Heavy rains early this week roiled the water in the James, but it’s dropping and clearing fast. Should be good fishing by this weekend. Guide L.E. Rhodes reports that the water flow last Monday was 1,130 at Scottsville (before the rain) and the mid-day water temperature was 80 degrees. The best time to fish, he says, is from mid-morning into the afternoon. Smallmouth are eating minnows and crayfish, so use those lure or fly imitations. The big’uns should be hungry. Let’s go fishing!
Lake Orange
The water temperature is around 80 degrees and both bass and crappie are schooling up on bait fish. Bass can be caught on topwaters in lowlight while plastics and live bait attract them during midday. A few walleye have been caught on nightcrawlers and minnows around grass beds on the upper end (away from the dam). Catfishing has been excellent throughout the lake with chicken livers and live bait enticing bites.
Potomac River
Capt. Chaconas says that morning high tides will put fish up on the bank. Look for fish to be on docks too. In areas with clearer water, poppers or frogs over thicker grass or pads will work. Use braid for both. Abandon topwater efforts quickly and pitch jigs and Texas rigged Mizmo tubes on 3/0 Mustad Ultra Point Mega Bite hooks tied to 14 pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon. Fish the dock pilings as current breaks. Pitch to the up current sides and allow the bait to drop down. Let them sit a few second, shake and sit again.
This is also a time for 1/4-ounce Mann’s Classic spinnerbaits, when it’s cloudy and with stained water. Tie to 14-pound Edge as well. Cast around grass or wood cover.
Shenandoah River
Harry Murray reports that both the North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River were too high for good fishing earlier this week but that the North Fork should be fishable by Saturday.
Says Harry: We are catching many smallmouth bass on the surface with the Shenandoah Blue Popper size 4, Shenandoah Sunfish Slider size 6, and Murray’s Chartreuse Popper size 6. Some of the most productive areas are the shaded banks where the water is 4 to 5 feet deep over cobblestone stream bottoms. On the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, there is 2 miles of this excellent type of water upstream from access point #19 (Covered Bridge). The South Fork of the Shenandoah River has great bug fishing along the West Bank upstream from access point #13 (Foster’s Landing).
Mountain Trout Streams
The extreme upper sections of the mountain brook trout streams are fishable if you come in from the National Forest Roads and the Skyline Drive. The lower sections are carrying higher water levels because of the rain we have received over the last few days.
Murray reports: We are still getting good caddis fly hatches in the mountains. The size 16 Mr. Rapidan Delta Wing Tan Dry Caddis and the Elk Hair Brown Caddis size 16 are both productive when fished dead drift upstream along the sides of the incoming riffles in the heads of the pools. As the streams get lower, a cautious hands and knees approach will usually help you catch the largest trout.
Lake Anna
Bass are being taken on shallow water points, early and late in the day. Stripers are being caught at the Splits, the mouth of Contrary Creek and Rose Valley on live minnows or jigged Hopkins spoons in 25-30 feet of water. Topwater baits are also working well around Jetts Island. Crappie are hanging around bridge pilings and other deep structure, taking live minnows and jigging spoons.
Lower James
Lily pad fields, creek mouths and standing cypress trees are the best areas below Hopewell, with better action on the outgoing tides. Bass action just above Hopewell is centered on the wood wing dams along the river channel. Big blue catfish are available in the outside bends of the river channel on cut bait. Gar are active, taking live minnows or combed nylon rope.
Chickahominy River
Most of the bass are being taken upriver from Diascund Creek. Lots of bass being caught by anglers using buzzbaits, small crankbaits plastic frogs and worms in lily pad fields and around cypress trees. Catfish action is excellent on cut bait and crab. Yellow perch and bluegills are also aggressive, taking Beetle Spins, live bait and fly rod poppers.
Buggs Island
Stripers are taking Cordell Redfins from buoys 4-7 in the main lake and from the mouth of Nutbush to buoys G & H in the creek. The stripers are skittish due to heavy boat traffic. Best catches are coming at dawn and dusk. Bass are located in 20+ feet of water, with anglers catching the fish on Carolina-rigged lizards and deep diving crankbaits. Crappie action is good around bridge abutments, 16-18 feet down. Catfish are biting well, particularly from Buffalo Creek to the junction of the two rivers. White bass are taking Tiny Traps and Doll Flies from Bluestone to Buffalo Creeks.
Smith Mountain Lake
Largemouth bass fishing is good on the upper end of the Roanoke River in 15-20 feet of water. Early in the day, Pop-R and Baby Torpedos are recommended. Smallmouth bass are taking topwater baits around the islands at the mouth of the Blackwater River. Big stripers are taking Hellbenders, Big Mac, Little Mac and Mann’s Stretch 25. Tying a bucktail 2-3 feet behind the lure increases the catches. Live shad are also taking stripers around the island at the dam, the mouth of Becky’s Creek and off the State Park.