Smallmouth Bass (Practice Catch and Release)

Fly Fishing For Smallmouth Bass

As river waters warm in spring, smallmouth bass emerge from winter dormancy ready for their pre-spawn, spawn, and post spawn rituals. They are most vulnerable to the fly angler in terms of both numbers and size at this time. Smallies feed aggressively during pre-spawn, strike flies to defend the nest while spawning, and feed aggressively again during post spawn before water temperatures rise too high. They prefer to nest in deep slow current over hard bottom. They will strike a wide variety of flies and pound for pound fight as hard as any freshwater species. The riff is the center of their universe and they will be most often found at the head or deep in the tail or somewhere in between. Smallmouth average .5-2 lbs. Fish up to 4 lbs. are common, larger fish are rare.

Flies: Clouser Minnows, Crayfish Patterns, Poppers, Wet Flies

Approach:

Fly Lines:

Fly Rods:

Boat
Boat + Wade
Wade

Fast Sink
Floating
Slow Sink

4 wt
5 wt
6 wt

Best months for fly fishing for Smallmouth Bass in Virginia

Service Providers in Virginia
(Click on an orange month to list the Service Providers operating in that month.)

Guides

Playing Hookie Guide Service
jeffrey Kelble
635 N. Vermont Street #2
Arlington, Virginia
22203
703.243.5389
email|website|about us|map

Greasy Creek Outfitters
Mike Smith
110 Merifield Rd.
Willis, Virginia
24380
540.789.7811
email|website|about us|map

Shenandoah Streamers School of Fly Casting & Guide service
Allen Campbell jr
432 Airstrip rd
Luray, Virginia
22835
540.743.4396
email|website|about us|map

Ms. Guided
KiKi Galvin
2004 Dexter Drive
Falls Church, Virginia
22043
703.893.7020
email|about us|map

the Anglers Inn
Bryan Kelly
867 Washington St
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
15234
304.535.1239
email|website|about us|map

Canoe the New Outfitters & Guide Service
Britt Stoudenmire
1112 Wenonah Ave.
Pearisburg, Virginia
24134
540.921.7438
email|website|about us|map

Resorts / Lodges

Mossy Creek Lodge
Bob Cramer
9546 union Springs Road
Dayton, Virginia
22821
540.867.9310
email|website|about us|map

Inn at Riverbend
lynn hayes
125 River Ridge Dr.
Pearisburg, Virginia
24134
540.921.5211
email|website|about us|map

Meadow Lane Farm & Cottages
Michelle Ancona
HCR 01 Box 110
Warm Springs, Virginia
24484
540.839.5959
email|website|about us|map

The Hatch - A B&B for Flyfishers
Manny & Bobbie Sainz
211 N. Main St. PO Box 334
Edinburg, Virginia
22824
540.984.8939
email|website|about us|map

Fly Shops

Mossy Creek Fly Fishing
Colby Trow
2035 E. Market Street Suite 71A
Harrisonburg, Virginia
22801
540.434.2444
email|website|about us|map