Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - June 1, 2022

Many of the natural hellgrammites are very active in the stream now and some are hatching. Having a 3-year life cycle, this means there are a great number of them available for the bass to feed upon. Put a Murray's Heavy Hellgrammite, black size 6 on a Bright Butt 9ft 2X Leader. Start right below the riffle and fish across stream with a 4-inch swimming action right along the stream bottom. 

In addition to the hellgrammite listed above we have been doing well with the Murray's Olive Marauder size 8. We have been picking up a few on topwater with a Murray's Chugger size 6 and Shenandoah Blue Popper size 6. 

Some anglers are still wearing chest high waders and some have started wet wading on these 90 degree days.  The water temperature has been in the 70's so do what you feel comfortable with. 

JUNE 3-5 is FREE fishing days in Virginia so no license is needed.

The North Fork of the Shenandoah River is in great shape for wading and floating.  Keep in mind there are only certain areas you can kayak as there are dams that are not legal or safe to go around.  All public access from Mount Jackson to Strasburg is clear and fishable.

The South Fork of the Shenandoah River is still carrying a little extra water so I would not recommend wading but instead float this river.  There are plenty of public access places that you can enter a kayak, float downstream and take out at another boat landing.   For more information on these streams and for access, stop by the fly shop or see my book Virginia Blue Ribbon Streams.

Learn to Fly Fish in our Fly Fishing Schools.  See our Summer 2022 schedule.