Stream Category: Special Regulation
Wild Trout: Brown and Rainbow
Stocked Trout: Brown and Rainbow
Other Species of Note: None
Gear:
Dry Flies: Adams, Caddis, and Terrestrials
Nymphs: Stone Flies, Pheasant Tail, Prince, Hares, Midges, Mop Flies, and Squirmmy Wormies, Perdigon
Streamers: Kreelex, Minnow Patterns, Articulated Minnow Patterns
Waders: Yes
Net: Yes
Casting: Tuck, Roll, and Overhead
About:
What can I say about the Jackson River below Lake MooMaw other than it tough as shit to fish… well it is tough as shit to fish and you will probably get skunked. I am just being honest with everyone; this place is gorgeous, I have seen a bald eagle here, I have caught a lot trout (fingerling to 20+ inches), but more often than not I have been skunked.
The Jackson River below Lake MooMaw is a freestone tailwater river, with lots of vegetation during the summer time, and lots of water during the winter months. It can be very shallow at times, then other times it can be very deep. Be careful when you fish here, and for god’s sake if you here an alarm going off get out of the water.
Realistically during the summer months if you are going to fish the section right below the dam you need to stick to dry flies, nymphs will get caught on the vegetation 90% of the time. If you plan on nymph fishing, hit towards the banks, the rapids, or the gigantic slow run (not mention deep) towards the end of the section. Streamer fishing is basically in the rapids and the gigantic run, just like nymph fishing you will run into a lot of vegetation towards the very beginning of the section. If you own a switch or spey rod, the long gigantic slow run will be perfect for swinging flies, it will also help you to get to spots that you would not be able to get to because of the depth of the stream.
All in all I still like fishing here, there is nothing like fishing a tail water. Even if the tail water is extremely difficult to fish.
Additional Comments: Parking can be found on the road leading to foot of the dam. Also fair warning, do not cross the line when it comes to the no trespassing signs, those people mean business.
Directions:
Fly Bum Outdoors 