stream is still flowing a little below normal level with clear water. Good Light green Midge and Winter stonefly hatches continue to take place.
03/06/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Very good hatches of Quill Gordons, Blue Quills, Blue-winged olives, little Black caddis and little Brown stoneflies are hatching.
03/12/24 The stream is high this morning but falling back down fast. We have been getting very good catch reports when the stream level is near normal. Good hatches, listed above in the 03/06 report, are taking place.
03/19/24 The stream is near a normal level and clear. We received some good catch reports from customers fishing this past weekend. Good hatches continue to come off.
03/26/24 The stream is down to a normal level with clear water. Brook trout are being caught in good numbers. Good Blue-winged olive, Quill Gordon, Blue Quills, Little Brown stoneflies, little Black Caddis and American March Browns are hatching.
04/02/24 The stream is flowing just a little below a normal level and clear. Very good hatches are taking place and you should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
04/09/24 The stream has been a little high but back down to a normal level. Good hatches are taking place. Blue-winged olive, Quill Gordon, Blue Quills, Little Brown stoneflies, little Black Caddis and American March Browns are hatching.
04/16/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. You can add Hendricksons/Red Quills to the fly list. We are getting good reports from customers.
04/23/24 The stream is flowing below a normal level but okay. The water is clear and some very good hatches are taking place.
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.