Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - August 16, 2023
Today let's talk a little bit about the dry fly fishing for smallmouth bass. There are many damselflies, dragonflies, and grasshoppers along the streams providing a mouthful for the smallmouth. The Murray's Bass Dragonfly Dry, Murray's Bass Damselfly Dry, and Murray's Bass Terrestrials are very productive for topwater fishing in August. If you want to use a dry with a dropper, attach a Murray's Regular Hellgrammite in size 8 on a 36 inch 2X tippet material with an improved clinch knot.
This past week the Shenk's White Streamer and Olive Marauder size 6 were working well underwater where the natural minnows are swimming along. In fact, there is a very nice smallmouth bass on the South Fork that wanted to tease one of our clients with a glimpse and a small chance of landing...but he changed his mind and broke free. Maybe next time.
Both the North and South Fork of the Shenandoah River are clear and fishable. The water levels are low but by wading carefully we are able to land some nice smallmouth. Plan to fish early morning or the last two hours of the day and along the shady banks in the afternoon. We have not been conducting float trips because the levels are so low. Right now we are doing better by wading on the South Fork. If you need help on access, stop by the fly shop or see my book Virginia Blue Ribbon Streams.