Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - August 28, 2025

The nights are getting cooler so we are not on the river quite as early as we were a month ago. By mid morning the action picks up as the water temperatures warm throughout the day. The smallmouth do not like bright sunlight so plan to fish around shady banks, downed trees, around ledges and grass beds. The water is crystal clear so wade carefully so you are not spooking the bass. 

The fly shop is closed August 30 through September 8 for vacation!  No phone messages or emails will be answered during that time.  Online orders will be shipped periodically while we are closed for vacation. 

Both the North Fork and South Fork of the Shenandoah River are clear and fishable. If you are planning to float, the South Fork is a better option. We typically fish the area of Bixler bridge (rt 675) to Fosters Landing near Luray. I have several customers that are having success around the Shenandoah River State Park near Bentonville. On the North Fork there are several good wading spots from Mount Jackson to Woodstock including the Lupton access to the Seven Bends State Park. 

Recommended flies for this week:

• Murray's Marauder, black or olive size 6
  
• Shenk's White Streamer size 4
• Murray's Crayfish olive or brown size 6
• Murray's Roadkill Nymph, black size 6
• Rubber Leg Nymph, brown size 6
• Shenandoah Chartreuse Chugger size 4
• Mr. Rapidan Skater size 8,  fish this in the evening hours while the Hexagenia hatch is occurring

Fish these on a Murray's Bright Butt 9ft 2X Leader.  For more information on access to the Shenandoah River, see my book Fly Fishing the Shenandoah River for Smallmouth Bass.