Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - April 8, 2022

Update April 8, 2022  Both the North Fork and South Fork of the Shenandoah River are still high and muddy from the rains this week. I would recommend holding off on the bass fishing this week and instead go trout fishing for the native brook trout.  

Posted 4/6/22--Mother Nature dumped several inches of rain overnight causing the North and South Fork of the Shenandoah River to be high and muddy today.  As I crossed the North Fork of the Shenandoah River this morning on the way to work it was in pretty good shape but upstream received more rain than we did.  As a result all of the high and muddy water will be working its way downstream over the next day or two.  I expect the conditions to be better on the North Fork by the weekend.  The South Fork usually takes a little longer to clear. 

As the water levels drop and the water starts to clear, be sure to fish the Bank Bays.  These are indentations carved back into the river banks by flood waters and provide wonderful feeding stations for the bass.  These can range from 10-20 feet back into the bank and extend 20-30 feet down the river. Use a Murray's Magnum Hog Sucker, Magnum Bluegill or Magnum Darter size 4 on a Bright Butt 9ft 2X Leader.

If you need help on public access, stop by the fly shop or see my book Virginia Blue Ribbon Streams.