Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - July 17, 2024

The strong riffles in our smallmouth rivers are presently holding very large populations of large stonefly nymphs and large dragonfly nymphs. A very effective attention getter at dusk is to attach a Shenandoah Chartreuse Chugger size 4 to a Bright Butt 9ft 2X leader with either a Bass Stonefly Nymph or Olive Dragonfly Nymph as a dropper 24 inches below the Chugger. Wading right below the riffles, cast straight across the river and impart a powerful line hand stripping action to the Chugger. This often excites the bass and they hit the nymph hard.

There are many dobsonfly eggs along the tree leaves along the streams. The Murray's Hellgrammite in size 4 or 6 if very effective.   It can be fished upstream dead drift below the riffles or across stream with a deep slow swimming action.

The best time to be on the water is early morning and late evening. The North Fork of the Shenandoah River is clear, low and fishable. Concentrate on the Chapman's Landing area to the Lupton access of the Seven Bends State Park. The area further downstream near Strasburg has an algae bloom and it is recommended that you stay out of the water in that area. The South Fork of the Shenandoah River is clear, low and fishable.  Concentrate on areas from Bixler Bridge to Foster's Landing for wading and combination wade/float trips. If you need help on access, stop by the fly shop or call us.