Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - October 16, 2026

The North Fork and South Fork of the Shenandoah River are both in great shape following Sunday's rain, which raised water levels and improved fishing conditions. Both floating and wading are good options right now, and water temperatures have dropped into the low to mid-60s. If you're planning to wade fish, put your waders on. Bring your 7wt or 8wt fly rod; This is big fish time you waited all summer for!

Smallmouth bass have started their fall feeding frenzy, and there's still excellent topwater fishing to be had. For the best chance at topwater action, focus on the midday hours between 12:00 and 5:00 PM.

Streamer fishing has produced some of our largest bass. We're back to using Scientific Anglers Sonar Leaders Intermediate or Sink 3 and Scientific Anglers Sonar Titan Sink Tip Fly Line in Intermediate or Sink 3 with a 6' 0x Fluorocarbon Leader to keep our flies deeper in the water column and in front of feeding bass. Nymph fishing continues to produce fish with patterns such as the Murray's Black or Olive Hellgrammite #4 and Murray's Olive or Brown Crayfish #4 or #6. The key is getting your flies down near the bottom, where the bass are feeding.

Recommended Flies and Leaders:

• Murray's Magnum Bluegill size 4
• Murray's Magnum Hog Sucker size 4
• Articulated Daddy's Money size 4
• CJ Sluggo size 1/0
• Murray's Olive Crayfish #4
  
• Murray's Heavy Eye Hellgrammite - Black- #4
• Mousey McMouseface size 1/0
• Mouserat size 6
• Bombshell Popper Bronze, size 6
• Murray's 9' 0x Bass Bug Leader for topwater or streamer fishing
• Murray's 9' 0x Fluorocarbon Leader for Streamer fishing
• Murray's 9' 2x Bright Butt Leader for nymphs, streamers or topwater
• Scientific Anglers Sonar Leader 7 1/2' Intermediate or Sink 3
• Scientific Anglers Sonar Titan Sink Tip Fly Line Intermediate or Sink 3