Many aquatic grassbeds are forming along the banks and around the ledges in midstream. Huge numbers of shiner minnows now live in these grassbeds and the bass feed heavily upon them, actually chasing the minnows into the areas where the water is a foot to two feet deep. I catch these bass on a Silver Outcast size 4 or Shenk's White Streamer size 6 by casting into the edges of the grass.
Since the water levels are so low, we have switched to flies that are not as heavy like the flies listed above. For topwater action, use a Shenandoah Blue Popper or Murray's Sunfish Slider size 6 on a Bright Butt 9ft 2X leader.
Some friends of mine were on the river in the daytime fishing the shady banks and grassbeds with not much luck. They decided to get up really early and be on the water before the sun hit the water. The fishing was excellent. They then went the last hour before dark and had great fishing. The bass do not like the bright sunlight and with the low water levels they are exceptionally wary. If your schedule permits, try to go early morning or late in the evening.
The North Fork of the Shenandoah is low, clear and fishable. There is some deeper water downstream of Chapman's Landing that provides some excellent wade fishing. The South Fork of the Shenandoah is low, clear and fishable. Since the water is so low we are not conducting float trips. We are still conducting wading trips. I only have a few openings left in our Full Day Fly Fishing Schools and Half Day Fly Fishing Lessons for Summer 2023. Check our website for dates and openings or call us at 540-984-4212.