Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - August 19, 2021

Recently we have been seeing two things along the Shenandoah River while fishing. 1) The dobsonfly (hellgrammite) eggs are hanging on the tree leaves over the river.  Weeks ago I caught a very  nice bass by fishing a Murray's Heavy Black hellgrammite across stream. The natural swimming action of the real hellgrammite permits us to fish our Hellgrammite fly at all angles with a convincing realistic motion. 

2) We recently saw some Hexagenia on the back window of the fly shop which hangs over Big Stoney Creek.  If they are on the creek then they are also on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River which isn't that far away from the fly shop. I match this with a Mr. Rapidan Skater Dry size 8.  If you want to add a dropper below the dry then add a Mr. Rapidan Soft Hackle Olive Nymph size 10. Listen to my podcast for more information.

Yesterday the North Fork of the Shenandoah River had some discolored water running through from some heavy rains but it ran through quickly.  As of this morning all of the North Fork is clear and fishable.  Meems Bottom in Mount Jackson, Chapman's Landing in Edinburg and the Lupton access of the Seven Bends State Park in Woodstock have been doing well.   The South Fork of the Shenandoah River is clear and fishable.  The Bixler Bridge area in Luray downstream to Fosters Landing have been productive.  For more information on access stop by the fly shop in Edinburg VA or see my book Virginia Blue Ribbon Streams.