Not surprisingly, Brown relates that a superb year-round pattern on the Jackson is a size 4-8 shad-colored streamer. Some effective April and May patterns include size 10 Gray Drakes, size 18-20 Blue-Wing Olives, size 14-16 Elk Hair Caddis, size 6-10 black Woolly Buggers, and size 6-10 Dover’s Peach Flies.

“Beginning in late April last year and on through May and much of June, the Gray Drake hatches were phenomenal,” Brown said. “The drakes are really big mayflies and the trout were all over them. A really good oddball pattern is a large sulfur in size 14.”

Brown added that quality wade-fishing exists at the aforementioned access points. Of course, some anglers like to float from access point to access point with many of the floats being approximately three miles in length. For current fishing information and best fly patterns, contact Orvis at (540) 345-3635. For guided fishing trips and current info, contact Blane Chocklett at Blue Ridge Fly Fishers at (540) 563-1617, or www.blueridgeflyfishers.com.