While we are fishing for smallmouth, we always keep an eye out for feeding carp. Tailing carp in water 2-feet deep along the banks are easy to spot and although they are very wary they are catchable. Frequently I spot "mudding" carp feeding in water 4-5 feet deep along the banks. Watch for the discolored water seeping downstream from where the carp are digging out nymphs. Cast a Murray's Marauder (pearl, olive or black) in size 10 about ten feet upstream from this discolored water so it drifts to the feeding carp and feel for the strike. This is a good time to have 50 yards of backing on your reel because a 20 pound carp will often take this much out.
Now for the smallmouth fishing, we have been doing well with the Murray's Crayfish (Olive) size 6, Clouser Crayfish (Olive) size 6, Shenk's White Streamer size 6, and Shenandoah Blue Popper size 6. Fish these on a 9ft 2X Leader.
Both the North and South Fork of the Shenandoah River are clear and fishable. We have received a few rain showers but the levels are still lower than normal. Wade carefully so that you are not spooking the fish. Try to fish in the early morning or late in the evening or pound the shady banks in the mid-afternoon. The South Fork has been fishing better than the North Fork this week.