By now, all of Virginia’s stockable lakes and streams have received at least one stocking of trout courtesy the Game Department. With hunting season in full swing, many sportsmen overlook this fishery or some may assume “It’s too cold.” But it’s not. Trout will feed in very cold water, down into the 30’s, but the bite is slower. It may be tough to draw a trout to the surface with a dry fly, but … [Read more...]

Capt. Steve Chaconas Colder nights and shorter days will cool the Potomac River. Depth and speed are the keys. It’s time to slow down. Water temperature is falling from the low 50s this week. A dry week ahead with a chilly start on Monday, highs only in the upper 40s warming up to the mid 60s by the weekend. Friday, the low will be in the mid 40s. Tight wiggle, flat-sided crankbaits on … [Read more...]

PJ Cox with an 8 pound 3 ounce Lake Anna largemouth   Lake Anna November Forecast by Chris Craft   Bass - Look for fish to be aggressive and chasing pods of baitfish (Threadfin Shad & Blueback Herring) at anytime throughout the day. Top water baits are an exciting way to catch these feeders. My choices are a Paycheck Baits Repoman, Damiki Rambler, Don Iovino Spash It, … [Read more...]

James/Shenandoah Mossy Creek reports: We are certain to catch a few more smallmouth this year while in pursuit of musky and carp, but our main focus is back on trout fishing. There are a few warm days in the weeks ahead and the smallmouth are always willing to eat a well-presented crayfish or baitfish pattern fished slow and deep this time of year. Being successful on smallmouth through late … [Read more...]

It took a little cold snap and receding water levels - then the Chickahominy River caught fire. Mike Johncox at Riverside Camp in Lanexa says the crappie and the stripers are hungry and are finding their way into fish coolers. “We broke the ice with both crappie and striped action this past week,” Mike said. “Gary and Shirley Belk caught 50 crappie on Friday and 21 more on Saturday. They also … [Read more...]

Potomac Report Water temperature is dropping into the low 60s and grass is still healthy but diminishing. Fish are eating. Keep on the move. A beautiful fall week ahead. Highs close to 70 everyday with overnight lows in the mid to upper 40s. Some sun with wind picking up on Thursday and Friday. Tides will be high in the morning. Start with deeper running lures to reach grass. Lucky Craft 1.5 … [Read more...]

All of Virginia’s mountain streams are running full. While a mere trickle just a few weeks back, the small and mid-size mountain streams have plenty of water and the brookies are hungry. Tommy Lawhorne at the South River Fly Shop in Waynesboro says they had “super high” water on the South River. “It was still running over 1500cfs on Monday, so it will be at least Wednesday or Thursday to be … [Read more...]