Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - July 3, 2024

The smallmouth bass fishing is best in the early morning and the last two hours before dark. At dusk many bass go into the shallow tails of the pools to feed on the minnows who make their home here. My favorite tactic to catch these bass is to fan my casts of Murray's Floating Minnows over this whole area. Watch closely for the wake of individual bass chasing minnows here then cast your Floating Minnow out in front of his predicted path. 

The Hellgrammites are hatching along the streams. The Murray's Heavy Hellgrammite size 6 is working well.  Strip this along the stream bottom on a Bright Butt 9ft 2X leader.

The poppers are working well on topwater along the shady banks throughout the day and until dark. The Shenandoah Blue Popper size 6, Shenandoah Chartreuse Chugger size 6, Murray's Chugger, Frog size 6 are very productive.  I like to put on a Shenandoah Blue Popper size 4 with a Murray's Regular Hellgrammite size 8 as a dropper. 

The North and South Fork of the Shenandoah River are clear and fishable.  They are both low for this time of year, so wade as carefully as you can. If you are kayaking on the South Fork, try to make some time to get out and wade some areas along the way. There is some very deep water downstream of Chapman's Landing on the North Fork in Edinburg because of the dam.  I like to wade downstream and fish until the water gets too deep to wade.

The fly shop is closed July 4th but will reopen on Friday 7/5 at 9a.m. If you need help on where to go, stop by the shop. 

Fly Fishing Schools for Summer 2024

Full Day Fly Fishing Schools on August 3, 24 starting at 9a.m. with a classroom presentation, then continuing on the Shenandoah River for hands on instruction until 5p.m. Fly Rod/Reel outfits are provided for the school.

Half Day Fly Fishing Lessons on July 10, 24   August 7, 17 start at the fly shop at 9a.m. to meet the instructor then head to the Shenandoah River for a basic lesson of fly fishing on the river until 1p.m.