Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report -March 17, 2022

The smallmouth bass fishing is slow with the cooler water temperatures.  Some days I have been skunked and other days when the air temperature was in the 70's I have been able to catch a few. Experiment in the slow eddies and the deep pools by swimming your Hellgrammites very slowly along the stream bottom. I find a sinking tip line or a sinking head line with a Fluorocarbon sinking 2X especially helpful in getting my flies down deep. Fish a Murray's Heavy Black Hellgrammite or Murray's Magnum Darter size 4.  

You will be able to get to the deepest water by floating in a kayak or canoe but I prefer wading. Be sure to bring your chest high waders.  Both the North Fork and the South Fork of the Shenandoah River are clear and fishable. If you need help on access, stop by the fly shop or see my book Virginia Blue Ribbon Streams.

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