Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - Update May 5, 2023

Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - Update May 5, 2023

Update for May 5, 2023  The North Fork of the Shenandoah River is clear and fishable.  Water levels are perfect.  My son Jeff, and a friend were able to land several nice smallmouth on chartreuse colored flies such as the Murray's Chartreuse Marauder today on the North Fork. The South Fork of the Shenandoah River is still too high for safe wading but is clearing more each day. 

Posted 5/3/23  If you have been watching our Facebook posts then you will know that the North and South Fork of the Shenandoah River came up tremendously over the weekend from the rains.  I checked the North Fork this morning in Edinburg close to the fly shop and it is coming down and clearing.  It is what I like to call "full but fishable".  Just be cautious on your wading and bring your chest high waders. I would also recommend having a wading staff with you while wading.  If you have a kayak, try floating the Seven Bends State Park from Hollingsworth access to Lupton access.  This is a very short float but a beautiful area.   

The South Fork of the Shenandoah River is way too high and discolored for fishing. It might be fishable by the weekend if we don't get any more heavy rains. I will post updates here as the conditions change. 

When the streams are slightly discolored I tend to do well with a Murray's Tungsten Cone Head Marauder (Pearl) size 4.  This has a fast sinking cone head that works well in faster water allowing me to get my fly close to the bottom.  If you don't need that  much extra weight then use a Murray's Marauder (Pearl) size 6 that has regular dumbbell eyes.  The Murray's Dying Chub Minnow size 6 is the next fly to use.  Fish all of these on a Bright Butt 9ft 2X leader or a Fluorocarbon Sinking 9ft 2X leader.  Once the river is clear then I will switch over to a Murray's Black Heavy Hellgrammite in size 6. 

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