closest trout fishing to Richmond?

[Dana Williams]

Hi, I am new here and going to have a weekend in Richmond (working there for a week) in beginning of November. Can you point me to 1-2 closest trout rivers to there?

If there is not much in range, I understand there is good bass fishing there too but will early November be too cold for the bass (not where I come from....TX).

thanks, 

Dana

[Gregg Rockett]

Hi Dana.

If fly fishing for trout is your preferred option, you could go to Waynesboro (1 1/2 hours northwest) and fish the South River.  It is an excellent urban trout fishery - see my blog post about it.  I am sure there will be other opinions / options posted, as well.  Gregg Rockett

[Doug Graebner]

In addition to that, I'd consider just any number of SNP streams in the southern section of the park (honestly blue-lining can be fun here) and if you want to tack on an extra half-hour Mossy Creek is a good thing to hit up. There can also be good saltwater fishing on the Bay in November (especially if you look for power plant discharges) but that's probably going to require a guide. In terms of non-trout freshwater-I wouldn't *totally* write off November, especially if it's a warm November or if you can find some warmwater discharges.

[Yambag Nelson]

November is when the brook trout are spawning.  i would just leave them alone then.  Without a long drive i would just fish the James in Richmond.  Plenty of wadeable water and it is usually still fairly warm into november.

[Doug Graebner]

OOF for some reason I thought they were usually spawning in October-ish and winding down by mid-November, maybe that was just where I was fishing

[Owen Williams]

Re: SNP brookies. I've heard that a good rule of thumb is to leave them alone from Halloween to New Years Day for the spawn, and in July and August unless we have a cold snap that gets the water temperature below 68. 

Does that sound right? 

Best, 

Owen

[Andrew Sarcinello]

That sounds pretty accurate to me Owen. Have seen some spawning prior to Halloween in the highest elevations but I think most of it happens a few weeks later and I have also seen it in early December in SNP. 

Farther north, MD/PA, depending on the elevation it could start as early as mid September.

Re: summer water temps and brookies, science says the C&R concerns are markedly worse above 68F, but I personally observe brook trout change their behavior above 65F. Adult fish will cluster in deep refuge pools and not feed much above 65. Young of the Year will continue feeding, they can't afford to not be greedy.

[Doug Graebner]

ooh ok, interesting because I thought the spawn tended to wind down well before New Year's, or at least didn't see a lot of obvious spawning behavior when I was hiking/walking there in November, BUUUUT I feel like at least the last few years the water starts getting noticeably hot like in June or even the last week of may?

[Owen Williams]

Good point, Doug. I've started carrying a stream thermometer to be sure since the weather has been so erratic. 

That's a fascinating observation about them podding above 65F, Andy. I'll have to watch for that. 

Best, 

Owen

[Doug Graebner]

I don't carry a stream thermometer but I generally go by "once it starts feeling like bathwater when I wade, it's time to call it a season until it cools off.