Today
66°F
Sunny
NW 2 mph · 0% precip
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Today’s verdict
Current River Conditions
As of (15 days ago)
This intel is a couple of weeks old — conditions may have shifted.
As of ~2 weeks ago, the river was fishing well.
The Elk River is running above its normal level right now but dropping steadily, and conditions are shaping up nicely. Hatches are firing well, and double-nymph and dropper rigs have been the go-to setup. This is a technical spring creek at heart, so matching what's in the water — or about to be — makes a real difference.
For bugs, Blue-winged Olives are the main mayfly event right now — fish nymphs, emergers, duns, and spinners in sizes 16–18. The Great Autumn Brown Sedge caddis is also in play this time of year, so have some size 10 larva, pupa, and adult patterns on hand. Midges in light green and red (blood) round out the menu, and pre-rigged tandem larva-pupa setups fished near the bottom under an indicator are a proven approach.
162 CFS is right around its typical level for October — this stretch typically runs 105–496 CFS.
Wading tends to be more manageable at typical flows, but beds shift and cold water saps strength fast — read the water, stay within your limits, and check conditions on-site. You remain responsible for your own safety.
At 57°F, the water is in the prime range for trout — cold enough to fish and to handle fish safely.
Weather
71°FClear
Wind N 0 mph
Sunrise 7:46 AM · Sunset 6:24 PM
Observed (1 hour ago)
NWS / weather.gov · fetched 17:01
Today
66°F
Sunny
NW 2 mph · 0% precip
Tonight
40°F
Partly Cloudy
E 3 mph · 0% precip
Tomorrow
66°F
Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny
SE 0 to 3 mph · 2% precip
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Size #14-16
Size #14-16
Size #16-18
Size #16-18
Conditions are estimates from USGS data. Always assess on-site conditions and use your own judgment.
The gauge below Webster Springs reads the upper Elk, the limestone-influenced freestone-and-spring water that holds wild and holdover trout through West Virginia's catch-and-release sections. It carries both flow and water temperature, so the conditions reflect the water you'll fish.
Location
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Helpful Links
West Virginia fishing resources
Spring-influenced West Virginia trout river with limestone productivity, deep runs and clear technical water. Target species include Rainbow and brown trout, with stocked trout in some reaches. Public access is limited in places and private fishing operations control some prime water. Productive timing is Spring and fall, with winter tailwater or spring-fed opportunities. Major hatches and foods include Midges, BWOs, caddis, sulphurs, craneflies and terrestrials. Common approaches are Small nymphs, dry flies and streamers in deeper pools and undercut banks. Regulations, access rules and water conditions vary by reach, so anglers should review current agency information and the linked local reports before fishing.
Hatches
Tactics
162 CFS−13Flow
57°F+1°Water temp
66° / 40°WeatherSize #10
Size #10
Size #4
Size #4-6