Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - June 22, 2022

When fishing the sections of the rivers where shallow gravel bars extend along the banks, the bass often run up on these areas to feed on the shiner minnows. However, the bass often cruise along the edges of these gravel bars where the river becomes 4 to 5 feet deep to feed on any shiner minnows that come close to the deep water. I catch many of these bass by fishing a Murray's Heavy Shiner size 6 with a slow stripping action along these deep drop-offs.

If you have been on the river this past week you might have seen the dobsonfly (hellgrammite) eggs on the tree leaves hanging over the river.  If you look under a rock you will more than likely see the dobsonfly nymph.  This is an abundant food source for the bass.  Strip a Murray's Heavy Hellgrammite, (black) size 4 or 6 along the bottom on a 9ft 2X leader.

The crayfish patterns are working well this week.  The Murray's Crayfish (olive) size 6 and the Clouser Crayfish (olive) size 6 have provided us with some nice bass on guide trips, schools, and our personal fishing. Fish this along the cobblestone bottoms where the natural crayfish live.

The North Fork and the South Fork of the Shenandoah River are clear and fishable. Since the water is so clear, be sure to wade carefully so that you are not spooking the fish.  

Please note the fly shop will be closed June 26-28 and July 3-5.  All emails and online orders will be taken care of upon our return.