Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - Updated May 31, 2022

UPDATE 5/31/22  We hope everyone had a great weekend.  The North Fork of the Shenandoah is in great shape for fishing.  The South Fork of the Shenandoah is full but fishable (best by floating).  Both rivers are slightly discolored which will help your fishing in the bright sun.  We did well this morning on the North Fork with both streamers and poppers.  The best popper fishing quickly turned to the shady bank after the sunlight hit the water.  A sink tip line will be your most effective option to cover the water with streamers.
We will be back in the shop 6/1/22 at 9am.

UPDATE 5/28/22  The North Fork of the Shenandoah River is muddy and slightly high this morning from the heavy rains last evening.  I think this will clear quickly so it should be fishable by Monday, 5/29 for the Memorial holiday.  The South Fork of the Shenandoah River is too high and muddy for fishing.  This will take longer to clear out so I do not expect to be able to fish this Fork until later next week.

Posted 5/25    The North Fork of the Shenandoah River is in great shape for wading and some kayaking.  Plan your trips accordingly as there are some dams on the North Fork that are not legal or safe to go around. Meems Bottom off Rt. 730 near the Shenandoah Caverns has been doing well, along with Chapman's Landing two  miles north of Edinburg and the Lupton access of the Seven Bends State Park in Woodstock.  If you are looking for a short float in kayaks where you can also get out and do a little wading then put in at the Hollingsworth access of the Seven Bends  State Park and take out at the Lupton access.  

The South Fork of the Shenandoah River is clear and fishable by floating in a boat or kayak.  I would not recommend wading this section as it is still running at full levels. 

A technique we use with some of our students in our fly fishing schools and on guide trips is to fish a Shenandoah Blue Popper size 6 with a Pearl Marauder size 10 on a three foot 2X dropper below it. This is very effective and sometimes you can catch two fish at the same time. In addition to the Blue Popper we have been catching a few on the Shenandoah Sunfish Slider size 6.  The Olive Marauder and Murray's Heavy Hellgrammite, Black size 6 have been successful this week as well.  We are on the border line of using chest high waders and wading wet.  This past week on the 90 degree days, I left the waders at home.  As I am doing this report it is 67 degrees out and I plan to use my chest high waders this evening. 

The river will be busy this weekend for the holiday so please be respectful and safe!  We will be closed Sunday May 29 through Tuesday May 31 for the holiday.  We will resume normal operations on Wednesday June 1.