Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - May 22, 2024
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At dusk many madtoms roam over the cobblestone tails of the pools to feed on small minnows and nymphs. Thus exposed, they are easy prey for the smallmouth bass looking for an easy meal. A very effective tactic is to head for the tails of these pools the last two hours of daylight. Wade into the river close to the bank one hundred yards upstream of the tail of the pool. Wade slowly downstream, casting a Murray's Madtom Sculpin size 4 down and across stream at a 20 degree angle. After it sinks strip it six inches every four seconds to swim it across stream. Every two seconds repeat this technique until you fish all the way to the end of the pool.
The North Fork of the Shenandoah River is returning to normal levels. I looked at it this morning and it is "stained" and full but fishable. Often we can get some good fishing with this slight discoloration with a Murray's Marauder (chartreuse or olive) size 6 or Murray's Magnum Streamer (chartreuse) on a Bright Butt 9ft 2X Leader. Just be extra careful on your wading with the extra water volume. Water temperature is in the mid 60's. As of today, upstream of Edinburg would give you better water levels.
The South Fork of the Shenandoah River is currently too high and muddy for fishing.
The fly shop will be closed May 26-28 for Memorial Day. We will resume our normal hours and shipments of online orders on Wednesday 5/29/24 at 9a.m.
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