It was a cool and overcast morning when Alyssa and I met Jin at the second crossing for some urban trout fishing.
The Virginia Department of Fish and Game had just stocked the stream on Monday with 500 trout. Earlier in the day I bumped into one of the people who was with the stocking crew and he said they had stocked fish from the face of the Lake Barcroft dam to a point further downstream than they normally stock thanks to improvements to the Holmes Run trail.
We rigged up with nymphs, shot and indicators. These are stocked fish so they weren't real picky about what we tossed at them, just as long as it looked tasty and you gave it some motion during the drift. I fished a bead head Pheasant Tail, Copper John, Hare's Ear and a black something-or-other, all in sizes 16 to 20.
Jin, Alyssa and I pounded the trout at the deep pool just up from the second crossing then worked our way back upstream to fish the long run.
When we got there we spotted a big pod holding just under the low hanging branches of a tree that hung over the stream. It was a tricky but if you could skip the fly and indicator under the branches you would catch a trout. Jin landed four fish in as many casts.
EQUIPMENT: Use 3 or 4-weight rods with floating line. These are stocked fish so they're not that picky and around this time of year you want to use anything buggy looking in size 16-18.
DIRECTIONS: Holmes Run Stream Valley Park is located on Columbia Pike (244) amid apartments, residential housing and strip malls. As you drive on 244 towards Leesburg Pike (Rt. 7) the road will slope downhill. To your right you will see a large apartment complex and on your left will be the face of the Lake Barcroft Dam. You will drive cross a bridge with a covered pedestrian walkway. At this point SLOW DOWN and get into the RIGHT LANE. The road will begin to go uphill. To your right is a small, paved road that looks like a bike path. THIS IS THE ENTRANCE. It's a sudden right turn so make sure the car on your tail knows you're turning. Park and follow the paved path to Holmes Run Stream Valley Park.