Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - September 17, 2020

Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - September 17, 2020

The North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River have exceptionally large populations of hellgrammites and crayfish that the bass love to feed on. Fish a Murray's Heavy Hellgrammite in black, olive, or brown in size 6 or 8 across stream right below the riffles.  This way you can easily feel the strike and hook the bass.  Fish a Murray's Crayfish size 6 or Clouser Crayfish Olive size 6 with a slow two-inch darting action along the stream cobblestone bottoms.  Fish these with a 2X leader. 

 

Stream Conditions: The North Fork of the Shenandoah River is clear and fishable. There water levels are a little better in the Edinburg and Woodstock area.  Since the stream is clear, be careful as you are wading so that you do not spook the fish. 

The South Fork of the Shenandoah River has finally cleared and dropped to normal levels so you can get out there and fish by either wading or floating. 

The water temperature is slowly dropping because of the cooler 40 degree nights we recently had.  Therefore, I would recommend bringing your chest high waders with you if you plan to wade.

  Ft. CFS
North Fork at Mount Jackson 2.61 94
North Fork at Strasburg 1.96 180
South Fork at Luray 2.98 877
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