Smallmouth Bass Streams Fly Fishing Report -Update May 18, 2024
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Update for May 18, 2024. We have been watching the gauges all morning. When I crossed the river this morning in Edinburg it was slightly stained but otherwise in great shape for fishing. The river flow on the gauges upstream of Edinburg on the North Fork show some heavy water coming this way. It will take a few days to work its way through. The same is happening on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Upstream of Luray shows some heavy water heading downstream. Give it a few days to get back to normal.
Posted May 15, 2024 The rivers are warm enough that the smallmouth are spreading throughout the good feeding stations. I'm getting good action below the riffles with Murray's Olive Marauder size 6, and Murray's Chartreuse Marauder size 6. If you want to attract larger bass then use larger flies such as the Murray's Magnum Hog Sucker Streamer, Magnum Chartreuse Streamer, and Magnum Bluegill Streamer all in size 4. These provide a big mouthful for the larger smallmouth. Fish all of these on a Bright Butt Leader 9ft 2X.
Posted May 15, 2024 Both the North Fork and South Fork of the Shenandoah River are in great shape. The water temperature has been in the 60's so I would still recommend chest high waders for wading. For wading on the North Fork I recommend the Lupton access of the Seven Bends State Park in Woodstock and Chapman's Landing just north of Edinburg. Fish downstream on both areas. For float trips in a kayak on the North Fork put in at the Hollingsworth access of the Seven Bends State Park and take out at the Lupton access. This is a short float. For a much longer float on the North Fork, put in at the Headley Road bridge in Maurertown and float down to Deer Rapids in Strasburg. There is private property on both sides of the river so be respectful and only access/exit the river at public access areas. The South Fork of the Shenandoah has many public access places to float in a kayak, canoe or johnboat. So take the time this summer to explore each area of the river.
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