Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - September 9, 2022

There are great numbers of shiner minnows in the aquatic grassbeds that provide many easy meals for the bass and wonderful fishing for us. Many evenings I've seen dozens of smallmouth feeding in 2-ft deep water along the banks in thick grass beds that hold very large populations of shiner minnows. By wading 40 feet out from these grass beds and casting a Silver Outcast Streamer every several feet into the grass as I wade slowly downstream, I can catch dozen of smallmouth until it gets dark.  If you need help on fishing these grass beds and matching the minnows, watch my video on Minnow Matching.

Keep in mind that you will get your best smallmouth fishing in the morning hours or the last 2 hours of the day. The smallmouth do not like the bright sunlight therefore they will stay in the shady banks and under protection of downed trees.

The North Fork and the South Fork of the Shenandoah River are clear and fishable. We had some rain this week but the levels are still low and clear so be careful on your wading so that you are not spooking the fish.