South River Fly Shop in Waynesboro says the South River has been very good, even for July, with a great Trico spinner fall on most mornings. Midges and small black caddis hatches have been pretty consistent. Tommy Lawhorne says the fishing has been slowing down by noon with all the heat. He adds that the brookie streams in the Shenandoah National Park are getting too low for safe catch and release fishing. That should resume in September with a little rain and cooler weather.
The guides at the Fly Shop have focused on the South River, not the Shenandoah River, though the highwater levels on the river have finally subsided. The numbers aren’t great, Tommy said, but fish are being caught on the Shenandoah. Overall, fishing in the Valley is exceptional for this time of year.
The South has become an extremely popular destination because of its easy accessibility and the large numbers of holdover and some wild trout. Monsters to 28-inches are frequently reported.
The South River Fly shop is a full-service fly-fishing shop and guide service located in downtown Waynesboro, Virginia. They carry an extensive line of fly-fishing products from the best lines in the business. The shop is conveniently located just one block from the South River. They are open 7 days a week.
For more information about a guided trip or fishing the South River, contact the South River Fly Shop, 323 W. Main St. in Waynesboro at 540-942-5566 or southriverflyshop.com.
Lake Orange
Contributed by Darrell Kennedy of Angler’s Landing (540.672.3997). Water temperatures are in the mid-80s and the lake is slightly stained with bass feeding on soft plastics in the upper end of the lake. Bass are now in 8- to 10-feet of water with some good top water action in low light periods of the day. Crappie are hanging around brush and the pier in 8- to 10-foot depths and are being caught on small minnows and jigs. Walleye can be caught in rocky areas. They also seem to be in 8 to 10 feet of water with nightcrawlers being the bait of choice. Channel catfish can be caught throughout the lake by anglers using chicken liver, clam snouts and/or shrimp.
Freshwater Overview
Summertime patterns are in full swing everywhere, reports Stan Cobb at Greentop. Those fishing lakes and ponds may, or already have, chosen to fish for bass at night. Topwater baits, and Texas rigged worms are the norm for most. For lakes, rock piles, rock ledges, and brush piles are often the ticket. Know the waters being fished, and beware of fog. Those fishing night tournaments are doing well with soft plastics, crankbaits, and topwaters, such as buzzbaits, and whopper ploppers. On larger lakes like Kerr, savvy anglers are using lights to attract baitfish, which, in turn, draws in the gamefish, especially crappie. Small minnows fished on slip floats are quite effective. Many are also choosing to target the giant blue catfish that reside in Kerr. Night fishing for these fish can often be more productive. Kerr elevation is currently at 303′.
Bridge areas on Anna can be especially good for both bass and crappie. Targeting the stripers in the early morning hours at Anna has been good to those that have stuck with it. Live bait has been best. There have been some outstanding catches of bass coming from Lake Chesdin. Night fishing is better for catfish now in the lower and upper James. The upper river tends to have more flatheads. The upper James is back to normal, and is in fact, slightly low. Early mornings and evenings are the best times for the biggest fish. Topwater baits, and fluke style baits are great. Daytime fishing is better with bottom bouncing lures, most of the time. The tidal James and Chickahominy are excellent destinations for summertime bass fishing. A moving tide is much better, whether it’s incoming or outgoing. Vegetation is often the key for success on the Chick, whereas the James usually has a better wood bite. Topwater baits are excellent on both.