Walt’s Slider
Chocklett’s Gummy Minnow
CK Baitfish
DuBiel’s Finesse Fly
DuBiel’s Lil’hadden
DuBiel’s Red-Ducer
Russell’s Mussel
Tommy’s Crease Fly
Tommy’s Eel Fly
Tommy’s Torpedo (Chartreuse)
Tommy’s Flash Torpedo (Orange)
Walt’s Saltwater Popper
Shawn Hamilton of Eastern Fly Fishing magazine with a nice New River smallie. Photo by Beau Beasley.
Top Virginia Fly Fishing Waters
Accotink Creek
If you listen carefully you can probably hear the traffic of Northern Virginia whizzing by you as you stand fishing in Accotink Creek. But why listen? Yes, you can actually see Accotink Creek when exiting onto Little River Turnpike from the Capital Beltway. Yes, each day tens of thousands of people slog their way to and from work mere paces from an urban trout stream and they don’t even realize it. But here’s the thing: if you’re fishing in Accotink Creek, then you are not, at least for the day, one of those poor sods. Enjoy it. Don’t listen for the traffic.
While no one will argue that this is trout fishing at its best, Accotink Creek has been a godsend for a lot of folks who just needed to get away for a few hours and feel the tug of a trout. It’s stocked by the game department a few times each year with the help of the Northern Virginia Chapter of Trout Unlimited. I have also been there to help and have watched as the stocking truck doled out happy rainbows in the 12-inch range. TU volunteers then scurried over embankments and soft sand to deposit their treasures in the waiting waters. In the winter, TU members have had to break the ice with shovels in some places of the creek to make a comfortable place to deposit the fish.
Accotink Creek is a classic example of doing the best you can with what you have. Although it’s certainly light years from fishing in the Shenandoah National Park or a great trout water like the Jackson River, it beats not fishing at all. Accotink Creek has easy access from both Little River Turnpike and Braddock Road and is certainly worth a look. Besides, you might decide that you need a day away from the office when you’re already on your way to work. Think of it: you can pull over and trout fish until the traffic lightens up enough to go home.
Burt Weisman, a member of the Northern Virginia Chapter of TU, during a fall stocking. Photo by Beau Beasley.
Types of Fish
Rainbow trout, brown trout.
Known Hatches
Hendrickson, March Brown, Little Yellow Stonefly, Sulfur, Caddis, Cahill, inchworm, terrestrials.
Equipment to Use
Rods:4-6 weight, 7½ to 8 feet.
Reels:Mechanical and palm.
Lines:Weight forward floating matched to rod.
Leaders:4X-5X leaders 9 feet in length.
Wading:Hip waders are fine here.
Flies to Use
Dries:Adams #14-20, BWO #14-20, Braided Butt Damsel #10-12, Dusty’s Deviant #12-16, Elk Hair Caddis #14-20, Flying Ant #10-18, Gelso’s Little Black Stonefly #16-20, Lt. Cahill #14-20, Little Yellow Sally #14-20, March Brown #10-14, Murray’s Mr. Rapidan #14-20, Pale Morning Dun #14-20, Quill Gordon #12-22, Stimulator #12-20, Steeves’ Attract Ant #16-20, Steeves’ Bark Beetle #16-20, Steeves’ Crystal Butt Hopper #8-10, Steeves’ Disc O’ Beetle #14, Steeves’ UFO #10. Nymphs & Streamers:BH Goldilox #6-10, BH Hare’s Ear #14-20, BH Prince Nymph #14-20, Bruce’s Little Bow #6, Coburn’s Cress Bug #14-20, Coburn’s Inchworm #12-14, Egg #6-20, Finn’s Golden Retriever #6-10, Green Weenie #14-16, Matuka #4-10, Mickey Finn #6-10, MC2 Crayfish #4-6, Muddler Minnow #6-10, Pheasant Tail #14-20, River Witch #6, Scud #10-18, Sculpin #4-8, Woolly Bugger #6-10.
When to Fish
Fishing is best here from March to November. It’s a good idea to avoid Accotink Creek in July and August due to low water flows.
Season & Limits
Open all year. A delayed–harvest area exists here for nearly two miles. From October 1 through the following May 31, only artificial lures may be used, and all fish must be released. From June through September, general trout regulations apply. A trout license is required to fish here.
Nearby Fly Fishing
Holmes Run is a local alternative.
Accommodations & Services
There are abundant services nearby in Annandale.
Rating
