Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report - March 12, 2025

While I'm wading the Shenandoah River at this time of year, I like to fish around the gravel bars. This is where the water is 2-3feet deep along the river banks and also where there are shiner minnows. The smallmouth like to feed on the shiner minnows in a hit and run tactic. That is, they crash onto the shiner minnows and grab several of them then return to the safety of the close by deep water. As soon as I spot the bass, I cast a Silver Outcast Streamer size 4 out in front of the anticipated patch and strip it to life. If I don't get a strike on my first cast, I try several more casts.  Fish these on a Bright Butt 9ft 2X leader. Keep in mind the water temperature is still cold and we are on the very edge of early season for smallmouth.  

My Early Season Smallmouth Bass Fly Assortment contains 9 of my recommended flies for March, April and May. 

Both the North Fork and the South Fork of the Shenandoah River are clear and fishable. If you are wading I would recommend the North Fork. 

Learn to Fly Fish Summer 2025

We are conducting Full Day Fly Fishing Schools and Half Day Fly Fishing Lessons throughout the summer for anyone wanting to learn more. These are geared toward beginners, or those just wanting to unlearn all their bad habits, or for those that just want to spend the day with other anglers. Fly Rod and Reels are provided for the schools.