I dropped my daughter off for a Girl Scout event and had a few hours to kill so since I was near Annandale I decided to check out Holmes Run Stream Valley Park for some Fall fishing.
According to the Trout Unlimited bulletin board Holmes Run was stocked a few weeks ago. I decided to start at the top of the stream just off Colombia Pike and fish my way downstream. It was a cold day and there was a bit of a breeze but fishing is fishing--take it when you can get it.
The first thing I noticed was the very low water level. It was much lower than earlier in the year and in some of the usual trout holding areas the water was a little over ankle deep. I began fishing just after the first crossing and worked my way downstream to the second crossing. I had one tiny tug on the line but I think this was a mico-sunfish and not a trout. As I was about to leave to fish the large elbow pool at the third crossing I had the pleasure to meet Andrew, who reads the blog and has even submitted a report. Fishing was slow for him too and we stood around and talked fishing for awhile before I left to find some fish.
I pounded the large elbow pool, dredging the bottom with several different flies, but got nothing in return. With polorized glasses on and the low water level I could see all the way back to the opposite bank and there were no fish. I also noticed that someone was there in the past week or so and had possibly worked this spot over using bait. There were several fresh plastic nightcrawler tubs and a pile of beer bottles and what looked like a small fire built just above the water around the corner from the pool.
Feeling cold, with no luck and little time left, I called it a day and left Holmes for a quick hot chocolate at McDonalds before picking up my daughter at her Girl Scout event.
EQUIPMENT: I used a 3-weight rod and various nymphs. The fish in Holmes Run are stocked, so no need to get too technical. (NOTE: stream stocking will be down 25 percent from normal due to problems at a hatchery).
DIRECTIONS: The upper section of Holmes Run Stream Valley Park is located just off 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 cross a bridge with a covered pedestrian walkway. At this point slow down and get in the right lane. The road will begin to slope 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 path to Holmes Run.