Smallmouth Bass Stream Fly Fishing Report - July 31, 2024

We are picking up a few nice bass but they are making us work for it. There are a few things that can work to our advantage:

• fish the early morning hours (as in be on the river at 5:30a.m. and fish until 8a.m.)
• fish the last two hours of daylight
• and my personal favorite--try to fish right after a heavy thunderstorm when the water might be just a little stained or stirred up. 

We are doing well with underwater flies such as the Next Minnow Changer (Olive), Olive Dragonfly Nymph, Rubber Leg Nymph, and Bass Caddis Nymph.  On top water we are using Shenandoah Blue Popper, Murray's Chugger (frog), Murray's Bass Popper (frog). Fish all of these on a 9ft 2X leader.

 I checked the river this morning and Mount Jackson to Woodstock on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River is clear and fishable. Edinburg only received a short rain shower yesterday afternoon. The South Fork of the Shenandoah River is clear and fishable upstream and downstream of Luray. Last evening several areas north of us in Strasburg, Front Royal and Winchester received some heavy rains causing flooding in those areas.  Four inches of rain in an hour will do that. If you need help on access, stop by the fly shop or call us. 

We have a few openings in our Half Day Fly Fishing Lesson on August 7 and our Full Day Fly Fishing School on August 24.  Click on the links for more information at to register.