Mossy Creek, Augusta County, VA Sep 6 & 7

[Letort]

I was in Shenandoah Valley for a couple of days and hit Mossy Creek outside of Bridgewater VA. For those that appreciate spring creeks, this stream falls along the lines of Falling Spring and Letort in PA.

Air temps were in 90’s, water temp 60*, water level good to slightly low, water color was off. Was more brownish than the typical spring creek tint. Lot of healthy weed beds and cover. Fished late afternoon into dark. Fish were taking a slurpy, loud, splashy rise, but couldn’t figure out what they were taking. Tried soft hackles in the film, midges, cress bugs, etc. Had luck on the surface with a tan PMX which the fish were taking for the Hexegenia coming off. Big flies, size 4 -6. Wasn’t a prolific hatch, but the fish were definitely keyed on them.

Hooked up with several on the surface, but missed or lost multiples more. I don’t know how a trout misses a fly the size of a sneaker, but had it happen more than a few times. Nicest fish was about 16”. Fun time with the hatch.

 

[sgrim]

Did you fish the public water or private? I’ve fished it a few times. There are some very large fish cruising that milky water.

 

[Letort]

Did you fish the public water or private? I’ve fished it a few times. There are some very large fish cruising that milky water.

The public water. The local TU / conservatory has been very successful in building access with local landowners.

 

[Wild_Trouter]

Know Mossy very well. Two sure things there...Terrestrials and Streamers. Splashy presentations of Beetles, Hoppers, and Crickets during Summer flat out produce. If the water is stained or high, fish Golden Retrievers (Mossy made that streamer famous), Sculpins, and Zonkers as it is undercut city and the tanks are under your feet most of the day. Absolute best time to fish there is when it's flooded.

 

[Bamboozle]

Fishing aside, IF you like country ham and also want to buy some killer bean soup with country ham to go, next time you're down in that neck of the woods take a detour to Port Republic, VA and the 340 Quick Stop, a small convenience store along US 340 north of Grottos, VA.

I bring quart mason jars down with me and stop at the 340 Quick Stop on the way home from Staunton or Waynesboro so I can bring the bean soup home it's that good and I always stock up on country ham since it's non existent where I live unless you go to Cracker Barrel.

Another place worth a visit is the Valley Pike Farm Market in Weyers Cave., They sell everything you can imagine including Route 11 Potato Chips which are another VA treat I indulge in when I'm down that way.

I never fished Mossy, but one of these times I'm down there I need to wet a line.

Thanks for the report!!

 

[Letort]

Fishing aside, IF you like country ham and also want to buy some killer bean soup with country ham to go, next time you're down in that neck of the woods take a detour to Port Republic, VA and the 340 Quick Stop, a small convenience store along US 340 north of Grottos, VA.

I bring quart mason jars down with me and stop at the 340 Quick Stop on the way home from Staunton or Waynesboro so I can bring the bean soup home it's that good and I always stock up on country ham since it's non existent where I live unless you go to Cracker Barrel.

Another place worth a visit is the Valley Pike Farm Market in Weyers Cave., They sell everything you can imagine including Route 11 Potato Chips which are another VA treat I indulge in when I'm down that way.

I never fished Mossy, but one of these times I'm down there I need to wet a line.

Thanks for the report!!

I know exactly where you are talking about. There are a couple of decent fishing spots near Grottoes, when the water levels are up. I have only stopped at the Quick Stop to use their soda vending machines after fishing. Always seems to be closed when I go through, but I will make a point of stopping.

 

[Bamboozle]

I know exactly where you are talking about. There are a couple of decent fishing spots near Grottoes, when the water levels are up. I have only stopped at the Quick Stop to use their soda vending machines after fishing. Always seems to be closed when I go through, but I will make a point of stopping.

The 340 Quick Stop also sells the kind of stuff you'd expect in a convenience store down there like pocket knives, fishing tackle, a little ammunition and camo ball caps... 😉

They also smoke beef & pork on Saturdays, sell produce and make sandwiches.

If you like county ham they sell it packaged and cut to order. The packaged stuff comes in large pieces and smaller pieces, just perfect for "ham biscuits."

They also sell ponhaus and cloth bologna if you are familiar with those local delicacies... 🙂

They're nice folks too!!

 

[falcon]

Great Country Ham aside. I thought the Golden Retreiver streamer originated in Maine but I could be wrong.
15 years ago I was working in Spring Mills NJ near Milford NJ (not PA but close to the Delaware R) and the deli there had excellent Ham.

 

[KELORGO]

From what I know, Golden Retriever was developed by Jim Finn when he owned a fly shop on Mossy. Streamer is hugely famous in Maine. In fact, I first saw one when fishing for salmon in Grand Lake Stream. Mr. Finn was tying Golden Retriever in Reading, PA last I heard.

 

[Letort]

My understanding is that the Golden Retreiver originated out of Mossy Creek. I learned of the pattern in the old Mid-Atlantic monthly magazine. I have caught more fish on that fly than any other fly. My favorite searching pattern.

 

[Wild_Trouter]

From what I know, Golden Retriever was developed by Jim Finn when he owned a fly shop on Mossy. Streamer is hugely famous in Maine. In fact, I first saw one when fishing for salmon in Grand Lake Stream. Mr. Finn was tying Golden Retriever in Reading, PA last I heard.

You're correct. Jim Finn is an awesome guy. Know him well too. There may be a YT video of him tying the Golden Retriever if you search. You should see the Pink Lady dries he tied for SNP and BRP streams. He was an innovator and hell of an angler.

 

[Letort]

You're correct. Jim Finn is an awesome guy. Know him well too. There may be a YT video of him tying the Golden Retriever if you search. You should see the Pink Lady dries he tied for SNP and BRP streams. He was an innovator and hell of an angler.

What was the Pink Lady dry he tied (I will also do a search)?

I was fishing St David’s in SNP this spring and having an OK day. I tied on a pink mayfly with a cream tail and creamy gray hackle and in size 14 and had a terrific afternoon.